Headers questions for touring models.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
Headers questions for touring models.
I really like the look of the dresser duals but do not like the idea of losing low down torque due to the loss in backpressure and have read that you don't get this same issue with the power duals as it retains the crossover and so don't get the same reduction in back pressure, is this correct? If so, would the RCX Tormentors be the best of both worlds as you get the look of the dresser duals but retain the crossover which is 'hidden' at the back? I'd never heard of RCX before, what is their fit and finish like?
Secondly, does fitting headers increase the volume of the exhaust note and if so is it a lot or just a little bit? Unfortunately living in the UK I can't just nip somewhere to have a listen to any as Harley's aren't that common, let alone trying to find an M8 touring with the specific pipes I'm looking at. I found this video before and after fitting power duals, and whilst the tone is different there doesn't seem to be a great difference in volume but this of course could just be the way the video is recorded?
For reference I have a pretty much stock Road King just with V&H Twin Slash slip ons and want to increase the volume a bit and am wondering which would be the best way to go, Stage 1 and 2, or stage 1 and headers. I appreciate there's some difference in performance in stage 2 vs headers, but at this moment I'm just interesting in improving the sound.
Secondly, does fitting headers increase the volume of the exhaust note and if so is it a lot or just a little bit? Unfortunately living in the UK I can't just nip somewhere to have a listen to any as Harley's aren't that common, let alone trying to find an M8 touring with the specific pipes I'm looking at. I found this video before and after fitting power duals, and whilst the tone is different there doesn't seem to be a great difference in volume but this of course could just be the way the video is recorded?
For reference I have a pretty much stock Road King just with V&H Twin Slash slip ons and want to increase the volume a bit and am wondering which would be the best way to go, Stage 1 and 2, or stage 1 and headers. I appreciate there's some difference in performance in stage 2 vs headers, but at this moment I'm just interesting in improving the sound.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
Thanks, just had a quick look at these on YT and again there doesnt seem to be a noticeable difference in volume on the video, is this your experience or in the real world is there more of a difference?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 646
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
Back pressure is not the thing, it has to do with proper scavenging and reversion of sound waves. Before you change head pipes, is your bike still under warranty, and do you want to keep it? If so, leave the factory headpipe alone, but feel free to change out the mufflers and the air cleaner assembly. If your warranty is expired or you don't care if it gets voided, then change the headpipe, and while you are looking, look at the 2 into 1 systems as they will help throughout the rpm range.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
Completely agree, I could have saved a ton of cash playing musical mufflers if I had of just put a good cam in from the start, live and learn!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
I don't feel right doing this knowing that I won't be ordering from them as they don't have a UK branch.
Yeah cams do make them sound better for sure. I just wish I could hear the bike a bit more when I'm on it as the sound is one of the things that attracted me to Harley. It's not the loudest when off the bike either, but that doesn't bother me. Obviously it doesn't help wearing a full face helmet with ear plugs but I've got high frequency hearing damage and I don't want it to get worse. It also doesn't help that the pipes are behind you on the touring models as opposed to more alongside on models such as the softails, but if I could make if a few decibels louder it would be spot on.
Thanks. Yeah I was aware it was the scavenging rather than back pressure but people often just refer to it as back pressure so I thought I'd just stick with that.
My bike's out of warranty so it's not an issue what I do with it. That being said, new headers removes the CAT which is technically illegal, however in the UK they don't check emissions during the MOT (I think you guys call it vehicle inspection certificate) on bikes (they do on cars).
Thanks, I'll definitely bear this in mind.
Back pressure is not the thing, it has to do with proper scavenging and reversion of sound waves. Before you change head pipes, is your bike still under warranty, and do you want to keep it? If so, leave the factory headpipe alone, but feel free to change out the mufflers and the air cleaner assembly. If your warranty is expired or you don't care if it gets voided, then change the headpipe, and while you are looking, look at the 2 into 1 systems as they will help throughout the rpm range.
My bike's out of warranty so it's not an issue what I do with it. That being said, new headers removes the CAT which is technically illegal, however in the UK they don't check emissions during the MOT (I think you guys call it vehicle inspection certificate) on bikes (they do on cars).
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 522
Likes: 177
From: Moultonborough NH
If you want good sound, put a cam in it and a non catted header or even better a big bore kit lol. I have a 128 with header and Fullsac 2.25 cores and the sound is night and day to the same exhaust on my friends bike with the same exhaust on a stock 117. I will say, I have a friend with S&S MK 45s on a stock 114 with stock header and that actually doesnt sound 2 bad.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
If you want good sound, put a cam in it and a non catted header or even better a big bore kit lol. I have a 128 with header and Fullsac 2.25 cores and the sound is night and day to the same exhaust on my friends bike with the same exhaust on a stock 117. I will say, I have a friend with S&S MK 45’s on a stock 114 with stock header and that actually doesn’t sound 2 bad.
Edit, actually I think I'm getting confused with the S&S 450 cams 😂