I removed the cats for heat. Made a very noticeable difference in that regard, too.

I used the Jackpot headers. As long as I'm decatting, I thought I'd go for better performance, regardless how small.

 

Decat the stock pipes yourself, just before you slipon new mufflers. Spade bit w/extension, 30 minutes and done. Then buy some CVO takeoffs for cheap, install a VIED to richen up the mixture, and you're set. It'll run better, sound better and be cooler on your leg.

 

I by-passed most of the read's, not to dis anyone at all but just wanted to point out some facts. Don't buy into the hype of an FP3, if your doing anything to the bike find an Dyno tuner thats a certified Power Vision tuner and buy a license for around $150 bucks and get it tuned properly. Ask around a bit and make sure customers are happy with that tuner before you jump in though. If you do up-grades to the bike you'd have to throw the FP3 away anyways to get a proper tune so the Power Vision is the way to go.
As far as pipes go, Yes there are some better than others, a 2-n-1 is the best but if I didn't go that route and wanted something other than the stock look then there's the V&H's power duals but with that set-up you will need to watch the baffle size, I wouldn't go over a 2.25" baffle unless your building a big engine, if you do then your leaving a lot of bottom end on the table.
If you satisfied with the stock look then I'd lose the cat, PV tune it with a good breather and the stock head pipe is a bit more restrictive than the V&H's so it will help with 2.5" baffles. Hope this helps you on the your decision.

I just noticed that your in Tn, give the guys at J&B Performance a call, look them up on FB and see some of there work. I guarantee you'll be satisfied with there work, I sure am!!!!

 

I switched my stock headers recently to ones that had Cat removed and ceramic coated, huge difference in heat.

 

The first modification I did was to buy a Rinehart Slimline Duals to get rid of Catalytic Converter.

That made the stock mufflers a little louder, I road that way for a year, and was pleased.

Then added a K&N replacement air filter to the stock air cleaner housing with a DK
breather bypass.
That created a deceleration pop, so I add Nightriders FL-ViED-10 to richen up the Air Fuel Ratio.

With the stock mufflers still on the Bike, my wife said she could not hear me when I came home.
So I bough some Jackpot 4 inch mufflers from a forum member, I put them on, now my wife can
hear when I come home. Everything seems to be working well, I'm still getting 42 MPG, but I don't
like the Exhaust note. So I may go back to the stock mufflers at some point in time, or keep looking
at other mufflers.

John