Getting ready to pull the trigger on a new exhaust for my Fatboy. There are a number of things I am trying to accomplish, and high on the list is to get the exhaust lower, in preparation for adding hard bags. I had been considering ordering some new Bassani Road Rage II pipes, but have been looking around locally to see what I could find used.

So far, I have run across some V&H Big Shots (long), a D&D Fat Cat, and my personal favorites, Freedom Performance Racing Dual Exhaust System. I figure out of everything, that is the worst performer, but on the flip side, I really like the way it looks, and it will look even better with bags.

The Duals look really good, and will polish up nicely. Everything is there, including the brackets. I may end up going with it based on looks alone, but would be interested in hearing from those running true duals.


On a separate note, since I knew I would be removing my exhaust anyways, I decided to play around with them. I punched the plugs out of the stock mufflers just to see what I thought. I used a 5' rock bar that weighs about 40 lbs, and just punched them out. I was surprised that they came out so easily, and so completely. The bar has a long taper so I ran it thru after the plugs were out and smoothed the inside so that you couldn't tell anything was different if you didn't know what you were looking for.

I installed a tune for SE Slip Ons (without baffles), and once the roads dried up enough, I took it for a test ride. I have to say, if I didn't have to change pipes to install bags, I would run them just like they are. Idle is similar sounding to stock, but everything is just a little bit louder thru the RPM. Light to mid throttle, you can tell they are different, but probably would think they were supposed to sound that way if you weren't used to stock. Roll hard into the throttle, tho, and there is no mistaking things any more. Louder, and a distinctive sound. Not unpleasant but would definitely attract attention. Accelerating is much more fun now.

I have read various reports about removing the plugs, some positive, some neutral, and some negative. I was hoping for the best, but was prepared to be disappointed. Overall, my results fell well withing the positive range. If I lost any power anywhere, it really wasn't noticeable, and it felt a little bit sronger after about 3000-3500 RPM. That might be imagination, or it may be that I was enjoying the sound so much I got into the throttle a little more than usual. Either way, it was fun.

Eddied to add:
One thing that was very obvious is that the bike was running much cooler. The oil reservoir is usually too hot to touch, but it was notably cooler. Also, the bike generally heat soaks when I park it in the garage, but it is much cooler when parked, and when sitting at a light.

 

I'll share a few thoughts, all IMHO....

About the exhaust..

The information bandied about during debates of power differences between the various types of an exhaust (2-1, 2-1-2, true duals) is valid..... However... I would suspect that on a Stage I, street driven bike with a good tune, the differences wouldn't be nearly as dramatic, or possibly even felt, versus on a heavily modded engine....

Anecdotal example: I put a set of true duals on my 2001, Stage I (w/carb), Springer... It already had a dual exhaust set up, but had a chamber connecting the duals (Vance & Hines Big Shots) so kind of like a 2-1-2 exhaust. I had the carb dialed into the V&H exhaust, and it ran better than a Stage I should.... I put the true duals on it and I have not noticed a difference in the way it runs, nor have I felt the need to alter the tune...

Now every bike, and exhaust, is different... But I would suggest, if staying at a stage I mod, go with the exhaust you like the best... If the looks are important to you, go with the duals... Just make sure to dial in the carb, or if EFI, get a tune that is matched to your mods. If you use a canned map, rather than a custom tune (dyno), I'd even run a few auto tunes to dial in the VE tables...

About running cooler:

As far as running cooler, I understand that a richer tune can cool down an engine. In my limited experience, I have noticed a measurable, positive change. On my high HP 124" crate engine, with a very good dyno tune, it ran cooler than the Stage I 103" engine it replaced. The cooler running was evidenced by my thermostatically controlled engine fans not engaging as soon, or as often, as they did on my 103" engine. The "felt" engine heat was a subtle change, and I could not tell the difference by touching the engine or oil pan.. The temp difference was only noticeable, both via fan use and "felt" heat, during cooler or warm weather. Once the outside temps got hot, I'm sure it was still running cooler than before, but you really couldn't notice while riding.

In your case, you are most certainly running richer than OEM tune, but I have a hard time believing a canned Stage I tune map, will make as big a difference as you are suggesting... Could it be a combo of richer tune and cooler weather...??

In any case, unless you start doing big mods, start racing the bike, or are one of those gifted enough to detect very subtle changes in the engine output..... I vote for you picking the exhaust you like best regardless of design, get a proper tune, and then enjoy the bike...!!

Good luck and enjoy...!

 

A couple of comments. First, yes, I agree, the higher the state of tune, the more difference changes can make. As a percentage, it is probably similar, but as the numbers go up, a percentage becomes much more significant.

One thing I did to compare the exhaust types was to look at the V&H FuelPak 3 VE tables for various types. While I am certain that data can be taken with a grain of salt, I don't doubt that it is a pretty good indicator. Comparing the 3 types in a Stage 1 tune, as well as comparing the modded stock mufflers, there just isn't any really massive difference. There is actually a larger difference between front and rear cylinder in most cases, than there is a difference between pipes. I can't explain why, but the rears seem to have a higher efficiency in all cases. I would have guessed the front would be stronger, as it was on my Aprilia twin, but I have no reason to doubt the V&H data. I trust that they have probably spent more dyno time than any other manufacturer.

As for running cooler with the plug knocked out, I am sure the tune makes a significant difference, but I attribute most of the difference to the exhaust just flowing more easily, and not heat soaking the heads as much. I don't know how the stock exhaust passed enough gas to run a moped. There was a huge difference in the velocity of the gasses leaving the muffler. In any case, there was a measurable difference in oil temp, as well as just heat coming off the engine. Whatever the reason, that is a good thing. I wish I had done a before and after measurement on the oil tank, but it never occurred to me.

 

Went ahead and picked up the Freedom Performance exhaust and started fitting it up. The bracket on the right side is going to need some massaging to make things right, but I was able to get it all buttoned up and air tight, just so I could hear them.

All I can say is DAMN, What a difference. My neighbor has a Street Glide with V&H headers and neighbor haters, and these pipes sound much better than his pipes. His are raspier somehow, while the Freedom Performance just rumble. It sounds better than I could have hoped. Definitely bark when you goose the throttle, but still a deeper sound, not unpleasant at all. Will finish things up in the next few days and get some pics up. Got the pipes exactly where they need to be but now I have to go out now and see what I am going to have to do with the bracket to make it hold them there. In retrospect, I think these are for 06 and below, but aside from the bracket you can't tell they don't belong on the 09. Saw the O2 bungs and convinced myself they had to be the newer ones, but I am pretty sure that they aren't now that I started bolting them up. Either way, got them for a steal, and I have a welder to rework the bracket, so I am not complaining.

 

Great choice. I have Freedom Performance tru-duals shark tails on my 06 Deluxe and love them. I removed the baffles and installed TTIs. I can go from nice to ******* in one second.