Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Pipe Loudness... model differences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 12:26 PM
  #1  
Dach's Avatar
Dach
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default Pipe Loudness... model differences

Rode my friends '92 Heritage Classic yesterday. Shocked at how quiet the non-baffled illegal drag straight pipes sounded while in the saddle. This is the same bike that causes momentary deafness when passing me while riding. The same bike that sets off car alarms and keeps the local ENT's busy from the obnoxious decibel level. I'm slightly confused since the V&H slip-ons on my '09 Street Bob are uncomfortably loud/rumbly while in the saddle to the point of considering going back to stock.
Would non-baffled straight drag pipes be quieter on my Bob than the V&H?
Is this a function of the dimensions of a softail vs. dyna or the configuration of the actual pipes ie. cut type of opening, distance from riders ear...
What gives?
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 04:46 PM
  #2  
deadeye's Avatar
deadeye
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
Default

Did it had bags on it? In my experience, bags can block a lot of sound from getting to the rider.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 05:23 PM
  #3  
RocketRocker's Avatar
RocketRocker
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 983
Likes: 4
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Default

It could be that you were going so fast that you broke the sound barrier therefore heard nothing but silence as you entered warp mode.

I have no baffling in my BR's but do scare the crap out of bystanders....pedestrians and small children (they all take off running)
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 09:23 PM
  #4  
Dach's Avatar
Dach
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default

No bags in place.
Both bikes have the same staggered configuration so roughly same distance from pipe opening(s) to ear.
Bologna cut on mine, side cut on his.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2009 | 10:30 PM
  #5  
oct1949's Avatar
oct1949
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Default

Are the motors the same, stg1, cams different..?? same size Pipes? BSS's ?

would think the side cuts would allow more upward DB's

Cams differently will make them louder, Mine made a fairly big diff with same pipes..
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2009 | 06:57 AM
  #6  
tk353's Avatar
tk353
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
Default

the sound can very due to tuning. i had rush slip ons and they were loud. car alarms and such would go off. only change was a dyno tune and after that it sounded almost stock until i got on the throttle.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #7  
hotrod351's Avatar
hotrod351
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
Default

it depends on the motor, i had a chance to hear the bike they build for a arizona guy on american chopper. the motor was a stock harley evo and the pipes were about 24" long. i figured it would be loud as hell, well it was quiet as hell. figured because the motor was all stock. a cam will make a big difference and also the timing.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rich L
Softail Models
19
Dec 4, 2017 01:58 PM
04FXDI
Dyna Glide Models
15
Mar 22, 2016 12:14 PM
deezy139
Softail Models
16
Aug 13, 2014 08:06 AM
jphillips63
Exhaust System Topics
11
May 28, 2012 02:18 PM
hougz79
Touring Models
2
Sep 27, 2011 12:26 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:08 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE