Pipes too loud!
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Pipes too loud!
Hey everybody. I've got an '04 FLSTCI that I bought used. It came with V&H Big Shots Staggered. The sound was great, a little on the loud side, but I could live with it. Then I had a 95" high compression kit put on and now my bike is so loud that my ears ring for hours after I get off it, even if I wear earplugs. The pipes have a great sound, but I need to do something to preserve my hearing! I've already ordered and installed the V&H "quiet" baffles. They deepened the tone a little, but no noticeable reduction in volume.
I was thinking of putting stock headpipes back on, with SEI or SEII slip-ons, because I don't want to lose all that extra performance I just paid for! But I don't like the look of the stock pipes. With the V&H, the rear cylinder pipe comes forward to meet the front cylinder pipe (and creates a nice "V" shape that echos the shape of the V-twin). So what I'm looking for is an aftermarket pipe with the same basic shape but that is significantly quieter. What I want in the way of sound is a rumble, not a roar.
Any suggestions? Anybody out there use Hard Kromes or Hooker Headers? Ideally the pipes would be tunable for both sound and performance, but I'd like to hear from people that have already installed them and are happy with them.... Thanks for your help!
I was thinking of putting stock headpipes back on, with SEI or SEII slip-ons, because I don't want to lose all that extra performance I just paid for! But I don't like the look of the stock pipes. With the V&H, the rear cylinder pipe comes forward to meet the front cylinder pipe (and creates a nice "V" shape that echos the shape of the V-twin). So what I'm looking for is an aftermarket pipe with the same basic shape but that is significantly quieter. What I want in the way of sound is a rumble, not a roar.
Any suggestions? Anybody out there use Hard Kromes or Hooker Headers? Ideally the pipes would be tunable for both sound and performance, but I'd like to hear from people that have already installed them and are happy with them.... Thanks for your help!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Pipes too loud!
You can try all the quiet stuff you want. Use V&H and you ears are going to bleed. Been there done that. Tried long shots, big shot longs and big shot longs with quiet baffles. All too loud. Put your head pipes back on, drop some Harley SE slipons on and keep the mapping and air upgraded. You will keep the rumble you are looking for.
Doc
Doc
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 1
From: Southwestern Virginia
RE: Pipes too loud!
Doc, I respectfully disagree. I have longshots on my fattie and they sound great. The only noise problems I have is the wind -- the pipes, and their rumble, are well behind me and any passenger I might be carrying.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 378
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From:
RE: Pipes too loud!
what he said!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: dadofsix
Doc, I respectfully disagree. I have longshots on my fattie and they sound great. The only noise problems I have is the wind -- the pipes, and their rumble, are well behind me and any passenger I might be carrying.
Doc, I respectfully disagree. I have longshots on my fattie and they sound great. The only noise problems I have is the wind -- the pipes, and their rumble, are well behind me and any passenger I might be carrying.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 626
Likes: 1
From: Ogden, Utah
RE: Pipes too loud!
I will also have to agree. I have the Big Shot Staggered and yes they are loud. My dad put the Big Shot Longs and they are loud from behind the bike, but not so much on the bike. He went from the Harley SE slipons to the Longs and they are not as loud ridding as the SE. The SE put the sound at the same place as the Staggered, where the longs put the bulk of the sound behind you. Love the V&H sound so I would go with the Longs, just my two cents.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
RE: Pipes too loud!
I have to agree with rott3n and the 2 into 1. I had those (V&H 2 into 1) on a fxst that was on it when I bought it. Was way too quiet for me but that;s just me. The 2 into 1s will most likely get you to where you want to be.
Sanford
Sanford
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Staten Island, New York
RE: Pipes too loud!
i have baffleless short shots. and while they are loud and thats how i like it, i dont have any problem with my ears. if i did id wear ear plugs rather than put the baffles in.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,578
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From:
RE: Pipes too loud!
ORIGINAL: dadofsix
Doc, I respectfully disagree. I have longshots on my fattie and they sound great. The only noise problems I have is the wind -- the pipes, and their rumble, are well behind me and any passenger I might be carrying.
Doc, I respectfully disagree. I have longshots on my fattie and they sound great. The only noise problems I have is the wind -- the pipes, and their rumble, are well behind me and any passenger I might be carrying.