V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

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Oct 5, 2006 | 07:20 PM

Softail in 2007

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V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

For me it is hard to tell the difference in these two pictures, I would love to hear from both sides, seems that the big radius is more used? The big radius comes down a little further? trouble makers stepped header and coated? power and or just looks?

[IMG]local://upfiles/11433/CE8521005D2A485599B5B78E1DC01A90.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/11433/22A899F53CCC4601AF8C1D9F5B1DB456.jpg[/IMG]

Oct 5, 2006 | 11:50 PM

mopar360

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RE: V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

Well I looked into both and ended up getting the Hookers for my 2001 Softail. They are really close in looks, like you said, the V&H's have a little more arc and come down a little farther. I heard of a few people with lowered bikes that have scraped the tips of the V&H's on winding turns, where the Hookers are a little higher up. The Hookers seem to have the slightest bit deeper tone, and I liked the fact that they were ceramic coated and a steped headder design. Being a car guy and building a 450+horsepower 440 motor, I know that ceramic coating helps in getting the exhaust gasses out quicker and helps in better heat retension and I know the steped header design always helps maintain that lower rpm power when you use big pipes. I would guess that the same principles apply in the bike world and all the comparisons I saw between the 2 showed that the Hookers out preformed the V&H's, not by much but when your talking about 70hp motors or so every one counts. Another plus witht eh Hookers is that they have 3 different baffles you can buy, you can go without, quite, stock(the ones they come with), and performance(which are louder).
I do think that the V&H's look a tiny bit better(personal taste) and I think that V&H has better qulity control and fit and finish cause the first set of Hookers I got were a little dinged up. The replacement set I got was much better but there were a couple minor imperfections in the chrome. If I did it again, I dont know which I would go with, probably the Hookers again, but who knows. Heres a couple pictures, hope this helps a little.

Butch

[IMG]local://upfiles/6543/7499DE7E64414160A4AAD3CF046A033A.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/6543/AACEBB40BF9D43DCA49A99C6D1E4CCC0.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/6543/D4B817FC9B214B14AF5EA9C43255162E.jpg[/IMG]

Oct 6, 2006 | 02:12 AM

Softail in 2007

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2006

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RE: V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

Those are beautiful !! I like them both, Thank Goodness I don't have to decide today, I will keep studying for a few more miles, at least the guy I am going to use is recommending that I have 1000 miles before he tunes it.

Oct 6, 2006 | 05:12 AM

mimo

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2006

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From: MEXICO

RE: V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

You won't see the difference but you will certainly hear it

I'd go with samson, had V&H and took 'em off. Didn't like the sound.

Regards.

Oct 6, 2006 | 09:03 AM

George C

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: near Buffalo, NY

RE: V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

Ceramic coatings are very effective in keeping exhaust velocity fast in long piped, automotive headers.
You're talking about 30" of pipe here. These pipes are so short that it won't make a bit of difference.
I doubt you will see any performance difference between the two, so pick the style you like the best.

As far as sound, I run a 204 cam, and I get complimented all the time on the sound of these pipes.
I experimented with Thundermonsters, and found the stock baffles sound and perform the best.

Oct 8, 2006 | 11:19 PM

blinck27

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RE: V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

I've got an 02 softail fxsti the V/H look great they need to be remapped through Harley. They are quieter then the long shots I just took off. I think the Longshots have a better sound but you always seem have to sacrifice something for looks. They look more chopper then the longshots I think. As far as performance not much difference. I took the baffles out and they are much louder but have a pop sound instead of a deep rumble. Just different then the Longshots.They do tend to drag if your deep into a R/H turn just the bottom under the scallop but so did the longshots .I've got my bike lowered 2 inches so you get that .
Sacrifice....
They do look hot .... and they sound good too.

Oct 9, 2006 | 07:44 AM

FXST

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From: Gold Coast, Australia.

RE: V and H Big radius VS Hooker trouble maker

What mopar360 says is right. There have been a few hassles with the chrome with the Hookers but when it comes to power the Hookers win hands down. As soon as I fitted mine I put the bike on the dyno and was suprised that it had the same power and torque as the Screaming Eagle 2 slip ons. Which is very suprising for pipes that look good and are loud as well.

I know of some guys that have fitted the V&H and were very dissapointed in the power loss....