A guy at work picked up a new softtail around two weeks ago and it is stock. In those two weeks he has almost been sideswiped two times now. I even have a hard time hearing him with his factory exhaust. He is saving up for a air cleaner and pipes along with a PC-V. The problem is it will be another month or so until he is able to do it. He wants to remove the mufflers so people know he is there and not end up a spot on the road.
Any problems in doing this as a temp fix? Just the mufflers off and not a AC yet?
I was not sure what to tell him about this.

 

I had a friend that took the baffles out of their mufflers and ran it like that for a season without an ECM upgrade. It ran like crap, no low end at all but didn't cause any engine problems. The plugs looked a little lean but no worse that the stock mufflers. I don't know if it would be any worse by taking the whole muffler off but it would be loud as hell and run real crappy on the low end. IMO not worth it, learn to ride like no one sees you and always position yourself so that you are in command of the situation (as much as possible) and always plan an escape route.

 

It's not just the lack sound, it has to with the persons riding skills as well. A skilled rider will be on the lookout for possible problems (not that they can always be avoided) and take evasive action prior to getting sideswiped if they know what to look for.

Now back to the question...The bike without mufflers is a bad idea.

Drew

 

Don't think more noise will help him ... people don't even hear emergency vehicles with blaring sirens in their sound proofed cars while they have the radio/cd/mp3 player full blast ...

Relying on sound for your safety is not the way to go.

 

Well he pulled his mufflers and I took it for a spin and to be honest it flies!!! I have mine to compare to but his hits low and pulls the hole way threw. I know it makes no sense and I would be the first to say that- but sitting in the saddle and hitting the throttle it runs like a raped ape. I do not get it . It will shoot flames from the rear pipe and on decel pop but the frikn thing takes off like hell. Not as loud as my V&H with BCT baffles but runs. Go figure.......LOL

 

If U put it on a dyno U'd see the diff...
noise is not a substitute for power but it can seem that way.

 

Is it a 2011? Maybe it's the cat material in the header pipes? Provides "some" back pressure?

 

He could buy his new exhaust now and put just that on with no other changes. The 're-tune' and PC-V will come when the intake work is done.