General exhaust question
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Arizona
General exhaust question
Hi everyone and forgive me if this has been asked before. I searched, but did not find anything.
I am very new Harley owner and new to bikes in general.
My question is really - I want to remove and replace the stock exhausts that came with my road king 2012. They sound fine, but I want a different sound - a bit louder.
This question is not about what brand to buy, but more along the lines of exactly what I need to buy? Do I just replace the pipes or do I have to replace everything from the heads back?
Is this something I can do or does someone need to do this?
I am sure this bike has a catalytic converter and I would like that gone.
Thanks everyone and I look forward to your responses.
Regards,
I am very new Harley owner and new to bikes in general.
My question is really - I want to remove and replace the stock exhausts that came with my road king 2012. They sound fine, but I want a different sound - a bit louder.
This question is not about what brand to buy, but more along the lines of exactly what I need to buy? Do I just replace the pipes or do I have to replace everything from the heads back?
Is this something I can do or does someone need to do this?
I am sure this bike has a catalytic converter and I would like that gone.
Thanks everyone and I look forward to your responses.
Regards,
If you just want to change the sound, then a set of slip on mufflers will do the trick.
Lots of manufacturers out there or you can just get a set of Screamin' Eagle slip ons from your Harley shop.
If you have the money you would be better off to replace the entire exhuast. Headers and mufflers. This will get rid of the catilytic converter and allow you Road King to run cooler.
Lots of manufacturers out there or you can just get a set of Screamin' Eagle slip ons from your Harley shop.
If you have the money you would be better off to replace the entire exhuast. Headers and mufflers. This will get rid of the catilytic converter and allow you Road King to run cooler.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
Likes: 740
From: new caney, tx
You have tons of options. Slip ons, full setup... Depends on how much you want to pay.. U can get slip ons from 180 to 700 is.. You can go 2into1..soo many options out there.. Most likely you will end up buying a few sets in time to find what your looking for... I had 3 sets on my fxst and just bought my 3rd set for my flhx
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
or...go to a bike night/dealer bbq and hear other bikes...see what sound appeals to you.
ask the owner what they use.
or walk through the used bikes at the dealer and see what pipes other owners have used- this is a great way to look at common modifications or use of aftermarket parts
as above, some riders are on their 3rd or 4th set...that can cost thousands
mechanically you can change your mufflers with out adjusting anything else.
however, just swapping mufflers will have a lessened effect on sound over replacing the header pipes with a header without a catalytic converter.
but this may require tuning compensation ( a whole other bag of worms)...especially with a high flow air cleaner.
I guess you are in the East Valley- we have a half dozen dealers which all have various events each weekend ( check cyclerides.com) or you can check bikes at the Pavillions car show on a saturday.
mike
ask the owner what they use.
or walk through the used bikes at the dealer and see what pipes other owners have used- this is a great way to look at common modifications or use of aftermarket parts
as above, some riders are on their 3rd or 4th set...that can cost thousands
mechanically you can change your mufflers with out adjusting anything else.
however, just swapping mufflers will have a lessened effect on sound over replacing the header pipes with a header without a catalytic converter.
but this may require tuning compensation ( a whole other bag of worms)...especially with a high flow air cleaner.
I guess you are in the East Valley- we have a half dozen dealers which all have various events each weekend ( check cyclerides.com) or you can check bikes at the Pavillions car show on a saturday.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 2, 2015 at 12:09 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
all the touring models share chassis, drivetrain etc.
so stick to stuff you see on touring models
road kings, ultras, streetglides, road glides etc
I'd rather you asked a thousand questions than blow a thousand bucks on pipes you don;t like
mike
so stick to stuff you see on touring models
road kings, ultras, streetglides, road glides etc
I'd rather you asked a thousand questions than blow a thousand bucks on pipes you don;t like
mike
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 238
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From: Arizona
Thank you. So I guess I could start with finding which ones I like and then just add the pipes and then at some point in the future I could upgrade to the entire system and get rid of the catalytic converter.
Does adding new pipes require that I have the bike tuned or something?
Does adding new pipes require that I have the bike tuned or something?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
since you have a new to you bike, should first evaluate what is on there- it may or may not be stock.
the tuning can of worms...
there are many devices to "tune a bike"
costing from $100 to $800
complexity varies, abilities vary, user control varies- and with some devices the result depends on the owners abilities.
I use nightrider.com xieds- about $125.
they work for me, other riders have other requirements.
I am all about saving a buck on this bike...gets me another buck closer to another bike...I like a garage full of bikes
I would suggest that you read a bunch of threads and see which approach appeals
mike
the tuning can of worms...
there are many devices to "tune a bike"
costing from $100 to $800
complexity varies, abilities vary, user control varies- and with some devices the result depends on the owners abilities.
I use nightrider.com xieds- about $125.
they work for me, other riders have other requirements.
I am all about saving a buck on this bike...gets me another buck closer to another bike...I like a garage full of bikes
I would suggest that you read a bunch of threads and see which approach appeals
mike
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 238
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From: Arizona
Good advice. You are right - need to first find out what is on the bike. I too am about saving money. Seems that some items can get pretty darn pricey. My heritage had some louder pipes and I liked them a lot. They were V&H's so maybe I need to figure out what those are.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
Likes: 740
From: new caney, tx
I may be on my 3rd set but I'm no where near "thousands" in the hole. Of my 7 sets 2 came on the bikes when I bought then 3 were bought used at ridiculously cheap prices from members on here and 2 were new all total I'm in about 600 bucks.. This time however I knew what I wanted and got them..i won't be buying anymore unless it's another deal I can't pass up.. I listen to clips on YouTube all the time..hell you can get a set of cfr knock offs for 173 from Eastern performance right now.. Throw in 100 for a stage 1 filter and 50 for xieds from the classifieds and your only out 323 for a simple stage 1 set up