When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Going to be getting a Road glide special here in the next week or so. Looking to upgrade the exhaust. Got it narrowed down to Thunderheader or Drago. Heard pretty much only good things about Drago. Thunderheader I've heard mixed reviews mostly regarding finish and volume. A lot of the info is a couple years old so wanted to see if the quality is any better and are they really so loud you can't hear a stock radio?
The performance on the Thunderheader, Rush, Dragos, V&H, and D&D with 2 in 1's is about the same. The sound is major difference. D&D's seem to be the loudest and deepest and more raspy at idle and off idle. They all are quiet enough while cruising. On a stage 4 engine under power you can hear them 1/2 mile away. It was more a matter of cost and features like stepped header and ceramic coating to me.
I just changed out my VH header with a Fullsac header, 2 into 1 into 2. Matched up to my VH wide oval exhausts.
The bike (2014 SG ) runs amazing! Deep throaty sound. More power!
I also put Andrews 57 cams in, SS lifters, Arlen Ness stainless steel air filter, and TTS tuner.
Also had it Dyno Tuned up at the famous Doc Wiever. Now pulling 106lbs, and 95hp.
Runs amazing, so happy!
http://m.smarteragent.com/dl2-2121442
Not taking anything away from what's been posted here ... all good information. But in regards to sound, everyone's opinion is so different, the best way is to go to a bike event, find that set up and listen. Trust me, I've gone through several exhaust systems finding the right one based on other people's comments.
The performance on the Thunderheader, Rush, Dragos, V&H, and D&D with 2 in 1's is about the same. The sound is major difference. D&D's seem to be the loudest and deepest and more raspy at idle and off idle. They all are quiet enough while cruising. On a stage 4 engine under power you can hear them 1/2 mile away. It was more a matter of cost and features like stepped header and ceramic coating to me.
I have run both the TH and the D&D on my bike, and will agree with what you said. The D&D is a little louder than the TH while cruising, and deeper, kinda sounds like a big block. The TH seems to be louder at idle, but mellows out at cruising speed - and will roar when you're in the upper rpms. Performance is about the same, but the D&D seems to have a little more pull down low according to the butt dyno. The fit and finish on the D&D is definitely better than the TH. The TH was a pain to install, while the D&D was pretty easy and used the stock mounting bracket.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.