Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 2
From: Cave Creek, AZ
Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
Thinking of straight pipes on a bagger, This is the ad -'225's from Santee®! Huge 2 1/4"-diameter pipes deliver wicked sound and all the performance you can handle. Proudly made in the USA from 16 gauge pipe and now featuring a FULL TWO YEAR WARRANTY* on materials and workmanship. Includes brackets unless noted otherwise. Available to fit many models from 1984 thru present. Choose from two distinct dual exhaust systems both featuring 2 1/4" straight pipes. The long and low 'Stacked' features both pipes exiting on the right side. The 'Crossover' has one pipe exiting on each side. Fits FLT, FLHT, FLHS and Road Kings 1985 thru present - Crossover
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Thanks
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Central Washington
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
Well, yes. That is, unless you want a bike that is damn near impossible to tune for fuel delivery, gets bad gas mileage, and only runs well when the throttle is wide open.
They call 'em "drag pipes" for a reason: it's because they only run well in one limited RPM range - WFO. There are ways to deal with the issues, but they are only band-aids. A good exhaust system is worth good horsepower.
There are those who say their bikes run just fine with drag pipes. If that's true, then they have found some way to suspend the laws of physics as they relate to fluid dynamics. Or probably, more likely, they are just willing to not notice all the downsides in favor of the racket.
Pilgrim
They call 'em "drag pipes" for a reason: it's because they only run well in one limited RPM range - WFO. There are ways to deal with the issues, but they are only band-aids. A good exhaust system is worth good horsepower.
There are those who say their bikes run just fine with drag pipes. If that's true, then they have found some way to suspend the laws of physics as they relate to fluid dynamics. Or probably, more likely, they are just willing to not notice all the downsides in favor of the racket.
Pilgrim
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
I had drag pipes on my 79 FLH. If you tune it, there are no driveability issues. The main complaint I had was that the sound would bounce off the faring and windshield right back at you. It was a bit loud. I eventually replaced them with a dual setup. We have drag pipes on the sportster now. With EFI and full access to the fuel maps, no problems at all.
Loud Pipes Save Lives.
Loud Pipes Save Lives.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 2
From: Marietta, GA
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
Yeah, I had drag pipes on my RKC. Didn't even tune it and there weren't noticeable issues. Ran a little hotter so I pulled them off until I can afford to get the PCIII. They aren't limited to one RPM range and they won't give you horrible gas mileage. Mine didn't change and my guess would be that once you tune them you might lose less than 10%. And no, I haven't suspended the laws of physics. People who have never tried it will tell you not to do it. Ask PapaTravis if you want another opinion. He turned me onto mine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
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From:
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
ORIGINAL: ianchris1
Yeah, I had drag pipes on my RKC. Didn't even tune it and there weren't noticeable issues. Ran a little hotter so I pulled them off until I can afford to get the PCIII. They aren't limited to one RPM range and they won't give you horrible gas mileage. Mine didn't change and my guess would be that once you tune them you might lose less than 10%. And no, I haven't suspended the laws of physics. People who have never tried it will tell you not to do it. Ask PapaTravis if you want another opinion. He turned me onto mine.
Yeah, I had drag pipes on my RKC. Didn't even tune it and there weren't noticeable issues. Ran a little hotter so I pulled them off until I can afford to get the PCIII. They aren't limited to one RPM range and they won't give you horrible gas mileage. Mine didn't change and my guess would be that once you tune them you might lose less than 10%. And no, I haven't suspended the laws of physics. People who have never tried it will tell you not to do it. Ask PapaTravis if you want another opinion. He turned me onto mine.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,307
Likes: 9,428
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
Hmmmm....wonder why some areas of country are talking noise law enforcement [&:]Maybe you can run em right out of the heads with no pipes.....less restriction that way 
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 8
From: New Egypt, NJ
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
I have drag fishtails on by Road King. Just got back from a 1250 mile trip, and my ears still ring. The bike has 46000 miles on it with these pipes, and I love the look and sound, but... Maybe I'm just getting old, or just an excuse for a change, but I'm looking to put mufflers on it. As for running conditions, at about 200-2500 rpm, the bike blubbers at light throttle [between 5-10%]. Witha Power Commander I've been able to tune this almost completely out by leaning the mixture at those specific areas less than stock. My mileage averages 43 mpg on road trips, 33 when I commute and beat on it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 172
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RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
Wonder why there is ant-noise legislation being enacted in so many parts of the country? It's just the begining, folks. As you sew, so shall you reap.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,495
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From:
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
You will get better performance with some kind of baffle. These engines NEED some back pressure for optimal performance. Even the older engines ran better with at least a little restriction!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
RE: Am I nuts, Straight Pipes on bagger?
Loud Pipes Save Lives.
This ignorant statement again. Sorry to flame. Common sense and 100% rider vigilance save lives. If this was true there would not be one Goldwing rider alive. Drunk or inattentive driver don't see you, hear you or even care about you. they just kill you.
You will not get any appreciable horse power change going straight pipe in a street environment, just pissed off people that will complain more about our bikes!!!! Resulting in more legislation and enforcement!!!
This ignorant statement again. Sorry to flame. Common sense and 100% rider vigilance save lives. If this was true there would not be one Goldwing rider alive. Drunk or inattentive driver don't see you, hear you or even care about you. they just kill you.
You will not get any appreciable horse power change going straight pipe in a street environment, just pissed off people that will complain more about our bikes!!!! Resulting in more legislation and enforcement!!!