Touring on a QUIET Electra Glide
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 795
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From: Manasquan NJ
Touring on a QUIET Electra Glide
Is anyone LONG distance touring on their bike? I want a real stock sound level aftermarket exhaust. Any recommendations? I tossed my factory exhaust and will likely sell my D&D to a HDForum member. Looking to replacewith non stock, though I guess I might be open to another factory exhaust if someone has one to send( I'll pay shipping of course) Thanks
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 52
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From: South Carolina
I had a '04 Ultra with Samson Silver Bullets, louder than stock but not excessive. But on long trips it was hard to listen to the radio at highway speeds. I traded it in on a '09 Ultra, right now I plan on keeping the stock exhaust. Still has some rumble but not hard on the ears. The '09 is definitely a sweet bike.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
I had a '04 Ultra with Samson Silver Bullets, louder than stock but not excessive. But on long trips it was hard to listen to the radio at highway speeds. I traded it in on a '09 Ultra, right now I plan on keeping the stock exhaust. Still has some rumble but not hard on the ears. The '09 is definitely a sweet bike.
I had louder pipes on my Electra Glide for awhile but got sick of the noise. Anymore I'd rather have a nice soft rumble tone but nothing more. So my new bike will remain STOCK as far as intake/exhaust. Not into noisy anymore...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,458
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My personal opinion is that Monster Ovals are too loud for touring. I tried a set and have them up on ebay as I write this. I feel anyone serious about long rides or touring would find them to be too loud. The baffles are over 2" in diameter, maybe something like 2-1/4". Anyway, I myself am going back to the stock 09 mufflers as they are actually pretty decent sounding and were much better then I ever expected as stock on a new bike. Good job on that HD! 
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Valley, Washington State
I too wanted a sound that was not choked off but definitly not too loud. SO. . from my experience: Screaming Eagle slippon's were just too loud after 12 hours, the Vance Hines Propipe 2 into 1 is a great pipe but too loud for my taste; 08 stock was ok, but lacked low-end sound that I wanted, the Vance and Hines ovals were not what i was looking for.
That is the range of pipes I have used over the years.
I am now using the rush mufflers with the 1.75 baffles wrapped with a special deadening material. They are perfect for long days.
However, I put the 103 kit and 255 cams in and the Rush's don't flow enough air. I was hestitant to try the 2" baffles, etc. for the volume issue.
I heard a pair of the Vance and Hines Monster Ovals on another 08 bike and thought they sounded great and even a bit quieter than the Rush's 1.75.
So I ordered a pair of them.
We ride about 20 thousand a year two up and we enjoy each other's company. We can talk to each other easily with the 1.75's. I am hoping the Monster Ovals will allow the engine to breathe properly and still maintain the quieter sound.
Just my .02
That is the range of pipes I have used over the years.
I am now using the rush mufflers with the 1.75 baffles wrapped with a special deadening material. They are perfect for long days.
However, I put the 103 kit and 255 cams in and the Rush's don't flow enough air. I was hestitant to try the 2" baffles, etc. for the volume issue.
I heard a pair of the Vance and Hines Monster Ovals on another 08 bike and thought they sounded great and even a bit quieter than the Rush's 1.75.
So I ordered a pair of them.
We ride about 20 thousand a year two up and we enjoy each other's company. We can talk to each other easily with the 1.75's. I am hoping the Monster Ovals will allow the engine to breathe properly and still maintain the quieter sound.
Just my .02
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,040
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From: Nice home on the NorCal Coast
I had a '04 Ultra with Samson Silver Bullets, louder than stock but not excessive. But on long trips it was hard to listen to the radio at highway speeds. I traded it in on a '09 Ultra, right now I plan on keeping the stock exhaust. Still has some rumble but not hard on the ears. The '09 is definitely a sweet bike.
Had Thunderheader slip-ons for years but got tired of the loud sound.
These are kinda right in the middle between stock and TH's
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 7
From: tomball tx
get a setn of screamin eagle slip ons. they have more of a growl when you twist the throttel but i can ride for hours with no problem and listen to the radio as if i were parked. i have had all the pipes on softtails and touring bikes. i have done the sert thing and dyno, etc. after all of that, go with s/e pipes, hi flow and recalibration. quiet rides, tad more power, and still 50 mpg on highway....ride safe
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
The problem with stock pipes is you can hear all the strange sounds a harley engine makes.
I have the screaming eagle slip ons that are just a bit louder than stock. You can carry on a good conversation with a passenger without having to yell.
I wear ear plugs if I'm touring by myself.
Can't understand the logic of loud pipes. When I had them, could not hear other vehicles approaching from behind. The best defense is knowing where the other guy is.
Sorry, wrong thread for loud pipe opinions I guess.
I have the screaming eagle slip ons that are just a bit louder than stock. You can carry on a good conversation with a passenger without having to yell.
I wear ear plugs if I'm touring by myself.
Can't understand the logic of loud pipes. When I had them, could not hear other vehicles approaching from behind. The best defense is knowing where the other guy is.
Sorry, wrong thread for loud pipe opinions I guess.