No Respect, I tell ya...
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
No Respect, I tell ya...
When I get on the throttle that is. I'm running python predator slip-ons with stock headers on an '09 FLHX. Good tone, but way too quiet for my tastes. My last bike (1st HD) was an '03 Fatboy with straight pipes, no baffles, and BCT thunder monsters. That was loud... louder than what I care for on the SG, but closer to what I'd like than what I've got now.
I get the sense looking at other posts that what many people are calling loud on touring exhaust systems is from a quiet-pipe person's perspective, and is what I might consider a bit tame volume-wise. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being completely stock and 10 being straight pipes running wide open, I would say my FB was a 7.5 and my SG is a 4. I'd love to be sitting at about a 6 to 6.5.
If I remove the baffles from the pythons and install a BCT head-pipe thunder monster, I think I'll be even louder than what the FB was (larger engine displacement and pipe diameter) which would be too loud. Anybody have replacement suggestions that will get me in the volume range I'm looking for?
On the FB, I would pull the clutch and give the throttle a couple quick twists to let people sitting at side streets know I was there. They definitely knew I was there! I do the same on the SG and it's not going to get a whole lot of people's attention. Safety considerations aside, I just have a lot more fun riding a loud bike!
I get the sense looking at other posts that what many people are calling loud on touring exhaust systems is from a quiet-pipe person's perspective, and is what I might consider a bit tame volume-wise. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being completely stock and 10 being straight pipes running wide open, I would say my FB was a 7.5 and my SG is a 4. I'd love to be sitting at about a 6 to 6.5.
If I remove the baffles from the pythons and install a BCT head-pipe thunder monster, I think I'll be even louder than what the FB was (larger engine displacement and pipe diameter) which would be too loud. Anybody have replacement suggestions that will get me in the volume range I'm looking for?
On the FB, I would pull the clutch and give the throttle a couple quick twists to let people sitting at side streets know I was there. They definitely knew I was there! I do the same on the SG and it's not going to get a whole lot of people's attention. Safety considerations aside, I just have a lot more fun riding a loud bike!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Melissa, TX
You'll never get the same rumble or volume level running a split pipe "touring style" exhaust setup that you get from running over/unders/shotgun style pipes on other bikes. The closest you could hope for is a 2-1, which some sound damn good.
My last bike was a 2005 Vulcan 2000 with Cobra Speedster Shorts (no baffles). Those were LOUD, throaty, and with a great deep rumble. To date I've never heard a touring exhaust set up sound as good (not even 2-1's).
You could go with something like the V&H Monster Ovals and get that sound, but a split L/R touring set up...I don't think you'll ever find anything that even comes close to those.
I loved my Cobra's, but my V&H Classics on my SG get the job done nicely. I have no complaints with them what-so-ever. The only thing I plan on changing is converting to a true dual system sometime this winter, but I'll keep the same slip-ons and just replace my current head pipes with the V&H True Dual head pipes.
Good luck with your search. Finding an exhaust system that "sounds good" is very subjective, and probably one of the hardest things to do when it comes to customizing a bike.
My last bike was a 2005 Vulcan 2000 with Cobra Speedster Shorts (no baffles). Those were LOUD, throaty, and with a great deep rumble. To date I've never heard a touring exhaust set up sound as good (not even 2-1's).
You could go with something like the V&H Monster Ovals and get that sound, but a split L/R touring set up...I don't think you'll ever find anything that even comes close to those.
I loved my Cobra's, but my V&H Classics on my SG get the job done nicely. I have no complaints with them what-so-ever. The only thing I plan on changing is converting to a true dual system sometime this winter, but I'll keep the same slip-ons and just replace my current head pipes with the V&H True Dual head pipes.
Good luck with your search. Finding an exhaust system that "sounds good" is very subjective, and probably one of the hardest things to do when it comes to customizing a bike.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Just looking for some attention from the local authorities I see....
It's your bike, ears and pocketbook....If you want loud, do it...Just be ready to pay up to the man....
Maybe the five years running a CFR pipe on my V-Rod has taught me a lesson. Yes, it sounded bad *** but my hearing has suffered and people riding near me suffered...
Want to be heard, get an air horn and a HID Light for visibility...
Flame away!!!!
It's your bike, ears and pocketbook....If you want loud, do it...Just be ready to pay up to the man....
Maybe the five years running a CFR pipe on my V-Rod has taught me a lesson. Yes, it sounded bad *** but my hearing has suffered and people riding near me suffered...
Want to be heard, get an air horn and a HID Light for visibility...
Flame away!!!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
How about cutting the baffles in half? Should retain back pressure for torque and pump up the volume. I know a guy who did it to his V&Hs and it sounded good. Or take them out and remove a bunch of packing maybe.
Last edited by carpetride; Jan 2, 2009 at 02:56 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
They make straight pipes with no baffles for touring bikes if you really need loud. I would think that you would lose some HP and Torque as well as run hotter but if its what you really want, its out there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
Attention deficit? There is medication for that should not be able to outgrow it. Now, on to pipes, try a two into one setup. It should give you the most bang for the buck in both noise and power. However, should you be in need of attention using noise, so that people will both see you and envy your bad *** personae maybe you should change your focus to the radio of your SG for noise instead of your pipes? After all, a loud bike is easily had; a great sounding stereo is something else. Besides Barry Manalow and biking go hand in hand.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
I have a cabin up in the mountains north if LA. Wrightwood.
No disrespect intended, but please don't visit.
Loud and proud is also rude and crude. Its also illegal, but that's not the real issue. Do you have straight pipes on your car? Maybe a boom box with 2 trillion amps?
Nothing like a bunch of guys, "true rebels", making all the noise they can in someone elses neighborhood
Ok, I feel better now.
No disrespect intended, but please don't visit.
Loud and proud is also rude and crude. Its also illegal, but that's not the real issue. Do you have straight pipes on your car? Maybe a boom box with 2 trillion amps?
Nothing like a bunch of guys, "true rebels", making all the noise they can in someone elses neighborhood
Ok, I feel better now.
