Road King Exhaust
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 6
From: Southwestern PA
Road King Exhaust
In a few weeks, i am gonna trade up my 08 nightster. I am between the Heritage Softail Classic and the Road King Classic. From what i've been reading here on the forums, it sounds like the RKC is the way to go.
Just wondering how the stock exhausts sound on them and what would be a good (good = loud) exhaust for the RKC. Also, what would the advantage of going with a full exhaust be compared to just adding slip-ons.
Thanks!!
Just wondering how the stock exhausts sound on them and what would be a good (good = loud) exhaust for the RKC. Also, what would the advantage of going with a full exhaust be compared to just adding slip-ons.
Thanks!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
This topic has been beat to death, an I still am at a loss for exactly what I'm going to do. It all depends on what look you're going for, 2-1 or duals. I prefer the dual look, but want the 2-1 powerband. Slip ons are an easy choice and can be done with just a tweaking to the fuel map with either a SERT or other fuel man. system. Good luck on whatever route you go.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
I've been very pleased with my SE Touring slip-ons. They have a deep, muscular sound thats not overbearing or'll cause the neighbors to complain. If you end up with an RKC, please don't forget the fishtails. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
I have the Vance & Hines Big Shot Duals on my 07 RKC. Standard baffle is plenty loud IMO. I took them out and put in the Big City Thunder QQ baffles. They made them a little quieter and made the tone deeper. The standard baffles seem to have a little bit of a tinny sound to my ear. I'll see if I can shoot a little video and figure out how to get it to you tomorrow so you can hear.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
You would get the same sound out of a Heritage and a Road King. Both are 96 ci motors.
Slip ons will give you the same sound as a full exhaust too.
Buy the Touring bike though. I had a Fat Boy and as far a pure ride goes there is no compairson, Touring all the way.
Slip ons will give you the same sound as a full exhaust too.
Buy the Touring bike though. I had a Fat Boy and as far a pure ride goes there is no compairson, Touring all the way.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
I own a Road King. Something else you might want to think about is the difference the way those two bikes run. The Soft Tail's motor is counterbalanced, while the King is not. The King vibrates a lot...... by design (at idle that is). Also, how tall are you? I'm 5'10" and I barely stand flat footed at red lights and stop signs. I have always liked the looks of the Softails, but I wouldn't trade my Road King for anything. When I first bought my Road King I was sitting at a red light one day when I noticed a clicking sound. I realized it was my teeth vibrating together. The Road King rocks.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I own a Road King. Something else you might want to think about is the difference the way those two bikes run. The Soft Tail's motor is counterbalanced, while the King is not. The King vibrates a lot...... by design (at idle that is). Also, how tall are you? I'm 5'10" and I barely stand flat footed at red lights and stop signs. I have always liked the looks of the Softails, but I wouldn't trade my Road King for anything. When I first bought my Road King I was sitting at a red light one day when I noticed a clicking sound. I realized it was my teeth vibrating together. The Road King rocks.
Do you wear sneakers when you ride Hangfire? I'm only 5'8" and I can touch flat footed just fine with my bike boots on. As for exhaust for your RKC.. I went with Vance and Hines True Duals header pipes and Thunder Header Mufflers. The bike sounds great for some it too loud, but I love it. As many told me when I was looking.. you need to go to a bike night somewhere and just listen for the bike that makes you smile the most.. then ask the owner what pipes those are. Then go buy them. Now about slip-ons... they sound good, but they will never sound stereophonic like a good set of duals will. If you have a minimum budget you could get the mufflers now and add the header pipes later. I personally like the look of true duals.
Good luck, Ralph
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 33
From: Lewisberry PA
Do you wear sneakers when you ride Hangfire? I'm only 5'8" and I can touch flat footed just fine with my bike boots on. As for exhaust for your RKC.. I went with Vance and Hines True Duals header pipes and Thunder Header Mufflers. The bike sounds great for some it too loud, but I love it. As many told me when I was looking.. you need to go to a bike night somewhere and just listen for the bike that makes you smile the most.. then ask the owner what pipes those are. Then go buy them. Now about slip-ons... they sound good, but they will never sound stereophonic like a good set of duals will. If you have a minimum budget you could get the mufflers now and add the header pipes later. I personally like the look of true duals.
Good luck, Ralph
Good luck, Ralph
Ralph, I have an 08 Road King Classic and plan to add the V&H Ovals. I really want the true Duals, but am concerned that I will need to add a fuel management too. Its not that I am opposed to doing that, but 450 for slip ones, 300, for the headers and 300 for the fuel management... means I have to do some good talking... so, did you add a fuel management system with your set up?
