Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Slip-ons now, Headers later?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 05:36 PM
  #1  
liljb72's Avatar
liljb72
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default Slip-ons now, Headers later?

Hey guys - Just bought a 99RKC and am loving it. There are a few aesthetic mods already, mainly paint and some chrome foot rests, etc. But I miss that beautiful Harley sound. I want a real nice loud, low rumble as I pass by. I am young and not at all worried about being quiet! That being said, I am new to the Harley game and am looking for some advice. I have been going over the search function for about 2 hours now and am having a tough time consolidating advice so:

1st - Would it make sense to get some Samson Ovals right now (money is an issue), then later when I can afford them get the V&H True Duals Headers?

2nd - Is this a good/typical first mod as this is most important to me right now?

3rd - Do most Harley riders install the slip-ons themselves, but get the headers done for them at the dealership? and is there a good website that have kind of how-to videos for this kinda stuff? I am decent with cars, but never worked with bikes before, don't think it would be too hard.

4th - Is there a good consolidated discount store online that Harley riders like to order from, do you guys order from your dealer, or just try to find the individual products from the original manufacturers?

Thanks guys - I know its a lot, but I wanna get those heads turning as I pass!
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 06:01 PM
  #2  
Mick's Avatar
Mick
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 7
From: Rochester N.Y.
Default

Welcome to the forum.
You can usually go with slip on mufflers and later add true duals.
This would be a popular first mod.
Usually true duals will make the existing mufflers a bit louder than stock pipes.
Mufflers are an easy mod , the pipes are a bit more involved , but common sense , good tools , and a service manual make it pretty easy.
If money is tight , keep an eye on the forum classifieds for some super deals on pipes,mufflers,seats,almost anything.
I got a set of V&H mufflers a couple years ago for $70.00 plus shipping in the classifieds.
Get to know your local dealer and keep up on any "open house" sales they might have.
My dealer knows me now and rarely need pre payment to order parts even though they require it.
Hang out ask questions and you'll learn some really valuable info here.
We'll even give you ideas on how to spend even more money than you planned on......
Mick
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 06:26 PM
  #3  
steelhead's Avatar
steelhead
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA area
Default

I would guess than a majority go slip-ons first so I would not worry about that. Then do headers later if you want to. I can't speak for "most" when it comes to install but I'm a big believer in doing most of the wrench work on my bike myself. Nothing to slip-ons and head pipes are only a touch more complicated. If you have any mechanical ability, you can handle both jobs.
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 06:33 PM
  #4  
weekendwarrior's Avatar
weekendwarrior
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Warren, Michigan
Default

I would disagree. Do it all at once. A stage 1 kit is all I have done to my 07 roadglide. It was bone stock for 2 years untill the warranty ran out and then I put vance and hines true dual headpipes, screaming eagle air cleaner, screaming eagle slip ons and a dyno jet controller. the only thing I bought brand new was the head pipes. I got great deals on "slightly used" stuff and saved a ton. I would advise, though, that if you go with dual head pipes do not stick with stock mufflers. I don't believe that anyone out there makes a download for stock mufflers. they are restrictive ( aka quiet ) and will make your bike run rich. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps. - Scott
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PTAG
Touring Models
23
Oct 29, 2015 12:02 AM
joromu
Exhaust System Topics
4
Feb 5, 2009 12:56 PM
ronyd
Exhaust System Topics
3
Apr 28, 2008 02:49 PM
tcfamy
Touring Models
11
Sep 30, 2006 09:00 PM
Neil
Touring Models
3
Aug 17, 2006 02:36 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:30 PM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE