Hey all I have a 1997 road king with Vance and Hines longshots. I am thinking of removing the baffles. I have heard that it will reduce low end torque and make thebike run lean. Is this still a big deal on a bike with a carb? Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for thehelp!!

 

You can remove the baffles but you will lose low end torque if you do. Are you looking to make the bike LOUDER? It runs better with baffles due to the scavenging of the exhaust, but You should be okay if you do remove them. You'll get a lot of opinions around here. For a better running bike leave baffles. For a deeper sound try Big city thunder baffles.

 

Why?????????

 

I just wanted the bike to be a little louder. I don't want to drop the cash on getting new pipes, so I was going to either take out the baffles all together or take them out and drill some holes in them (not sure if that will work though). I have heard everything from "**** no it will make your bike run like **** in the low end of the power curve" to "yeah, why not just tune your carb if needed"

No doubt that just about everyone has different opinions on the subject, but I was just searching for a few more!

I understand not wanting to take them out on a nice new tuned fuel injected 96" screaming eagle, but I have a 12 year old 80" carbed evo...I just thought that it would be a little more forgiving if I took the baffles out...I like things loud. But not at the expense of engine damage.

Ok, let the opinions fly!!

 

I doubt that there is any chance of engine damage. However, as already mentioned, you will lose some low end torque.

Many have said the loss of torque isn't noticeable at all. Some say barely noticeable, but worth the great sound. Some say the bike turned into a giant turd performance wise.

Just try it and see if you like it.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought leaving baffles in had to do with the effects of "back pressure" improving low end torque.

I thought the scavenging effect was related to 2-into-1 exhaust, which is why from a pure performance standpoint, 2-into-1 is better than true duals.

 

Big City Thunder, definitely. It's bigcitythunder.com Get a set of Thunder Monsters. Take out the old baffles, put these things in, and go! These things are great! Make sure you give 'em a phone call to ask about them. I haven't talked with them for awhile, but I think the guy who answers the phone is Jim. Nice guy, and will answer all your questions. Get 'em. You'll love 'em.

 

+1 on getting different baffles. Do that instead of running without. Should be pretty inexpensive (compared to new muffs).

 

ALL,

FYI I removed the baffles. I wanted to hear first hand what it would sound and act like...

They are back in my bike! It sounded nice and loud at the higher RPM, but was not worth a crap at low RPM. It also sounded kinda tinny and hollow...not a nice low rumble.

Thanks to all that wrote, if anyone is thinking of doing it then go for it, you will likely put them back in before the end of the day!

 

I 2nd the Big City Thunder Baffles. I removed my baffles out of my Bassanis and intalled their head pipe baffle and WOW!! I fired my bike up in the garage after the install and the Wife said the dog almost went throught the roof I talked to a real informative lady at BCT that can answer all your questions. Good luck man...

 

I went with the BCT baffels as well. But I went with the qiuet ones as well. It is not exactly quiet. I bet the regular ones would fit the bill for what you are looking for.