True Duals question
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton, WA
Maybe I'm wrong, but if it was only about performance we would all be riding something else. While we don't want to give up what we already have, it's about looks and sound. All of which is a personal preference. Now with that said, I believe I've read on here multiple times that a good tune will solve 90% of any performance problems. I suggest you buy what you like looks wise and sound wise. Then research who in your area will give you the best tune and have him do it. Now you have the looks you like, the sound you like and the best performance possible with your set up.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Ohio
...I believe I've read on here multiple times that a good tune will solve 90% of any performance problems.
I hate to lose power in the 2000-3500 range as that is where we spend most of the time. Top end power is nice but on a touring bike how much time do we spend WFO?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
You will lose some performance using True Duals in the rpm range you have described, not so much if you had a 113" or larger motor but in a relatively stock 96 you will. Your decision is, will the loss be worth the looks and sound of the TD's . Only you will be able to answer that, for me the answer is no, I run a 2-1.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: leominster, ma
I run Bub7 true duals and I can honestly say I felt a difference in low end power...enough to make me regret it?..no way. I will say this...my bike barks when you get on it...not too bad if you aren't hammering, but they will def hear you coming if you want them too...lol. Also, I hear some of the guys talking about the heat on the right side...I think I took care of most of that issue the day after i bought the bike with a stage one filter, SE slip ons, a power commander and a good dyno tune....BUT....I noticed when I went with the true duals, my left side is the side you want to look out for...lol...it gets hot right behind my calf!! Every now and then I see someone riding a bagger in shorts...all I think when I see this is "heh..try that on my bike". To each his own, but i would never go back...and while I did change my map around with a "canned map" after installing the true duals and now a heavy breather filter...I definately want to have it dynoed again when I can free up some money. There is such a difference of opinions on pipes...before I got mine i talked to and looked/listened to a lot of bikes on different rides to help me form a somewhat intelligent opinion..worked for em. Good luck Crim!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: United States of America
Dyno
I believe in having a bike dyno tuned by a reputable facility and operator (with whatever tuner/intake/exhaust combo you use) as that identifies the flat spots in tq/hp. It helps validate or eliminate perceptions on what the changes to your bike have accomplished--or negated.
In my experience, it helped me see that I picked up torque/power as a result of going to true duals. That said, I don't have 2-1 to compare to, which was fine because I like the look of duals on what really isn't a performance bike.
In my experience, it helped me see that I picked up torque/power as a result of going to true duals. That said, I don't have 2-1 to compare to, which was fine because I like the look of duals on what really isn't a performance bike.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
I believe in having a bike dyno tuned by a reputable facility and operator (with whatever tuner/intake/exhaust combo you use) as that identifies the flat spots in tq/hp. It helps validate or eliminate perceptions on what the changes to your bike have accomplished--or negated.
In my experience, it helped me see that I picked up torque/power as a result of going to true duals. That said, I don't have 2-1 to compare to, which was fine because I like the look of duals on what really isn't a performance bike.
In my experience, it helped me see that I picked up torque/power as a result of going to true duals. That said, I don't have 2-1 to compare to, which was fine because I like the look of duals on what really isn't a performance bike.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Qld, Australia
As I've been finding out, the exhaust you run can make or break a bikes low end performance. I've just swapped out the original headers on my 2010 Street Glide for V&H Dresser Duals (still running the same RSD Tracker slip-ons)... now lets get one thing straight, I'm chasing performance on my 103" stage 4 and not looking to "bling" my bike up with a set of pipes. That said all the true duals did was make my bike run like a dog down low in the rpm's. After allot of banging my head on the wall and talking to guy's in the same position as me it has become apparent that you don't run true duals if your chasing performance as you NEED the across-over which my set doesn't, they are true duals.
Bumped into a guy on the weekend with the IDENTICAL bike/engine mods as me apart from the headers, which are 2-1-2, and he is getting more top end hp as well as a clean hard pulling bottom end. He said he was in my shoes when he was running true duals and since the change to 2-1-2 "it's a new bike"!! My next move is going with a 2-1-2.
2-1 would do the same thing I presume.
I also have a '07 softail running a 103" stage 2 running V&H True Duals and it it runs flawlessly. Off the lights it's identical to my friends 103" stage 2 in his 2010 Street Glide running factory headers (with cat in-tact) with slip-ons. So from what I've learnt, the higher the mod's are on your bike the more it matters you run a tuned set of pipes.
On a stock bike I don't think you wouldn't notice the difference. I do love the look and sound of the true duals though..
Bumped into a guy on the weekend with the IDENTICAL bike/engine mods as me apart from the headers, which are 2-1-2, and he is getting more top end hp as well as a clean hard pulling bottom end. He said he was in my shoes when he was running true duals and since the change to 2-1-2 "it's a new bike"!! My next move is going with a 2-1-2.
2-1 would do the same thing I presume.
I also have a '07 softail running a 103" stage 2 running V&H True Duals and it it runs flawlessly. Off the lights it's identical to my friends 103" stage 2 in his 2010 Street Glide running factory headers (with cat in-tact) with slip-ons. So from what I've learnt, the higher the mod's are on your bike the more it matters you run a tuned set of pipes.
On a stock bike I don't think you wouldn't notice the difference. I do love the look and sound of the true duals though..
Last edited by TeeDee; Apr 18, 2010 at 09:28 PM. Reason: more info
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
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
You can bet this is true.Besides if it were a real concern you have the option of tuning the exhaust to gain what little you might lose.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
If performance is your holy grail, the RB Racing Black Hole 2-1 is what you are looking for. I lost 3 lb-ft across the board up to 3900, from there on up I gained 3 hp and tq was level until the 4800 drop off. Thats with Khrome Werks mufflers and dual head pipes vs the original head pipes. The Khrome Werks mufflers alone vs a cheaper competitor slid the tq left and added 9 from 2000-4000, a very worthy gain. But Im not really in a hurry, I was looking for a very specific sound without losing power. Any faster than 60 and my drink might vibrate out of its holder. Now Ive got my sound and a slight performance improvement to boot. Now if I was just better looking and rich...