How noticeable??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
I have done no mods other than removing converter I averaged 38 mpg before, I still average 38 mpg.
And the heat eminating from the headpipe preremoval was unbearable during a long ride....
On a recent trip to the cape we literally had to pull over and I had to put my wife in the car with my father.
And the heat eminating from the headpipe preremoval was unbearable during a long ride....
On a recent trip to the cape we literally had to pull over and I had to put my wife in the car with my father.
My friend did the works. Pipes, tuner, A/C, etc. And it killed his mileage.
I am set up for solo, I don't notice the heat.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Ct.
If I compare my 05 boulevard to my 11 flhtcu, there is significant difference in heat from the exhaust.
Like I said, to the point of unbearable.
I did notice that after removing the lowers, the heat was less, but still unbearable to my wife.
So long story short, lowers went back on, headpipe came out, converter got pulled, wife rides on bike again, my right leg does not feel like it is going to catch on fire...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 2
From: Canton, Ga
I just gutted a stock headpipe and put it on my bike on Saturday. The sound difference alone was worth it, I am running the Superflow stage 2 pipes, they sounded ok before but did not have that deep grunt. Now they are louder and deeper and I could not be more satisfied with the sound. As far as the heat goes my wife could definitely feel the difference on her 1st ride yesterday. As far as power I don't notice a difference either way.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I just removed the Cat, replaced the slip ons and put a K&N replacement filter on the bike last weekend.
Much cooler, better sound but not a huge improvement in performance. But my goal was heat removal and Harley sound over performance.
I did not require a re-tune with this set up as of yet. Have ridden in the Valley and up into the mountains with no problems.
Much cooler, better sound but not a huge improvement in performance. But my goal was heat removal and Harley sound over performance.
I did not require a re-tune with this set up as of yet. Have ridden in the Valley and up into the mountains with no problems.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 8
From: Western Canada
Installed the V&H Power Duals to get rid of the cat
and the difference in heat reduction is profound. The sound out of the back was bumped up by 1db and it makes the BUB7 Stealth's sound incredible. Either way you won't regret getting rid of the cat on your bike.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
I think its a combination of things that help reduce the heat. Removing the cat is one but also changing the fuel ratio helps alot too. I think doing the entire stage 1 when you remove the cat is the best all around way to reduce the heat. I know it helped my bike alot. The 99 Ultra and 07 SG I have rode in the past didn't have any of the heat issues like my 11 FLHTK did.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
I have a friend that traded an 09 ultra for a 11 ultra. Keep in mind that this guy doesnt even know what a cat is muchless whether or not his bike has one. While he hasnt complained much his wife has. A LOT! She would wear sandals, flip flops, whatever on the 09 but cant stand the heat on the 11. Its boots and jeans now and she hates it which means he hates it. They ride probably half as much as last summer and he wishes he'd kept the 09, problems and all. Based on their un-biased opinion the heat must be significantly greater.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Not sure what did but since I went from stock ac to the Big Sucker and now back to the stock ac I seemed to have unleashed the heat monster.
I was always in the heat is not too bad camp but now I can profoundly feel the heat while stopped or moving slowly... ...both on the right and left side. Not sure why all of a sudden but my guess is maybe something to do with th the ac changes and maybe some of the map changes bus the TTS. I am currently running the oem map though that I restored.
I was always in the heat is not too bad camp but now I can profoundly feel the heat while stopped or moving slowly... ...both on the right and left side. Not sure why all of a sudden but my guess is maybe something to do with th the ac changes and maybe some of the map changes bus the TTS. I am currently running the oem map though that I restored.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
I can understand the right side because you and your passenger's legs are up close and personal to those head pipes; but the left side, too?
I know that the primary case cover gets hot, but I only notice it when my leg is close to it or in contact. What else on the left side could cause that heat?
Anyway, before you roll out the howitzer to kill the ant, you may want to consider the purchase of Captain Itch's Crotch Cooler. It works.