I am getting a 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited tomorrow and I have a question I hope y'all can help me with. On a test drive the exhaust sounds like a sewing machine not a Harley. I have been told a couple things the first being I can take a piece of rebar and knock a hole in the baffles. The second is if I do the first the motor will run hot and it will cause glueing to the chrome.

Can someone please give some advice yes I know I can fork out another $600 and get a nice sounding exhaust, I just have a problem buying a new bike and having to fork out even more money to make it sound right.
Can I punch a hole in the baffles without it hurting anything or is the answer no don't do it because?

Any help welcomed and greatly appreciated.

 

you can punch out the baffles, it's your bike.

chances on improving anything are not really high.

some guys look for the "magic drill bit" ,before dropping money on a "designed" exhuast system.


cons:

1.) ooops, may have voided part of the warranty

2.) marginal result - at best,. The header pipe has a catalytic converter in it. that is the bottleneck to flow ( performance) and sound. Mufflers on the 2010 and newer models are much more open than previous mufflers, they are still compliant because of the cat


I swear I'm gonna start selling cd's of my panhead idling at 650 rpm to guys with newer bikes.


new bikes sound different for a number of reasons

a.) higher idle required for oil pressure and volume, and oil is a big part of the cooling system

b.) flat top pistons ( pre evo were hemi-head)

c.) old bikes had very coarse fuel mixture, often rich at idle

d.) waste spark ignited that unburned fuel

e.) older models had manual timing advance/retard and could be way retarded


I'd wait until you have been to a number of bike nights and dealer bbqs and heard a sound combo you like, then go get that.


Mike

 

Few years ago, in the days of carbs and such, some riders used to take a rod and hammer it up into their mufflers to knock out the baffles, to increase the sound. Back then it seemed like a cheap solution to purchasing new performance exhaust, but did not always turn out well, think about shoving a steel rod up your pipe and hammering away on it. ....

Just thinking out loud here but;

I am sure you spent some serious $$$ on your new Ultra Ltd, and yes it may be quiet in comparison to some other HDs, but then again, a loud exhaust is not for everyone, and there is a whole factory and aftermarket enterprise for HD exhausts.

Perhaps you might want to simply ride the bike for a while and decide what kind of sounding exhaust you might like to have, or negotiate with the dealer for an exhaust system ? The new bikes now have EFI and Computers and catalytic converters, so fuel/air/exhaust are managed and needed to be adjusted for any change to these systems. I am by no means an expert on these newer systems, but I would not recommend knocking out any parts of any exhaust system on a brand new bike, but just my 0.2 worth.

 

Or, do what I did. Gut the CAT and throw some slip-ons on there.

Eventually, I'll either go to true duals or Jackpot 2-1-2, but for now and what it cost (NOTHING!) it's a win-win.

 

You might want to talk to your dealer, or an independent shop, and see if they could recomend a stage 1 package that might solve your issue.

It usually includes a less restrictive intake, and free flowing exhausts. Makes your bike sound better, and run stronger.

If you purchased your bike from them, you can often receive a discount, and have it covered by warranty.

Do not get hung up on "they should have come that way". It costs a few extra bucks to get your Harley to run right if you do not like the stock factory setup.

Don't feel bad. We all go through this.

 

So how come the slip ons cost you nothing??

I agree with others here, ride it and enjoy it first, then make an informed decision - including option to buy off other members or eBay.

 

+1 for riding stock pipes until you find the sound you like.

Your stock pipes will also burn in and get louder. My 2011 SG stock pipes sounded really good at 1,000 miles. It wasn't too loud but it sounded much better than new. I ended up changing my exhaust for performance and getting closer to the sound I wanted. After swapping cams, it really has a nice rumble but getting there isn't cheap.

Definitely take your time and listen to a lot of different bikes before dropping coin on pipes because you'll only want to spend that money once!

 

It's because of tough EPA. regulation.

I too would ride for a little bit as is. (but not long) Your bike like any newer scoot is very, very lean from the factory.
If you like the look of the stock pipes, you have two great choices. Fuel Moto's head pipe or Fulsac X-pipe is the way to go. You still use the stock heat shields.

However, this will not solve it alone. You also need a Stage 1 air cleaner and a turner. Mastertune TTS, SEPST, PCV, Vision, etc, etc. is a MUST.
And once you have heard what sound you like, you can then get some slip on pipes.

I know it's a pain in the a$$ and cost some more money to get your scoot to run and sound right. But you are not alone. Not only will this make your scoot sound like a real Harley instead of a Singer sewing machine. It will also give your scoot a longer life and get rid of the nasty heat on the right side.

BONUS: You will get better preformance too by doing the above.

Good Luck and Enjoy your new ride!


YELLOWBIRD

 

I've knocked out baffles before and I wasn't real impressed with the results. I still didn't think it sounded like a harley should sound. I know you don't want to spend more money on a Stage 1 but in my opinion that will be the best way to ensure you get the sound your after.

 

Don't try and cheap it out on a bike that expensive. You've already had great advice - ride it for a bit until you find the sound you like. Then, you get to pay the Harley Tax...

Knocking out the baffles is something that might have worked in the 70s, but not so much any more. The bikes have gotten a lot more complex since then.

Cough up for a Stage 1 with your choice of mufflers and you'll ride happy (V&H Monster Ovals give a fantastic rumble, by the way).