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Hanging out around bike gatherings is a good source of info, but you will never know how you like the sound for sure until you spend some miles with the pipes.
Like many, I like a low rumble, but not loud. I have found the Fuel Moto Jackpot 4" mufflers ideal for my ears. You may not like them one bit.
Exhaust sound is very subjective, there are many opinions out there and on here. I have listened to hundreds of bikes with many different set ups and have always been drawn to the sound and loudness of the Rineharts. I always wanted to get them on my Road King but never pulled the trigger. Finally when I purchased the new Street Glide I had the dealer install the extreme true dules with 4" pipes and I absolutely love them. In my opinion the best sounding pipe out there for a bagger. I do believe they cause lower gas mileage due to me wanting to rev up the bike every time I get a chance just to hear them growl.
One thing you did not say was if you still have the CAT installed??? I put on the V&H high outputs right off the showroom floor and was mildly happy with them. They had a great deep thump but they were missing a little something....
Once I did a cam upgrade and removed the CAT I am very happy with the sound of the pipes. I now get a nice lope at idle and an aggressive rumble when I twist the wick but at a constant RPM going down the road they are completely tolerable for me as well as the riders behind me.
I had a shadow several years back before I could pony up the dough for an HD and I put on a set of straight pipes... They were obnoxiously loud and my buddies made me ride at the back of the pack cause no one wanted to listen to my pipes in there face all day.... Or maybe it was because I was riding a Honda.... )
Anyway I would put in a strong vote for the V&H high outputs. I know I have seen many members pics on here with the same pipes so I would think someone would chime in and confirm what I am saying.
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