Decat Pipes
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
That pic proves absolutely nothing. If you have had one of these cut in half you can clearly tell that a paddle bit stuck in the end of the outlet in no way shape or form will remove all the material. You cant achieve the angle required to remove it all. I'm sure your getting a lot of it out but definitely not all of it. What kind of pizza is that???
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Leave the cat alone. It won't help performance at all. If you wear boots and long pants (and your passenger does too), the heat is not an issue, even in the summer.
Get a better flowing air cleaner (the biggest choke point), some pipes and a tune (or download) and let it go at that.
Get a better flowing air cleaner (the biggest choke point), some pipes and a tune (or download) and let it go at that.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Far, Far away
yep, getting rid of the cat will do nothing for performance or heat (while you're riding). Look at it, it's below and behind your feet, how can you get ANY extra heat when riding??Air flow will move the heat back behind you, right?
I can't feel it at all (2011 FLHP) but I wear boots and long pants; if you're gonna wear flip- flops and shorts, ANY bike is gonna roast you. Just sayin' :-)
I can't feel it at all (2011 FLHP) but I wear boots and long pants; if you're gonna wear flip- flops and shorts, ANY bike is gonna roast you. Just sayin' :-)
I would agree with you on the performance part, but I will disagree completely about the heat. After de-catting mine, the heat on my right thigh decrease significantly. And yes, I could still feel the heat on my thigh while riding at speed. It was less noticeable in a colder environment, but in 70/80+ degree weather... it didn't matter if I was moving or sitting still. That is the ONLY reason I choose to do it. I did not see feel any major increase in performance and to be honest, it didn't really do much to increase my exhaust note. If I take the slip ons off... then yes. Its much louder. But I only ran it like that to check for any exhaust leaks at the heads before I completely put it back together.
Just my 2 cents.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
I would agree with you on the performance part, but I will disagree completely about the heat. After de-catting mine, the heat on my right thigh decrease significantly. And yes, I could still feel the heat on my thigh while riding at speed. It was less noticeable in a colder environment, but in 70/80+ degree weather... it didn't matter if I was moving or sitting still. That is the ONLY reason I choose to do it. I did not see feel any major increase in performance and to be honest, it didn't really do much to increase my exhaust note. If I take the slip ons off... then yes. Its much louder. But I only ran it like that to check for any exhaust leaks at the heads before I completely put it back together.
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Heat Living in florida, i agree with the heat advantage. When I bought my new touring bike, I wouldve removed the cat purely for that advantage (had i not bought an 09). I had rented TC 96" touring models with cats and the heat was noticeably worse than my 09. I ride with boots/jeans ALWAYS and insist that passengers wear jeans and boots (sneakers at minimum), FWIW
Sound Having heard two bikes with the same slip ons, one with the catalytic converter still installed, I would agree with assertions that removing the cat will provide additional increase in volume/deepness when you install slip ons. I have also heard exhaust manufacturers state that removing the slip ons can be the answer if a customer "expected more" (as far as volume/tone) from installing their slip ons. This is partially subjective though, because sound is in the ear of the beholder.
Performance The performance (on a stock or stage 1 bike) is a nominal change that the rider will not feel. Ive seen stage 1 dyno sheets of '09 (no-cat) and '10 bikes with the same motor/tuner/slip ons/ac and the numbers are generally the same, with maybe a couple more hp on the cat-less (which could be attributed to variation of bike/tune/weather/temp/etc). From what I understand, it is not restrictive enough to noticeably hinder performance until you are in the 100hp+ range.
Sound Having heard two bikes with the same slip ons, one with the catalytic converter still installed, I would agree with assertions that removing the cat will provide additional increase in volume/deepness when you install slip ons. I have also heard exhaust manufacturers state that removing the slip ons can be the answer if a customer "expected more" (as far as volume/tone) from installing their slip ons. This is partially subjective though, because sound is in the ear of the beholder.
Performance The performance (on a stock or stage 1 bike) is a nominal change that the rider will not feel. Ive seen stage 1 dyno sheets of '09 (no-cat) and '10 bikes with the same motor/tuner/slip ons/ac and the numbers are generally the same, with maybe a couple more hp on the cat-less (which could be attributed to variation of bike/tune/weather/temp/etc). From what I understand, it is not restrictive enough to noticeably hinder performance until you are in the 100hp+ range.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
That pic proves absolutely nothing. If you have had one of these cut in half you can clearly tell that a paddle bit stuck in the end of the outlet in no way shape or form will remove all the material. You cant achieve the angle required to remove it all. I'm sure your getting a lot of it out but definitely not all of it. What kind of pizza is that???
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
I have a 2012 street glide. Looking at decatting pipes. Can't afford to do full stage 1 at this time. If i decat the pipes, use stock air cleaner and add RC Gatlin Chrome slip-ons. Do i need a fuel tuner?? Will this work at all?? I would think just getting the cats out would help the bike tremendously. I was at a dealership today and a guy was picking his bike up that just had the stage ! done. Sounded good as hell but he walked out $1800 lighter. That's just too steep for me. Thanks, for any input.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
Leave the cat alone. It won't help performance at all. If you wear boots and long pants (and your passenger does too), the heat is not an issue, even in the summer.
Get a better flowing air cleaner (the biggest choke point), some pipes and a tune (or download) and let it go at that.
Get a better flowing air cleaner (the biggest choke point), some pipes and a tune (or download) and let it go at that.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
it won't help performance in any measurable way; there's no proof anywhere in the great wide world of the internet that removing the cat on a 2009+ touring bike will help performance.
Do you feel heat from the cat in your car?? How can you feel it when riding your bike, it's behind and beneath you. When you ride the airflow blows all the hot air backwards, right??
Do you feel heat from the cat in your car?? How can you feel it when riding your bike, it's behind and beneath you. When you ride the airflow blows all the hot air backwards, right??