About to choose a head pipe and have been reading LOTS of posts here about everyone's favorite header pipe for one reason or another. I read where someone said, step back and look at what is most important to you before picking a pipe. This is good advise, then I realized there is no real comparison between brands/models for choosing of a pipe. The folks on this forum are just incredible in their expertise and experience and truly like helping others. So I ask for help being a newbie in the header market. I know everyone is different and there is no correct answer as to the best pipe but how do the most common ones compare.

I, like many, will probably have a muffler with the tone they already like and should, at some point, upgrade their intake filter and mapping.




Variables:

• Aesthetics
• Louder Sound
• Power Increase
• Product Quality
• Fitment / Install

I have read pipes some may scrape in hard turns but I would put that in the fitment category. Maybe I am missing some others but these are at the top of my list.




Candidates:

• Vance & Hines (Power and Dresser)
• Rinehart (Slim-line and True Duals)
• Fuel Moto
• Fullsac DX
• Etc.

Currently I have a 4" Rinehart muffler with Big Air Sucker and a FuelPak3. In my particular order of a favorite using a scale of 1-10 (10 being more favorable) I would like:

9: Aesthetics (Looking to keep the stock appearance)
7: Louder Sound (A little more bark is always nice)
5: Power Increase (I know there wont be much, but it should have some increase)
9: Product Quality (I think most of the manufacturers are good quality or they would not be here)
8: Fitment (This does make the install faster with no leaks)

Any help or opinions are useful. I will be calling the manufacturer once my choices have been filtered.




Thanks.

 

Personally, I like Rush Racing Ceramic True Duals.

Their customer service absolutely CAN NOT be beat.

I pair them with Rush Big Louie 4" mufflers, 2.5 baffles. I have never heard a negative comment, and every one that rides with me the first time claims my bike "Sounds like a Harley should" or "Man, I REALLY like how that sounds, what mufflers are those?"

Merely my experience.

Rush 7017 or 7117

http://www.rushracingproducts.com/headpipes.html

Big Louies

http://www.rushracingproducts.com/big%20louie.html

 

My biggest concern was Heat. I took Saftymans advice and bought the Rush True Dual ceramic, Big Louie muffler with the 2"baffle, PV2 tuner and Arlen Ness Slot Track AC. I am "very pleased with my decision. My bike runs cool and strong. Now if I could just find a good front tire!!

 

Dresser Duals with Rinehart 4"'s Love the sound.. deep rumble, nice at idle.

AN Big sucker and PV2 from Fuel Moto

 

Rush 7117HO and Big Louie's.

 

FM SS header with FM Jackpot 4" slashdowns...I like the FM header because I can use my OEM heatshields, so it looks stock...the 4" Jackpots are getting slightly loud for my tastes lately...kind of looking at the Big Louie's with a range of baffles so I can "tailor" the sound...

 

I am kinda partial to the V&H line.

Power Duals for me....

I have the monster square slip-ons. Last bike had the monster ovals, before that had V&H fishtails.

 

Here's another vote for V&H Power Duals, very happy with mine.

 

My vote goes to Fuelmoto header. Not only does it fit all your requirements but they have excellent customer service, what other company on your list can you call and talk to the owner and he will be genially concerned and help make things right.

 

I have FM SS Header and 4" Slashcuts. I love the look of V&H Power Duals, but opted out of them after hearing of some scraping them. Our roads suck here in the NE and I tend to drag everything every so often.