Are heatshields just for looks and to reduce felt heat on the legs? Would my engine run cooler without the the heatshields on the Headpipes?

 

They're for both looks and a reduction/deflection of the heat. The only real way to get the engine to run cooler is to get a "Stage 1" set-up along with a fuel management device of your choosing and then reprogram the ECM to add more fuel.

 

Yeah, I already have the Stage 1 with SE tuner. Bike runs good. I've seen some after market 2 into 1 headpipes without heatshields, I kinda like the way the pipes blue/brown look from the heat. I guess my question should have been, if I removed the heatshields from my 2 into 2 V&H dresser duals would it affect the performance in any way?

 

Your performance will stay the same but you may not like the way the bike looks without the shields.

 

These pipes are without heat-shields, thus the brownish color. This is similar to the look of all head pipes underneath the heat-shields. Color changes with age of pipes, temperature of exhaust, steel or stainless, etc.