Are there any advantages (or disadvantages) when choosing a particular "cut" of exhaust or slipons? Is the tone of the exhaust different between the various cuts (baloney, slash up, slash down, straight cut)?? I have slashdowns (SE II's) on my bike right now...but I'm thinking about going quieter (want a nice rumble without the harsh-sounding "bark"). Would a certain cut of pipe benefit me more if I were looking to go quieter?

 

Advantages? probably , not , really.
On most bikes the slash down will move some of the loudest sound away from the the rider.
The slash up type will be slightly louder to the rider.
Side slash moves the sound to the side a bit more.(very irritating during group rides)
Some side slash types will be more irritating when you get close to a building or other traffic.
Not a big difference , but sometimes pretty noticeable from the seat.
The slash down would be the quietest from the driver perspective usually.
Mick