Picked up my new FLSTCi Saturday for a 20 mile ride and then dropped it back off at the dealer for installation of the V&H Big Shot Staggards (BSS), Stage 1, SERT and dyno. While waiting another guy said the BSS were way too loud and he needed ear plugs. He went on to recommend the quiet baffels which I proceeded to purchase. Now I read on this site (by one who "heard") that these baffels will reduce the gains made by the pipes/stage 1/SERT while reducing the sound by only 5 decibles. Any input regarding a yea/nay to the quiet baffels would be greatly appreciated!

 

You may have heard a little cliche being tossed around the forum: "Loud pipes save lives"....particularly your own...hehe. I say loud pipes and more power is a good combo..haha! Just my 2 cents.

 

Like anything if you restrict it, you’ll loose (ie, restrict the intake or choke the exhaust).
As a note: An increase of 3dB doubles the sound so you might consider a happy medium maybe decrease it by 2 or 3 db and not use the 5 db you installed. You may get some of the power you were expecting back and still be quiet----see what you think.

 

you can,t beat free flow and let the beuitifull sound ring out be seen be heard .gazzr

 

RICH LET ME LET U IN ON A LITTLE SECRET.i have screamin eagle 16 gage pipes on my deuce.look exactly like your bigshots and are made for harley by v&h.i wanted my ses a little louder and found out the v&h big shot baffles fit in perfectly so i ordered them from v&h for 35 bucs shipping included.i loved the sound but were too loud in city.i drilled 4 holes in eagle baffles.2 half inch in rear and front plug in baffle. sounds awsome,a little louder than ses but not as loud as v&h.also gives more power than the v&h. i would try to get a set of se baffles from harley.

 

V&H quiet baffles dont perform as well as their regular baffles.

Personally I cant believe you guys think V&H pipes are too loud. There are many other pipes that make them sound quiet by comparison.

 

I've run them both. I've wound up using the quiet baffles but removed the fiberglass wrap so I get some of the sound and flow back. To be honest, my carbed 03 deuce seems to run better with a little back pressure. No dyno results to support any conclusion so some creative tuning might make it run better with the open baffles. I slip the open baffles in some times when going on a ride with my "loud pipes save lives" friends but typically run the QBs.

 

Thank you for the responses. I'm picking up my bike tomorrow without the quiet baffels and will ride it for the first 500 miles. After that I'll bring it in for the dyno and have a better idea on the sound.

 

I've heard reports from master techs, and from the dealer, the quiet baffles actually deliver a little extra performance from the slight extra back pressure. Free flowing does not always mean greater performance. They also deepen and lower the exhaust note. Just what some are looking for.