I bought my first bike 3 months ago, 07 Sportster XL1200. When I was shopping bikes, I didn't want one with loud pipes. The bike I ended up buying has Cycle Shack MXL 130SS slip-ons, but the bike came with the factory pipes as well, so I figured I could swap if I wanted to.

The Cycle Shack pipes sound great, nice deep Harley sound. I figured I'd leave it as is. Unfortunately it's affecting my ears. In 3 months I've ridden 3,000 miles, much of this commuting 2 days per week, 110 mi round trip. Much of the ride is 55-70mph. Even with a FF helmet and foam ear plugs rated for NRR 33dB, after my 75 minute ride to or from work, my ears are ringing, or otherwise just not right, for several hours. The bass drone of the pipes is just too much.

The bike has a Big Sucker air intake. Coupled with the aftermarket pipes, I'm pretty certain some kind of reprogramming had to be done. Going back to stock pipes means that would have to be redone, right? I also have no idea what I'll lose in terms of performance.

If there is a slip-on option that's moderately louder than stock, with improved performance, but no so ear splitting, that would certainly be worth looking out.

Well this is my dilemma. Suggestions please.

 

I'd put the stockers back on and see how it runs before spending money on a guess.

 

i had rush slip ons on my Heritage and found that when I wore a full face or 3/4 helment the drone of the mufflers was uncomfortable but with my half helment they didnt bother me.
I have since replaced my entire exhaust with a cobra 2 into 1 and it is a deeper yet louder exhaust and the same thing, half helment no problem, 3/4 or full and its unbareable.
seems that the helment just aplifies the sound.
If you know some one that has a half helment you could try then try it and see if you have the same results.

 

I'd put stock pipes on it. They're quiet.

 

I had rush slip ons on a sportster and they had a nice deep sound without being annoying. I had cycle shacks on a dyna and they were annoyingly loud.

 

At 70 mph, your exhaust is being drowned out by wind noise.

Invest in some quality ear plugs.

 

Yep, this! Wind noise at higher speeds is worst than straight pipes. JMO

 

Stockers plus earplugs. Can't get quieter than that.

 

I have a FM X pipe and Rush slip ons on my SG, used to think it was pretty loud. But after a few days on the SB with V&H Short Shots I rode the SG again and it sounded a lot quieter. A LOT quieter. I'd recommend just riding a louder bike for a few days...your Sporty will seem quieter, I bet...

Seriously, though, I'd try just slapping the stockers back on, shouldn't be that much of a flow difference that youd need to re-flash it.

 

Thanks all for the replies. I'm going to put the stockers back on and see what they're like. Trying to remove the Shack pipes, what's the trick? Because the connection to the exhaust rail is preventing me from sliding them off.