I have the Vance and Hnes Pro Pipe on my 14 SG, I like the way it looks and the exhaust note/performance.
I was reviewing some Dyno charts with folks running Harley de-catted headpipes with full size cross over pipe and various free flowing mufflers.
Surprised that the de-catted system is running next to neck in the low and mid range rpm that the majority of riders experience.
Just food for thought. Any input?

 

From all I have read and seen over the years a 2-1 system won't really perform a lot better than a 2-1-2 system in a stock bike with a stage 1 setup but when you start adding cams and a big bore kit the 2-1 really starts to shine.

 

Without extensive modifications there is not much to be gained with custom 2-1-2 headers over decatted factory pipes.

Bill

 

I'm in agreement, I really noticed a low end loss when I went with a true dual system. It sounded fantastic but the trade off was somewhat dissapointing. It took an increase in fuel to get it back. It appears the scavenging effect is critical. Food for thought when chosing a system.

 

Good input. As stated I have the Pro Pipe, now the party favors include the Andrews 57H, FP3, ported heads with 1.9 on the front 1.5 something on the rear with matching ported stock throttle body, all of the above with 10.1 compression.
I just miss the dual exhaust muffler feature. After reading the graphs I was scratching the idea of gutting my stock cat and the purchase of the B&E free flowing stock muffler system to retain more of factory looking system.

 

De-catted header pipe,best bang for the buck

 

I just ordered the "Sport" pipe from Fullsac Performance. Basically a de-cated head pipe. I have a 13' FLHTK. I used their re-cored stock muffler modification a couple years ago and liked them. Got the Harley Pro tuner and the S&S Stealth air filter and proceeded to tune for my stage 1. Still too much heat from the cat so winter mods this year will be the Sport pipe. It's a Touring bike and I use it that way so I don't care about big HP numbers. I just want decent performance and good gas mileage without the headaches the EPA bits bring with them. I believe the Sport pipe will complete the package nicely.

The aftermarket head pipes use larger diameter tube. If you're doing big performance mods with cams, heads and such that increase or require more flow you'll need that. But the smaller tube stock pipe is better for keeping velocity up to help with scavenging and keeping the low end power.

 

No aftermarket company in the world allocates as many assets to perfecting the Harley exhaust system as Harley. Much of the Motor Companies allure is the sound of their bikes.

Biggest advantage of the aftermarket is that they could use the factory system as their basis and improve on it as they were not as constrained by Government mandates for emissions and sound.

After market exhaust with better than factory performance tend to be either much more polluting of louder than the law allows.

In the past, many aftermarket manufacturers blatantly skirted the law by a bogus "off road only" sticker or ran the risk of police issuing tickets for excessive noise.

Recently several manufacturers were fined hundreds of thousands of dollars and were issued cease and disest orders. They have refined their offerings and tend to skirt right along the edge of the law.

I believe that Harley should be commended for what they have accomplished, in the face of so many restrictions.

 

Well said Uncle Paul. Here in WV there is a state represtative trying to initiate a bill concerning motorcycle exhaust system. I have not read the bill but something like staying inline with factory stock configuration and not to exceed 95 DB. It might tough to pass? I have fellow riders that are LEO on and county and state levels that also ride with after market configuration..

 

Are you referring to California CARB (California Air Resources Board) fining Vance & Hines $500K in January 2013? If not, got any links?