I have a 2019 Road King Special - I want louder pipes, so was considering slip-ons - but I've also noticed several posts where people have gone to the Bassani Down Under Headers - are headers really worth the extra money? What benefit do you get from them - I guess louder pipes, less heat? Thanks.

 

If I wanted the bike to have more rumble I would change out the header pipe. Removing the stock pipe with the cat. convertor will make the exhaust loader and make the bike cooler around your feet.

 

Like I said before M8 sounds like ****. I have a 114 sounds like ****, put headers, slip ones sounds like **** just now don't smell as much .I herd them with cams in them too sounds like ****.

 

So , you’re saying it sounds like a herd of *****?

 

So since you are considering headers i assume you don't care about HD warranty. Having said that. i believe you'll be better off getting the OEM header de-catted and spend the money on some 4 1/2 inch slip ons. RCX, S&S MK45, Reinhart new 4.5's, etc. You should definitely tune it once you do. You should be getting a lot of opinions soon. And go...

 

If you don't care about your factory warranty then replace your header while doing mufflers.

Just so you know pretty much every slip on muffler will kill your tq and even a good tune and a map won't bring it all back. That's reality. The M8 doesn't really wake up until you do a cam swap. I went with fuel Moto and tunable inserts were a must if you're expecting performance and not just sound.

If just doin

 

I just had the following work done, after that list I will call my my observations:

1. Bassani headers
2. Tab Bam sticks 4.5" with Zombie baffles
3.Harley Torque cam
4. Screaming Eagle Tuner and tune... sort of.

Bike sounds great, I think. Heat was really bad on the right side but new headers fixed that issue
HOWEVER I HAVE ISSUES NOW -- I was getting a really loud pinging noise on acceleration. The tech had to back off the tune. He said the issue is that there is not enough back pressure and it was causing a vacuum and putting pressure on the exhaust valves.
The tech HATED that the dealership sold me the Bassani pipes, not only sold them but recommended them.

So to fix the issue, I hope... I ordered a set of Tab 2.5" baffles; to add some more back pressure. If that fixes the issue, I will have the tech add some tune back in.

All this to say watch out on too much free flowing pipes. But again, I think it sounds really good.

 

the sound of the 107 just doesn't compare to the 103.... feeling like I made the wrong choice lol

 

Did just RCX-haust Torx 4.5 mufflers only on my 114. Sounded ok, not impressed. Did RCX-haust Tormentor headpipe and RS468 cam with a PV canned tune from Fuel Moto. Now it has the rumble it should and the torque is much improved over stock. It will slide your *** back in the seat when you twist the happy grip. Zero issues with their tune.

 

I have the same mufflers RCX, De catted header, big sucker air, PV from fuel moto, still sounds like ****. I just don't have the cam. The bike runs fine but sounds like ****.. I miss my 103. Its a dame shame you got to put all of this money into your bike to make sound something like a 103 or earlier with a muffler change.