2017 Freewheeler Exhaust
#12
Mack,
There are plenty of options out there for the M8 Freewheelers as far as slip-ons go. Maybe not as many as the two-wheelers.
Not long ago in my searches and decisions to change from full stock to SE Stage 2 with the Street Cannons I ended up purchasing a stock decatted header off ebay and a set of SVT Boneshakers. (Attached my thread at end with my Youtube sound clips with cat and cannons and then no cat and Boneshakers)
I purchased all new HD clamps and gaskets etc for swapping the headers out and attaching the new slip-ons.
Here's a bit of the rub on the whole deal for aftermarket slip-ons that I can see based on the experience with my 2017 Freewheeler (I don't have a 2018, 2019, or 2020 so I can't say definitely this will be the case across all years above the twin cam versions)...
For direct bolt-up slip-ons not requiring additional adapter pipes you will need to be looking at the twin cam pipes for 2016 and going backward a few years. Many of the aftermarket makers have this info listed in their descriptions when searching for slip-ons that will fit a 2017 FLRT.
Rinehart specifically states;
"2009-2018 Tri-Glides and 2017-2018 Free Wheelers (sic)
-Use 1995-2016 4" Slip-on mufflers
2015-2016 Freewheelers
-Use 2015-2016 Freewheeler 4" Slip-on mufflers"
They then proceed to go in depth into offering further full (changing to their header) which does, in fact, required adapters.
I found when purchasing my SVTs the same scenario was true, where I had to order a set of slip-ons for a 1995-2016 bike for my 2017.
It is a bit confusing. It is possible that many of the other brands out there will be similar circumstances.
Additionally,
Several have added, changing the header or from stock/HD mufflers to aftermarket, there is a drop in the initial torque curve due to the drop in back pressures. Although I have yet to do some additional tuning with my SEPST, I plan to do so in the very near future to dial it in a little more. In my case, I really don't start going like a scalded rat until about 2400rpm, then it makes the noise I want it to, the boat anchor breaks loose, and I have an explosion of power through the rest of the normal SE Stage 2 torque curve.
Thirst can be an issue, but then again mine has been pretty thirsty since my Stage 2 was installed, which is all the more reason I need to get on with doing some tuning runs. My typical riding is about 30% city (20-40mph) and 70% highway (55-85mph), I never lug nor do I wring it out (2300-4300 rpm is my riding range), and I do my best to stay in correct gear for the speed and usually cruising hover between 2300-2950rpm. I use Shell gas (93 rating). Front tire is 36lbs, rears are 24lbs and I ride solo 99.9% of the time. Aside from the occasional overpass, parking garage, or tunnel where a few twists of throttle turns fuel into glorious noises instead of glorious speed, I am getting a fairly steady 22-27mpg. Many others claim they see "better/higher" mpgs, but I have yet to experience any personally. (Again) Yes...the tuning thing...
Hope that any of this info might have helped.
Ride safe.
-John
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tri-g...neshakers.html
There are plenty of options out there for the M8 Freewheelers as far as slip-ons go. Maybe not as many as the two-wheelers.
Not long ago in my searches and decisions to change from full stock to SE Stage 2 with the Street Cannons I ended up purchasing a stock decatted header off ebay and a set of SVT Boneshakers. (Attached my thread at end with my Youtube sound clips with cat and cannons and then no cat and Boneshakers)
I purchased all new HD clamps and gaskets etc for swapping the headers out and attaching the new slip-ons.
Here's a bit of the rub on the whole deal for aftermarket slip-ons that I can see based on the experience with my 2017 Freewheeler (I don't have a 2018, 2019, or 2020 so I can't say definitely this will be the case across all years above the twin cam versions)...
For direct bolt-up slip-ons not requiring additional adapter pipes you will need to be looking at the twin cam pipes for 2016 and going backward a few years. Many of the aftermarket makers have this info listed in their descriptions when searching for slip-ons that will fit a 2017 FLRT.
Rinehart specifically states;
"2009-2018 Tri-Glides and 2017-2018 Free Wheelers (sic)
-Use 1995-2016 4" Slip-on mufflers
2015-2016 Freewheelers
-Use 2015-2016 Freewheeler 4" Slip-on mufflers"
They then proceed to go in depth into offering further full (changing to their header) which does, in fact, required adapters.
I found when purchasing my SVTs the same scenario was true, where I had to order a set of slip-ons for a 1995-2016 bike for my 2017.
It is a bit confusing. It is possible that many of the other brands out there will be similar circumstances.
Additionally,
Several have added, changing the header or from stock/HD mufflers to aftermarket, there is a drop in the initial torque curve due to the drop in back pressures. Although I have yet to do some additional tuning with my SEPST, I plan to do so in the very near future to dial it in a little more. In my case, I really don't start going like a scalded rat until about 2400rpm, then it makes the noise I want it to, the boat anchor breaks loose, and I have an explosion of power through the rest of the normal SE Stage 2 torque curve.
Thirst can be an issue, but then again mine has been pretty thirsty since my Stage 2 was installed, which is all the more reason I need to get on with doing some tuning runs. My typical riding is about 30% city (20-40mph) and 70% highway (55-85mph), I never lug nor do I wring it out (2300-4300 rpm is my riding range), and I do my best to stay in correct gear for the speed and usually cruising hover between 2300-2950rpm. I use Shell gas (93 rating). Front tire is 36lbs, rears are 24lbs and I ride solo 99.9% of the time. Aside from the occasional overpass, parking garage, or tunnel where a few twists of throttle turns fuel into glorious noises instead of glorious speed, I am getting a fairly steady 22-27mpg. Many others claim they see "better/higher" mpgs, but I have yet to experience any personally. (Again) Yes...the tuning thing...
Hope that any of this info might have helped.
Ride safe.
-John
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tri-g...neshakers.html
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Ronbo1 (10-09-2019)
#13
Any touring muffler from 1999 to 2016 will fit a freewheeler. The drop down sections are the same size making it easy. I put Cobra 909s on my. Just ordered them generic for any touring. Did not match up a year. Just made sure to not be for a M8.
A lot of sites may not say they fit because they didnt bother to list the Freewheeler in the fitment guide.
A lot of sites may not say they fit because they didnt bother to list the Freewheeler in the fitment guide.
Last edited by RFG7680; 10-09-2019 at 04:17 PM.
The following users liked this post:
JS2 (10-09-2019)
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