Aftermarket pipes - What to consider?

[outlawtorn]

Hello everybody,

I'm just wondering what you need to consider when looking for aftermarket pipes? I'm keen to get some but is there no other bits and pieces necessary so that performance is still the same? Will I need any new air intake systems/filters, does my engine need to be modded in any way? Or can I just simply slap on a set of V&H and of I go waking up the neighbourhood?

Thanks
John

[Cajun]

pretty much all ya need to worry about,

major problem with cruiser pipes, are new pipes gonna be that loud that cops gonna pull you over, if ya budget can strech throw a air filter at it, but not really needed.

performance will be better, since the bike is not so 'strangeled' by stock pipes

[Toaster]

pretty much all ya need to worry about,

major problem with cruiser pipes, are new pipes gonna be that loud that cops gonna pull you over, if ya budget can strech throw a air filter at it, but not really needed.

performance will be better, since the bike is not so 'strangeled' by stock pipes

Can't say I saw any cops pull people over for loud pipes when I was in the job. I certainly didn't care about bike pipes. Dickhead cage hoons were far more interesting a target.

Mind you, I am sure the law will eventually get inforced as more woofters complain about biker noise... w++kers.

[Cajun]

Can't say I saw any cops pull people over for loud pipes when I was in the job. I certainly didn't care about bike pipes. Dickhead cage hoons were far more interesting a target.

Mind you, I am sure the law will eventually get inforced as more woofters complain about biker noise... w++kers.

I had a friend of mine who had custom chambers make him up a set of pipes for his vn1500d, in akl, he was pulled over a number of times was in end was 'pinked' stickered for them being to loud.

[Toaster]

I had a friend of mine who had custom chambers make him up a set of pipes for his vn1500d, in akl, he was pulled over a number of times was in end was 'pinked' stickered for them being to loud.

Well that sucks. Loud pipes on bikes make it easier to hear us coming. Common sense should prevail... but I doubt it will by the sounds of that report.

[peasea]

Hello everybody,

I'm just wondering what you need to consider when looking for aftermarket pipes? I'm keen to get some but is there no other bits and pieces necessary so that performance is still the same? Will I need any new air intake systems/filters, does my engine need to be modded in any way? Or can I just simply slap on a set of V&H and of I go waking up the neighbourhood?

Thanks
John

Apart from the noise issue there's your budget. I know a few guys who have had much success with Supertrapp exhausts but they're at the top end dollar-wise. It's a bit of a minefield and all the reports I've read regarding off-the-shelf systems point to there being very little difference in performance between the better-known brands.

Also, if the stock system is restrictive pulling more gasses out might require re-jetting the carb. (You don't want to run it lean and you should at least run the bike with a gas analyzer up its date after you change your pipes.) Most modifiers would go for the three basics, airbox, exhaust and carb retune as a package. Again the minefield thing pops up with airboxes, some supposed 'performance' units flow less air, more noisily, than the originals.

Check the 'net, (meancycles.com for a start) see if you can find someone with the same model of bike who's had a fiddle and then rip into it. You'll never know until you try and then you can post your results here to help others. Good luck.

[markl]

Just make sure you keep your factory pipes. I failed my last WOF because the noise was around 100db, went to a bike store and they recommended a place to go that would pass me as long as I told them I had the originals at home...

[jafar]

I just got a new pipe from custom chambers, bloody nice it is too , not too loud :whocares: & increased bottom end torque as well. :mellow:

[JimO]

what about a bike with fuel injection do you need a power commander

[SpinFx]

Make sure you get the fish tail pipes. lol

[peasea]

Just make sure you keep your factory pipes. I failed my last WOF because the noise was around 100db, went to a bike store and they recommended a place to go that would pass me as long as I told them I had the originals at home...


Too true, that happened to me and it was a simple switch, get the WOF and bugger off home to reverse the procedure. Keep all parts, even if you get labelled a hoarder.

[outlawtorn]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've been looking at ordering some pipes from www.cruisercustomizing.com, they are a lot cheaper if you order them online, I've seen some straightshots V&H at Colemans Suzuki for $800 :shit: . That a bit too pricey.
Has anyone dealt with Custom Chambers in getting their stock pipes to sound better (I know you can drill them or debaffle them, but I don't want to go that route), I want to get it done professionally.

Cheers

[damo]

I used Virgin Mufflers for my pipes... he took the stock pipes, knocked out all the baffling... I think eh trew a new inner pipe in... now it sounds farkin cool as... was cheap too.. about $250

[crusa]

I have my original pipes put em on for warrant,never been stopped because of noise (no Baffles) been passed heaps of cops.

[grogan]

Can't say I saw any cops pull people over for loud pipes when I was in the job. I certainly didn't care about bike pipes. Dickhead cage hoons were far more interesting a target.

Mind you, I am sure the law will eventually get inforced as more woofters complain about biker noise... w++kers.

LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES !:whocares:

[heyjoe]

Hello everybody,

I'm just wondering what you need to consider when looking for aftermarket pipes? I'm keen to get some but is there no other bits and pieces necessary so that performance is still the same? Will I need any new air intake systems/filters, does my engine need to be modded in any way? Or can I just simply slap on a set of V&H and of I go waking up the neighbourhood?

Thanks
John

Hey there outlawtorn,

I want to share my story with you. My bike is not the same as make/model as yours but still a cruiser bike with lots of simialarities.

Firstly, don't worry about drilling out baffles or extra holes. It is not the same as good aftermarket pipes and the finish will depend on how good you are at finishing it all. You might find it only gets you part of what you wanted for a lot of effort. My opinion only.

I have sourced a full replacement aftermarket exhaust from USA due to not being able to find what I wanted here locally ie near where I live at a reasonable price. One NZ place did give me a estimate of what I wanted and it was at least $2000+ he said. The outfit in Auckland sounded good but it was too far away. I needed something made to fit and not really keen on doing over a distance. Not wanting to ride up there or ship the bike there. Have heard good reviews of them though from North Island bikers.

So I some extensive research on other overseas forums (as I got little response here of what I wanted) and found what I was looking for. I was looking for a particular design to match the way I wanted the bike to look. The price seemed attractive as well. In a nutshell I get made to measure full system for my year & model of bike, great reviews of product, good name, incl freight costs and exactly what I want cheaper than anything I could source here.

In the end the choice went to Westendmotorsport in Pennsylvania. You get great prompt service and tracking.

I got Cobra Slashdowns for VN1500 meanie. Ordered on 4 Dec 06. Arrived into New Zealand and delivered 12 Dec 06. Goods tracking all the way with UPS and their agents in NZ.

Pring details: Exhaust pipes (complete) US$521.95 + $290 freight = US$811.95 equates to NZ $1176.74 plus a bit more for NZ GST tax.

Mike DeLuca is the guy to talk to at Westendmotorsport. Very helpful and approachable.

As for your question re bigger air flow and fuel management to go with the new exhaust. If you have fuel injection then you don't necessarily have to modify the air box and fuel management (such as PCIII or Cobra) as well. Some people do this and doing all three should give you some improvement in smoother throttle, tuned in fuel management and a bit more HP etc. The results vary from one bike to another. It is usually recommended by cruiser owners as it finishes the job but pipes on their own as long as you have not fiddled with air and fuel from stock is ok.

My knowledge on this subject is really confined to Vulcan Meanstreak models and its similar sized Vulcan cousins.

Hope this is helpful if you are still considering options. PM me if u want to hear what they sound like. They are awesome.

Waking up the neighbourhood?... Can't really comment on that mate. I guess it depends on whether want to get on with them...