Best Exhaust for Road King?
I have a Road King that I want to build into a bit of a sleeper. Don't get me wrong, I know it's a Harley but I want a Harley that has some get up and go and that sounds awesome doing it.
What exhaust will give me the most power gains of all of the Harley exhaust pipes available? I want a deep sound at idle and I am ok if it has some bark at WOT, I just don't want it to be obnoxiously loud. Any advice on pipe choices? Should I go with a 2 into 1 exhaust pipe or a true dual setup from Rinehart? Which will do both, increase the performance and still create a nice, deep exhaust note.
Our Answer
Diezel...first thanks for asking our opinion, we appreciate it. Harley's are cool aren't they....at least we think so. As for your Bagger, way cool idea....I am so going to build a badass bagger when I am done with my Nightrain.
Ok to answer your questions.....I can only speak from my experience but I will share my thoughts....first for a DEEPER exhaust note, I would go with a 2 into 1 exhaust pipe. The 2 into 1 pipes that I have experience with were all deeper and had more "bass" at low and part throttle than a 2 into 2 exhaust pipe setup. They sound similar at WOT but in the drive around town and idle range...a 2 into 1 is deeper in my experience.
As for performance...again my nod would go with the 2 into 1 exhaust pipe again. A 2 into 1 Harley exhaust will SHINE in the idle to 4500 rpm power band, which is where you probably spend 95% of your riding time. A nice torquey Harley is an absolute JOY to ride and you can get up and out of the hole faster than your buddies, which doesn't suck.
At WOT the performance gap is pretty narrow and a 2 into 1 doesn't seem to have as much advantage over a quality 2 into 2 pipe but that is not always the case, just speaking in generalities. So I guess to answer your question, it sounds like a 2 into 1 exhaust pipe seems perfect for what you are trying to accomplish. One of our favorites for a Touring bike is the Rinehart set up. It looks great, sounds great and should do all you need to do.
Check out the Harley Rinehart exhaust systems below. They're hot and they come in black or chrome.
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January 5th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Save yourself some money and open up the baffles in your stock exhaust. I think you’ll like the sound and it will be free.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Although this review is for Sportsters, it will give you an idea of what you’re looking into. Personally, I run Vance & Hines Big Shots staggered on a FLSTF with 95″ big bore kit without baffles and I find them plenty loud and the power curve is good. In fact, I’m thinking of putting the baffles back in to cut down the sound and increase back pressure for performance.
I have run Cycle Shacks in the past and for the money I don’t think they can be beat for performance and sound at that price range. They definately are loud. I am not 100% sure, but I think Cycle Shack makes the Screamin’ Eagle pipes for HD. I would definately go for a 2 into 2 setup. But, I like low end rpm torque more than higher end rpm torque. See Supertrapp comparisons for 2 into 1 and 2 into 2 in article.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
DO NOT open up the baffles.what if you wanted to go back to stock? it will make it loud yes but hurt your performance.I know your bike is not a Spotster but I ride one and the service manager recommended Vance&Hines Straight Shots for my bike and I see the same thing on the bikes they dress up in the showroom.They have a great sound with the baffles in.Cycle Shack does make the Screaming Eagle mufflers and sound nice too.Whatever you do dont go with drag pipes.They are loud and obnoxious and contrary to popular believe wont do you any good except on the DRAG STRIP or if you run wide open all the time
January 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I have a Dyna Super Glide and I have Screaming Eagle straight through glass packed exaust on it and I absolutely love them.
It makes that deep clasic Harley pop on idel and roars like a great beast of legend on acceleration.
January 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Two into one exhaust will increase HP. Typically 3% as shown on Dyno Test. Remember though that changing the pipes on the newer scooters is not like the old days. If you Road King is injected, you need to get a PowerCommander or have the local wrench burn the chip. If non-injected (rare on Road King) the jets need to be revamped. While you are freeing the exhaust note, change the stock breather to a K&N filter and add more air.
Failure to do it right will result in poor performance, BUT it will sound good. Show with no Go is a drag.
As for Drag pipes, my ‘73 Iron Head & ‘94 Evo (both Sporty) are loud and run strong with 32″ and 40″ headers, unrestricted.
My ‘04 Dyna will be getting Hooker before the season is done and the ‘00 Bagger is set for Rhinehart 2/1.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
i own a 03 road king. I also choose the Rinehart system. To date,they offer the best overall performance,quality than any other pipe out there for the HD Touring models. Yes, there are plenty of other,cheaper options that look and sound nice. Bully for them. I’ve owned Vance and Hines, HD Screaming Eagles, Cobras and Pythons. Bub has done it right! They will give the sound you seek and if you want them louder they have baffle options to make them louder…… if you want, but I suspect you will enjoy them out of the box. Plan on the Power Commander or the HD equivalent to allow for proper air/fuel mixture adjustments. You should gain about 8-10 horses and the same on torque. You will need to do a stage 1 air filter switch out to accommodate the much needed airflow. Bubs don’t bark, they roll on “thunder” when you want it..sweet!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
are reinhart true duals legal in new york