Exhaust Help For FLSTCI

[Bru]

I am new to Harleys and have a 2004 Heritage injected. The dealer talked me into SE II slip ons. They seem too loud. I was considering switching to SE I. Would I lose much in power? Are they much quieter or would someone recommend something else?

[Dyna Jim]

I am new to Harleys and have a 2004 Heritage injected. The dealer talked me into SE II slip ons. They seem too loud. I was considering switching to SE I. Would I lose much in power? Are they much quieter or would someone recommend something else?


Hmm, never had anyone complain SE II's were too loud before.... I don't know what to make of it. :bigeyes:

One good thing though, glad you didn't get a really loud set of pipes like Pythons or BSS....

[Big Dog]

Only other choice would to be to put on HD brand slip ons (supposed to be a little louder than stock) or back to stock mufflers. I also have an FLSTCI and SE II performance slip fits. I think there just right. I know the python crowd (fbomer) like em loud though.

As for power, I guessing you have already changed the air cleaner set up and have re-maped the FI. If so, I don't see how you'll noticably loose any power since the bike will allow more air in at this point vs. what you were getting from stock. My :2cents:

TBD

[Wind]

I put some SE II's on my '03 FXSTI and at first wondered "are these too loud, too much, more than I wanted" just because I wasn't used to the sound. Its so much more than stock, but not too loud. Other bikes still drown me out, which is fine. I now have that nice low Harley rumble. Keep the SE II's.

[Ammoman]

BRU, Welcome to Cycle Chat. You have a great bike there. I agree with most sentiment here. I have SE II slip-ons on my 04 FXSTBI and they are just right sound wise, maybe not for looks but they got me a better sound than stock. Any other choice will probably be louder.

[paniolo]

Whatever exhaust you buy, CHECK IT THROUGHLY BEFORE INSTALLATION. While I have not had a problem with ALL vendors accepting returns for defective parts that have been partialy installed (even with the engine unfired), I have had encountered this with SOME vendors including CYCLE SPOT. My bike is now partially assembled awaiting word from CYCLE SPOT who has been trying to contact the manufacturer and get a replacement.

Take this piece of advice. After deciding on what exhaust you want, call all the vendors you are considering and find out their return policies on defective parts are before buying. Some will take it back with no questions asked. Some will not take it back because they are held by the return policies of their distributors.

One other thing. YOU ALWAYS PAY THE SHIPPING. And an exhaust system is big and heavy and costs a lot to ship. Sometimes what shipping will cost you equates to what you would have save buying it as an accessory from a local H-D dealer. Not to mention the headache and downtime. I have found that the middlemen who work with low priced distributors are great for small items like brakepads and lightbulbs, but an exhaust system is another thing. It's expensive and it's big and costs a lot to ship.

There is no substitute for experience.

[Markster6828]

In my online ordering experiences the terms and policies are usually there in black and white. The risk you take to save some money by going this route should be accepted before hitting the order button, otherwise get everything thru a local dealer that accepts the responsibility of returns. Remember, perfection takes time.

[Bru]

Hmm, never had anyone complain SE II's were too loud before.... I don't know what to make of it. :bigeyes:

One good thing though, glad you didn't get a really loud set of pipes like Pythons or BSS....

Thanks for your reply. I have ridden the bike a bit more now and I think I know what my problem is. The SE II's are not too loud, I am just not used to shorty dual exhaust with one pipe basically under the side of my head. I am getting used to the sound now-either that or I am going somewhat deaf.

[Bru]

Only other choice would to be to put on HD brand slip ons (supposed to be a little louder than stock) or back to stock mufflers. I also have an FLSTCI and SE II performance slip fits. I think there just right. I know the python crowd (fbomer) like em loud though.

As for power, I guessing you have already changed the air cleaner set up and have re-maped the FI. If so, I don't see how you'll noticably loose any power since the bike will allow more air in at this point vs. what you were getting from stock. My :2cents:

TBD
Thanks alot for your 2 cents. As I replied to Dyna Jim, I am getting used to the sound now.

[Bru]

I put some SE II's on my '03 FXSTI and at first wondered "are these too loud, too much, more than I wanted" just because I wasn't used to the sound. Its so much more than stock, but not too loud. Other bikes still drown me out, which is fine. I now have that nice low Harley rumble. Keep the SE II's.

Thanks for your reply. I think you may be right about the difference in sound from stock. Plus, this is my first bike with shorty dual exhaust. My previous bikes all had duals which extended well beyond the rider's head. I am going to keep them for now and see how I feel in month or so after some serious riding.

[Markster6828]

Bru , any kind of straight out the back exhaust will sound quieter to the rider and that includes louder ones too. The staggered slash to the side seem louder for the reasons you stated.

[Bru]

BRU, Welcome to Cycle Chat. You have a great bike there. I agree with most sentiment here. I have SE II slip-ons on my 04 FXSTBI and they are just right sound wise, maybe not for looks but they got me a better sound than stock. Any other choice will probably be louder.

Thanks, I appreciate your input and not buying different pipes saves me some money which I will spend on some other optional equipment

[Bru]

Bru , any kind of straight out the back exhaust will sound quieter to the rider and that includes louder ones too. The staggered slash to the side seem louder for the reasons you stated.

Thanks, I think that is my problem. I might enter the thought of cross over duals at some point. But for now all the great replies I have received (like yours) have helped me a lot.

[Ammoman]

Thanks, I appreciate your input and not buying different pipes saves me some money which I will spend on some other optional equipment


Now your talkin'. The never ending optional equipment. As a wise man said when I first got my bike. Nice starter kit! :nut:

[Big Dog]

:metoo: Ammoman, truer words could not have be written for sure.
TBD