Exhaust styles

[1996Fatboy]

Can anyone tell me the difference between straight pipes ( aka: drag pipes, headers,etc.) and Vance & Hines, Pythons, Hooker, Samson, etc.? I purchased a set of V&H Longshots for my 96 FLSTF and from what I can see there is no difference other than price and heatshields. The baffle is a different style and longer but it is still a baffle. I read a lot about not using drag pipes for the street because of the poor performance of their straight thru design yet aren't the V&H's straight thru also? To me nothing sounds better or looks better than an old Shovel or Ironhead with dragpipes. I really like the looks of the Longshots but could have bought 4 sets of "Dragpipes" for the same amount of money!

Robert

[jmk713]

In my neck of the woods if someone refers to drag pipes they are usually referring to un-baffled straight pipes; approx. 40" long.
In "real life" however, drag pipes can have baffles; of whatever style fits the pipe.
Some systems, such as Sampson, V&H, Hooker, or whatever; have removeable baffles and therefore could become "straight pipes" easily; even though there might be some loss of low-end performance.
Even some slip-on mufflers have removeable baffles.

[Sky]

I have a set of v&h oval slipons on an '06 road king. I was thinking of removing the baffles. Does anyone know what this will do? Is the low-end performance loss very noticeable? Is there also a loss to the midrange performance? I want the pipes to be a little louder than what they are now.

If removing the baffle all together is not a good option, does anyone know where I can find a baffle that will let out more thunder?

Thanks,

Sky

Sky:

Most Pipes from the Big name companies are good "as is"! Why do you want to pull the baffles and F- Up the pipe? Check with Vance Hines and see if they have a replacment
baffle to give you the sound you want without the performance loss.