Went Back to Stock Pipes

[bokobob]

Have had bike just a week and felt the V&H pipes were bothersome to me at highway speeds and in the 3/4 mile from main road to the house in our neighborhood....

So, took em off and put the stock pipes back on....

I am pleased with the muted tone and at highway speed...I feel like it is a somewhat different bike at slower speeds though and so far feel like the bike has "lost" some power...I imagine that is just my imagination....The V&H pipes
have a very thoaty sound to my ears but as said, at highway speeds for sustained distances are just too loud for this codger...

I did not change the settings on the Cobra fuel optimizer so far...
I'll see how it works on gas mileage for awhile..

Color me ambivalent about pipes at this point..

[Jared]

What ever works best for you. I like loud pipes. That doesn't mean you need to like them. I'm glad your happy with the stock pipes.

[cactusjack]

Yeah, I guess they aren't everybody's cup of tea. Go with what works best for you.

[ringadingh]

Im sure the loss of power just seems like that because now the bike is quieter. Your settings should probably be ok where they are. Check to see if your mileage gets better or worse now per tankfull.

[oldbones]

I agree with the peace & tranquility. I work in a heavy stamping
Company.All I hear for 10 hrs is the thumping of the presses
and turret machines. I don't need to hear it when I enjoying
a hobby

[mac]

I made my V&H pipes louder by adding the Ultimate Baffles.... We just returned from a 600 mile ride this weekend and they didn't bother me at all. I even threw away my stock pipes.

[VulcanE]

I run the Ultimate Baffles (First set ever made). They are substantially louder and lower in tone than the stock V & H. Last week, just for chits & giggles, I switched the UBs out with the stock baffles and rode down to Atlanta and back, all of it on the interstate. I noticed a couple of things. Sitting at idle, the stock baffles sounded very anemic, and rolling down the highway at 75 - 80 mph, although they were a lot quieter than the UBs, they did seem a lot louder. I believe the tone or pitch of the exhaust note is what I'm describing. With the stock baffles, I had to turn the volume up quiet a bit on the stereo just to hear it, as compared to the UBs. As soon as the pipes cooled off after I got home, I re-installed the UBs. I did not notice any difference in power or torque between the two, only a weak idle note, and an ear piercing pitch difference at super-slab speeds.

I like the sound of the UB, but that's just me. Everybody is different, and everybody likes something different. That's what makes the world go round.

[jestephens]

;) Where's TC?? I'm sure he's got an "AMEN" to give. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Ride it however you want, as long as it's shiney side up!

In the meantime, there's some sunshine I'd like to take advantage of.

[billz410]

Yes, I dare say TC has a new hero.

[rflnomad]

I am considering re-installing my baffles. But, I want to modify them so I can remove them if we want to.
I work in a tool /machine grind shop and am exposed to noise all day. The Nomads quiet pipes are very welcome after that all week.
Just my .02c

[Top Cat]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif bokobob and oldbones, WELCOME to the forum. We need more guys like you on here.
I just cannot understand why anyone would like,need or want loud pipes. :-/

Disclamer;
This is just my opinion, your opinion may vary ;)

[bokobob]

Thanks for all responses....I'll be interested to see what, if anything, effects this change has on gas mileage..Meanwhile, I hope to take a long (for me) day trip of about 300 miles next week if the weather provides the opportunity and that will be interesting too..

And TC, I thank you for your welcome.

Regards,

[bobhamlin]

Each winter, I try to restore a bike and ride it until the next one is finished. I had two Vulcan Classics with V&H Propipes (2 into 1) before this Nomad,

Prior to getting the Nomad inspected, I rode with the stock pipes for a significant amount of time. I had to get the salvage title inspection in NY and the last thing I wanted was to be shaken down by some crooked inspectors that would "claim" some obscure regulation about aftermarket pipes and noise ordinances -- You know how all those NY officials are. Just watch television! (actually the inspection team was as professional and straight-shooting as the ones here in MD)

I rode the Classic for a couple days, moved the license plate over to the Nomad, rode that for a while, etc. I have about an hour commute, mostly highway and, being able to compare the sounds, came to favor the quiet ride. Since I leave so early, I also felt better about being able to sneak out of the neighborhood.

So, this Nomad will not have loud pipes. However, I did perform BD's de-baffle, Throaty, deep, relatively quiet. For me, the de-baffled stocks are perfect.

[vidornomad]

I agree, I was riding with V&H for about a year and and the loudness at hwy speeds kept bothering me, so last Jan. I put the stocks back on and still have them on now. Loud pipes may save lives, but my quite ones keep me sane.

[bokobob]

Ok, this is day 2 with the stock pipes..I went on a 50 mile ride including interstate as well as country roads..I will say I am getting used to the stock pipes..

Yesterday, upon first starting the bike immediately after the change back to stock pipes, my expectations were that it would be sort of rumbly, but just not very loud...It was considerably quieter than I thought it would be and also quieter than my 800 CC suzuki cruiser with stock pipes....

Today, however, with my earlier expectations set aside, I was quite satisfied with the sound, particularly at highway speeds..

I note that the loud pipes masked a lot of the engine's mechanical noises..I also note that the engine is pretty clattery, I'd even go so far as to call it somewhat of a knock, at speeds up to 45, and then it seems to level out and be less noisy...from other threads, I got the impression, as one member put it, that Nomad = Noisy, so am not concerned that there is a problem with the engine...I also realize that the bike was only ridden 400 miles from July 08 until just a week ago when I bought it, so it might need several hundred miles of riding to get loosened back up.;.

All regards,

[Top Cat]

I agree, I was riding with V&H for about a year and and the loudness at hwy speeds kept bothering me, so last Jan. I put the stocks back on and still have them on now. Loud pipes may save lives, but my quite ones keep me sane.
Loud horns save lives, not loud pipes. With loud pipes most of the noise is behind you. ;)

[mrfuni]

Agree with the stock pipe riders. Like the peace, quiet and tranquility of riding early on a Sunday morning, soft tunes from the MP3. To each his own.

[dantama]

I rode about 50,000 miles with Vance&Hines on my 99 Nomad. Then I got a used 99 with stock pipes and found that I loved the stock pipes.

I've kept my present Nomad stock and I'm just fine with it. I like the sound of the debaffled stock pipes, but not louder pipes. I'm too lazy or disinterested to do a debaffle though.

[bobhamlin]

I'm too lazy or disinterested to do a debaffle though.

... and also because every cop within 500 miles would have taken training that morning on how to use their whomper clubs to check for removed baffles, how to justify those removed baffles as probable cause to detain, and how to set loose the dogs of EPA and U.S. Forest Service to swab the bottom of your bike for evidence of removing ground covering from fed lands.

[bokobob]

I'm gonna take my third ride since changing over to stock pipes in a few minutes...it is nice to have my hearing....

I imagine by spring I"ll be sufficiently convinced that the stockers are what I want for sure to put the V&H's up for sale for a reasonable price..

[dantama]

I'm too lazy or disinterested to do a debaffle though.

... and also because every cop within 500 miles would have taken training that morning on how to use their whomper clubs to check for removed baffles, how to justify those removed baffles as probable cause to detain, and how to set loose the dogs of EPA and U.S. Forest Service to swab the bottom of your bike for evidence of removing ground covering from fed lands.

I decided to go with a debaffle, and was checking the board one last time before going to by a hole saw to cut the pipes. I guess now I won't http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/>

[eagleman]

I have the stock pipes and do like the sound. Went for a ride with 4 other Harley riders last month and they all had screamin eagle pipes on. They tried to make fun of the sound of mine - I just smiled and said "What did you say, can't hear myself think" - they laughed and we had a good time. I had grizzly mods on my Vstar 1100 and really liked that sound. Similar to the debaffle sound on the Nomad. I may go with the debaffle route at some point. Right now I am fine with the stock sound - especially on a long run.

Eagleman

[jestephens]

... and also because every cop within 500 miles would have taken training that morning on how to use their whomper clubs to check for removed baffles, how to justify those removed baffles as probable cause to detain, and how to set loose the dogs of EPA and U.S. Forest Service to swab the bottom of your bike for evidence of removing ground covering from fed lands.

I decided to go with a debaffle, and was checking the board one last time before going to by a hole saw to cut the pipes. I guess now I won't http://s2.images.proboards.com/angry.gif:(" title=">:(" border="0"/>

Dan, you should still do it. I'm dying to see more pictures of angry cops as they pull you over. haha. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[billmac]

It all makes sense to me. I like all of the sounds the Nomad can make. It is hard to decide.

Currently ride with the Ultimate baffle. I think everyone all around me can hear that I am there. I am finally louder than the tires of the cagers on the rough freeways.

[biscuitsngravy]

I like my slightly baffeled dual Cobra Streeters. I'm not sure why I like them, but it's something like hearing a freight train whistle late at night........ I get that longing to get on the road and ride, ride, ride. BnG

[skeeter]

I haven't modified my pipes. I've decided I like the quiet. I tell my friends, I have to start my bike first so I can tell it's running.
There are a few situations however in which I believe loud pipes are helpful.
Heavy traffic where you can't watch everyone but they know your there cuz of bone deep vibes and in deer country I like to see the heads come up and look at you.
Potluck on the deer thing tho. You don't want to spook them either and with quiet pipes most times you slide by without twitch and your gone.

[jestephens]

I haven't modified my pipes. I've decided I like the quiet. I tell my friends, I have to start my bike first so I can tell it's running.
There are a few situations however in which I believe loud pipes are helpful.
Heavy traffic where you can't watch everyone but they know your there cuz of bone deep vibes and in deer country I like to see the heads come up and look at you.
Potluck on the deer thing tho. You don't want to spook them either and with quiet pipes most times you slide by without twitch and your gone.

I'm not completely convinced loud pipes detour deer, but like to think so.

Those deer are crazy. If you're hunting and happen to let out a loud FART, every deer in the county runs the oposite way, but sometimes they'll still run straight toward a loud bike. ::)

[trosco]

Bob, I agree that the V&H pipes are annoying at Hi-way speeds. That is if they are on your bike! I took them off mine after about 3 months. Don liked the sound better than I did and left them on. However he quit riding about when he got his hearing aids so that may explain why they pipes bothered him less. Strangely enough I can ride 15 ft from another Nad with V&H pipes at 75MPH all day and they don't bother me a bit. It's like the noise hit's the bikes rider harder than anyone else.
Just a FYI. Although your bike had the V&H and the Cobra FI2000R (set at 3 / 5 / 0 ) and a K&N filter, the intake setup was never changed. The bike's stock filter was just replaced with the K&N equivalent in the stock location with the stock intake path and the idle solenoids remain in place. Some of the clattering and other noises you now hear come from the solenoids and they can be removed. However, if you do that via a switch to a aftermarket intake (be it Cadman/Chuckster/Hyper-Charger/Thunder or other set up) be prepared for quite a bit of intake noise.

[james40]

Bob, I agree that the V&H pipes are annoying at Hi-way speeds. That is if they are on your bike! I took them off mine after about 3 months. Don liked the sound better than I did and left them on. However he quit riding about when he got his hearing aids so that may explain why they pipes bothered him less. Strangely enough I can ride 15 ft from another Nad with V&H pipes at 75MPH all day and they don't bother me a bit. It's like the noise hit's the bikes rider harder than anyone else.
Just a FYI. Although your bike had the V&H and the Cobra FI2000R (set at 3 / 5 / 0 ) and a K&N filter, the intake setup was never changed. The bike's stock filter was just replaced with the K&N equivalent in the stock location with the stock intake path and the idle solenoids remain in place. Some of the clattering and other noises you now hear come from the solenoids and they can be removed. However, if you do that via a switch to a aftermarket intake (be it Cadman/Chuckster/Hyper-Charger/Thunder or other set up) be prepared for quite a bit of intake noise.


That's the feeling I had, I liked the V&H sound a lot better on other bikes, couldn't take it on my bike. I'm in the process of buying a stock system, but I've just completed a working baffle procedure I'll detail in another post.

To each his own, but in talking to my law enforcement buddies, the loud pipes are on the radar. I predict within a couple of years we have a ban on aftermarket pipes that don't meet a certain DB threshhold.

[bokobob]

Velly interesting, as the German soldier used to say on Laugh In many years ago..

Today I went for another ride of around 50 miles, my fifth ride so far since switching to the stock pipes....Now I can say that I now am totally use to the stock pipes and like the sound a great deal...

There is a "ton" of loud clicking with the engine that is no longer masked by the loud pipes...I noted trosco's comment about removing solenoids, and I will look into that soon..

I am also pleased that the bike is now getting nearly 37 mpg after getting only 30 mpg on the first three tanks since I bought the bike a short time ago.....I think part of that is due to it not being run by the former owner for about a year, except for about 300 miles...

Am quite happy with my new-to-me Nomad..