de-baffled, wish I didn't

[deacon]

After a lot of feed back from folks here I decided to go ahead and de-baffle (not trying to blame anyone, it was my decision). I'm not happy with sound. It is louder, but to my ears it doesn't have the rumble. It sounds airy, more like an exhaust leak. I'm going to get them welded back in. I took it for a short ride and wound it up and let off the throttle hoping for the rumble of a decelerating bike and it wasn't there. For what it's worth, I wouldn't recommend it.

On the plus side, I am now the owner of a used 1.75 inch hole saw. ::)

[jasperboy]

For most debaffling is just an extra step on the way to V&H Baggers. Once you have the baggers, you can modify the baffles many different ways to tune the sound to your liking. Many just leave them alone, others take out the packing, some of us add an aftermarket baffle like the UB's. All is all trying to modify stock doesn't seem to be the end for most people.

[deacon]

I'm going to stay stock. I'll find other ways to personalize my bike (when I have money) http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[redjay]

I have the debaffled stock mufflers and they sound perfect for me. Aftermarket is too loud for my taste. A lot of people who are going to get aftermarket anyway do the debaffle first and then go for the aftermarket. I would rather spend the $500 spent on aftermarket pipes on comfort accessories, seat or highway pegs, backrest etc.

[ringadingh]

I agree with you Deacon, while I think the debaffling does make a difference over stock, it just doesn't sound "right" to my ears either. The V&H are more tunable to your liking since there are several options available to you.

[cactusjack]

I suppose de-baffling isn't for everyone. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

[Top Cat]

I have the debaffled stock mufflers and they sound perfect for me. Aftermarket is too loud for my taste. A lot of people who are going to get aftermarket anyway do the debaffle first and then go for the aftermarket. I would rather spend the $500 spent on aftermarket pipes on comfort accessories, seat or highway pegs, backrest etc.

I agree 100%

[skeeter]

Forget the sound and ride the bike. Mine is stock in that regard and outperforms most of what I ride with. Of course they have to let me start mine first so I know it's running.

[Cajunrider]

I have the debaffled stock mufflers and they sound perfect for me. Aftermarket is too loud for my taste. A lot of people who are going to get aftermarket anyway do the debaffle first and then go for the aftermarket. I would rather spend the $500 spent on aftermarket pipes on comfort accessories, seat or highway pegs, backrest etc.

I agree 100%

TC, I have the V & H with the UB's. I know you would love them. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[zoom45]

Deacon,
I'm with you on the sound but I modified mine after the debaffle. I welded a short pipe with a bolt through the middle in the hole from the debaffle then I capped it with a chrome turn down. The sound is a little deeper but quieter than a debaffle.
Zoom45

[Top Cat]

I don't know Mitch. I heard V&H pipes and Road House pipes at the Northeastern Rally. They both sound good if your not getting on them.
I just hate loud pipes and can't see spending $400 to $500 on a set of pipes when the debaffle sounds good to me. Then most guys get a fuel module and air kit, it just never ends.
I like my bike just like it is. Sounds good to me and has enough power to haul my big a$$ where I want to go. ;)

[schoeney]

Deacon- I debaffled and wasn't satisfied. So I bought a pair of Valkyrie tips. You wouldn't think a couple tips ($50 for the pair) would make a big difference but the subtle change got me from from being disappointed to being very happy, especially at highway speeds.

Good Luck

[scott2007nomad]

sorry you don't like the result
Maybe another plus is now you know how the de-baffle sounds instead of wondering.

[cajun2wheels]

I have been on the fence about debaffling.I think I will wait awhile and start looking for some Valk tips instead.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

For me the debaffle was just what I wanted. It has just enough of a rumble for me. I hate that it wasn't what you wanted. You do have the hole saw that can be used for other things.

[seabass]

Sorry you didn't enjoy the new sound, I just did mine 2 weeks ago and love the new throaty rumble. Not to loud, just right for me. Having it not cost a dime...Priceless

[billmac]

It is just a personal choice. Sorry you did not like the sound. I like the debaffle sound but prefer the V&H.

Once while performing swingarm maintenance, I started the engine without the mufflers just to hear the sound thru the goat belly. I was shocked how quiet. Clearly the goat belly muffles the noise.

[rickyboy]

I think I might have said something like just do it!.
Hey I was only kidding!!!! I didn't think you'd really go through with it! I'd never do that to a perfectly good set of pipes.

Seriously though, I'm sorry you didn't like it. It did the job for me. Like T.C. said it would probably lead to a TFI and K&N filters. {you make it sound like that's a bad thing} It did for me and I liker the sound even more. THAT! changes the sound again. And I think maybe that would make you happy with the sound. If you lived close by {where are you situated?} I'd say to listen to my bike. It's not annoyingly loud, but just enough for them to hear you coming. That's just MHO though.

[Top Cat]

I think I might have said something like just do it!.
Hey I was only kidding!!!! I didn't think you'd really go through with it! I'd never do that to a perfectly good set of pipes.

Seriously though, I'm sorry you didn't like it. It did the job for me. Like T.C. said it would probably lead to a TFI and K&N filters. {you make it sound like that's a bad thing} It did for me and I liker the sound even more. THAT! changes the sound again. And I think maybe that would make you happy with the sound. If you lived close by {where are you situated?} I'd say to listen to my bike. It's not annoyingly loud, but just enough for them to hear you coming. That's just MHO though.

To me, it is a bad thing. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif why would I want to spend a lot of money on things that I don't feel I need. I am perfectly happy with the performance of my bike the way it is. Get 40 mpg and no pinging. Yes I have to run 91 octane but how many miles would I have to ride to make the changes needed to run regular pay for itself..

[berg546]

I just switched my bike back to stock and am happy with the sound of the bike now. I'm not gonna bother messing around with de-baffling either, I wanted it quieter and that's what I got. On the upside, I have a set of V&H Dual Baggers that will be available for a reasonable price as soon as I figure out how to get my burnt rainsuit off the rear pipe:)

[cactusjack]

I just switched my bike back to stock and am happy with the sound of the bike now. I'm not gonna bother messing around with de-baffling either, I wanted it quieter and that's what I got. On the upside, I have a set of V&H Dual Baggers that will be available for a reasonable price as soon as I figure out how to get my burnt rainsuit off the rear pipe:)

Spray some Easy Off oven cleaner on it (if it's available in Canada) and let it sit overnight. The baked on goop should wipe right off the next day. It won't hurt the finish on the pipes.

[rickyboy]

[quote="rickyboy ... #00722":290ri9cs]I think I might have said something like just do it!.
Hey I was only kidding!!!! I didn't think you'd really go through with it! I'd never do that to a perfectly good set of pipes.

Seriously though, I'm sorry you didn't like it. It did the job for me. Like T.C. said it would probably lead to a TFI and K&N filters. {you make it sound like that's a bad thing} It did for me and I liker the sound even more. THAT! changes the sound again. And I think maybe that would make you happy with the sound. If you lived close by {where are you situated?} I'd say to listen to my bike. It's not annoyingly loud, but just enough for them to hear you coming. That's just MHO though.

To me, it is a bad thing. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif why would I want to spend a lot of money on things that I don't feel I need. I am perfectly happy with the performance of my bike the way it is. Get 40 mpg and no pinging. Yes I have to run 91 octane but how many miles would I have to ride to make the changes needed to run regular pay for itself.. [/quote:290ri9cs]

TC ...just to be clear please understand that when I said {you make it sound like that's a bad thing} It was about the final, unintended change the TFI / open air filter combo made to the already debaffled exhaust pipe sound. Other than spending the money something I don't love to do, it WASN'T a bad thing,....for me. I did the K&N's and TFI for a totally separate reason, the result being a bit more oomph, {even though I wasn't unhappy with the performance either} and the unexpected change again to the already debaffled sound. Just the debaffled sound alone was an improvement in my mind but not enough to stop me from considering aftermarket pipes. But I didn't want to spend that kind of money. I went with the idea that, now that I have opened the pipes up, there is "room" to push more air through them. Hence the K&N's. But as you know once you push more air into the mix you need to increase the fuel to that mix. What I got in power and gas mileage {knocking on 50 mpg with just me and no luggage} was one thing,... but the change that made to the already debaffled pipes was significant and I got more of the sound I was looking for and didn't get, when I had just done the debaffleing.
I never had an issue with pinging and I didn't care about running reg. fuel. As a matter of fact I still run prem. fuel 90+. Even though I apparently don't have to. Like I mentioned I was never unhappy with the performance of the Nomad, but I found it fun to try and get more out of it. The change it made to the mediocre debaffled sound was a BIG unexpected plus for me. Hence the.... not "a bad thing".
Sorry if I failed to make that clear when I made the comment {you make it sound like that's a bad thing} originally.

Deacon, do what makes you happy, man. Put the baffles back in, if that's what you want. Maybe you want the V&H pipes. I find them too loud for me. The combination of things that I have done gave me what I was looking for. Making yourself happy is what it's all about.

[blowndodge]

I think what a lot of people don't realize is that we don't care what mods you do to your Nomad. Some debaffle, some put on loud pipes only later to regret spending $500 bucks on too loud....

Open air cleaner of closed. some don't mind the intake drone. I do mind therefore I modded the left dog bowl for more cooler air flow. Car tire? Yes, No?

Aftermarket cruise control? Yes, No?

Point is ............. don't do something to your Nomad that your not sure you'll like later just because you read it here.

Each time I read a post that someone took on a modification themselves and didn't like it or butchered it up big time and had to take it to a dealer who charged big money to un-do the "screw up" for whatever reason I chuckle.....

If your not into experimenting with modifying your Nomad in many different ways for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and leave it alone!!!!

[pastorgumby]

+1 Blowndodge... to each their own!

Here's some more useless advice... You might want to throw on a set of Honda Valkerie tips... my bike came with them, and i did the debaffle+air mod+ cobra fuel = a nice, mellow rumble.
The tips magnify the sound slightly, making it sound throaty but not loud. Anyway, me gusta.
peace.

[drno]

The other day I modified my 1700 pipes and removed the first two inner baffle plates inside the main 1.5" pipe. The nice low end tone is still there but now has a good mid range tone to it and sounds very very very nice when accelerating and cruising around. Its significantly louder, but not in an earsplitting or call the cops kinda way. Im pretty pleased so far.

[tomm]

I de-baffled earlier this year after going back and forth on it since last spring. Also have a right side K&N (left is stock) and a Cobra fuel processor. The sound is just right for me and the bike runs great. I do not intend on ever going after-market.
However, I also modified the baffles after I removed them so I can add them back in again with just two screws each. Works great. On long trips with my wife, she usually listens to books-on-tape. I put the baffles back in and it's nice and quiet for her. Did this recently on a 1600 mile trip to PEI. But when I head off by myself or we're just riding around locally, I can remove the baffles and enjoy the little extra rumble.

[rickyboy]

I think what a lot of people don't realize is that we don't care what mods you do to your Nomad. Some debaffle, some put on loud pipes only later to regret spending $500 bucks on too loud....

Open air cleaner of closed. some don't mind the intake drone. I do mind therefore I modded the left dog bowl for more cooler air flow. Car tire? Yes, No?

Aftermarket cruise control? Yes, No?

Point is ............. don't do something to your Nomad that your not sure you'll like later just because you read it here.

Each time I read a post that someone took on a modification themselves and didn't like it or butchered it up big time and had to take it to a dealer who charged big money to un-do the "screw up" for whatever reason I chuckle.....

If your not into experimenting with modifying your Nomad in many different ways for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and leave it alone!!!!

++++1 Brad,...we're interested in everyone's "mods" but you're right,...."we" don't care. Do what you're comfortable with and what turns your crank and the bikes.

[deacon]

Got them welded back in today. Looks like crap, but who looks up the exhaust anyway? Little black paint will take care of it :) Live and learn :)

[Top Cat]

No problem Rick, I think I knew what you ment. :-/
Anyway, like you and BD said, to each their own. I like reading about all the mods and if i think it is something I would like i go ahead and do it. If not, I still like to hear about them. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

I don't run V&H baggers for any sounds I run them to mate with the right side air filter and TFI to get the proper mix, to run 87 octane which is correct fuel for 9.5:1 comp ratio engines.

Which gets a cooler running engine that isn't strained to just run. That addition fuel shows up as more power not that I use more power, but it also gets me better mpgs.

The 06 as stock ran out around 35/37 mpg's and modded gets currently 40/44, and with a different rear tire got upto 48/50 mpgs.

I find I can ride the bike in a quieter mode than full bore noise, which i don't like either. At interstate speeds it is a bit too loud to suit me, but so is the wind blast air.

I am more than sure the glass packing in my set is long gone, and I don't fiddle with it. Maybe i will do a metal wrap and a maybe a bug screen wrap too, as both. That might let it breath ok and tone it down. Just don't use plastic bug screen if anyone tries it. LOL

[schoeney]

I just switched my bike back to stock and am happy with the sound of the bike now. I'm not gonna bother messing around with de-baffling either, I wanted it quieter and that's what I got. On the upside, I have a set of V&H Dual Baggers that will be available for a reasonable price as soon as I figure out how to get my burnt rainsuit off the rear pipe:)

Send them to me and you won't need to worry about it anymore! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[deacon]

Well I just got back from forty mile ride. I don't think the bike is as quite as it was before I de-baffled, but it's not as loud as it was without the baffles. Maybe because the baffles are spot welded in and there is room for noise to escape around them? Actually, I kinda like the sound :)
I'm not sure if the welds will hold over the long haul. I'll keep you posted. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif I know some don't care, but they might be interested http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Haha

[berg546]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I was reluctant to do that while they were on the bike, but now that they're off, I'll give it a shot. I bet I didn't have that rainsuit on 5 minutes before it was smoking off the pipes.



I just switched my bike back to stock and am happy with the sound of the bike now. I'm not gonna bother messing around with de-baffling either, I wanted it quieter and that's what I got. On the upside, I have a set of V&H Dual Baggers that will be available for a reasonable price as soon as I figure out how to get my burnt rainsuit off the rear pipe:)

Spray some Easy Off oven cleaner on it (if it's available in Canada) and let it sit overnight. The baked on goop should wipe right off the next day. It won't hurt the finish on the pipes.

[berg546]

OK, I'll send them to you but you might not like the shipping rate http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Might be cheaper to come get them http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif



I just switched my bike back to stock and am happy with the sound of the bike now. I'm not gonna bother messing around with de-baffling either, I wanted it quieter and that's what I got. On the upside, I have a set of V&H Dual Baggers that will be available for a reasonable price as soon as I figure out how to get my burnt rainsuit off the rear pipe:)

Send them to me and you won't need to worry about it anymore! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[evildz]

I was not sure either and before I did it I found a set of stock pipes on craigslist for $75 bucks. I have to say that I like the little deeper tone of the debaffle, and now I have a set of pipes to go back to stock if I change my mind. I