To baffle or de-baffle is my question

[jamiep24]

Rode with an '09 Ultra Classic and mine sounded much better than the Harley. I could hardly hear the Harley in front of me because my baffled pipes were growling. Sound of Music?

[chief]

May I ask how the Valkyrie tips attache? It looks great.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by chief

May I ask how the Valkyrie tips attache? It looks great.

They slide over the stock pipes. After lining them up just right, I drilled one 1/8" hole into my stock pipe through one of the three attachment holes in the tips. Used a SS sheetmetal screw to anchor it on. That's it. About 30 minutes total to install both tips.

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

They slide over the stock pipes. After lining them up just right, I drilled one 1/8" hole into my stock pipe through one of the three attachment holes in the tips. Used a SS sheetmetal screw to anchor it on. That's it. About 30 minutes total to install both tips.

+1

[chief]

Thanks. Now I go on the hunt for a set.

[crabbypaddy]

I have watched this thread with much interest. I went to work yesterday and started talking to the guys about taking the baffles out. I ask them to read these post. Next thing I know we have the directions printed out, tools in hand, and a nervous 08 Nomad owner.

The drilling begins (by a younger co-worker) and I can't hardly watch. All of a sudden he starts with the "oh sh@@ now I have @#$%$# this up we are gonna have to cut the pipe off". By now there are 5 firefighters and a cop who stopped by the station to watch saying "I told you this was a bad idea" The driller then smiles and pulls out the baffle. After the other side was done I started the bike and wow it sounds great. No regrets here. I'll get the driller back lol

[chief]

I got my Valkyrie exhaust tips from a gentelman in Kansas. He sold them to me for $30.00 and free shipping. I installed them as soon as I got them yesterday. They look so good. The sound of the debaffled pipes and the look of these awesome tips makes me wonder why anyone would buy aftermarket pipes. This for me is the ideal sound and look for this bike.

[billmac]

Blowndodge's bafflectomy has helped to make many of us Nomad riders happy.

I wish mine was alittle louder but the aftermarket pipes seem to sound tenny to me. Except, the Road house and they are an eye popping $700 with shipping.

I am going to be watching for me a set of those Valkyrie tips now.

[egetaseb]

I have been on the fence on this question for a long time. The stock sound is okay but I would prefer it just a tad louder and deeper.

What keeps me on the fence is this issue of back pressure. One or two people say they did not lose any performance after the "bafflectomy." I just need to hear from "MORE than two" happy riders to push me over this back pressure topic. (Perhaps a poll)

[Cajunrider]

I was on the same fence you are on. I am happy with the sound and performance. I didn't notice any loss of performance at all. Just a deeper sound that is not in the least bit obnoxious.

[trosco]

Geoffrey888; First let me point out that I am the person who has the brand New V&H Classic Duals for 99-08 Nomads for sale. You are in Orlando and I am in Jacksonville. They are yours for $350 and I will install (you will help) if you come up to get them.That's the sales pitch, now here's the scoop on the pipes.
I loved the way they sounded and still do (with the baffles in) and would put them back on my bike in a minute. My wife hated the way they sounded, said the motorcycle sound just like one of them "Junky Harleys" (which was sort of the point really)
We rode Harleys in 70's and learned to despise them, her especially cause she would have stay with the bike on the side of the road when I would go for help. Tried Moto Guzzi and BMW after that but we got on Goldwing in 80's and she loved them. She would listen to books on tape and sleep on back of bike. She hasn't forgiven me for replacing wing with Nomad which is also part of her problem with pipes. I may end up getting a new Voyager to get her back in the saddle.
Anyway, the V&H sound great and they are loud which you either like or hate. I have the dyno sheets to prove that the pipes by them selves change nothing performance wise. But you save 17lbs over the stock system and you bike will run cooler. To me those were significant benefits. If you add a FI controller and low restriction intake and filter (ex. hyper-charger with K&N) to the pipes you pick up 5ft lbs Torque, 4 HP and move both peak power points up 100 RPM and I have the dyno sheets to prove that also.
My stock pipes have the silencer (baffle) cut out. Sitting still at an idle or just off idle moving slow it sounds low and rumble and kinda cool. In motion over about 25MPH you just don't hear them, they are quiet.
If you or anyone else is interested in the V&H pipes (they were on bike less than a month and are brand new) they are $350 and I am Ross, call me at 252-315-4286

Hmm, well a spoiler is added. Debaffled are not bad but do have a twang to them that will get to you after awhile. Again, you can wind the gears out a tad bit further and they are smoother but it does lose a little of the kick ass torque in each. Do what you want, but stock to me is the best set up. It may not be loud, but neither are BMWs or Concours. Do a lot of long riding and I love just hearing the things around me instead of the dentist chair effect, the debaffled gave me.

[brenpak]

I am also going to debaffle and if I dont like it or if performance changes, cant you just weld the baffles back in? and no harm done or am I missing something here ? Oh Happy Easter!!

[Cajunrider]

If you don't damage the ends pulling stuck silencers out they can be TIG welded back in place without blueing the chrome on the pipes.

[brenpak]

That settles it! Im going to be careful cutting them out bearing in mind they might need to be welded back in and no harm done, Hopefully they will come out with no problems..