Aftermarket Exhaust on new Triglide

[Alan Oakley]

I just pulled the trigger on a 2014 Blackened Cayenne Triglide. I test drove one for a couple of hours over the weekend and noticed how much louder the stock exhaust sounded on the Triglide vs. my Ultra Limited. It sounded enough louder that I was just sure there were aftermarket pipes on the bike and then when I finished the ride I saw they were stock. I have been considering Rineharts but now I am concerned they just may be way too loud. It's one thing to listen to them at an idle and another altogether at 70mph. Any comments/experiences are appreciated.

[hapbob]

Did you come from a goldwing ?
i have 2014 triglide and rode it this weekend for first time. I wouldn't say its loud at all. Muffled deepish tone. Rineharts will be much louder. I would drive it stock for awhile and see what you feel you need to to do. That's what I'm doing. I may put on headers without cat and run stock pipes. I don't want to loud either. Still undecided,.
keep us posted to your actions and results.
hap

[GARYD]

I love the sound of the stock exhaust. H-D did a good job on them for the past 5 or 6 years.
On my '12 TG I had H-D Fatshotz slipons - just a smidgeon louder but deeper and I loved the look.

I hate Rhineharts-I will not ride with anyone that has them. If I have to I'll make sure I'm in front of them.
All they do is blip the %$#@ throttle at just about every stop sign. Very annoying - and I ride a bike. Can't imagine what non riders think - wait, yes I do - they want to ban motorcycles.

[tom w]

I test drove one for a couple of hours over the weekend and noticed how much louder the stock exhaust sounded on the Triglide vs. my Ultra Limited. It sounded enough louder that I was just sure there were aftermarket pipes on the bike and then when I finished the ride I saw they were stock. I have been considering Rineharts but now I am concerned they just may be way too loud. It's one thing to listen to them at an idle and another altogether at 70mph. Any comments/experiences are appreciated.

Over the years I have tried to get an exhaust that sounded and preformed like I wanted. have been stock baffeled and not, slip ons from several different companys, even drag pipes and was not happy . when I triked my ultra last summer I put rhineharts on from the head- back. a few people questioned why I would spend that much on an exhaust system under a trike.
I would do it again for the deep sound of my Harley and the low end torque.
not even to mention the ceramic coating to resist rotting out.
if you want to hear them run a lower gear and up the rpm.

if not run about 2500-3000 rpm and cruise.
For me, this is what a Harley is suppose to sound like!

[tbear]

I have Vance and Hines True duals w/cam etc.. The pipes that I got are especially for Triglides. they are alittle loud thru the gears but once you hit cruising speed, they mellow out and you can hear the radio. of course, I like the radio alittle on the loud side. more so when I am by myself.... Had a Goldwing and I always felt that I was in a European sports car. The Harley is more like an American HotRod!... that's my 2 cents worth.............

[dcvernon]

I just pulled the trigger on a 2014 Blackened Cayenne Triglide. I test drove one for a couple of hours over the weekend and noticed how much louder the stock exhaust sounded on the Triglide vs. my Ultra Limited. It sounded enough louder that I was just sure there were aftermarket pipes on the bike and then when I finished the ride I saw they were stock. I have been considering Rineharts but now I am concerned they just may be way too loud. It's one thing to listen to them at an idle and another altogether at 70mph. Any comments/experiences are appreciated.


When I first got my 2014 tri-glide I had the same thought. Now after 3K miles I believe they are a little louder and I am very happy with them. I don't know if I am getting used to them or they are getting broke-in. I would suggest riding for awhile and see.

Why spend the money if your happy buy other stuff.

[dare8601]

Just my thoughts...prior bikes I have had aftermarket exhaust...when I bought my 14 I had muffs (vanc & hines) from the bike I traded in installed on the 14. I came to the conclusion that it was too loud for me...I had to turn up the radio to the point it was distorting...something about the design (IMO) of the bike kept the sound from the muffs around the bike and not let the sound go out the back...I had the stock pipes put back on...start up..hmmm sure does seem louder than my stock bikes that I had before...test ride..the sound was still what I think all around the bike and not out the back...sounded good and rather louder than my previous stock bikes....not flaming anyone who has aftermarket exhaust on either...I like the aftermarket sounds that manufactures produce...it is a personal preference for each...

[JimmyDee]

I did the same thing a tbear and I would do it over again given the opportunity. As tbear said they have a little bark going thru the gears, but when you get up to highway speeds they are not in competition with the radio.


Plus I have never drug these pipes, can't say that for the stock one.

[GARYD]

Yes, I'm in the minority when it comes to (extra)loud bikes

Look at it this way, if you think your exhaust is a little loud (the way you like it) as you sit on the bike, think about how loud it is riding behind you.


I don't know why people pay so much for a slip-on when they can't even hear what it really sounds like sitting in front of it.


I think the only reason people get extra loud pipes is to get attention - unfortunately the wrong people are hearing it and it may come back to bite all of us . we might not like what's in store.
Loud pipes are not a sign of power- you can get some pretty good quiet pipes that will run rings around loud pipes in the performance area.


I think as soon as the politicians get their act together, they're going to come after us with a vengence(they keep trying every year). Sound will be first on the agenda because it's the easiest thing to control...then conspicuity. We are our own worst enemy.

[Jim Gee]

Alan, I picked up my 14 Triglide last fall and I was pleasantly surprised with the stock exhaust sound. Harley definitely made a change with the 14’s to sound much better. I had Bub’s on my 2008 Ultra Classic and I really liked the sound but after a few years they were really starting to get a little bit too “loud”. When I went to the Triglide the exhaust was one of the first changes I was going to do but once I heard the sound of the stock exhaust I was very pleased with it. I had to get my wife to “blip” the throttle several times while I stood in back of it to make sure that it sounded like a Harley, and it did!! Another benefit is I can really hear the new radio and don’t have to blast it to hear it! I’ve also had several people ask me what kind of exhaust I have on it and I say stock and they can’t believe it. If I was you I would put your money into some accessories and wait until later….

[Gorilla]

I removed the cat from mine and stayed with the stock pipes. I have Rush mufflers with 1.75 baffles. I am very happy with the sound. I remove the cat from my neighbors and he stayed with the stock mufflers and it sounds very very nice. Ride for a while. If you want just a little more sound remove the cat from the header pipe. You will not be disappointed it adds just the right amount IMHO

[msocko3]

Yes, I'm in the minority when it comes to (extra)loud bikes.


Look at it this way, if you think your exhaust is a little loud (the way you like it) as you sit on the bike, think about how loud it is riding behind you.


I don't know why people pay so much for a slip-on when they can't even hear what it really sounds like sitting in front of it.

I think the only reason people get extra loud pipes is to get attention - unfortunately the wrong people are hearing it and it may come back to bite all of us -we might not like what's in store
Loud pipes are not a sign of power- you can get some pretty good quiet pipes that will run rings around loud pipes in the performance area.

I think as soon as the politicians get their act together, they're going to come after us with a vengence(they keep trying every year). Sound will be first on the agenda because it's the easiest thing to control...then conspicuity. We are our own worst enemy.


I'm a firm believer in quiet power, one of the reasons I run a closed end cap on the Supermeg I have installed on my Ultra Classic. I gave up loud, it just pisses people off and brings unwanted attention to motorcyclist.

[tom w]

just goes to show how subjective this topic is. best thing I can think of is go to some shows and dealers .hear for yourself, then decide what YOU like.( a lot cheeper than buying pipes you don't like. )

*My buddy has a 2013 street glide with V&H exhaust. After riding behind me for the past 1/2 season , He is currently saving his lunch money for rhineharts

everyone is right about the cat ,it has to go !

[rhino 2]

I'm a firm believer in quiet power, one of the reasons I run a closed end cap on the Supermeg I have installed on my Ultra Classic. I gave up loud, it just pisses people off and brings unwanted attention to motorcyclist.

Loud pipes lose rights.....

[lboos]

If I would have liked a motorcycle that was not loud I would have bought a Honda G/W, I think the sound of a Harley is one of the main reasons folks buy them, they like the rumble and the shake as I do, even on the stock Harleys, I think the EPA has gotten so involved in the last few years that Harleys don't sound like Harleys any more. now I don't like the ones with straight exh. pipes and no cat, that's a bit to loud, but some of these slipons sound good to my ears, I guess its just up to the rider as someone said a few post back.
BTW I just got back from the Harley dealer, they installed a set of rush slipons with the 2" baffles
on my 2013 . not super loud, but a little louder then the stock ones and a lot louder then a G/W.

I haven't heard the mufflers on the 2014 yet, but with a little over 3000 miles on mine the stock mufflers were starting to sound louder then when they were new.

[JJTRIKER]

I got my 14 in december and was quite pleased at the sound now 500 miles later still loving them . Im putting my money into bling.

[msocko3]

If I would have liked a motorcycle that was not loud I would have bought a Honda G/W, I think the sound of a Harley is one of the main reasons folks buy them, they like the rumble and the shake as I do, even on the stock Harleys, I think the EPA has gotten so involved in the last few years that Harleys don't sound like Harleys any more. now I don't like the ones with straight exh. pipes and no cat, that's a bit to loud, but some of these slipons sound good to my ears, I guess its just up to the rider as someone said a few post back.
BTW I just got back from the Harley dealer, they installed a set of rush slipons with the 2" baffles
on my 2013 . not super loud, but a little louder then the stock ones and a lot louder then a G/W.

I haven't heard the mufflers on the 2014 yet, but with a little over 3000 miles on mine the stock mufflers were starting to sound louder then when they were new.

You can have the sound of a Harley without it being obnoxiously loud, some of the Harley sound has kind of gone away since the introduction of the Twin Cam. If I had a nickel for every post on some other forums from guys wanting to lower their idle so they can make it sound like a Harley I'd be rich. Every time I hear an old pan or shovel Harley I want one, even the EVO had a decent sound to it.

As for the racket some bikes make, some dealers have even begun to send a message. I found this sign on the service dept at a dealer in NY.

[lboos]

When I bought my Rush slipons with the 2" baffles I ask the sales guy would I have to do anything like having the bike tuned or anything, I was told no, when I got home I noticed on the box it said you may have to have the bike tuned to get the best performance , any one with just slipons have to have theirs tuned ? [everything else stock].
I also read that they would increase the HP by 5 HP out of the box, is this true ? or just sales talk ?
Thanks.

[rhino 2]

When I bought my Rush slipons with the 2" baffles I ask the sales guy would I have to do anything like having the bike tuned or anything, I was told no, when I got home I noticed on the box it said you may have to have the bike tuned to get the best performance , any one with just slipons have to have theirs tuned ? [everything else stock].
I also read that they would increase the HP by 5 HP out of the box, is this true ? or just sales talk ?
Thanks.

If? your stock mufflers are like the ones on my 11 T/G You'll notice the left one is heavily baffled compared to the right one, So if the rush are both 2'' you'll gain noise and lose Torque..

[msocko3]

When I bought my Rush slipons with the 2" baffles I ask the sales guy would I have to do anything like having the bike tuned or anything, I was told no, when I got home I noticed on the box it said you may have to have the bike tuned to get the best performance , any one with just slipons have to have theirs tuned ? [everything else stock].
I also read that they would increase the HP by 5 HP out of the box, is this true ? or just sales talk ?
Thanks.

Actually bone stock bikes will benefit from a good tune, they come from the factory quite lean. The box is correct in that you have to have it tuned to obtain the best performance, I don't think you'll see any huge HP gains by just bolting them on.