Cobra pipes

[FPG52]

Hi all...recently purchased '97 Valkyrie tourer with standard stock pipes.  I love the look of the Cobra 6 in 6 pipes and am considering changing to them.  I really like the look of them and although like a little "rumble" am not one for loud pipes.  I have gone on the Cobra website to take a listen but don't know how accurate their recordings are to the real pipes.  I was hoping for some feedback from existing users.  Any users that can give me layman's terms if these pipes are really loud or simply a bit of a rumble as I have been told?

http://www.cobrausa.com/exhaust_detail.php?make_id=2&model_id=4&product_id=511&product_name=Slashcut%20Drag%20Pipes%206%20into%206#

Thanks for any comments, I appreciate it!!!

[olddog1946]

I have cobra pipes on my 01 std and the thing sounds like a porsche on steroids..and yes it is loud.. I have wrapped the baffles with muffler wrap, which helped a bit, but still feel they are too loud out on the road..I think I'd prefer the stock pipes with a glass pack mod and silencers for a throaty but muffled rumble..

[R J]

I'd say add about 3 more levels of noise and you will be close.

I had a set of Cobra's on MGM way back when, and I could rattle store front windows when I wrapped it out.

Whover followed me always complained of the noise, so I always rode tail in a group..........

Then I went to MarkT's original glass pak and then finally to Justin's pipes he developed, or had made to his specs.    Andy will produce some if he gets enough purchases.   Last I heard they are like $1,500 for a set.   

[Jack B]

Yes they are loud too loud but fun I went back to stock

[bigdog99]

i have throaty pipes. cut the piggies, drill the baffles, 1/2" not the full 5/8" and truck stacks for turn downs.

also see tail pipes 101 in shop talk

[fudgie]

I cut pigs, drilled the rears. Wasnt quit what I was looking for so I cut 3 1/2" of the exhaust off. Perfect. I can be heard 3 miles away but its not to loud while riding. Thats what my tunes are for.

[B]

If you're going to Inzane, hold off and you can hear them in person. There loud on heavy acceleration but settle a little at cruising speeds... I tell my friends its the muscle car I never had as a kid ... Reminds me a little of headers on the old small block chevy.

[flcjr]

i have cobra's and i am taking them off and going stock before the season starts here. I like the sound of them for a while and while in town but on the highway at 80mph there is a droan that gets annoying  I will make you a heck of deal on some used ones if you want them.

[mirion]

I have Cobras on my 97 and Mark T's on my 2000 IS. I don't think the Cobras are too loud myself, I love the sound of the Cobras when I get on it but my retired neighbors say that they don't even hear me leave at 7:00am. It's because the fat lady starts so easy and I idle away from the neighborhood. I am definately not into loud and I think theyr'e OK, it's all relative. The Mark T's with full length bones can be too loud if you wind her up in the wrong places, just be judicious with your driving and they are ok.

[FPG52]

Thanks to all...After reading all I think my gut feels they may be louder that i want however it looks like there are some alternatives to getting the sound I want.  Then again as one of you wrote...it is relative...if i have them I may like them...and most of all I like the look.  i guess the real way is to do as one reader suggested go somewhere where I can actually hear them...Too bad Cobra doesn't make some baffle options to adjust... Oh well thanks again to all for your time and comments
FG

[f6rider]

Do a little searching on the members list and see if you can find someone close to you.
I love the sound, and with the baffles removed the will rattle your soul!!

I have a set that are like new I haven't put up for sale yet.

I went with Mark Ts. I ride my bike dailey. It is my transportation. I wanted louder thean stock, but like I said, for me, riding it every day they were a bit loud. But the main reason I went with the T's was the looks.

[old2soon]

99 i/s cut piggies-3 3/8 holes in each baffle. Not real loud-but you know i have sumthin if you ain;t familiar with the valks.

[bigfish_Oh]

I have new ones to put on, I haven't even looked to see what's in them. I can make baffles very easy, made a adjustable(tuneable?) one to tone down the straight pipe on the tractor.

I know what 6 into 6 with no baffles is like on a new '79 CBX, absolutely unbearable, the next stage was turbo 6-1

[Heinno]

It would depend on what your plan is with the bike - riding around town - Cobra's without baffles is best, riding 2-3 hours - Cobras with baffels are the best, touring for half a day or more at a time, stocks are best - IMHO

There is a certain energy though that comes alive when going up a hill and cracking the Valk with open pipes - puts any Harley to shame....

[hubcapsc]

I can be heard 3 miles away but its not to loud

 

Fudgie I can hear birdies tweeting in the trees as I go by with my stock pipes...

-Mike

[bigfish_Oh]

I've saw a bird or 2 pop up as I go by.

[B]

It would depend on what your plan is with the bike - riding around town - Cobra's without baffles is best, riding 2-3 hours - Cobras with baffels are the best, touring for half a day or more at a time, stocks are best - IMHO

There is a certain energy though that comes alive when going up a hill and cracking the Valk with open pipes - puts any Harley to shame....

I ride all day on mine      The wife wears earplugs sometimes tho ... is it the CObras or Me? 

[MarkT]

If you want "rumble", Cobras aren't the answer.  The deep rumble sounds are delivered by glasspacks more than anything else.  Cobras have a distinctive sound, kind of sharp or "hard".  Good around town, showing the harley crowd a powerful sound that is nothing like their potatos.  Not so good for sustained slab riding without earplugs.  There are other issues / considerations but I won't elaborate here - you'll find out about them if you keep looking for answers on this subject.

[Russell Rice]

2 Brothers with the snuffer knob, Cobras with baffles, glass pack mod with baffles, stock with piggies cut and all baffles drilled, stock with just piggies cut, stock with noting done and last but not least stock set of interstate pipes. I like the 2 brothers with the snuffer knob because of the option for loud or not to loud. The glass pack mod with baffles are the best looking because of the truck stacks but there still loud even with the 4" baffles in them and really loud without the baffles. If I could have the truck stacks with the 2 brothers sound and the option of the snuffer knob that would be the perfect set of exhaust pipes for me