Are all Cobras Created Equal?

[BIG--T]

I know this may sound crazy but here goes; I have a 98 STD with Cobras and with the baffles she's got a sweet sound and not loud. Now  my 99 I/S also has the same pipes but is really so loud with the baffles I can't hear the radio at speed. I switched baffles and noticed the I/S baffles were maybe 4" shorter than my STD and put the longer ones (that were quite in my Standard) in my I/S. I thought being longer would help but there was no change- still loud! It's just not logical. Any thoughts?

I've heard people wrap their baffles but would not moisture settle in and eventually rust them out?

Thanks for any help. 

[olddog1946]

I had Cobra's on my std. when I got it and I loved the sound while riding in town but hated it on any kind of trip, so I wrapped the baffles with fiberglass muffler mat.  I liked it much better that way and saw no additional signs that there was any rust issues. I did replace them with OEM pipes eventually. I have since bought a second set of baffles and welded them onto the original baffles in the hope that will tone them down even more, but haven't put them on. I found a bunch of the chrome peeling off of one pipe, so may not put them on again.

[BIG--T]

I had Cobra's on my std. when I got it and I loved the sound while riding in town but hated it on any kind of trip, so I wrapped the baffles with fiberglass muffler mat.  I liked it much better that way and saw no additional signs that there was any rust issues. I did replace them with OEM pipes eventually. I have since bought a second set of baffles and welded them onto the original baffles in the hope that will tone them down even more, but haven't put them on. I found a bunch of the chrome peeling off of one pipe, so may not put them on again.

I think I'll try the fiberglass wrap, I guess I can find them at a auto parts store. Thanks!

[Chrisj CMA]

besides possible different lengths there are at least two styles of baffles that can be found in Cobra pipes.  One has the little handle across the back and one does not.  I found the one that does not to be a tad louder than the other but not really a big difference.

[BIG--T]

Chris mine both have the handles on them. I'm just baffled (no pun) by the difference in loudness between the two! 

[Shelly]

just a stab in the dark, but do you think that the interstate faring could be enhancing the exhaust notes.

[Bigwolf]

Differences in the engines will cause differences in the sound.  Mods like advanced timing (trigger wheel) and higher compression will each cause a louder exhaust note.  With the interstate ICM having a 2* advance over the standard up to about 3500rpm, the interstate would naturally be louder with the same exhaust.  You can probably notice a louder exhaust when the ICM has advanced timing in cold mode than when it is in normal warm run mode.  I can hear that with my standard.

Bigwolf

[BIG--T]

Shelly I really don't see how the fairing would enhance the sound, but anything is possible.

Bigwolf they are both stock and no trigger wheel. Maybe it is the ICM.

[BF]

Shelly I really don't see how the fairing would enhance the sound, but anything is possible.

Bigwolf they are both stock and no trigger wheel. Maybe it is the ICM.

You could either go to Radio Shack and buy a decible meter and check the two bikes.....or you could download a decible meter on your smart phone and check the two bikes with that.  I don't know how accurate the decible meter app would be. 

[dreamchaser]

I used S/S wool with a S/S wire wrap & I love the way my cobras sound!  (long baffles with cross bar) The first thing I did after buying my '99 Std.  Gary

[BIG--T]

I used S/S wool with a S/S wire wrap & I love the way my cobras sound!  (long baffles with cross bar) The first thing I did after buying my '99 Std.  Gary

Thanks, great idea! Do they sell small sheets in a hardware store?

[dreamchaser]

No T.  I found it on line.  I forget the name, but it is a company that manufactures steel wool and S/S wool.  It comes in small sheets and is listed in their product list as muffler wrap.  Happy searching!  I bought the S/S wire at a Napa auto parts store for about $12.

I was part of a discussion on this topic on the Texas board, so that might be a good place to start your search.  Good luck, Gary

[98valk]

if possible reverse the install of the baffles, one way is louder than the other based on the design and also the flow changes.

I used this packing which is the best out there for my viking pipes,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-20-x38-TECHMAT-MOTORCYCLE-EXHAUST-MUFFLER-PACKING-/131196171454?pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item1e8be6b4be&vxp=mtr

[BIG--T]

Thanks guys!

[dreamchaser]

Try "Sunnymetal .com"