6x6 pipes VS stock

[NighthawkVTX]

My 99 IS came with 6x6 pipes. Man they are waaaay to loud for me.
Just wondering just how much difference you folks think, going back to stock would make. It makes my ears ring,riding with these 6x6s

[Mo Lee]

Most people say you lose HP with 6x6 pipes, I have one with 6x6 and one with stock and I can't tell any difference.

[Medina]

ditto, mines got the 6x6, finding a clean factory set on ebay has been....funny.
also consider going back to stock IF someone installed those pipes right, they rejetted the carbs too.

I'm going out when it warms up a bit and pull one of the inserts/baffles out to see if I can wrap it with fiberglass mat to muffle it down a bit, or repack them if its been done years ago.
My fattie only has 16K miles in it and I'm finding all sorts of things that LOOK fine, but just sitting has killed, or that look bad, but are still good i.e. exhaust gaskets, tooth brush cleaned and they look new.

[Jess from VA]

The word is that without carb mods, the Cobra's cost you 6-10HP, not that you'd really notice.

I've never had them, and wouldn't want them (I had loud pipes on a number of bikes, and outgrew them).  The first time I rode with a big group of Valks, I though something was wrong with my bike, the droning in my head and helmet was.... annoying.

You can look for a pair of stock ones that have not been gutted (maybe piggies cut, but no more, though MarkT can hook you up with replacement piggies) (with or without Air Flow 18" tips which are much nicer than stock tips), then sell yours to defray costs.

I like these flat cuts.  Beware, some turn-outs (as opposed to slash cuts) will drag in turns if turned out, or drag on aprons if turned down.  I've even (just) scuffed the very end of my flat cuts turning sharply on steeply angled aprons, and you have to watch out backing down on curbs too; the tips will clear the curb (on 13" OE length shocks), but when you set the bike on the side stand, the low (left) pipe lays on the curb.
http://store.airflo.com/af40-418hs.html

[hubcapsc]

My 99 IS came with 6x6 pipes. Man they are waaaay to loud for me.
Just wondering just how much difference you folks think, going back to stock would make. It makes my ears ring,riding with these 6x6s

The difference will  be like night and day. Do you wear a full face helmet?

When I got my bike the pipes were drilled and the piggies cut... bleggh...

If you are really after quiet, Interstate pipes are the quietest, I ran them for a while...

It took me a year or so to find a pristine set of new pipes, and when I did, I splurged and
put on a set of Honda "triple tips"... they were a little louder, enough to notice. Recently
I put the regular tips back on and extended the piggies past the end of the tips - that
is as quiet as you can get, no exhaust noise bouncing around inside the tips...





-Mike

[PAVALKER]

I think the OP was addressing the noise or sound level.....not the performance or HP results.  Sound level is like night and day between the two.  Your ears will appreciate the stockers, and you,might find that you can hear your stereo as well.....

Check and see if your pipes have baffles...if not you might be able to get those to help.

[Bighead]

There is a new stock set in the classified right now and you won't find a cheaper set
Thought of buying them and putting them up for myself at a later date.

[cookiedough]

I agree, never owning 6x6 cobras, but following one in a group ride surely wakes up the neighborhood, especially ME behind him for miles and miles.  Sort of got annoying after dozen of miles hearing them blare at me from behind.

I think they sound cool and tough, but not for me as well.

If I had the dough and room,  I'd buy a tourer (or cheaper std.) and get cobras on that for shorter around town trips to wake up the neighborhood NOT long distance since would also get on my nerves being too loud, but also my stock I/S having OEM stock exhaust. 

[CajunRider]

6x6 v/s stock will be a HUGE difference in sound... a little difference in power. 

You can also get a set of baffles for the 6x6 (the straight ones anyway...).  You can get them anywhere from 4 inch to 16 inch in length depending on how much you want to quiet them. 

If you neck down the intake of the baffles to about 3/4 inch, it will also knock a lot of volume out. 

Stock pipes (unmolested) are getting harder to find, but they still are out there.  You can sometimes find them for a pretty good price. 

[Medina]

You can also get a set of baffles for the 6x6 (the straight ones anyway...).  You can get them anywhere from 4 inch to 16 inch in length depending on how much you want to quiet them. 

ok...right click, saved as..

good info!

[Earl in Pensacola]

The following applies to stock pipes on standards and Tourers.  Cut off the piggies about 1/2" from base, then install IS Tips!!.  The sound is deeper, but not loud!  The OEM standard/Tourer tips won't do it! No drone, just deeper. IMHO you'll like the sound!

[Hook#3287]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,85121.0.html

Check this out.  For the cost of shipping, maybe.

[Hooter]

   6s look nice       I took mine off, cleaned them up , put them away  and went back to stock with the piggies cut. My Harley has Vance and Hines on it. If i want loud I will ride that. But for the long haul like I use the Valk for, I want to be able to enjoy the ride without some sort of ear plugs or full faced helmet. Just my opinion, and wind noise aside, if you have to wear ear plugs to drown out the noise of your bike, it's too loud for you.

[Edvalk]

I have the cobras and it's part of what attracted me to the valk.  I love the look and the sound . Never thought it was too loud . I guess you should ask my neighbors .I always wear a full face helmet so I'm sure that helps with the sound.

[t-man403]

I always wear a full face helmet so I'm sure that helps with the sound.

It sure does ....... makes it louder ..... at least in my case.

[Tx Bohemian]

I have the cobras and it's part of what attracted me to the valk.  I love the look and the sound . Never thought it was too loud . I guess you should ask my neighbors .I always wear a full face helmet so I'm sure that helps with the sound.

Exact thing with me, like the looks and never thought it was too loud.

Mine does have baffles in them but not sure what kind. Happy with the sound.

Once leaving a country bar with a group of HD guys I ride with occasionally, we've probably been on a half-dozen rides already, one said "hey, you got 3 pipes on your bike on that side!" and I said "yeah, and there's 3 on the other side too!"

I realized then that their hard to see under my hard bags, so much for the look.

[Medina]

one said "hey, you got 3 pipes on your bike on that side!" and I said "yeah, and there's 3 on the other side too!"

why am I not surprised that the concept of symmetry escapes 'harley guys'?