I've got an '04 Midnight Star, and am thinking about adding some after market pipes. I'm after a nice rumble at idle and maybe city driving speeds, but really don't want the loud scream at 80MPH. Had a 650 classic with Vance and Hines pipes and it sounded great in town, but on the interstate the noise got old in a hurry. I realize a 1670cc bike won't be wound up as tight as the 650 was, but I still don't think I want the noise on the highway. Am I asking too much here? Read all the posts and tech stuff about stage 1, 2 and 3, but am not too sure I have the ability to mod my own pipes without damaging something beyond reapir. Guess I'm more of a "ride" guy that I am a "wrench" guy. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

On a side note: Anyone on here from South Dakota?

I've got Cobra LoBoy shotguns on mine. I THINK they have a nice rumble at idle and slow cruise. At highway speed they don't bother me. The wind noise is worse than the pipes on short highway trips. I think part of it is my pipes are long so alot of the noise is way behind me. But you might listen to my pipes and think they sound like crap. If there's a bike night or something similar in your area you should go there and listen to different bikes.

Side note - When your on the highway for anything more that a short trip you should have ear plugs in if you don't wear a helmet. You will damage your hearing. And that will also affect how loud your pipes will sound. That's my 2 cents.

It depends on how much you want to spend. I did the stage 3 debaffle on the stock pipes. It sounded really good and got me by until I was able to afford some after markets. Cost me about $30.00 for the hole saw and about 2 hrs of labor. Then I did about 2 weeks of research on pipes. I went to bike nights and asked people to start their bike for me so I could hear the different pipes. I finally decided on the 3" HK DD big shots. They go all the way back to the rear tire and you as the driver can't really hear it on the highway but you would not believe the awesome sound. Through the city and idle and also a little roll on the throttle, it puts a perma grin on your face.

Anyway, that is my .02

By the way, the fat look is sweet too. I too agree with Musky, earplugs are a must on long trips, even with a helmet. My wife rides in the lead and she has V&H straight shots and it will impair my hearing for a day if no plugs.

Kevin
Ironhead<br><br>Post edited by: Ironhead, at: 2006/07/22 12:37

Roadhouse Dooley`s on mine love the low sound alittle louder than stock.They
bark when I get on it ,but settle down to a nice rumble at cruising speeds.
There site has a clip you can listen to also
Also I usually cruise at 75 and 80 and Musky is right about the ear plugs.
Would`nt leave on a long trip without them <br><br>Post edited by: vegasdave, at: 2006/07/22 15:27