It was to nice this afternoon,got up into the mid 60’s here in Madison Heights, VA and I just had to get the 02 Silverado out of the shed and start her up. Been reading posts in the forum about hard starts and such so I was a bit concerned and ready to mess with the bike if need be. I put the bike up the first week in November, turned the petcock to off, hooked up the battery tender, covered her up and locked the door on the storage shed. I had changed the oil about 100 miles before.(Mobile 1) The truth be known I have uncovered the bike just to look at it several times,sat on it a few times but never started it. Well, I rolled it out and let it sit in the sun for about an hour , turned on the gas, turned on the ignition, pulled out the choke, opened the throttle a few times, took a deep breath and hit the starter.

1 & ½ cranks and my baby was running, fired right up like I had just ridden it yesterday.
Surprised the hell out of me! Of course I had to take her for a little ride so I got my gear and took off. Once it was idling nice and steady just under 1000 RPM I hit the interstate and wound it out to 4000 RPM in 3rd & 4th several times, cruised a bit at 85 to 95 mph and eventually headed home with 30 miles more on the odometer. The bike ran perfectly… pulled strong and steady at all speeds and just generally was a joy to ride… so now I have a new problem..
I have been wanting to put baffles into the HardKhrom American Classic pipes and tone the beast down a little, but,it starts and runs so good like it is I don’t want to mess with it.
“If it aint broke, don’t fix it!” I know that if I just insert some ear plugs instead of baffles it will not change the way it runs but it is a bit loud. What to do? Oh what to do?
Soooo the question I pose to fellow clinic members is Baffles or Ear Plugs?
(I think I already know the answer)

Glad she's running good for you.

My vote is for baffles.

I vote baffles. I just put Quiet core baffles in my Cobra pipes. I like the pipes louder than the stock, But didn't want to be obnoxious. Plus, nobody wants to ride next to me on the right.

Baffles, your riding partners will thank you.

Baffels for sure. You can always swap as needed in about 5 min

5 minutes if your slow like me...lol. Baffles are the only way to go. A few different choices so you can baffle to your mood!!

For me better deaf than dead mine are really LOUD. I love em. Denello what size are your pipes are they the HK 3 inch or are they the 2 3/4 inch? I had a set of HK K2's that were 2 3/4 inch and I made several baffles trying to get the sound I wanted. I finally sold the pipes and got the Bub Stubbies I have now. I have two sets of home made baffles for 2 3/4 inch OD that fit onto 1/3/4 inch header pipe. You can go to my site and look at my pictures of some that I have made. The ones I still have may fit your pipes.

I'm usually rollin so fast that the wind noise prevents me from hearing ANYTHING! Personally I don't like earplugs as I feel isolated on the bike. If you must do anything, go with baffles. they seem the safer alternative.

Baffels for sure.

Yup, count me as being for baffles, too!