This is my first post though I've been a member for a while and have done a lot of reading in the forum. I have 2005 Road Star Silverado and am thinking about changing the exhaust to the new Vance & Hine Powershots. Goal is to get a better sound and a performance boost. Stage two will be to change in the intake to a MaxAire filter and rejet the carburetor.

Questions:
Anybody out there have any experience with the Powershots?

Wonder how the Powershots would compare with the V&H Pro Pipes or the Speedstar 2 into 1 into 2 pipes?

Am hoping that I won't have to reject the carburetor after changing only the pipes. Any comments on that?

Thanks in advance for any assistance. I like this site and there seem to be a lot of really knowledgeable people that hang out here.

Thanks for dropping by. Glad you find the site useful.

I think you are making a good choice regarding the pipes. A 2-1 pipe is a good choice for maintaining the torque and power of the engine.

As for which one

I had the Propipe and was very satisfied with the increased power and the sound. I changed to the Nasties as I like the look of a 2-2 pipe but I was unsatisfied with the increased noise level. If the Powershots were available at the time I might have gone with them because of the cross-over but I'm not impressed with the 'looks'. "To each his own."

The Propipe is not unreasonaly loud and can be made quieter with baffle material. It has a low tone. I understand that the Powershots may be a bit louder but may also have a slightly better performance edge.

Here's couple of post on the R* Riders Forum to get you started:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/1602/messages/?msg=117411.1
http://forums.delphiforums.com/1602/messages/?msg=117411.1

I am not familiar with the SpeedStar pipes. You may want to also check on the R* Forum for input.

Doc

Thanks for the comments, Doc. I have a friend who has the Pro Pipes and I've already copied a number of things he's done to a similar bike. Wanted to kind of strike out on my own at some point! I like both the Vance and Hines BigShots and the PowerShots. The PowerShots seem like they would be more performance oriented. Wish I had an idea about how they would sound... Guess that's where "you pays your money and you takes your chances!" Hopefully, with the removeable baffles there'll be some flexibility with respect to changing it out if I'm not satisfied with the baffles that come with the pipes.

What about rejetting the carburetor? I'm hoping that I won't have to do that until I replace the air filter. It seems to be the most restrictive point in the Road Star's air flow.

Again thanks for the reply. By way of introduction, I'm almost 62. I had an old Harley Sportster back in the early 60's and hadn't ridden a bike since until I got a wild hair and bought the '05 Silverado. So far, I'm loving it. It's a lot more bike than I've ever had but I just love the ride and the acceleration.

If the baffles are removable then 'yes' you will have much more flexibility. My Nasties came with baffles but I found the pipes too loud. I made my own baffles and was able to not only make them quieter but regain some torque.

You're correct re the air filter; it is very restrictive. Most people that have put on pipes have not had to re-jet. You will probably only have to adjust the PMS. When I put on the Propipe, I did not re-jet.

Almost 62 and 'wild hair' You're lucky that you have hair that you can make wild

I remember riding in the 60's (one of the few things I can still remember) and bikes have changed dramatically since then, especially if you had a Sportster.

Enjoy the ride!

Doc

Doc,

Just had to get back in here and tell you that I had put the Power Shots on my bike and I couldn't be happier. They have a really great sound. My neighbor, an ex Harley owner, was really impressed with the sound and the looks. He said his Harley never sounded that good even with Screaming Eagle pipes! The pipes look like they were made for the bike and vice versa. Nice loud, deep rumble puts a smile on my face.

Pat

Pat,

Glad you like the sound. Sound is so subjective so it's difficult to tell someone this is the "best sounding pipe that I have ever heard". If it puts a simle on your face, and your HD neighbour then that's what counts.

Doc

I have no experiance with the Powershots but I have been using the V&H Pro Pipe for several years. In my opinion they look & sound great. They are not overly load until you get on the throttle so there shouldn't be a problem with waking up the neibors at 3:00 AM. I have used this pipe with the stock air box & carb jets without any problems. If you go with a high flow air box you will have to rejet the carb. The engine won't run properly otherwise. I had to replace the baffle once because it cracked at one of the mounting holes and couldn't be repaired. These pipes were easy to install and well made. The chrome finish on my set was excellant. If you like the look & sound of a 2 into 1 pipe you can't go wrong with these.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Gary,

I agree with you. Those v & H pro pipes are awesome. A friend of mine has them and I was all set to add them to my bike when I noticed the powershots. Not wanting to copy my friend too much, I decided to go with them and I've been very happy. The pipes are a little on the loud side but not too loud. I was definitely wanting something a lot louder than the stock pipes and I got it in spades! Lot of my Harley friends say, "That thing sounds just like a Harley!" Another said, "That thing sounds a lot better than my Harley ever did!" (I can live with that!)

Take care and thanks for comments.

Pat

Pat

Your welcome! Any time.

Gary