slip ons vs. true duals

[Jimpeacock]

Mike, I have a dilemma. I have 2006 SE Ultra Classic (103ci) and need your expertise on whether to upgrade to true duals or slip-ons? Understandably I will need to add the race tuner and SE air cleaner kit, but I want to get your advise and performance options specific to power bands and noise levels. I usually take long trips fully loaded two up and was looking for more power in the lower ranges and when passing and climbing hills. I also want it to sound like a Harley instead of a Honda but don?t want it so loud that I can hear the radio and intercom.

Any suggestions????

[Mike]

The best system so far for just your application has been the Vance and Hines Classic Round slip-ons. Contrary to common intuition, the true duals we've tested so far have not improved low end torque and most have not been dramatic on the top end. See our Exhaust section of the dyno library on this site. Those true duals that have given substiantial gains have also sacraficed low end torque to do so. The Classic are comparitively inexpensive, great sound but not too loud and have unblievable low end torque while still maintaining decent top end power. We have a comparison of this these vs. RhineHart True Duals under "Exhaust-Test and Compare" for our 95ci 211 kit. We do a modification to the "y" pip to help top end numbers and this is explained elswhere on this site. Very easy and inexpensive also (when the exhaust is off) that typ gains about 4-6hp vs non-modified. It's not often I can be so sure of a recommendation (see my earlier reply to "softail07"), but this is one of those happy times! :) ;)
Thanks, Mike

[Jimpeacock]

Thanks Mike, sounds good.

As follow up, to your recommendation of the Vance and Hines Classic Slip-Ons, will the Vance and Hines Oval Slip-Ons or Basic Slip-ons yield the same performance results as the Classic style? Will I loose or gain anything using other Vance and Hines designs? I'm not real keen on the looks of the Classic style, but I do like how the Oval and Basic designs look on the bike.

Thanks again Mike

[Mike]

Our testing has shown the Classic's to perform better overall than the ovals. The Classic and Basic appear to be the same muffler with end cap differences. Vance and Hines says the opposit. Maybe some day we'll be able to do a true A vs B test of the two.
Thanks, Mike