Best exhaust system for an XL1200C ?

[RCMills05]

Hi again all. Hope you all are during well. I also hope that I am not posting this in the wrong location here in the Forum. I know there is a specific area for Sportster talk and one that is for Exhaust talk, but in my few postings here, you all have shared your wisdom graciously and I sure didn't want to miss any of you who might not have seen this posting in those areas. My quest is to find the exhaust system that I hear in my mind. I have an '09 XL1200C with the OEM Exhaust system & sitting at 1540 miles on the clock. The stock exhaust seems O.K so far and has actually seemed to improve in terms of sound/tone in its short life. I am not necessarily looking for the Loundest exhaust that I can find as a replacement system...but moreso the Best Sounding system!
Over the years, what drew me in to HD was hearing that special low note sound....the one that made the perfect tone as it accelerated from low speed thru the shift intervals. I don't know how else to describe it but I liken it to the provocative sound of the lowest note on a flute or hearing the voice of David Crosby soar above the music bed in "Guinnivere". Is it in the make of the system? I have heard & read about Vance & Hines, Screamin Eagles, etc... and wonder if that will do it... or if that sound can even be achieved with a 1200 engine. Can anybody help me on this or point me in the right direction on where to look and what to listen for ? Thanks so much for any and all info you care to share. Safe roads to all. -Randy

[Fred1369]

if I didn't feel your sincerity I'd say you were trolling. What brand of oil do you use?

[claydbal]

do you want to hear this from the seat, or is this the sound you want others to hear? sounds like you are looking for around 200 HZ? if so, you will need to bump compression and run a big can,no, i didnt say cam. like a 2-1. but hard to tell, can you give us an audio clip?

rineharts are lots higher in HZ, fatcat quiet seem to get down there, but dont know about fitment. old style SE slip ons may work, and cycleshacks will certainly get down low. problem is, on a sporty, you wont hear it long unless lugging. my vote so far goes to cycleshack slip ons with added compression.

IMHO, a sporty should zing! 6000 rpm and around 800 HZ, but thats just me.

how about the stacotto of dire straights "on telegraph road? this should be fun!!!!

[MilesToGo]

Thunderheader sounds good on a Sporty. Nice deep throaty sound - might be what you are looking for.

[Highwayman]

All the current onea are too loud and too short.

You have to chnage out the air box, and get a fuel richener, you will lose even more mileage, and you stops at the pump will be more.

I almost bought Samson shotguns, I liked them on my dynasaur.

Cept Samson dont make any for the F/I newer Sporties.

Im getting a rad over 200 miles to the tank, and Im not looking for a 15% reduction.

Get a 3 foot hunk of rebar, sharpen one end, and punch holes in the baffles. You will get more noise, without leaning the poogies out of it.

[Gulfstream]

The Thunderheader has a unique awesome sound and performs well to boot.

[monkeyboy]

Best advice I can give you is to "hang out" where other harleys are. Dealerships, bike shows, rallies, etc. and listen to the bikes there. Once you hear what you are after, do a little investigating ie: what kind of bike is it and what kind of modifications have been done and what kind of exhaust has been fitted to it.

[RCMills05]

Hi again. Thanks to all who responded and for your always sage advice. I think Monkeyboy said it best, advising to just hang out at any/every opportunity to look/see/ & listen to other 'bikes , see what they are, and what mods have been done. Also- thanks to you who recommended the Thunderheader. I have heard this from more than one person and it sounds like it would produce a lower and more "throaty" sound. Hey Fred, what is trolling and why would one want to do that here ? BTW- I changed over to Amsoil synthetic at the first 1,000 service interval. Thanks again & safe roads to you all !

[vindex1963]

This does belong in exhaust and there will be a redirect in the original location.