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Introduction and Question About Exhaust

Wed, 2008-09-17 23:54 — shaferwr

Hello everyone!

My name is Will, and I live in Clearwater, FL. I'm as brand new as you can get to the biking scene. After a LONG and arduous process of researching different bikes (2 months of research on all metrics), I decided on the 2008 Yamaha V Star 1300 Black Cherry Tourer. I have had it for roughly 2 weeks now, and have around 350 miles on it. I have to say that I am extremely happy with the decision I made.

I am also curious about the exhaust system. My dad has a 2005 Midnight Star with Vance and Hines pipes, and his bike sounds great. Mine, on the other hand, sitting next to him at a light, sounds like a wuss with my stock exhaust. I've scoured these forums and for the life of me can not decide whether I should bite the bullet and buy the Vance and Hines, or just modify the stock pipes by drilling a 1 1/4" hole in the back of the baffle. Everyone I have spoken with says that if I do anything to the exhaust, I'll have to buy a power commander. Trust me when I say that after the little woman finally let up about buying the bike, the last thing she's going to let me do is drop another seven to eight hundred bucks on pipes and a power commander.

I guess my question is this: How the hell can I split the red sea by attaining a nice throaty sound for my 1300 without giving the wife a coronary?

If I just drill the 1 1/4" hole in the back of the baffle, will that be enough to tide me over?
If I get the Road House Slip On, will I have to purchase the power commander?
Can I put the Vance and Hines longs on the bike without the power commander? If so, what negative effects will it have?

I know that ultimately (all things in my favor), I should just eat the price and buy the Vance and Hines with the power commander and be done with it. The problem is that my wife is so mean, she'd make me sleep on the couch for a month... without the cushions on it.

Any help would be appreciated. My plan (as of right now) is to just drive the bike to my dad's shop and drill out the baffle on Saturday morning, unless I get some better information before then from you guys.

Thanks for reading this far down!

-Will

‹ Thunder Air Kit Latest mod – “Enterprise” - Lowers ›
Sat, 2008-09-20 22:58 — tonkavstar

Exhaust, Black Cherry 08

I too have a Black Cherry o8 I bought here in minnesota in June. I put on the Vance & Hines 2 into one pipes on in August. I have not done anything else with the engine. I agree it is very loud, but it runs real well, it seems to have improved the 1st through 3rd gear acceleration. It does pop and backfire some, but for me, not that much. I would like to quiet it down some, but overall I like the sound, the look, and the performance. of the Vance and Hines Pipes.

Thu, 2008-09-18 09:53 — giddyup

Exhaust Comment

I opted for the Vance and Hines 2 into 1 pipes after plenty of research, you-tube sounds, forum posts, etc. Plus I liked the way they looked on the bike, kind of similar looking. But the similarity ends right there. These babies are loud! No more wuss for you! The neighbors will hear you leaving and coming home. I've visited a local cemetery a few times and people look at you like you're trying to wake the dead. I swear. Ok, do you think the $600 bucks stops here? No way. I got popping and backfiring; too lean I guess. So I drilled the airbox, better throttle response, but still popping, backfiring. On went the Cobra 2000i (had to get California approved, though). Now this helped considerably; but still had some popping, etc. So you think the $240 for the Cobra stops here...no way. Ordered the Thunder Air kit, took two months to get. Another $280. Now that really helped with the backfiring. But you see, one thing leads to another. In my case, I guess I needed all three.

Just tell your wife that it is a requirement and that you want to help the national economy. It's patriotic. And best of all, when you ride with your buddies you'll know you did the right thing.

Keep the faith, Rog

Wed, 2008-09-24 23:07 — shaferwr

haha, that's great Rog. I'll

haha, that's great Rog.

I'll make the patriotic attempt, but I'm sure it'll be an effort in futility.

-Will

Thu, 2008-09-18 04:33 — subnuke

Opinions...

Lot's of 'em. I went through the full cycle on the pipes. I drilled mine and liked the sound, but still not quite loud enough for me and the popping on down-shifting really annoyed me. Reminded me too much of these little foreign cars that the teenagers will put the sput-sput exhaust pipes on. I then changed to Roadburner Street Pro exhaust. Got the sound I was looking for, but still had an occasional backfire between 1st and 2nd gear and a little popping on down-shifting. Not too bad though, wasn't as annoying because it was deeper. Added Cobra Fi2000 and now couldn't be happier. Got the sound I was looking for, no popping, no backfires and more power to boot. BTW, Fi2000 is much easier to deal with than the PC and a LOT cheaper.

Fair winds~

David

Thu, 2008-09-18 03:35 — J.S.

Hi Guys,I'm from Orlando and

Hi Guys,I'm from Orlando and I'v had my 08 Black Cherry Tourer since May.I'v been running with the Roadhouse slip-on now for about 2 months and for the $ I dont think you can get a better pipe,the sound is great,not so loud that i wake everyone up in the morning(sometimes 3am) but loud enough to let people know your around.I'v read also the you shouldnt need any PC or FI2000 also,but I addded the FI2000 and it I think its worth the extra money,I had some backfire when I added the slip-on and drilled the airbox and the 2000 got rid of it and the bike runs absolutly great.

Thu, 2008-09-18 01:09 — mick01

Exhaust

I have the roadhouse you need nothing else, just put it on and enjoy. I love the way it sounds, got mine from Shane at ss custom cycles 315.00 shipped. you can find some clips on you tube to get a idea of the sound that is what I did. hope this helps

Thu, 2008-09-18 01:18 — Trainman

pipes yes

the pipes are good, but ,i did not have any luck with the power commander i removed mine after several attemps to get it right.most everyone else are going to the cobra fi2000r i'm goying to give it shot also..ps your just over the bay from me ..David
Brandon,Fl ...ride safe