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Who makes the best aftermarket exhaust for GL1800?

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#22 ·
I rode mine around a little with the factory slip-ons removed. Sounded pretty cool but I was riding with no helmet or seat at neighborhood speeds.
Put on the Alley Kats and rode my normal loop which involves a little bit of triple digit interstate speeds and they sounded great. Not much different than stock for me but just a little throatier. Still had my seat off so I got some funny looks. My front fender is off too so that may have been part of the funny looks.
I was worried about the cornering clearance with the turn down Ally Kats but found I could mount them a little higher than the OEM and have better clearance in the corners. That was a nice surprise.:yes1:
 
#23 ·
Ditto. The whisper quiet tone of the OEM's are perfect for long days in the saddle. I've ridden Wing's with Cobra and Daytona pipes, and the pure loud volume is not only distracting, but makes the ride seem much less smooth.


Kenrcpilot said:
I like the stock pipes, sound and looks. I don't think you will find any pipe that will increase performance without sacrificing something. JMO
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#24 ·
Why would you think turn downs would change the tone of your bikes exhaust.....all they are is a large open pipe thats turned down.....I have a set and like the looks, but the stock exhaust are still to loud for me. If you find something that's quieter, please let me know!! DSI#502 PGR:thumbup:
 
#25 ·
I have Torque Master & like them. If you call & talk to Jimmie he will set them up per your request. By that I mean the size of the baffles & the location of the 2nd baffle will change the sound from pretty loud to almost the same as stock, he will explain. I change mine depending on who I'm riding with & how long the trip is. It only takes 5 mins. to change them. & thats if you're slow with the screws, One per baffle.:thumbup:
 
#26 ·
greyghost1950 said:
Why would you think turn downs would change the tone of your bikes exhaust.....all they are is a large open pipe thats turned down.....I have a set and like the looks, but the stock exhaust are still to loud for me. If you find something that's quieter, please let me know!! DSI#502 PGR:thumbup:
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I've done db checks on most of my bikes, boats and trucks. Using my SLM I've seen 3 db decrease in sound at 18" just by adding turn downs. Do it at national enduros and hare scrambles on 4 strokes for years. Got my 300cc 2-stroke through inspection in Conway, TX once just by rigging up a turn down.
 
#27 ·
mpolissky said:
Hi everyone,

I installed Kuryakyn turndowns on my Roadsmith trike today. It looks good, but no change in the sound or performance. Who makes the best aftermarket exhaust for GL1800? I'd appreciate your recommendations and experiences.

Thanks,
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Michael.."Who makes the best aftermarket exhaust for GL1800" depends on who you want to listen too.

There are a few aftermarket companies that make the exhaust sound a bit different from stock..Some claim performance gains,but being realistic it's only on paper..You the rider won't feel as little as 2-5 HP gain..you'll more than likely hear the exhaust note more so than a claimed HP difference.

Sound--Well you'd have to listen to every aftermarket exhaust next to each other in a parking lot to make that decision as to which sound you prefer..

Here are the three top dogs in the aftermarket exhaust field..
Alley cats
Cobra
Torque Master

I had the "Daytona Torque Master" pipes on my bike for about 8 months..
The reason why I wanted them over anyone else's was the slash cut on them..I liked that look.
Image


At first I liked the sound,but quickly got tired of the 3,000 rpm drone.So I bought the 4 inch baffles to try out.it made the sound to quiet for my liking,So I made a set of 3 inch baffles..
While I was able to change the sound,I could never get rid of the Drone!

So I took them off and sold them..I put my turn down tips back on,and found that with the turn down tips back on the exhaust sounded like the torque master pipes with the 4 inch baffles on--But no more Drone!!


After messing around with the Daytona's.I finally messed around with my stock tips and created a exhaust tip that I liked as much as the slash cut pipes..(See sig picture)
 
#28 ·
You asked, Whats Best! I think, what the engineers developed is! If you want a different sound then I would go for torque masters. I would'nt like them all of the time, though! If I was touring, I'd rather have the stock and when riding the twisty's the torque master would fit the bill. Maybe, I would swap to whichever when the event arises. Hang on to your stock if you choose to purchase aftermarket, sound.....
 
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#31 ·
I liked the bike with the tailgunners. Not for a goldwing for sure.
 
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#32 ·
Clancy said:
I have Torque Master & like them. If you call & talk to Jimmie he will set them up per your request. By that I mean the size of the baffles & the location of the 2nd baffle will change the sound from pretty loud to almost the same as stock, he will explain. I change mine depending on who I'm riding with & how long the trip is. It only takes 5 mins. to change them. & thats if you're slow with the screws, One per baffle.:thumbup:
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:agree::agree:
 
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#33 ·
I purchased an almost new wing that had cobra slash cuts

I rode it 860 miles the first full day, and dam near went deaf

They went up for sale as soon as I got them home

I couldnt care less what the next guy likes or has, but I like the nice sewing machine sounds of the stock quoet pipes
 
#36 ·
:agree:

I've ridden GL1800's with both Cobra's and Torque Master's. Both pipes dispense with the quiet, smooth hum that makes the Wing so enjoyable for hundreds of miles at a time, and adds to a perceived increase in vibration. I don't understand why you'd want to do that to a Gold Wing? :shrug:
If you want a HD or a sport bike, then that's a different story.

You can always purchase the correct type of bike for such; I wanted to move from my modified FJ1200 with 4-into-1-into-2 Kerkers and my 4-into-1 Bandit 1200 to a Wing for it's OEM characteristics. I know some won't agree, but I just don't get it.



Kenrcpilot said:
I like the stock pipes, sound and looks. I don't think you will find any pipe that will increase performance without sacrificing something. JMO
Click to expand...
 
#37 ·
Indianabob said:
I bought a pair of Cobra straight slip ons for cosmetic purposes only.

They were a little loud for me (just a little), so I packed them muffler packing -- now they are about the same sound level as stock.

Also, and I have no definitive proof of this, I seem to be getting 1 - 2 more miles per gallon.

If there are any "performance gains" beyond maybe slightly better gas mileage, I haven't noticed it.

I do like the clean, streamline look of the pipes.
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Hello from France,

I need your advice about your modification on your cobra exhaust.
I have exhaust cobra tri oval on my GL1800 and I found that it's to noisy for me.

In your post you explain that you "packed them muffler packing" can you give me more information about it ?

If possible with basic word (like you speak to children) because isn't my native language. ;)

What kind of product did you use ?

I unmounting my exhaust and I discovered that :


In fact is only a tube with no thing inside




I hope your support

Kind regards

Jean-Claude
 

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