Straight pipes/open headers

[mininsx_imp]

Hi all. I am about a month away from a new bike and it will either be a CB1100 or a Bonneville. Grew up with and ride with Harley guys. My last bike was a shadow though. Really liked how darned dependable the thing was. Wife has it now. I lean toward the CB1100 because I trust Honda's reputation for reliable bikes and appreciate their much more developed dealer network. Thing is, test rode a CB with some buddies and can't hear it in the pack. I haven't liked the sound of most of the exhaust systems I have found, though the "Jimmy tune" stock mod on this forum is promising... I found a video of a guy removing his cat. while he had it cut open, he started it. WOW! even the monster CI harley dudes I run with raised an eyebrow. Anyone know of someone who has done a straight pipe or open headers with turndowns the right way to be sure they aren't screwing up fuel mixture and so on? I know it is loud and not some people's thing, but it is mine. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Scout

I'm the Jimmy of "Jimmy tune" fame and I agree with you, the stock exhaust is too quiet. Years ago I had a '99 Nighthawk 750 and I put a Vance and Hines exhaust and jet kit in it and loved the sound. It was loud but not obnoxious. I was hoping to duplicate that sound by modifying my stock muffler, and IMO I came close with almost no expense. I haven't touched it since I posted those pictures and the sound clip because for me it's just right the way it is now.

Much thanks for stopping by. That thread you posted in is what got me looking for modded stock exhausts. There I found this:

and drooled over the low end sounds this beastie made. it could use some refining and is louder than needed, but it is beautiful. So deep and savage. Two of my Harley riding buddies who had been ignoring me and my "rice fueled pursuits" while I googled exhausts snapped their heads to the screen and raised an eyebrow when that thing woke up. I have enough caveman in me to love that savage sound and enough IT guy in me to want a Honda. I really wish the guy who posted in the same thread as you with the straight pipe had done a video of his. He has me dying of curiosity.
P.S. The Jimmy Tune has forever made you famous to me. I could see what you were going for and liked how you went about it. A thinker on a budget. You have got to respect that.
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A tightwad is more like it! I could have spent upwards of 500 bucks on an aftermarket exhaust but I liked the looks of the stock one, and I thought if I could get it to sound a little louder on the cheap, why not? If I didn't like what I did then I'd get an aftermarket exhaust. Turns out I like what I've got.