Products and Services

2 Into 1 Exhaust - Another Perspective

By Dave (NetX) Barber

Dave's Take on Roadhouse Pipes and Daytona Pipes

The weekend of July 16-19, I had a chance to travel to Kinston, NC for the recently held First Annual Star-B-Que. Never, have I seen such a display of stars in all different configurations. Many of the modifications were original and downright ingenious. Of these, Jeff Henon produced some surprises in the aesthetics of a truly original and classic motorcycle. One or two in which I hope to steal...err, borrow.

Jeff and I had some pretty common ideas, though we went about them in different ways. The most noticeable similarity was our exhaust pipes. Both of us opted for "2 into 1" exhaust with the Flex-O-Pipe look from the days of yore. To achieve this look, you have on of three options. 1) Daytona; 2) Roadhouse; 3) Build your own.

I don't recommend building your own, but I can absolutely recommend the first two options. Going with Daytona or Roadhouse depends on your budget, your sound, and how you plan on future modifications. Allow me to further explain.

Roadhouse
My bike has the Roadhouse exhaust pipes, jetted with Baron's Big Air Kit (BAK) and Baron's TorqueMaster rings. They are big and beefy with "2 1/4" serrated stainless steel exhaust covers, which gives the bike a more massive look. The rear canister is massive and the baffles can easily be removed or replaced. What do you get for all this "beefy-ness"? Sound. Not brash. Not loud, but a deep rumble with mellow undertones. At idle, it just rumbles along at a fairly quiet pace. Crack the throttle, and you are rewarded with the surprisingly rapid response of growl and attitude. This is one setup where the sound actually matches the "seat of the pants" feel.

Traveling down the back roads or highways at a steady speed, you can definitely hear the rumblings, however the sound is pleasant and rather quiet. Get the rpm's buzzing after that, and those babies open up. Twist the throttle in any gear, and they say, "Watch out, I'm coming through!" The odd thing is, they really don't appear to overly loud, which is a tremendous asset for those of us who like our hearing and don't wish to annoy the neighbors.

For protection of your investment, Roadhouse explains, "the sixteen gauge header pipe construction is thermal aluminum ceramic coated; reducing header pipe temperature by up to 20%, which helps reduce pipe finish discoloration." My experience is, with properly jetted carbs, these pipes stand up to heat very well against discoloration. However, if you don't rejet with the pipe installation, they will quickly turn gold. I suggest getting everything done at once.

There are some considerations in owning the Roadhouse pipes. Though they look fantastic, sound good and come complete; they are pricey. Complete setup is $569.95. This includes all the gaskets, replacement chromed brake rod and right foot peg relocation extension, which relocates the right foot about 1 1/2 inches outside. This sounds like a considerable distance, but in reality, it's not even noticeable.

What does this mean? Well, for starters, forget adding on Engine guards, forward controls or Extended pegs, unless you manufacture them yourself or modify aftermarket ones. However, they do not interfere with custom peg or floorboard setup.

Daytona Impressions:
Though smaller in stature, Jeff's Daytona exhaust produced a remarkably sharp sound, with a very pronounced staccato cadence. When the bike is first started in a group of other bikes, there is no mistaken whether the engine is running or not. Riding behind the bike is not an offensive experience, though the exhaust is clearly audible from ahead. Laying on the throttle or going uphill produces a definite aggressive sound, and yes... loud!

In essence, I really liked the Daytona's aesthetics and recognize their value. There is less apparent hassle involved in installation. However, the Roadhouse pipes have just the mixture of aggressive growl and low bass mellowness I need for everyday riding; and "twist the wick" barking for when I really get playful.

Either way, you really can't go wrong.