DG
Slash-cut staggered dual, $300, 19 lb.
Installation time/ease: 10 minutes / 5 points
Peak horsepower: 49.0@4700 rpm
Peak torque (ft.-lb): 72.300@2000 rpm
Sound level at 20 in.: 99 db
Sound level rolling: 89 db
The DG Hard-Krome staggered duals were the easiest pipes to install, bolting on in a mere 10 minutes. The double-wall pipes have a built-in heat shield, which protects both rider and passenger from burns. Observers liked how the thick pipes added to the Classic's fat look, tying with the Vance & Hines pipes in our garage beauty pageant. One miscue in the pipes' fit and finish was that the welds between one pipe's header and canister were not ground down prior to chroming, leaving an ugly seam. While tipping the scales at 20 pounds 8 ounces, it was the heaviest of the aftermarket pipes, but it still shaves over 13 pounds off the Classic.
The DG pipes were the least powerful of the aftermarket units tested, making only 49.0 horsepower, a scant 0.9 more than the stock pipe. Being more restrictive than the other pipes we ran with the DynoJet kit, the DG pipes would benefit from additional jetting work to bring out more power. Incorporating an internal tapered head pipe that gradually funnels into 2.5-inch-diameter tubing, the DG pipes' 99-decibel reading earns it the good-citizen award of the test.
Samson
Fishtails, $280, 10.6 lb.
Installation time/ease: 35 minutes / 3 points
Peak horsepower: 51.7@4500 rpm
Peak torque (ft.-lb): 74.8@1500 rpm
Sound level at 20 in.: 107 db
Sound level rolling: 95 db
Although we asked all six of the exhaust-system manufacturers to send us fishtail-style mufflers, Samson was the only manufacturer to actually send one. Unfortunately, Samson may have been penalized in the loudness comparison as a result. Pushing the sound meter to 107 decibels, the Samson exhaust pipes tie for worst in the sound department. These pipes are too loud for the street and were only ridden for photos and then removed. Delivering 51.7 horsepower--middle of the road in this comparison--we expected more output from all the racket.
Installation was straightforward and quick, even with the Spartan instructions. Be sure you have American tools (1/2- and a 9/16-inch wrenches) because no metric bolts are supplied.
When viewing the pipe from the side, people either loved or hated the pipe's long skinny look, which was accentuated by the lack of a heat shield. However, most agreed that the fishtails looked cool from behind the bike. Optional head shields are available from Samson.
SuperTrapp
StreetCruiser system, $550, 10.7 lb.
Installation time/ease: 2.5 hours / 2 points
Peak horsepower: 53.7@5000 rpm
Peak torque (ft.-lb): 72,3@2200 rpm
Sound level at 20 in.: 102 db
Sound level rolling: 89 db
Except for technical problems in our first day of dyno testing, the SuperTrapp exhaust wouldn't have arrived in time to be included. Arriving late, these pipes exhibited typical preproduction problems: visible welds, no heat shields, brackets that didn't fit. One header was about 2.5 inches too long, and both headers had to be modified slightly to seal leaks between the headers and canisters. The preproduction bugaboos made installation time the longest of any pipe here.
The stainless-steel system yellowed immediately, but we don't expect the production units to suffer from this problem. The pipes feature the SuperTrapp megaphone design that people either love or hate. The droopy lower canister dragged easily.
Despite all the problems, the SuperTrapp Street Cruiser system, which runs 12 disks per canister, put out 53.7 horsepower--just 0.1 short of the best--and stayed within our noise limits at 102 decibels. Installing additional disks would presumably yield more power and more noise. Of course, the production version may be even better.
Two Brothers Racing
Slash-cut dualies, $450, 15.6 lb.
Installation time/ease: 45 minutes / 4.5 points
Peak horsepower: 53.8@4500 rpm
Peak torque (ft.-lb): 74.3@2100 rpm
Sound level at 20 in.:108 db
Sound level rolling: 94 db
Our Two Brothers slash-cut duals were the first set the firm built for the 1500 Classic and were rushed to reach us in time for this test. As a result, they suffered from many of the problems a first-production piece has. No instructions were included, but we've been assured that instructions will come with the pipes sent out to customers. All of the mounting bolts were too long. Flange nuts were not included. The middle bracket of the front pipe could not be held in place with the stock bolts, but Emerson said he didn't think the bracket was necessary.
The Two Brothers pipes produced the most horsepower, delivering 53.8 horsepower at 4500 rpm. However, the pipes also tied for the dubious honor of being the loudest even though the exhaust note never felt as extreme to our ears as the Samson pipes. Nonetheless, at a roaring 108 decibels, these pipes are much too loud for the street. Remember, if a pipe is so loud that you don't want to open the throttle for fear of a ticket, you can't use the extra power.
Vance & Hines
Classic dual, $499, 21.9 lb.
Installation time/ease: 1 hour / 4 points
Peak horsepower: 52.5@4500 rpm
Peak torque (ft.-lb): 73.4@1700 rpm
Sound level at 20 in.: 102 db
Sound level rolling: 87 db
The Vance & Hines Classic Duals came with no less than five stickers plastered on them warning that ground clearance may be reduced. Ironically, we didn't drag these pipes when riding. Installation was relatively glitch-free, but we did need to supply our own flange nuts for the headers. The pipe clamps are thinner than stock, causing the stock, capped flange nuts to bottom-out before the clamps were tight. Relocating the voltage regulator under the swingarm was a bit time consuming, but certainly cleans up the left side of the bike. Since the relocation is for purely cosmetic reasons, a note stating the optional nature of the relocation might be helpful.
In our garage sampling of opinions, the Vance & Hines pipe tied as the best looking of the bunch. The powerful VHR pipes scored a solid 52.5 horsepower--near the top of the class, and its 102-decibel reading placed the pipe in the street-reasonable category.
DynoJet Research
200 Arden Dr.
Belgrade, MT 59714
(800)992-4993 or (406)388-4993
www.dynojet.com
Samson Motorcycle Products
270 S. Loara St.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(888)572-6766 or (714)518-2480
www.samsonusa.com
Two Brothers Racing
1715 E. Wilshire Ave., No. 701
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714)550-6070
www.twobros.com