Another pipe thread...

[MK592]

Yeah, I know, another one. I've read through the archives but was still a little confused after some users' posts. Thought I'd voice my questions.

If you only change pipes and nothing else (for now):

-I'm past the break-in period and have over 2500 miles on the odo. I assume this is more than enough miles to switch out the pipes.
-I've been convinced that the Fuel Injection will make slight adjustments itself so that nothing else needs to be done for the bike to run well.
-Is the sound significantly different when compared to doing everything at once?
-Other than looks, what are the benefits of removing the goat's belly when pipes go on? Are there any negatives to removing it? Do a lot of people leave it there even with new pipes?
-Any other things I might be missing to convince me to do everything at once instead of just the pipes?

Thanks guys, I appreciate your patience and your responses. My plan thus far is to change out to V&H Bigshots soon and do the PCIII and intake during the long winter...

Later,
--Mike

[trikebubble]

I made the pipe change by itself last year, then the PCIII and tornado airkit this spring.
The bike showed no ill effects of just changing out the pipe. It was hard to tell if there was any real gain, just a bit i figure. The improvement in sound however was awesome.
The goat belly is attached to the stock pipe and will come off with them.

For me, budget was the deciding factor in making the additions in steps, as opposed to all at once.
If I could have justifed it, I would have changed it all out at once.

[MK592]

Hey Trike, budget is my only concern as well. I could certainly swing it if there was a reason to do it all at once (besides me really wanting it and holding my breath til I turn blue or something) but figured a piece at a time would be the more *responsible* thing to do....................... stupid nagging #$%$ mature voice in my head

[Constrictor]

Your engine is broken in within the first 100 miles. Beyond that any differences between a bike with 101 miles and 10,001 miles are negligable. Go ahead and swap those pipes out!

The ECM is more than adequate to handle the change in backpressure. Although you could benefit from getting a PCIII (or equivalent), you really dont NEED to worry about it until you start changing things before the engine, like the intake.

Yes, the sound is SIGNIFIGANTLY different (i.e. louder). You also can hear a lot more lope from the engine with aftermarket pipes.

The goats belly is part of the stock exhaust. When you remove the stock exhaust, the goats belly goes with it. You would literally need to go out of your way to mount it back up there with an aftermarket exhaust and even then, it wouldnt be hooked up to anything. Its heavy, and its slowing you down...get rid of it!!

Theres nothing holding you back other than price, and the time to do it. I have the Big Shots on my bike as well, and have absolutely no other performance mods and I love the way they sound. You will want to consider getting block off plates for the reed valves, or at least trying the marble trick to block it off because your bike will backfire and burble a lot more with aftermarket pipes if you dont block them off. Other than that, go for it! Read my long review thread I posted the other day which covers installation and my thoughts on the Big Shots exhaust.