Cobra Pipes For Mean Streak

[cjjtulsa]

OK, I have the Marauder, and was starting to look at different pipes. I like the HK Staggered Straights, and really like the looks of the Cobra Speedster Shorts. I've heard stories of blued or peeling chrome on Cobra products, and just wanted to see what kind of luck those running the cobra systems have had. I really like the idea of a crossover; is Cobra the only one running one for the Mean Streak? And how much louder than stock are the Cobras and HKs? I want to keep it kind of mellow, with a little more rumble. Unbaffled drag pipes are out.

[troop]

I have the Cobra speedster shorts on my 1600 MS and really like them. They have really nice heat shields that give the pipes a meaty look. I only have 500 mi on the pipes so I can't comment on blueing. I've heard(and am hoping) that Cobras quality has improved. As far as sound, they are certainly louder than stock but have a nice growl. I'm really happy so far... Troop

[skip]

I have the cobra speedster slashdowns on my meanstreak and really couldnt be happier. They sound awesome and really look good on the bike.

[skip]

I also should add that I put 21,000 miles on a set of cobra turnouts on an 800a with no blueing or chrome peeling. One of the reasons I went with cobra again.

[cjjtulsa]

Do the Cobras have removable baffles? I e-mailed the company and they said the Shorts are louder than the Longs or Slashdowns. He said torque was about the same, they were just louder. I like the look of the Shorts, but if they are going to be loud I'd like to mellow them out some.

[trikebubble]

"Baffles" is a relative term when talking about the Cobra Speedster Shorts. I do have them on my bike and love them, I believe the "baffles" are removable but why bother. To me, they are quite loud anyways, real loud actually. The baffles don't seem like much there anyways.
As far as the quality, I couldn't be happier. I have 17000km on my pipes without any issues whatsoever.

[cjjtulsa]

The reason I ask is I've seen guys who are unhappy with how loud their pipes are (particularly V&H) that are using the Thunder City "ThunderMonsters" baffles to mellow out the sound and add some back pressure and torque. If the Cobras are removable and are too loud, I figured this might be an option to a future hearing aid. Still researching pipes until I have some extra cash. I do like the Speedster Shorts though.

[uf-engineer]

I had a set of shorts. I received them with a manufactures defect. I exchanged them for the Hard Krome Staggered straights. I couldn’t be happier with Hard Krome’s quality, look and sound.

Hope this helps
MC

[skip]

Originally Posted by cjjtulsa

Do the Cobras have removable baffles? I e-mailed the company and they said the Shorts are louder than the Longs or Slashdowns. He said torque was about the same, they were just louder. I like the look of the Shorts, but if they are going to be loud I'd like to mellow them out some.

Yes, the cobra speedsters have removeable baffles and boy do they get loud! It's not really obnoxious but a low rumble. I ran mine without baffles for awhile but if you drive around towns with noise ordinances you better have them in. They really are a nice pipe.

[cjjtulsa]

I e-mailed Cobra about the torque differences between the Longs and Shorts, and he said it wasn't enough to worry about. He said the biggest difference was that the Shorts were louder. I don't want overly loud pipes - just a good rumble and better power. And I really like the look of the Shorts. You don't have a pic of your bike with the Shorts on it, do you?

[uf-engineer]

Unless you go with a two to one pipe, I think the difference in HP and Torque is negligible. If you’re looking for pictures checkout http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/me...=2&model_ID=82
You’ll find a lot of pictures there. I was in the same boat you’re in about a month ago. I ordered the Cobra shorts then ended up exchanging them for the Hard Kromes. One thing to consider is that the Cobra shorts come in three pieces. The baffles are part of the crossover tube. I didn’t know this until I received them. I ultimately based my decision on looks alone. After visiting a “bike night” at a locale club, I came to the conclusion that all aftermarket pipes are loud and the differences are negligible.

Hope this helps
MC

[cjjtulsa]

Originally Posted by uf-engineer

Unless you go with a two to one pipe, I think the difference in HP and Torque is negligible. If you’re looking for pictures checkout http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/me...=2&model_ID=82
You’ll find a lot of pictures there. I was in the same boat you’re in about a month ago. I ordered the Cobra shorts then ended up exchanging them for the Hard Kromes. One thing to consider is that the Cobra shorts come in three pieces. The baffles are part of the crossover tube. I didn’t know this until I received them. I ultimately based my decision on looks alone. After visiting a “bike night” at a locale club, I came to the conclusion that all aftermarket pipes are loud and the differences are negligible.

Hope this helps
MC

Thanks. As far as the baffles being part of the crossover; are the Hard Kromes the same way? I like the "shorty" look, and the 2½" stripper straights I believe have a crossover as well. The staggereds are good looking pipes too. Do they also have a crossover? It's my understanding that the crossover helps the low end - that straight 2:2 pipes lose low end and boost the upper end where I'm not too concerned. I know I really don't like the look of any 2:1 setup, other than the Sideburners, and the pic I saw of a Meanie with them didn't look as good as the Sideburners on some other brands. I'm still kicking around Ideas, but so far the Short Cobras and the Strippers may be leadering the pack. I appreciate all of the feedback.

[troop]

My bike can be seen at www.cruisercustomizing.com/troop

[uechi kid]

There is no cross over on the the hardkrome strippers. The do have a nice flow through baffle that takes just a little harshness out of the sound.

[skip]

My speedster slashdowns have a seperate baffle in each pipe. The crossover is farther upstream. I have a picture at cruiser customizing under "beech".

[cjjtulsa]

Well, after me ****in' and moanin' over my mileage (see "Say It Ain't So" thread), maybe I should leave the thing well enough alone.

[skip]

Originally Posted by cjjtulsa

Well, after me ****in' and moanin' over my mileage (see "Say It Ain't So" thread), maybe I should leave the thing well enough alone.

Thats no fun!

[cjjtulsa]

Got better mileage out of it today, so back to the catalogs! I'm really aching for some louder, rumbling pipes. If only I had extra money....

[uechi kid]

I have the strippers on my M95. I love the way they look and sound. I was very aprehensive before I got them but after I started the bike and rode it with them on. They are exactly what I was looking for.

[cjjtulsa]

Yours look good, too. I'll figure out just what I want by the time I have the cash. I'm really wanting some kind of crossover to help with the torque. In due time.