Pipe suggestions?

[HardDriveUSA]

hehe, leading subject line I know.

I'm sure this topic has come up before, but I'm asking again.  I want some ideas.  I'm wanting new pipes for my 96 magna, something with some rumble to it, but I don't want to go deaf.  I was even thinking about changing 2 of the pipes, one on each side if it's possible.  It's embarassing to be with other bikes, and yours is the quietest.  
I was riding with a VTX the other day, and I couldn't even hear my bike running.   I'll have to save up money, but I do want to have a good idea of what I want to do.

Thanks
Lonnie B.

[Greg Cothern]

Lonnie there are several choices, Jardine Drap pipes (loudest), Cobra Drags, Cobra slash cut, megaphones, etc, DG Hard Chrome (megaphones, not sure if they still make or not), Vance & Hines, and then there is the trusty stock muffler mod.
Cost ranges from just under $500 to just under $10 hehe.  Vance & Hines has arguably the best chrome, they have a medium loud rumble.  The drag pipes tend to be among the cheaper cost wise.
Hope this helps some!

[Magnum Magna]

trusty stock muffler mod.

I did the cheap stock mod ( http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/tips.htm#A1.3 )and am happy with it. It is a little louder at low RPMs but almost normal when cruising.  The other stock mod is louder but how much I don't know.( http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/tips.htm#A1.24)  If you are trying to make a very loud bike the first mod is not for you.

[RedMagna]

hehe, leading subject line I know.

It's embarassing to be with other bikes, and yours is the quietest.  

Thanks
Lonnie B.

I've heard the V&H, jardine, and the cobra's pipes.  If I were to want that low rumble sound, cobra's would be the one's, as they produce enough of a deep throat sound to not be drowned out by other bikes, but not loud enough to be uncomfortable for the rider (passenger YES it's too loud IMHO) or those next to you for short periods of time.

Odd, I seem to think of myself as being in stealth mode with stock pipes.  Most of the time you have to hear that nasty "whine" from sports bikes right before they attempt to pass you, then there's that terrible racket from HD's think make them fast.  But when I come up on someone (bike or car) to pass, they don't have time to react or even realize they got passed until they see me zip in front of them.  Just too many jerks out there that try and prevent you from passing them or speed up to play games; rather just be there one second and then pass them the next without them knowing what hit them.

[John Luttrell]

I went with the jardine drags about 4 years ago.  I chose them as an attempt to keep the deer away from me at night.  I had had quite a few close calls out here in the sticks an decided to take action; I installed driving lights at the same time to shed some more light on what varmints were waiting for me up the road as well.  The Jardines sound great, but are very loud, too loud for some folks, but bearable to me; especially since I have not had any close calls with deer since installing them.

[Gloveberg]

If I can just throw an opinion in here, the only problem I have with Cobra's is their generally cheap chroming and somewhat nasal tone.

[Billy C]

If I can just throw an opinion in here, the only problem I have with Cobra's is their generally cheap chroming ...

Ditto on the chrom. Got them on a Virago and they started rusting around the bracket welds within a few months and this is a garaged bike. It is not cleaned on a daily basis though, it gets rode.

[Greg Cothern]

Vance & Hines!!!

[Noct68]

Just a tip that I have found out thru the years....when storing your bike in a garage, under the kickstand put a piece of carpet doesn't matter what type.  Helps keep the bike from rusting.  Don't know if this is just an urban legend, but on past bikes after washing and thorough drying and storing I've never had rust on a bike when doing this.

Drew (AKA Screw)

[HardDriveUSA]

Keep it up  

I have a few ideas and names and bad/good side to them.  I am more informed than I have ever been, lol, which was zilch before.

My dad got me into the habbit of using a 2x4 under my kickstand.  I wonder if it does the same thing as the carpet.

[Noct68]

From what I understand the carpet or anything that forms a solid barrier between actual ground and the metal of the bike will prevent the rust.  someone from my club in hawaii was talking about keeps negative ions and what not off your bike, but i believe he was talking about the ionic breeze lol.  

I swear by the carpet, never have tried a 2x4 yet.

Drew (AKA Screw)

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

I spent the wekend beside a VTX with cobra drag pipes and it was too loud for me. I listen to music on my handle bar speakers so I like it quiet.
If I go to something different it would be to satisfy my wifes desire to have a louder sound.
It might be for the Vanc and Hines, I like their sound.
If you do try the muffler mod described in the MOOT tips and tricks hook up with me or Greg so we can swap out for a good set of baffles before they have been cut up for the mod, plus it will give you a chance to try out the sound before committing to it.
Bob

[crash]

i still have the baffles out of mine that are not cut up . i like the sound of the bike with out them

[Magnum Magna]

It's embarassing to be with other bikes, and yours is the quietest.  

In high school and after my car was a sleeper.  It sounded stock but it was far from it.  My neighbor was a retired professional race car mechanic. When just talking about quite fast cars he jumped right on it to help me do that.  Getting on the highway at 45 and punch it the tires would give a real nice squeal.  What I am saying I like having a fast bike with out bring a lot of attention my way. So it does not bother me to be the quietest bike as long as I can be one of the faster bikes.

[dc112675]

My 95 came with Corbin drag pipes, and while I have had no side to side comparison with others, I am generally pleased with them.  I too listen to music, but that is via headphones.  I keep them loud enough to hear over the exhaust, but low enough to still hear what is going on around.  

I can't imagine sitting on a Harley all day listening to that rumble.  Which is great, because if you're on a Magna you only have to listen to it for a few seconds . . . as you fly by.

I will say that the magnification of the exhaust seems to point out the fact that the Magna needs another gear.  At 5,000 rpm that high-pitched drone can be a little annoying.  But again, it beats the "glub glub" coming from the Harley (in the rear view mirror).