Decided to take the plunge seeing how this winter has been such an awesome winter for me. Bought cobra slash down speedster exhaust and the power pro tuner which is a CVT (continuous variable tuner) :No dyno tuning needed for mapping:. Recently put a new K&N on couple months ago and then made the choice to go all in with the complete exhaust and tuner.
The cobra speedsters sound very badass! I removed the baffles as I decided that I wanted that loud, deep, aggressive, in your face attitude V-Twin rumble. With the cobra power tuner Fi2000 (auto tune) I noticed it worked right away with fixing a small hiccup I had. Which was after starting the engine, it would have a slight little rpm drop upon warming up which is now gone. What is great about the power tuner and worth the $537 price tag for me, is I can mod the air intake and exhaust and never have to worry about air/fuel mixture again. Haven't taken a test ride for true test and review due to 2" of ice on my driveway and road (not gonna risk it) event though I wanted to badly today.
If you change pipes by going to a bigger size (in my case) going from a 1 3/4" to a 2 1/2" and change air intake..you are going to have to need a tuner for the air/fuel ratio which your ecu will not self adjust too. It will just continue to operate at it's factory programmed setting and depending on your brand motorcycle you may hear more popping in the exhaust then in other brands. The cobra power tuner fixes this issue and also monitors the air/fuel 80 times per second every time you give it throttle. Tuner is simple to hook up all plug n play. Just need to take off the seat, unbolt tank, pop up tank and get to the injector plugs and unplug them and plug them into the tuner plugs, and tuner plugs into your injectors plug ports. Some motorcycles might be harder then others for access so a needle nose pliers worked for me gently pulling the plug caps off and then putting them back on due to fingers to big to fit into small area.
Putting on the cobra speedster pipes wasn't so bad. The headers went on nicely for me. I ordered new exhaust gaskets from my brand motorcycle part website. I heard of some people using their existing gaskets but even though they are made of metal they mold to the exhaust even though you can't see it by eye at first. Just better to be reassured knowing you put new ones in and get a proper seal. Did have problem with brackets for heat shield on both mufflers, they were so tight that i could not get them to budge after I slid the heat shield over the mufflers. However the heat shield is on tight and doesn't rattle.
All in all after spending $539 for the exhaust and $527 for the power tuner I feel like I have a finely tuned engine and I am very happy with the results.
I think there is other power tuners made by another brand out there, however cobra was the first and after reading all the positive reviews I went with them.
I might of paid more for what I could of bought for less at other sites, but Dennis Kirk site stands by their returns if something should fail under warranty.
With the baffles in it would keep the noise level down to a more acceptable level for the people who don't like loud pipes, but as far as these oem restrictive exhaust I can't stand how quiet they are.
You talking about the sensor that monitors the exhaust?
The cobra power pro is designed for each brand/model and comes with all the connections necessary. Mainly CA will have a law that 02 sensors be equipped on exhaust on all new motorcycles. Mine however doesn't have a sensor on the exhaust, but if sold in CA or Canada it will have the sensor.
Some info from cobra about the power pro:
PowrPro tunes to exactly what air-fuel mixture creates the maximum power 80 times per second (does not tune to a predetermined arbitrary AFR)
· Creates that adjustment to maximum power on every squirt of the injector
· It's like having the best custom map writing, dyno operator tuning your fuel every time you crank the throttle
· Tunes every gear, every roll on, every environmental change, every engine mod, lugging the engine, winding it out to redline: it reacts, verifies, and adjusts
· Provides perfect fuel settings in any condition, with any exhaust system with any engine modifications
· No external adjustments needed
· No dyno needed
· No additional components needed
· Does not require wide band oxygen sensors
· NOTE: Not legal for operation on public highways in the state of California
"You talking about the sensor that monitors the exhaust? "
Yeap.
I worked (briefly) as a tech adviser for a company that sold Cobra tuners when they first came out, but I worked more with other brands. They work on an input only sort of system but don't get any feedback from the exhaust, so it's a predicted result and not a measured result.
It seems to be a pretty good system. I don't know if it's as good as a really good dyna tune or not, but if it isn't I'm confident the difference isn't anything I would ever notice. The real beauty of it, as you know, is it's basically plug and play, and you can change intake and exhaust components all you want and not have to pay for another very expensive dyna tune. That right there will pay for the unit if you make two changes and not need a $300 tune up on each one.
I did research on what tuner I wanted to go with and read plenty of reviews. Even read reviews from mechanics who do dyno's which some of the older posts (when the cobra power pro first came on market) had plenty of questions of the way Cobra advertised the power pro unit. They had nothing bad to say about it, just more along the lines of the technical aspect of how it works. Since then I believe there are 2 other companies that now have auto tune tuners that are on the market (dynatec and commander pro?) i think the other is.
The power pro does cost hundreds more but like you mentioned the not having to pay for a dyno covers the cost if you swap intake and exhaust out with another set up.
Read hundreds of reviews, reviews from not just limited to Kawasaki owners but also H-D , Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda to name a few. There were nothing but positive feedback about the power tuner with the exception of the first versions on certain brands and models where as Cobra had sent them revised units for minor trouble with settings back in 2011/2012? And to boot, many people who took the plunge and bought the power tuner noticed improvements right away upon first ride, some after 60 miles (as the unit adapted to the riders input). I noticed upon start up right away the engine sounded perfectly tuned at idle, though haven't had the chance to actually take it out for first ride do to having ice build up on our road which is like 2-3" base (not going to risk laying it down on the ice) will have to wait for the ice to melt.
Also installed Cobra speedsters full exhaust and just hearing the engine at idle has past my expectations. I planned on not using baffles so took them out before I installed the exhaust and the sound is just what I was looking for. However still awaiting to take it for first ride. Searched through youtube videos to hear samples of exhaust on different models and brands. Was even impressed to hear how well it sounded on a Honda VTX 1300 I think it was. Guy had the baffles out as well. There were others who had the stock baffles and different type's of baffles which sounded ok (hard to capture true sound on video with certain types of video recordings). Also came across some videos of dyno results and displayed gains in HP.
I'll be putting it on the dyno this Spring as local dealer does free dyno's from March - Oct every friday evening from 5-8 pm. I have the print out of my first dyno result from 2012 so will be looking forward if there is any improvement on the dyno results.
I had Cobra's on a bike I had several years ago. Good pipes, and they withstood the weather very well. . I can't remember which exact model they were though.
I saw on Cobra's site they sell a bluing polish that prevent's bluing on pipes. I'm not sure how it would work cause usually after putting on a polish it would burn off most likely from the heat. I'm assuming it is for the headers (an area you hardly can see) cause of heat shields that go over them. I know my stock pipes under the chrome shields were not chrome to start with, just the basic metal finish with maybe some sort of inhibitor on them to protect them from rusting. When I took them off they were a brownish color and you can see the welds that were not really grinded down for that perfection look (not that I would expect to see the welds grinded down) on stock pipes on a Kawasaki.
I use mothers products when it comes to cleaning and polishing the chrome. An SOS pad for the tuff spots like plastic bag impacts which will leave a nasty brown stain upon touching the hot pipes quicker then you can blink your eyes. And one time my sons sole of his shoe was touching the pipe when he was sitting in front of me while the engine was running so he could rev the engine. I didn't think at the time his foot would reach the pipe cause he was 2.5 years old and after taking him off I noticed the stain on the pipes from his sneaker. That was a tuff stain to work out. Took me a few times to gently work it out with an SOS pad and using mothers chrome cleaner polish.
My guess is this blueing polish Cobra sells is something similar to what Mothers cleaner polish is. I never had Cobra pipes before, they are a first for me. Not sure what some of the H-D's had in the past, but I know they were all aftermarket pipes and they too cleaned up nice and shiny with Mothers.
Got my chrome radar detector mount delivered tonight and installed it. Nice tight and secure fit and blends in real nice with my chrome. Routed power access point over the weekend when tank was popped up for when I was hooking up the tuner and routed wire through a crevice area in the handlebar mount, pulled wire tightly, and ran it along the Vulcan's wiring harness. Allows the power access to stand up freely and no chance of it ever blowing off or wire sagging. Also blends in nicely with dark smoke wind screen and hardly is noticeable.
This was a video I took last summer (2013). If you Fwd to 1:18 on the video I give it some throttle. You can notice there is some hesitance and you hear a little back fire. When this video was taken, I had modified stock pipes. I had drilled through 4 baffle walls opening up the exhaust and drilled out the cat so I would get better flow and deeper note. Due to the way the stock exhaust was made with bad bends for really proper flow (you can't see the bend in question) it's inside the muffler where it meets the pipe.
No go back and rewatch the new video i posted before and listen to when I give it throttle. Yes the tone is much deeper and louder, but you will hear a improvement in throttle response as the cobra power tuner Fi2000R has corrected the air/fuel ratio and throttle not only sounds better but engine feels like it is getting much better TQ response.
When I made that video last year i had modded exhaust (which I mentioned already) no tuner of any kind and stock air filter.
The current video I had cobra speedster exhaust, K&N filter, and cobra power tuner Fi2000R.
Also I don't have a video of it, but do remember having my VN1700 up on the lift running and giving it throttle before the cobra speedster, power tuner, and K&N filter. The engine did not make the cruiser rock so much like it does in current video when I gave it throttle. Now I really can't wait to get on the road and take it for it's first ride and see if I notice a stronger feel to the TQ band with the power tuner.
Was finally able to safely get out of my driveway and road now that ice is 80% melted. Though there is a price to pay.. MUD!! After a ruff winter and all the plowing I had done on my driveway and private road, there is hardly any stones left making ground soft and muddy.
Anyway the new pipes are down right loud! Close to waking the dead loud without baffles. Tuner worked well but I think it needs X amount of miles to learn . I did notice a .1 drop in mpg's when getting on the throttle in 2nd and 3rd but wasn't able to get into 4-6th due to keeping eye out for salt resin and melting snow on the road. Wanted to keep the splashing to a minimum. There really wasn't alot of decel popping (not like before). It sounded like a hot rod with headers but not as loud as a V8 hot rod with headers. I can see if I were to ride in populated suburbs that the exhaust note would be extremely loud and wouldn't be surprised to set off car alarms while passing parked, locked vehicles that are armed.
TQ felt better and was noticeable, like to get some mileage on it so tuner learns every gear. New windscreen made a big difference with stopping wind noise. No wind bothered me when I hit 60 mph and I didn't have any ear plugs or ear buds in my ears listening to music. Wish I had more ride time today as weather hasn't been this warm in months.
They are called slash downs (sometimes I get confused between the words). The tips weren't on yet, though I just got them on late last night finally. Had a problem getting the tips on as the shields and pipes didn't quite line up. I was able to get them on late last night after a little effort.
Just an eagle emblem I found at a Walmart when I found the skull stick on.
Really don't care how they look on the side covers, thinking about removing them.
When I get a chance to have someone film me doing a ride by so exhaust can be heard in action. Really can't capture that real true sound from my POV and surrounding area.. you know what I mean. Tues suppose to be near 60 here, so will be able to do a over 100 mile ride out on the interstate so will be able to get into every gear for tuner to learn/adapt to.
Only thing I hate is getting out of the garage and having to ride at that mud. No matter how slow I am going I get splash spots over lower radiator and some of the inner mufflers. Not planning on ordering more stone to re rock driveway until after winter is over.
Here is a pic of the tips I put on last night that came with the pipes. Hence the name "slash downs".
That more then usual (to me) carbon deposits that I would get on my stock pipes. Would that be because of the ethonal percentage in todays fuel? I don't recall seeing 1/2 as much carbon build up on tips of H-D's back in early 90's. I know there is same amount on smaller engines (lawn mower engines) if I were to take a towel and wipe the black mufflers near and around inside of tip. Or maybe something else was going on like running to rich/lean before the tuner install cause I modded the stock pipes?
Generally speaking dry sooty black stuff in your pipes means it's running rich. Or at least, runs rich at some point. For example, if your bike uses a choke or has an overly rich starting or warm-up map in the ECM, that can cause it. Sometimes a lot of short trips where the engine never really gets up to operating temperature can cause that too. (And that's more likely in the Winter when you're just starting it to hear how it sounds. :icon_cool
If it's oily black stuff in the pipes that means it's likely burning oil, which is not good.
I had a problem getting the 2 clamps to connect where shield meets muffler. They are like wedged in between muffler and heat shield and will not budge. It caused the heat shield to be slightly off at end of muffler and tips would not go on fully like they were suppose to. Now they went in and lined up last night except one tip's threaded hole was sort of messed up and bolt would not want to go through all the way. I worked on the thread and used WD-40 and finally got bolt to tighten and then unloosen to ensure i wasn't stripping the threads.
I guess that short run did something to allow me to finally get the tips on cause I was about to take off muffler last night to see if I could relieve pressure from heat shield clamp. Even know they aren't connected (clamps on muffler ) 2 of them, the heat shield is on secure and doesn't vibrate. I'll eventially will take off muffler bolts and play around with it, cause it's a hand cutter they way it sticks out on the inner side of mufflers but not visible unless you get on the floor and look up.
Had a great long ride today. Put over 150 miles on it today. When I started off my mpg was going from 36.8 - 36.2 and when getting past 93 mph, 35.9. After the first 60 miles mpg's went up to 37.1-37.2. Didn't hit the 90 mph mark for that long on ride back but stayed around 80 mph for majority of ride back and mileage went up to 37.2.
Tuner is working great, not one decel pop. Just here that hollow sound of having open pipes which is normal. Love this cobra Fi2000. It totally got rid of the popping on decel and after all those miles I checked exhaust tips and no carbon build up on edges of tips (which is a good thing now) as engine is running better now with that tuner.
I can notice 2nd gear pulls harder now, I can feel it. Went through all 6 gears and tuner now learned all the gears. Was doing a few miles on way back around 65-70 to see if I could get higher mpg's but 37.2 was the highest I saw today. Was having too much going under the bridges and getting on the throttle listening to those cobra headers roar and create a massive echo. Also noticed downshifting to pass pulls harder then it ever did before, but not by that much. Just feel it by seat of pants. Will be going in a month hopefully and get it back up on the dyno and see what HP gains I have now. Last time in summer of 2012 on a sticky, humid day in Aug it was 67 HP (should of been at least 74 hp) probably cause of either humid conditions and/or the mod to the stock pipes then causing it to not run perfect.
Now to the batwing I added. It felt a little different out on the highway with wind not beating down on my arms and chest as aggressive like it has done before without not having any type of front shield or fairing. I did however noticed when passing semi's that I get caught more in the wind tailing from rear of trucks. My front end wobble to some degree everytime I was right by rear of semi and starting to pass. Wasn't really to happy about that as it never did that before. One of the mounts slid down on me and I didn't have an alan wrench with me so batwing was lop sided cause it was not straight at that point. Think I might have a problem with that alan screw holding the bracket it. So when I got home I unloosened it and set the bracket back to where it was suppose to be and put spare alan and spare alan nut in saddlebag incase it happens in the future.
So the cobra Fi2000 took about 60 plus miles until ride felt better and decel popping stopped. Though I still could make it pop if not letting off throttle all the way when down shifting, though the popping isn't as bad as it previous was if you forget to let off all the way when down shifting.
I experienced no unaware drivers out there with these new pipes. Came across a dozen or more drivers who wanted to get over from center lane into far left to pass and knew they heard me in their blind spots as I could see them looking in their mirror.
Did some easy on the throttle mostly with second short trip today in an attempt to see if I can up the mileage. First trip it was down to 37.0.
Second trip (longer) out to the Delaware Water Gap, got up to 37.6. Was sticking 50-60 mph in 4th too for good part of ride. I'm liking this VVT tuner vs the traditional type tuners where maps are predetermined and what you have is what you get far as mileage goes.
Here's a video of a small mod I did today. Took off the cover on crank case that looked like ****. Got ride of the plastic shroud too that was bolted on. Was trying to find a small 3 hole derby cover (used to have a few) but gave them away long time ago, that might of fit and lined up with the holes even though it is for another brand..but no luck at the H-D dealer. They had all the newer bigger 5 hole derby covers that are not compatible.
Then liked how much better it looked without the black plastic **** and ordered the billet chrome insert for the other plastic piece that bolts on via 4 bolts.
Then to cover up those 3 holes on the outer cover I ordered a smaller chrome decal skull so it will sit flush inside the round part where the aluminum plate was.
The chrome skull should blend in with the chrome crank case nice like the other one did, only difference is I will have the correct size of 4" so it looks like a derby cover design minus the bolt pattern around it.
Clutch case finished. Put on the billet chrome piece I ordered today and bought a new chrome sticker from Walmart, as I still cannot find a derby cover that would fit.
The 3" derby cover (older style) have holes spread out further. and to make one of those covers fit you would need to flip them upside down to match the Vulcan's bolt pattern. Though I came across a thread at a forum where a Vulcan owner took one of his older H-D covers and put it on his Vulcan. He never posted a picture though or said it was upside down, unless he bought some aftermarket non H-D cover part and then either drilled holes in it, or reversed it and polished back side.
I searched the web extensively, there is no company or entity who makes those covers in mass production for the Vulcan. I did find a business who will make custom plates in 3D for $300 and up, but samples of covers shown are H-D covers. 5 bolt mostly, and some 4 bolt ones I think?
Also doesn't help that Kawasaki after 2012 put the classic on hold and stopped producing them, that and the LT model. Seems like baggers are becoming much more in the demand these days.
BTW that decal I got from amazon didn't look so good on it that's why i went back to Walmart and bought a new chrome skull again. The other one looked more like a bumper sticker and even though had a ok design, it just looked horrible on chrome.
The part i want to cover where a derby cover would fit is 4"x4".
Been getting alot of interesting reactions lately ever since I've been able to ride on the days that are warm enough. Over the weekend past 2 different people walking their dogs which both got scared and had to be held down by their owner by their leash. Was only cruising by in 3rd gear and decent down hills.
Today got a dozen reactions. Group of kids whom got off the bus were walking into the tunnel and got startled as I past in 2nd gear (I could feel the percussion bounces off the walls inside). Also there was 5 people fishing by the tunnel whom all looked into the tunnel, wondering WTF about the exhaust.
Coming back past 2 other kids, one whom turned around in a fast motion and hopped off the road onto the grass. Was in 2nd coming down a hill on a turn, then going back up an incline. Get tot op of that incline, 4 people who were about 100' away in a park turned around and were looking. Been years since I have gotten those reactions with loud pipes and I'm not getting on the throttle to purposely do this. If only I could get a real time POV of it passing to hear the loudness.
Ralph, buddy, you should hang out with Bikers more. Learn to be a little more accepting of others, you know? Hey, if you ever come this far East and make it to Bike Week I can almost guarantee you a whole new perspective on getting along with others. (And the first drink's on me. Seriously.)
Back in Dec I bought Lucas fuel treatment. On bottle says you get better mpg's (yeah yeah). Though have to say my truck has been seeing 1-2 mpg better then usual.
So last night I added 3 0z to the Vulcan and I'll be damned.. Went from 37.1 to 38.3 all highway riding. Got up to 90 mph for short stretch of highway but mostly kept it around 70-80 mph most of the times.
Get your calculator out and do some cyphering. I don't know how much you paid for the stuff. Just wondering if the improved mileage would actually pay for it's self. Doesn't seem like enough of an improvement but it just might be. Curious!
It could be the Lucas and it could be something else too. Tire pressure and intake air density, for example, could make a 1mph difference, not to mention traffic or riding style.
Air density has to be ruled out. Rode all the way down to Jersey shore yesterday to elevation level as low as 40' above sea level. And today rode up to Pocono Mountains with elevation as high as 4000' (give or take). Humidity level was the same for yesterday through late this afternoon, then it dropped to 46% riding home and was 49 degrees. Nearly frozen my nose, toes, and fingers.. Should of brought my leather with me. Very uncomfortable COLD ride home. Was tempted to stop and get a hotel room for the night it was that cold feeling on me. But I toughed out the 73 mile journey home.
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