[SanDiegoStryker]

I really couldn't decide if I should drill holes in the baffle or not. I wanted better sound, but I was afraid of the possible negative effects that some people had mentioned (loss of back pressure = loss of power, worse gas mileage). I decided to get crazy and go for it, reasoning that if I really hated it I could always get some aftermarket pipes.

When the wife came into the garage and saw what I was doing she told me I was insane, lol. It was a lot easier than I thought, I started with a 1/8 inch bit, stepped up to a 1/4, then finished with the 1/2. After I had 2 holes in each pipe I went for a test ride. I really loved the sound and decided if 2 is good 4 has to be even better. I ended up with the four 1/2 inch holes that everyone recommended:

I am really happy with the sound. So much better than stock. Also, as far as I can tell there is no loss pf power, strong as ever. I am still waiting to see if it affects gas mileage (haven't had to fill up yet).

Anyways, I posted this stock video a while ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hasuCu4w-vY

I tried to make a video showing how it sounds after:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYxyMscFPbo

 

[ares x]

SanDiegoStryker- If those eight holes are all that you drilled, then your baffles are still intact. All you did is open up the exhaust, which definitely makes for a better sound. If you want it even louder, then remove the baffles.

 

[11Stryker]

Way to go Friend!!

 

[SanDiegoStryker]

Ok, I'm calling it the wrong thing? So I didn't drill the baffle? I drilled the muffler?

 

[ares x]

Yep!

And that's how the sickness starts because then you say "Well four holes sound good, so how about eight holes?" and you drill eight holes.
... and then "Eight holes sound great, so how about I cut off the end of the exhaust?" and you remove cut off the end of the exhaust.
... and then "Exhaust is completely open and sounds phenominal, so how about I remove the baffles" and you remove the baffles.
... and then "Man, I got one nice loud bike. Now why don't my neighbors talk to me anymore?".

This was a regular occurance on the Raider forum (myself included).

 

[Mentat Ix]

Well, heck. I had just about talked myself out of doing this, because I don't trust the sound on youtube to be any kind of accurate and I was on the fence, but after the side by side comparison...

Dangit, where's my drill..

 

[UrbanRage]

I am glad that I have drilled my exhaust, I have been thinking about taking the 3"hole saw that I have and just removing it all. But I haven't got the guts to yet. I don't want it to so loud it is annoying. I might just wait to get the cobras..lol..

 

[mx918mx]

Yep!

And that's how the sickness starts because then you say "Well four holes sound good, so how about eight holes?" and you drill eight holes.
... and then "Eight holes sound great, so how about I cut off the end of the exhaust?" and you remove cut off the end of the exhaust.
... and then "Exhaust is completely open and sounds phenominal, so how about I remove the baffles" and you remove the baffles.
... and then "Man, I got one nice loud bike. Now why don't my neighbors talk to me anymore?".

This was a regular occurance on the Raider forum (myself included).

This is what happened to me. Now I have no baffles and no CAT! Sounds great, but heading to work for PT at 5:10 in the morning sure makes my neighbors love me

 

[ares x]

Yep!

And that's how the sickness starts because then you say "Well four holes sound good, so how about eight holes?" and you drill eight holes.
... and then "Eight holes sound great, so how about I cut off the end of the exhaust?" and you remove cut off the end of the exhaust.
... and then "Exhaust is completely open and sounds phenominal, so how about I remove the baffles" and you remove the baffles.
... and then "Man, I got one nice loud bike. Now why don't my neighbors talk to me anymore?".

This was a regular occurance on the Raider forum (myself included).

This is what happened to me. Now I have no baffles and no CAT! Sounds great, but heading to work for PT at 5:10 in the morning sure makes my neighbors love me

It's about the same time when I head to work and I try to make as little noise as possible. I'll get a little momentum and then pull in the clutch and coast as far as I can until I get out of my neighborhood and then I open it up.

I'm running Cobra Swepts on my Raider with the baffles removed.

 

[SanDiegoStryker]

I still think I will get some aftermarket pipes at some point, but now I really like the sound so I'm in no hurry. It will be easier to wait a few months and see what all comes out and read some reviews.

 

[11Stryker]

I still think I will get some aftermarket pipes at some point, but now I really like the sound so I'm in no hurry. It will be easier to wait a few months and see what all comes out and read some reviews.

That is probably a great idea. So early yet in the aftermarket that we have to do our own thing for now. LOL

 

[dutchs]

Yep!

And that's how the sickness starts because then you say "Well four holes sound good, so how about eight holes?" and you drill eight holes.
... and then "Eight holes sound great, so how about I cut off the end of the exhaust?" and you remove cut off the end of the exhaust.
... and then "Exhaust is completely open and sounds phenominal, so how about I remove the baffles" and you remove the baffles.
... and then "Man, I got one nice loud bike. Now why don't my neighbors talk to me anymore?".

This was a regular occurance on the Raider forum (myself included).

Awesome, this is actually what happened, to the word. The only difference is my neighbors stopped talking to me long ago.

 

[clar2001]

I drilled the holes 9/16th idle was good but cruzing had a bad drone to it even with a full helment, so I just used a 3 inch hole saw and took the end off , left the baffle in just cut the end loose from the baffle at a angle with a saw saw, sounds great sitting hope it works out ridding .

 

[11Stryker]

Please let us know how it sounds!!

 

[BigDaddyTX]

Years ago I bought the first year of the Suzuki Volusia (now Boulevard C50). We had a forum like this, and the pipe drilling began. Then we figured out how to pop the baffle! Funny how it works that way.

MY wife is just waiting for me to break my promise that I won't do extensive mods like I have on my last two bikes, LOL!

 

[11Stryker]

Years ago I bought the first year of the Suzuki Volusia (now Boulevard C50). We had a forum like this, and the pipe drilling began. Then we figured out how to pop the baffle! Funny how it works that way.

MY wife is just waiting for me to break my promise that I won't do extensive mods like I have on my last two bikes, LOL!

Good luck with that BigDaddy. I keep telling my wife that the last mod I did will be the last- I am at 4 mods later!!!

 

[schimbo stryker]

i drilled mine recently, i started with small hole and worked my way up to 1/2 in.. i a few sizes smaller than 1/2 really sounded bad. But then it got alot better with the larger holes. ! sounds good

 

[johnboy]

I'm up to 4, 3/4" and 4, 3/8" holes in each and am very pleased with the sound. I probably will eventually end up with the Cobra slip on a soon as it comes out in the black. I never really liked the looks of the stock exhaust...looks to clunky for this bike.

 

[kcl-labrat]

totaly agree, it kinda takes away from the overall lines of the bike

 

[JimPrairie]

Go to a 5/8 inch holes , much deeper lower tone ! Sounds great !