Product test: silencer for Harley-Davidson

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Product test: silencer for Harley-Davidson
Gargolov

Silencer for Harley-Davidson Sportster

More sound thanks to accessory exhausts

If instead of a hearty Potatopotatopotato only a tired Pffftpfffftpffft escapes the exhaust, there is a need for action. With no other make as much as with the US heavy metal. Seven systems for the Sporty in the test.

D.he entry into the big, colorful Harley world costs just under 8500 euros. For the equivalent of a Honda Hornet 600, you get an 883 Sportster. If you want a little more displacement, you can get it from 10,795 euros for an XL 1200 X, which friends only call Forty-Eight. Less than eleven million for an all-round happy offer – including envious car driver glances, including seriously impressed neighbors, including one-year membership in the world’s largest weekend rocker club, including that priceless broad grin on every tour. All inclusive? Not quite, because there is one thing Harley’s entry-level drug does not have at an entry-level price: decent sound.

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Product test: silencer for Harley-Davidson

Silencer for Harley-Davidson Sportster
More sound thanks to accessory exhausts

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Harley-Davidson original


Lohse

The original exhaust system of the Harley fits optically, but the sound leaves a lot to be desired.

Weight: 7.3 kg
Power: 48 kW / 65 PS
Sound: quiet, restrained

providers:
Harley-Davidson,
Telephone 06105/2840, www.harley-davidson.de

Material: stainless steel
Price: 954 euros
Weight: 7.3 kg
Suitable from year of construction: –
Country of Manufacture: United States
ECE approval mark: 4 (Netherlands)
Versions: –
Extras: –
Design type: Slip-on
Driving noise dB (A): 80.0

Plus: elegant shape, neatly processed, made to measure.
Minus: poor sound experience.

Conclusion:
With its slim bags, the original system goes perfectly with the Harley. But what doesn’t fit at all is the poor soundscape.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory

Akrapovic slip-on


Lohse

The edge look of the Akrapovic exhaust system is not for everyone.

Weight: -0.0%
Power: +4.4%
Sound: robust, snappy

Providers:
Jamparts vehicle technology,
Telephone 07150⁄970565, www.akrapovic.de

Material: stainless steel
Price: 1448.23 euros
Weight: 7.3 kg
Suitable from year of construction: 2006
Country of Manufacture: Slovenia
ECE approval mark: 24 (Ireland)
Versions: Black matt, chrome-plated
Extras: Roller system (490 euros)
Design type: Slip-on
Driving noise dB (A): 89.4

Plus: Elaborately processed, great sound, beefy performance plus, precisely fitting and quickly installed.
Minus: scratch-sensitive surfaces (in a matt finish), does not comply with the driving noise limit value.

Conclusion:
Not everyone likes the edge look. There is no discussion about the finish and the sophisticated details. The driving noises are far too loud.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory

Jekill & Hyde Shorty Big Shot


Lohse

The brutal sound of the Jekyll & Hyde exhaust system convinces.

Weight: +4.1%
Power: +13.5%
Sound: vibrating

Providers:
The Jekill and Hyde Company,
Telephone 09386/978897, www.jekillandhyde.de

Material: Chrome steel
Price: from 1639 euros
Weight: 7.6 kg
Suitable from year of construction: 2004
Country of Manufacture: Germany / Netherlands
ECE approval mark: 13 (Luxembourg)
Versions: Black, clear / matt chrome-plated
Extras: Sound switch (49 euros)
Design type: Slip-on with flap control
Driving noise dB (A): 80.7

Plus: First-class workmanship, clean fit, crazy soundscape while adhering to the limit values, great performance.
Minus: Installation very complex (duration in a specialist workshop not less than three hours).

Conclusion:
The flap-controlled system convinces with a brutal sound – and complies with the limit values! The power output is also top.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Miller Silverado


Lohse

Great sound for little money – the Miller exhaust system.

Weight: -26.0%
Power: +5.6%
Sound: powerful bass

Providers:
Miller custom bike,
Telephone 09132/745380, www.miller-auspuff.de

Material: stainless steel
Price: 790 euros
Weight: 5.4 kg
Suitable from year of construction: 2006
Country of Manufacture: Germany
ECE approval mark: 3 (Italy)
Versions: Black matt, polished stainless steel
Extras: dB insert racing (65 euros)
Design type: Slip-on
Driving noise dB (A): 85.5

Plus: great fit enables quick and easy assembly, powerful sound, perfect coordination for the country road.
Minus: Driving noise borderline, weld seams partly rustic, discolored quickly, concise assembly instructions.

Conclusion:
Great sound experience in a chic shotgun style for the small budget. Press a fat torque shaft out of the V-Twin.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good

Sebring Classic


Lohse

The Sebring Classic exhaust system looks and sounds like the original.

Weight: -26.0%
Power: -0.4%
Sound: slightly boggling

Providers:
Mizu,
Telephone 07731/90670, www.mizu.de

Material: stainless steel
Price: 1150 euros
Weight: 5.4 kg
Suitable from year of construction: 2007
Country of Manufacture: Austria
ECE approval mark: 4 (Netherlands)
Versions: Black matt, chrome-plated
Extras: –
Design type: Slip-on
Driving noise dB (A): 81.3

Plus: Cleanly and attractively processed down to the last detail, quick and tension-free to assemble, driving noise just above the limit.
Minus: Sound experience a bit poor, power output poor.

Conclusion:
Looks like the series, sounds almost like the series and doesn’t tickle the true potential of the 1200s Sporty either. The finish is convincing.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory

Termignoni HD 05


Lohse

Convinced by the fat torque yield, but not by the sound – the exhaust system from Termignoni.

Weight: -23.3%
Power: -0.8%
Sound: soft

Providers:
Hostettler,
Telephone 07631/18040, www.ixs.com

Material: stainless steel
Price: 929 euros
Weight: 5.6 kg
Suitable from year of construction: 2007
Country of Manufacture: Italy
ECE approval mark: 11 (UK)
Versions: –
Extras: –
Design type: Slip-on
Driving noise dB (A): 81.6

Plus: Full power increase in the middle of the speed.
Minus: Attachment is fiddly due to many small parts, screws are partly too short, poor fit, can only be installed under tension.

Conclusion:
Feel more than hear. Termignoni scores with the fat torque output, less with a gripping sound. The fit is bad.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory

Zard Z HD 527 SKO-CR


Lohse

With the complete system from Zard, the Sportster gains momentum.

Weight: -27.4%
Power: +7.9%
Sound: rowdy

Providers:
Bos exhaust,
Telephone 05941/4793, www.bosauspuff.de

Material: stainless steel
Price: from 879 euros
Weight: 5.3 kg
Suitable from year of construction: 2006
Country of Manufacture: Italy
ECE approval mark: 11 (UK)
Versions: Black matt, polished stainless steel
Extras: Ceramic coating optional
Design type: 2-in-1 complete system
Driving noise dB (A): 92.7

Plus: High-torque country road set-up, beautifully finished surfaces.
Minus: Driving noise far beyond the limit, attachments e.g. T. manufactured inaccurately, distances z. Tightly dimensioned, it changes color quickly.

Conclusion:
With the complete system, the Sportster gains thrust and lean angle. Very shrill and too loud in terms of sound. Small flaws in the finish.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Final scoring


BILLION

The Miller exhaust system is clearly ahead.

Beyond the perceived sound experience, here is the points evaluation of the silencer test for the Harley-Davidson Sportster series: The most inexpensive system in the test rises to be the leader of the table. Miller’s Silverado damper pair impresses with a good overall package of power, torque and still moderate driving noise. Jekill & Hyde master the noise barrier with a sophisticated flap system and once again draw real power from the V-Twin. But that also costs accordingly: with assembly over 2000 euros!

You can find sound recordings of each test system as well as other MOTORRAD exhaust tests at:
www.motorradonline.de/auspuff

Interview with Harley dealer Thomas Trapp


Herder

Thomas Trapp is the managing director of the Harley-Factory Frankfurt, Europe’s largest Harley dealer. The 55-year-old has been driving the Milwaukee Twins for 35 years and is a proven classic car expert.

How many customers buy an accessory exhaust from you?
Trapp: Every second customer orders an accessory exhaust when buying a new machine or during the first season at the latest. There is no customer who comes into the store and does not ask for sound. No wonder they sound like
Original systems are very discreet because of the emission limits.

What is most important for the customer: sound, performance, brand or price?
Trapp: Definitely the sound. In terms of performance, at least laypeople assume that an open exhaust always has more power than the original. Brand and price are mostly secondary. If the soundcheck is convincing, the system is practically bought.

How does the soundcheck usually work??
Trapp: We have at least one demonstration vehicle from each of the five Harley series with an accessory exhaust system ready for a test drive in the factory. At least five systems from five different manufacturers – that’s a very good cross-section.

How far are the customers informed when they come to you in the store?
Trapp: Excellent. Due to the lively exchange of information in the various Internet forums, the market for customers is now very manageable. The providers can hardly afford to cheat anything and are very keen to react in a customer-friendly manner when it comes to guarantee and goodwill processing, especially in cooperation with large dealers. The Harley community is extremely well connected.

What role do the “illegal” plants play for you?
Trapp: We only use systems that are legal. But of course you don’t have to be under any illusions: if you want to, you will always find ways and means to be on the road with more “sound”. And this clientele is themselves
very well aware of the legal ramifications.

Who assembles the accessory systems?
Trapp: Over 90 percent of our workshop. The majority of Harley customers have long since ceased to be self-propellers, and with most systems it is not enough to just plug it in. If there is also coordination work, the hobby screwdriver is quickly overwhelmed.

Which exhaust trends can be observed?
Trapp: The trend is clearly towards electronically controlled (flap) systems. They already make up two thirds of our exhaust business. And customers who already have a “conventional” system are also considering whether they should change. The reason for this is likely to be the increasing density of controls.

Your final tip for all exhaust converters?
Trapp: Be sure to keep the original layout; because the older a Harley gets, the more its original condition is in demand. There is no credit at the dealer anyway, so store the parts in a clean and dry place, and someone is guaranteed to be happy in 50 or 60 years.

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