2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight 48.
I love the sound of a loud exhaust but these V&H shortshots staggered exhausts with stock baffles are way too loud. It’s so loud that I worry it might wake up the dead. I get ringing in my ears after riding even with an almost full face helmet (Shoei ex-zero). I get nervous when I see a cop. And my neighbors hate me. After using stock baffles for a year, I decided it’s time to try the V&H quiet baffles (21301).
Installing these are straight forward: remove heat shield, unscrew stock baffle, insert new baffle, screw it in, and install heat shield. One of the quiet baffle only took less than 5 mins to install. The other one, however, got freakin stuck ¾ the way in. After a few hours of trying to jam it in, I gave up. I think V&H packed too much fiber glass material on that baffle. Anyways, ordered a new quiet baffle and it slide right in. My tip: make sure the packing material is not excessive otherwise it might get stuck. You could always remove some packing material and repack it yourself of course. I was too lazy.
Review: These quiet baffles do make a difference. Volume is slightly lowered. Don’t get me wrong, it is still loud but is now much more tolerable. Less high pitched ‘tinking’ and more rumbling bass. I don’t have ringing in my ears after riding now and my neighbors and I are friends again. Remapped with V&H FP3 and engine is smooth as butter. Highly recommend these quiet baffles. These should come with the exhaust as stock and have the louder louvre baffle as an option in my opinion.
Note: I removed the tail run-stop LED lights (Chrome Glow Sidefirez under fender LEDs) because as you can see it was malfunctioning. Water gets into the LEDS too easily.
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Mod list:
HD lithium battery, EBC double-H F&R brake pads, Cult-werk fork cover kit, HD rail sprocket cover, HD rail gearcase cover, HD rail primary cover, Barnett extra plate clutch kit, Oxmart 5.75 inch headlight visor trim ring (Amazon), Kellermann Micro S dark turn signals with I.lash-hd3 load equalizer, DK custom chin spoiler, HD turn signal cap extension, Drag Specialties handlebar led markers, Arleen Ness knurled grips and shift peg, HD LED headlamp housing unit, wisamic LED headlight, quad lock phone mount kit, FOBO bike 2 TPMS, INNOVV K2 camera, HD mustache engine guard, HD digital-analogue combo display with fuel level sensor kit, HD oil level/temp dipstick with bezel, Dark Parts short front fender, joker machine inspection/point/derby covers, Roland sands clarity air cleaner, V&H FP3 and short shots staggered exhaust with quiet baffles(21301), DK custom 1.5inch tank lift/wire tuck/coil relocation, HD chrome outer rocker covers, HD buckshot lower belt guard, Kuryakyn thresher foot pegs with DK custom offset foot peg kit, HD flush fuel cap, Craftride swing arm bag, ohlins HD757 suspensions, West Eagle short bobber rear fender, cycle visions side license plate holder with led lights, le pera barebones seat with gripper material at seating area
