Which exhaust is best for '09 v-star 950

exhaust

El_bole,

I do not have a 950, but some thoughts. I don't believe the change in power is big. I think many change exhaust for looks and sound. For a substantial change you need to go from top to bottom. Air intake, fuel controller, and exhaust. Should be around 10%.

It seems if you go to two into two the power comes at the top end. On my liner I would loose a little at the bottom. If you stick to the two into one low end torque is gained.

Dave

When I first got my '09 950T, I wanted to do exhaust, and air cleaner upgrades/changes. The first thing that I did was the 2 "Mods" listed in these forums, drilling out the baffle in the muffler, and adding breather holes in the air cleaner box. I noticed an improvement as soon as I did them. Not night and day, but an improvement. Now as I have put more miles on the bike, 2500 approx, the exhaust seems to be getting louder, still not too loud, and the bike seems to be loosening up, breathing better, performing better, feeling better. So I for one, aren't looking to spend a kajillion dollars on upgrades as of yet. I am a low-cost kind of guy. Just my 2 cents.......

Popping?

Jerry,

Thanks for the input, does your exhaust POP after drilling out the baffle? I did the same but never heard of drilling breather holes in air box(do that next) and I get popping between shifts...thanks for above info.

No popping between shifts, but I do get some on long decelerations. I really like the way it is beginning to sound the more miles the better it seems to get.?!
There are some mods for the airbox that I have seen on this forum that differ slightly. Some call for a 1 1/2" hole in the sides of the box, and some call for multiple smaller holes. I chose to do 6, 3/8" holes vertically on the left and right side. More asthetic look to me. Without knowing it, you might not even notice the holes, it almost looks like they belong.

Again, just my 2 cents!

I added the Cobra Speedster Longs, a Baron's BAK, and the Cobra FMS and have noticed a very nice performance increase. Also a very nice sound change.

Baron's BAK......?

What exactly is Baron's BAK and the last couple things you listed?
The Cobras use installed are they straights or something else? Do they extend past your rear tire, and if so has it cause you problems?
Thanks in advance for any info.

The Baron's BAK is the Big Air Kit. It replaces the large triangular air box with an open air element and is much thinner. Click the link to take a look... it's about 1/3 the way down the page. This is also where I bought all my parts... pipes, BAK, and Cobra FMS.

The pipes do not go past the wheel, just a little past the rear axle.

dave is right. if you just change out your exhaust you probably won't notice any increase in power. if you really want a power increase, you're gonna have to spend some money and add an air kit and possibly fuel processor or some other upgrade in addition to changing pipes. if you're set on only changing out the pipes and nothing else, then do it for the looks/sound.

my wife has an 09 950 and its is ceramic coated vance n hines 2 into 2 big radius pipes,a Cobra 2000 tuner and a LA Choppers open air filter. The bike is lowered a little over 2 inches in the rear and no probs. The pipes sound good especially with the air filter. Did notice a seat of the pants difference. Lays a nice long blackstrip if you drop the clutch! Great bike! Have had no issues.

I went with the Cobra slashdowns, a Barons BAK and the Cobra FMS2000R with O2, currently have the FMS set at 2.5/3/3 Haven't been able to do much tuning on it since the snow decided to fall again over the weekend. I absolutely love the sound but truthfully the main reason for the change was looks. Can't get past the size of the stock muffler.

I have a vstar 1100 and it is in shop to have cobra slip on slash cut exh, barons BAK, hope it runs good after this

enjoy

Food for thought. I have to agree with Bevo1981. On my 1100 vstar I did the exhaust right away along with a jet kit. I gained about 10+ hp. But my mileage suffered. Later I did the whole intake refit with the Maxair predator kit, and again rejet of the carbs. Did not gain much in hp but I did gain back 4-8mpg. I suppose if I had it dyno tuned I would gain some more.

Hey, guys, I just installed Hard Krome straight's on my 950. I have the Fi2000 from Cobra on it as well. Any recommendations towards the settings; I thinks I can do better than the settings recommended by Cobra!

Got my vstar 1100 back now with new exhaust/BAK/KN filter/jet kit and it runs very well, no back fire at all, runs very smooth, more responsive, not sure about MPG or increase in HP, but I like the results(except for cost). I also like the cobra sound, not too loud in idle, during acceleration they do get loud, i wouldnt want them much louder and i left baffles in, i am pleased overall

enjoy

Which Cobras did you get? Have the Speedster Slashdowns myself. I also like the sound.

I just put a Roadhouse Slip-on on my 950T, man that thing is loud.

IA_Dave said:

The Baron's BAK is the Big Air Kit. It replaces the large triangular air box with an open air element and is much thinner. Click the link to take a look... it's about 1/3 the way down the page. This is also where I bought all my parts... pipes, BAK, and Cobra FMS.

The pipes do not go past the wheel, just a little past the rear axle.

Click to expand...

My Hrad Kromes are a bit shorter than your pipes, but I am interested in your FMS settings; I think I might be able to improve on mine, they are as suggested by Cobra 2.5 7 7.
Could you tell me what your's are!!
Thanks!

Oddcrow said:

My Hrad Kromes are a bit shorter than your pipes, but I am interested in your FMS settings; I think I might be able to improve on mine, they are as suggested by Cobra 2.5 7 7.
Could you tell me what your's are!!
Thanks!

Click to expand...

I just ran a tank full and ended up with about 34mpg with the FMS at 1.5/3/3 (a suggestion I saw on another site), but obviously those aren't worth a damn, so I just put the settings back to 2.5/7/7. I'm going to start really trying to figure out the optimum instead of trying everyone else's. I just need to be able to get time on the bike. This week looks to be nice and sunny so I'm hoping to get some miles in.

IA_Dave said:

I added the Cobra Speedster Longs, a Baron's BAK, and the Cobra FMS and have noticed a very nice performance increase. Also a very nice sound change.

Click to expand...

Did you have to rejet the carbs?