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Alright, I need some advice...

I'm looking at some aftermarket exhaust for my bike. What are some different types/styles and what are the differences between them... I've pretty well got it narrowed down between some V&H or Cobra... I like the slashcuts but I'm not quite sure what will sound the best while giving the most HP gains... and anyone have any experience with the 2-into-1's?

Also, any advice on big air kits... do you have to match them with the exhaust or what?

and is this something I can put on myself or will I have to take it to the shop to have done? keep in mind I have little technical experience....

THANKS

The Hard Krome Sideburner sure does look nice on the 1100. You'll also get the biggest horsepower gains with a 2-into-1. You don't need to match the intake to the exhaust. Just go with what you like.

You can bolt the exhaust on without messing with anything else, but the air kit will require rejetting the carbs.

So does rejetting require technical expertise or is that something a newb could figure out?

If you buy a ready-made jet kit for your setup it's as easy as following a set of directions. If you just buy an assortment of jets and jump in head first it'll help to know what you're doing. A mistake could result in the destruction of your engine, so don't go out of your way to save a buck in the short term.

Good advice from Zoo, but i'd like to add that if you do rejet (Even if you buy a kit) take it to a shop with a dynomometer (When you are done with the install) and have them test it for you.

A dyno test costs nothing considering the potential damage a poor rejet could do. Prepackaged Jet kits are convenient, but not the end-all be-all of a properly tuned bike.

sounds good, i believe I'll just take it in to the shop and have them do it.

thanks for the advice

by the way Zoo, i remember you said your bro-in-law (i think) added some pipes and a big air kit to his v-star... any idea as to what kind of actual HP increase that gave him?

also>>this won't do anything (read: void) to the extended warranty i was suckered into buying with the bike will it?

marcus8811 wrote:by the way Zoo, i remember you said your bro-in-law (i think) added some pipes and a big air kit to his v-star... any idea as to what kind of actual HP increase that gave him?

We only have "seat-of-the-pants" results to report as it was never dyno'd, but it was a noticeable increase in power. Before the add-ons the bike felt exactly like my dad's C50 (805cc), which isn't saying much for the 1100. After the add-ons it was noticeably quicker and had more usable torque. I would consider it a must-do for any V-Star 1100 owner.

This topic comes up on the V-star 1100 forums I frequent quite a bit. A lot of those guys have thier beasts dyno'd after doing thier mods. Here's what seems consistent:

Stock: 50-52hp.

Add 2 into 1 pipes (most are finding the Cobra to be exceptional), Max Air kit, rejet the bike if you know what you're doing (if not, find a pro), and you're up to 60-65hp.

Add to that mid cams and an ignition kit and you're up to 70-72 hp.

Good luck!