Exhaust Dilema...calling Medustas owners

[Echo3]

For Christmas I opened up a very cleverly put together certificate notifying me that a new V&H Big Radius 2-1 was waiting for me at the shop!

Here is where the problem starts. While I like the BR 2-1 I'm not sure it's the set of pipes for me.. I had really been leaning towards a set of Martin Bros. Medustas with thunder baffles. My dealer has no problem doing an exchange for me but is strongly trying to dissuade me. He's telling me that the Medustas won't give me any boost in performance, and while they'll look good out of the box they will eventually get all blue and nasty, and look like shit. Essentially he’s saying Martins are for show bikes.

I don't doubt the V&H pipe will outshine the Martins in performance, and I know the V&H quality is unsurpassed. But are the Martins really that bad? I really think the Martins super aggressive style and boarderline obnoxious sound are what I really want. But will I pay in other departments, will they blue past the heat shields, will I LOOSE power?

I know there are guys around here with both pipes, and I could really use your input! Maybe someone with Medustas could post a pic of what they look like after they've had a few miles on them, and give their honest opinion of the pipes now that the buyers high has worn off?

Thanks much!
Echo

 

[Staffy]

Have the V&H 2-1 on my K9. No complaints with the exception of breaking TWO mounting brackets. V&H replaced both and sent me a spare as well.:2thumbs:
Bought myself a pair of V&H Big Radius for X'mas and my new Mastiff. Actually will switch them around. The K9 will get the Big Radius and the Mastiff the 2-1.

Well what's this got to do with the V&H and Martin Brother's?
My 2cents...the V&H are good, great quality and performance (I feel like I gain a few HP's - have not done a dyno, but sure feels like it) sounds great as well (not TOO LOUD if that's what you're looking for). Wouldn't have bought the 2nd set if they weren't good.

Also, look at some pic's before making the decission - the Medustas may expose a tad too much of your tranny - not certain but thought it may be worth mentioning. Check out the link you will get tons of ideas....good luck...no matter what you choose you WIN...
Staffy
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/665-show-your-exhaust.html

 

[PSI GERMANY]

Hi Echo3,
had the Big Radius 2in2 on my K9 and changed them last week for the V&H 2in1 and I am very happy with my decision. I feel like I have a different bike -
all around 100 % better and positive. More power. But not as loud - just what I was also trying also to accomplish, since I am cruising around in PB and my fellow citizens were ready to kill me. Hope that helps you to make your decision.:up:

 

[LDO]

I've got Medustas on my 03 Mastiff with 15,000 miles on it.

-Never had a problem with them and I like the sound (loudness).

-Not sure if there would be any performance gains by going with different pipes because these are all that's ever been on my bike (after stock set was removed, engine break-in).

-Blueing/nasty? There is normal blueing just as they exit the heads but that's it. If you are using heat shields with them (and your bike is properly tuned) you shouldn't be able to see it at all.

-"super aggressive style and boarderline obnoxious sound"...if that's what you are after, then you'll be pleased.

-You mention baffles. I'm not sure you can run baffles with these pipes. I looked into it a while back and was told by the MB website that since their pipes are 'stepped' in design, you wouldn't need them, aside from the fact that I don't think installation is possible. You might try torque cones but that's a whole nother topic for discussion that brings much controversy anywhere you go "are there any perfomance gains or is it snake oil" type stuff.

-I am at work right now but you can pm me or email me and I will take as many pictures as you like of my pipes to help you decide or at least show you the blueing I'm talking about. You can also see my pics in the thread mentioned earlier.

Hope this helps...

LDO sends.

 

[seatmaker]

Ride em till they're blue, then ceramic coat them black:2thumbs:

 

[Coolbreeze]

The performance might be a little better out of the MB. The VH 2-1 has a real plugged up baffle in it. I'm doing a cam and port and polish job on a 08 Ridgeback right now. I'm going to ask the customer if I can do some cuttin on his baffle. (He has the VH 2-1)

 

[Echo3]

Thanks guys, lotsa help, Medustas it is:up:

I never doubted the V&H, just wasn't sure they were my cup of tea (or bottle of beer) The comment about the 2-1 being quieter/smoother than the 2-2 really went along way. My friend has the 2-2 and while it sounds nice I wouldn't be happy with anything less. Also LDO's testiment to 15,000 miles of satisfaction carries alot of weight, along with the pics in his gallery and the exhaust thread.

 

[LDO]

Echo,
glad I could help. Would like some info regarding the baffles though. Did someone say you could fit them in the MB pipes???

 

[Echo3]

Ahh yes, sorry I overlooked that in my reply.

I believe the ofiicial Martin Bros. web site says the Medustas come with heat shields and baffles, being as they make the pipes I'm most inclined to believe them. I have however seen retailers that sell them make a split. Some say no and some say yes. Perhaps it was a latter revision to add baffles, or mabey martin makes some sort of baffle specificly for their pipes. I won't be 100% sure untill I get mine, but would be glad to update you when I do

 

[Gas Man]

Dont' get the BR2. Many reasons...

Sorry for anybody who has them... just my $0.02

One they are a dime a dozen
I have never met a v&h pipe that didn't either break heat shields, mounts, or baffles...Sometimes all the above.

Did I already say that everybody has them?

 

[Raywood]

Dont' get the BR2. Many reasons...

Sorry for anybody who has them... just my $0.02

One they are a dime a dozen
I have never met a v&h pipe that didn't either break heat shields, mounts, or baffles...Sometimes all the above.

Did I already say that everybody has them?

You didn't mention that you used to have them!!!

 

[Gas Man]

"USED TO"

So therefor my opinion should carry a bit more weight that way.

There are just so many other cooler options.

 

[T.Byrd]

My son BYRDDOGG has Medustas on his 07 K-9 stock cams and stock carb. and we bumped the jets uo to 31 inter. and 78 main and his runs like a striped ass ape.Ever see one of them run.

 

[elguapo]

I have the medustas on my chopper and they look great. No blueing to speak of. I did put baffles in mine though. I just thought that they were too loud without them. Martin Brothers sent me a set of baffles for them for free. I like the sound a lot better now.

 

[Byrddogg]

yea mine came with baffles and i took them out. wasn't load enuff for me...but they are now wow

 

[LDO]

Martin Brothers sent me a set of baffles for them for free.

Dang! How'd you score that?

 

[elguapo]

Easy. I just called them to see if they made any for my pipes and they offered to ship me some for free. Great company.

 

[No H2O]

-Never had a problem with them and I like the sound (loudness)

I have a set of MBs on my 04 Ridgeback. They are loud as hell. So much so that I'm considering going back to stock since I'm riding at night, it's waking up my household and all the neighbors on the block.

How much louder are the MBs over stock, if it's a big difference then I'll keep them on.

 

[liferider]

I agree I have them on my 03 Chopper! And a while back I bought an extra pair off eBay. Price was right and I figured one day I could help a member looking for a set

 

[Th3InfamousI]

I have a set of MBs on my 04 Ridgeback. They are loud as hell. So much so that I'm considering going back to stock since I'm riding at night, it's waking up my household and all the neighbors on the block.

How much louder are the MBs over stock, if it's a big difference then I'll keep them on.

Stock will quiet it down significantly. Probably reduce sound by 40-50%. However you'll still prob wake up your house even with stock, it's an American vtwin

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk