Yeah, I am almost having second thoughts about the Barker. Not that it's not a really good pipe, but I just really like the look of the RT-3.
I thought the RT-1 and RT-2 looked decent but not great--which is basically my opinion of the Barker. And since the Barker posted some pretty big power gains and your pipes were very close to stock, I figured the Barker was the way to go. But the RT-3 looks much better than the Barker and it looks like it makes comparable power gains. Which if I still had the stock exhaust, would make it worth the extra bucks.
I wonder what the used market is like for a Barker, and how much hell my wife would give me if I spent a few hundred extra bucks on a different exhaust.
<edit>I may be coming up to STL in the next couple of weeks to look at a Mustang with a buddy. If the weather's decent, we may ride up. If you're available, I'd like to stop by and have a look at your pipes and have a listen as well.
(Message edited by thefleshrocket on March 28, 2010)
I assume you still have my number, just let me know when, I'll do what I can to meet up. I have the RT3 on it right now, maybe I'll leave it on for a while.
wonder what the used market is like for a Barker, and how much hell my wife would give me if I spent a few hundred extra bucks on a different exhaust.
I bounced around a few times on my XB between stock, Race Pipe, Drummer, and finally settling on Micron. I do want to swap it for a Ti-Force one of these days.
My point - Exhausts are like fine wine, you would only hurt yourself for not trying something else out. Yea you will lose a few bucks selling the barker and have to shell out some more for Dean's fine work, but you can't sell a half a glass of previously drunken wine
I have seen the Barker pipe in person, I have heard it briefly. I got nothing bad to say about it, but personally I am glad I picked Deans RT1 pipe instead.
Kc, my Barker is the stainless. I've also got the 1 5/8 quiet core. I'm not saying I'm for sure going to sell it but if I get a chance to see and hear the RT-3 on Dean's bike, that'll help me make a decision.
Dave, I rode it yesterday without ear plugs for about 10 miles. It's pretty loud up over 70 mph. Ok, it's very loud. I'd recommend ear plugs regardless of the version anyone buys. The RT1 can be ridden for a much longer time without them, 1/2 hour at least, but I've never gone past that. I'm just used to wearing ear plugs all the time now and actually prefer it to riding without, even for a short 10-15 mile ride. If you're looking for deep and loud, the RT3 is it. Even at 10k rpm, it's still deep, but it's extremely loud up there. I did another roll-on run against an Aprillia RSV 1000 last nite, he dropped to 4th and I stayed in 6th. He got a little jump on me but I stayed with him and started catching up at about 110 or so. It pulls pretty hard and clean. Did the same run, both of us in 3rd and I just walked away from him like he was sitting still, even with only one wheel on the ground. He also re-geared his bike, 1 tooth down in front, so it tops out at 143 mph now.
Loud is subjective....at cruising speeds (60-70 mph) is that pipe much louder or any louder than say a straight piped HD cruiser?
I have a 2000 M2 with a force race pipe, it's loud but not too bad once your I put my helmet on and hop on the freeway. All the racket seems to be behind me and therefore tolerable.
I don't have any drive-by's of the RT3, it's similar to the RT1 video, just louder. It really has a scream to it at 10k rpm, near wake the dead for the amount of volume.
As far as straight pipe HD bikes, I've heard much louder than this, but it's definitely got a way of letting everyone know you're either coming, there or long gone. If noise bothers you too much, I'd highly recommend either the RT1 or RT2. The RT3 is not going to be for everyone. It works, looks decent and makes plenty of power, but it's loud.
Man I switched my exhaust out 3 times and it totals 1735 right now. Thank God Dean came along and stopped my crazy spending. Man maybe I should get a RT3 and sell this RT1 its only been on for less than 200 miles. No I like my RT1 whats up Dean.
Dean, I just went to California picked up a CR. I think its the one pictured here. The stock exhaust is on the bike but I was given an RT-2. I'm not going to race but which EBR ecm will work best with this pipe?