Swapping out your own factory yamaha road star 1700 exhaust has become the first issue most owners do to make this particular big air-cooled V-twin really sing. There's something about that 102-cubic-inch engine that will feels a small bit stifled when it's breathing via those massive, large stock mufflers. It's a great bike right out associated with the crate, don't get me wrong, but it's lacking that deep, rhythmic pulse that makes a cruiser feel alive.
When you begin looking at aftermarket choices, it's easy to get overwhelmed. You've got long plumbing, short pipes, 2-into-1 systems, and basic slip-ons. Every 1 of them changes the character of the bike in a different way. If you're such as most Road Star riders, you're looking for that perfect stability between an attention-grabing roar and something that won't make your ears hemorrhage after two hours on the interstate.
Why Replace the Stock Pipes?
The stock yamaha road star 1700 exhaust is constructed to satisfy a lot of people who aren't you—specifically, government regulators and noise ordinance officers. Because of that, the factory plumbing are packed with baffles and catalytic material that restrict airflow and muffle the sound. They're also surprisingly heavy. You'd be shocked with the number of pounds a person can shave away from the bike simply by switching to a group of aftermarket headers.
But let's be honest: most associated with us get it done with regard to the sound. The Road Star 1700 has a 48-degree V-twin. It's got pushrods. It's got a massive displacement. It should seem like thunder, not a stitching machine. A fresh exhaust opens up those lungs, giving you a much deeper "thump" at idle and a pleasing bark when you twist the accelerator to pass some sort of slow-moving truck.
Finding the Ideal Sound and Design
Choosing the yamaha road star 1700 exhaust isn't almost being loud; it's about the quality of the build. Some pipes are usually raspy and thin, while others are usually deep and calm.
The particular Classic Long Water lines
If a person want that traditional cruiser look, lengthy pipes like the Vance & Hines Longshots are a staple for a cause. They stretch almost all the way back again past the rear axle, giving the bike a stretched-out, low-slung profile. These usually provide the very traditional "crack" when you're on the gas. They look incredible along with chrome accessories and white-wall tires.
2-into-1 Systems
If you care more about performance than the classic appearance, a 2-into-1 system is usually the ideal solution. By merging the exhaust gases through both cylinders into one collector, you produce a scavenging effect that truly helps pull even more air through the particular engine. This generally means a noticeable bump in mid-range torque. The audio is a little bit more aggressive and "mechanical" compared to dual pipes, which some riders completely love.
Brief and Mean
Then you possess the shorty pipes. These are for the guys who want their presence known three blocks away. They offer less backpressure plus a much even louder volume. They look good if you're taking a bobber or the stripped-down custom look, but remember they can be a bit drone-heavy during long highway hauls.
Popular Brands That Just Work
You'll find a few titles popping up constantly if you search with regard to a yamaha road star 1700 exhaust. Vance & Hines is probably the particular most common. Their Big Shots are usually legendary because these people have a hidden "power chamber" that gives you 2-into-1 performance while keeping the particular look of double pipes.
Cobra is another big player. Their Speedster series is well-regarded for having excellent chrome surface finishes that don't blue or discolor simply because easily as some less expensive brands. Freedom Functionality also makes some of the beefiest-sounding pipes for the Road Star, frequently featuring large-diameter walked headers that appear absolutely massive upon the bike.
If you can find them, a few of the older Baron Custom Accessories pipes are specifically tuned for your Road Star's exclusive firing order. They have a very specific "thump" that is definitely hard to repeat with universal styles.
Don't Forget the Tuning
Here's the thing a lot of people skip: if a person change your yamaha road star 1700 exhaust, you actually should take a look at your fueling. The 1700 came in both carbureted and fuel-injected (EFI) versions according to the year.
If you have an older carb model, you're probably going to need a jet package. Opening up the exhaust makes the bike run more lean because air is moving through the engine faster. The lean engine runs hot, pops on deceleration, and seems "off. " The bigger pilot plane and a needle adjustment can create a world associated with difference.
For your EFI models, the fuel controller just like a Power Commander or even a Cobra Fi2000 is a lifesaver. It's the "plug and play" way to create sure your engine is getting enough gas to match that new airflow. It'll erase the throttle response plus stop that frustrating "popping" sound whenever you let off the gas.
The particular Installation Process
Most guys may handle a yamaha road star 1700 exhaust swap within their garage on a Saturday morning. You don't need a degree in mechanical engineering, but a person do need a several basic tools and a bit of patience.
The greatest tip We can give you? Buy fresh exhaust gaskets. Don't attempt to reuse the ones. They're grind gaskets, meaning they're designed to deform once to create a perfect close off. If you reuse them, you're nearly guaranteed to have an exhaust leak, which usually sounds like a high-pitched ticking and can eventually damage your valves.
Also, be careful with the chrome. It's easy to unintentionally scratch your fresh pipes with a wrench while you're tightening the flange bolts. I cover a clean cloth around the piping while I'm setting them just in order to be safe. As soon as they're on, clean them down with some glass cleaner or alcohol prior to you start the particular bike. If a person leave fingerprints or oil for the stainless when it gets hot for the very first time, those scars can bake right into the finish.
What to Expect on the Road
Once you've got your own new yamaha road star 1700 exhaust installed and fine-tined, the bike seems like a different pet. You'll notice the engine feels less "congested. " It'll rev a bit more freely, and that low-end grunt the Road Star is well-known for becomes very much more apparent.
The sound is the real reward, though. There's nothing quite like touring down a backroad, shifting through the particular gears, and listening to that deep, rhythmic pulse reflecting off the trees or canyon walls. It turns the bicycle from an easy machine into the visceral experience.
It's also a safety thing, believe it or not. I'm not stating you need in order to be obnoxious, yet being heard by distracted drivers within SUVs isn't the bad thing. A small amount of rumble helps individuals notice you're right now there before they try to merge into your lane.
Last Thoughts
From the end of the day, picking a yamaha road star 1700 exhaust comes down in order to your personal style plus how you utilize your bike. If you're a long-distance tourer, maybe look for some thing with quiet exhaust baffles or a mellow tone. If you're a weekend soldier who loves hitting bike nights, go for something bold plus bright.
The Road Star 1700 is one of the greatest cruisers Yamaha ever built—it's reliable, powerful, and has a classic soul. Providing it an appropriate exhaust is just the best method to let that will soul shine through. Just remember to take your time along with the install, obtain your tuning right, and enjoy the particular music.