2006 Honda Shadow Spirit Exhaust Question

phaedo5 · 09-19-2008, 1:04 PM

Hi. I am a beginning rider. I've been riding a few months now.

I don't know anything about motorcycle parts and maintenance. But I want to learn. Right now I have factory installed exhaust and air box, but I want something a little heavier with a little more heft to the sound.

I don't really know where to begin. I don't know what parts, what brands, cost, etc. I don't want to make it where people hear me from five blocks away, but I do want something a little more audible as well as increasing the horse power to a certain degree.

I don't know if anyone can either help break this down as to what's involved, what I might like, what it might cost, or if you can point me in the direction of a website that breaks all this down.

I'm very eager to learn the ins and outs of all this, but I have to walk this path on my own since I don't know anyone else into bikes.

Thanks for you help.

smkeatr · 09-19-2008, 10:36 PM

You could get a set of Cobra slip ons for under $300 without a re-jet of your carb if you just want a look and some noise. I've read in some Shadow forums of people drilling out the baffles in their exhaust for sound only. Personally, I'd get a slash cut Cobra full system and re-jet accordingly. I've got 2 of these bikes but I haven't done this mod yet. I've actually been pretty happy with a bike with a quiet stock exhaust for a change. I've heard the full Cobra system and a Vance and Hines full system and they aren't too terribly annoying so to say and they sound pretty tough. You can re-jet yourself or find a capable mechanic if there are any around your area. I've found a good race shop locally who have set up my sport bikes and dirt bikes and this guy is a jetting whiz so I'd probably take it to him when I do it for the jetting only. You could also get a hypercharger for the air box but I've read that you have to do a few mods to your carb to get the butterfly to work properly. Do a google search for Shadow forums and read away. It's been over a year since I did most of my research back when I got these bikes so I'm not much help in pointing you in the right direction.

sheepofblue · 09-19-2008, 10:44 PM

Get a manual and that will help on maintainence (www.helminc.com for an official one).

+1 on Cobra is you must. Personally I would ride it and leave them stock, more seat time less wrench time

I run 2 of my 3 bikes stock and the third is a track only bike that I bought used with a full system on it.

smkeatr · 09-19-2008, 11:22 PM

I'd have to agree with Sheep. The only accessories I've put on my Shadow is a back rest with luggage rack for 2 up riding and hauling all my stuff and highway bars to prevent damage when my wife rides it, or drops it again. But I do understand your need/want to mod the exhaust if you only have one bike.

The other Shadow is bone stock.

phaedo5 · 09-24-2008, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the answers guys. I'm looking online trying to see what it would cost for the Cobra slip-ons, but I must not really be looking in the right place. Anyone have a link?

Also, what's involved with just slip ons? I doubt they actually just slip-on, but are they easy since you don't have to mess with re-jetting or anything?

And I take it that these would just add a little bit of heft to my sound and not do much else, correct?

Thanks again for your answers. They are quite helpful to a newbie like me.

sheepofblue · 09-24-2008, 11:59 AM

Not sure Cobra (or anyone) makes slip ons for a Shadow. Most are full systems. They generally change the character of the power a bit (sometimes add more midrange others more top end) Jetting will get the best performance but I have heard many not bother with Cobras installed.

smkeatr · 09-24-2008, 10:41 PM

eBay Motors: NEW Slip/On Exhaust Honda Shadow Spirit 750 VT VT750DC (item 320302759039 end time Sep-28-08 21:10:44 PDT)

These are the only ones I've seen.

For a few bucks more, you can have the whole system, but will have to re-jet.
eBay Motors: Honda 750 Shadow Spirit DC cobra Drag Pipes / Exhaust (item 320303115670 end time Oct-02-08 16:01:58 PDT)

Tigershark347 · 10-03-2008, 1:28 PM

I have a 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit. I replaced the stock exhaust with a set of Cobra Slash -cut, tapered,turnout,drag pipes. I didn't feel the need to re-jet. They look good and sound great.

smkeatr · 10-03-2008, 8:40 PM

Does your bike POP badly on decel?

Tigershark347 · 10-04-2008, 7:00 PM

On decel it barely pops at all, The bike runs great, no smoke, pipes aren't discolored, fuel not running lean, spark plugs are a nice color,so everything is good. Get lot's of looks and compliments and performance from the Cobra's. The sound is incredible too! Good Luck with yours.

phaedo5 · 10-07-2008, 6:59 PM

This is all great information.

I've never been on anything other than my stock exhausts. I'm curious just how loud new exhausts would be. For instance, how is my passenger going to feel?

I ask because sometimes I hear bikes that almost knock you down they are so loud. I'm not really looking for that. I want to just take a minimal jump. Something that sounds much better than the muffled stock exhaust, but something that doesn't blow you away either.

Are these cobra slash cut tapered turn out drag pipes like that? Or is there a smaller jump that I could make?