Hard Krome Strippers vs. American Classic Straights - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Adam_P · 02-01-2006, 05:26 PM

Hello,

I'm torn between which of these to get for my Marauder. Does anyone have close-up pictures of them installed. I would like to see what the Strippers look like without the tips on the end. Are the American Classics worth the extra money or do the Strippers look fine without the tip on them. Are there really any other differences between the two?

Thanks a bunch guys.

Adam

Uechi Kid · 02-01-2006, 06:58 PM

If I'm not mistaken the strippers have baffles and the American Classics don't. The pics of my strippers have slash cut tips.
http://www.hardkrome.com/Metric/Metr...=Marauder+1600
http://www.hardkrome.com/Metric/Metr...=Marauder+1600

Adam_P · 02-01-2006, 10:10 PM

According to the description on my bike, they both have a non-removable core. After doing a bit more digging in the FAQ on HK's website, it says:

"Q: The 2.5” American Classic Straights and the Strippers look very similar. Can you tell me the difference between the two?
A: The Strippers do not have to use end caps. The Strippers and the 2.5" American Classic Straights are the same exact pipe-the only difference is that the American Classic Straights come with Straight Cut end caps and are a few dollars more. Both will feature welded-in baffles and the 1-year guarantee against bluing. All three end caps will fit both the 2.5” American Classic Straights and the Strippers"

As far as I can tell they are the exact same, just the American Classics have the end caps with them. Does anyone have any pictures of the Stippers up close without the end caps on them so we can see what the difference is? If the end caps are on and you do have the Strippers, is there anyway that you can take the caps off so that we can see what they look like without them on? HK's website really does not show a good pic of the Strippers without the end caps on.

Thanks a lot for all of the help.

Adam

Uechi Kid · 02-01-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_P

According to the description on my bike, they both have a non-removable core. After doing a bit more digging in the FAQ on HK's website, it says:

"Q: The 2.5” American Classic Straights and the Strippers look very similar. Can you tell me the difference between the two?
A: The Strippers do not have to use end caps. The Strippers and the 2.5" American Classic Straights are the same exact pipe-the only difference is that the American Classic Straights come with Straight Cut end caps and are a few dollars more. Both will feature welded-in baffles and the 1-year guarantee against bluing. All three end caps will fit both the 2.5” American Classic Straights and the Strippers"

As far as I can tell they are the exact same, just the American Classics have the end caps with them. Does anyone have any pictures of the Stippers up close without the end caps on them so we can see what the difference is? If the end caps are on and you do have the Strippers, is there anyway that you can take the caps off so that we can see what they look like without them on? HK's website really does not show a good pic of the Strippers without the end caps on.

Thanks a lot for all of the help.

Adam

I stand corrected.

Adam_P · 02-06-2006, 03:56 PM

Anyone???

I really need to know what, if any other differences there are between the two and what the Strippers look like without the tips on them.

Thanks a bunch guys!

DS06C50T · 02-08-2006, 04:42 AM

Adam,

Your information is dead-bang accurate. I called HK directly and spoke to a tech there. He told me that the two are EXACTLY the same pipe. Both have an exhaust pipe diameter of 1.75" (vs. 1.25" on my '06 C50T). The only difference between the two is, yes, one has tips, the other doesn't. I opted for the Strippers which don't come with the tips. That was a mistake. As soon as I installed them, I wanted tips. The tips ran another $120, so I recommend you get the Americans (which come with tips) for a few extra bucks and be done with it. I ended up buying the simple, straight-cut tips.

Both pipes DO have welded-in baffles. The pipes are loud, but not obnoxiously so, IMO. My only other regret (in hindsight of course!) is that I wouldn't mind if the pipes were longer. They end right at the bolts on the rear wheel hub. Kinda loud in the right ear! If I had purchased the Big Shots (ie, full length pipes), maybe the loudness would be back further from my right ear and less deafening?

I've also heard skuttlebutt that the new 3" Big Shots(?, or Big Straights?) will have removeable baffles. This would be a feature worth the extra bucks.

NOTE: the tech also told me that ALL HK pipes have a 1.75" inner exhaust pipe and only the outer diameter of the pipe is different. So, for example, my 2.5" Strippers have the same inside exhaust diameter pipe as the 3" pipes from HK.

Pix are in my gallery at: www.volusiariders.com under my same name as here.
http://www.volusiariders.com/album_p...p?user_id=5853
Hope this helps...
Daryl

Adam_P · 02-08-2006, 08:32 AM

Daryl,

Thank you very much for your help in finding that out for me. I will probably go ahead and the the American Classic Straights then. Hopefully they won't be too loud while I'm riding, but we'll see when I get them on!

I really do wish that they also came with removable baffles like the Big Straights, especially since they are the same diameter inside you wouldn't think that it would be too difficult to do. Oh well.

Again, thanks for all of your help.

Adam

DS06C50T · 02-08-2006, 10:12 AM

Adam,
If you can stand it, try holding out for the HK's with removeable baffles. You can E-mail HK @ www.hardkrome.com or call them (phone number's on their website; they're in CA).

The difference b/t the stock pipes and the HK's is night and day, so when you first get them and fire the bike up, you may think "uh-oh".... I got used to mine. I can also "tame" the sound a bit by driving less aggressively (ie, not revving it up every shift and keeping the rpm's low).

Another option is to look into Vance & Hines pipes. They've copied the HK design and they may have removeable baffles. Worth a look BEFORE spending your $.

Best,
Daryl

Adam_P · 02-08-2006, 10:35 AM

All they show for my bike are the Cruzers and the Classics II from V&H, and I really don't like those styles as much...thanks again for the info though.

Believe me, if they had the Straightshots for my bike, those are what I would have gotten, the HK's are the next best thing for my bike.

Adam

**drgibson** · 02-08-2006, 11:53 AM

Hey U K How loud are your pipes compared to stock?

Uechi Kid · 02-08-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

Hey U K How loud are your pipes compared to stock?

They are loud comared to stock. But when I'm riding they sound real good. Not over bearing.

Townie · 09-07-2007, 11:49 AM

$%&^*@#&$ loud by aussie standards !!!!!

but I love 'em !!!

02-01-2006, 05:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adam_P Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Marauder 800 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 30	Hard Krome Strippers vs. American Classic Straights Hello, I'm torn between which of these to get for my Marauder. Does anyone have close-up pictures of them installed. I would like to see what the Strippers look like without the tips on the end. Are the American Classics worth the extra money or do the Strippers look fine without the tip on them. Are there really any other differences between the two? Thanks a bunch guys. Adam

02-01-2006, 06:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Uechi Kid Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 04 M95, Yamaha VStar 650 Location: Antioch, Ca. Posts: 744	If I'm not mistaken the strippers have baffles and the American Classics don't. The pics of my strippers have slash cut tips. http://www.hardkrome.com/Metric/Metr...=Marauder+1600 http://www.hardkrome.com/Metric/Metr...=Marauder+1600 Attached Thumbnails

02-01-2006, 10:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Adam_P Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Marauder 800 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 30	According to the description on my bike, they both have a non-removable core. After doing a bit more digging in the FAQ on HK's website, it says: "Q: The 2.5” American Classic Straights and the Strippers look very similar. Can you tell me the difference between the two? A: The Strippers do not have to use end caps. The Strippers and the 2.5" American Classic Straights are the same exact pipe-the only difference is that the American Classic Straights come with Straight Cut end caps and are a few dollars more. Both will feature welded-in baffles and the 1-year guarantee against bluing. All three end caps will fit both the 2.5” American Classic Straights and the Strippers" As far as I can tell they are the exact same, just the American Classics have the end caps with them. Does anyone have any pictures of the Stippers up close without the end caps on them so we can see what the difference is? If the end caps are on and you do have the Strippers, is there anyway that you can take the caps off so that we can see what they look like without them on? HK's website really does not show a good pic of the Strippers without the end caps on. Thanks a lot for all of the help. Adam Last edited by Adam_P; 02-01-2006 at 10:22 PM.

02-08-2006, 04:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
DS06C50T Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Blvd. C50T (dark grey) Location: Ventura County, CA. Posts: 286	Adam, Your information is dead-bang accurate. I called HK directly and spoke to a tech there. He told me that the two are EXACTLY the same pipe. Both have an exhaust pipe diameter of 1.75" (vs. 1.25" on my '06 C50T). The only difference between the two is, yes, one has tips, the other doesn't. I opted for the Strippers which don't come with the tips. That was a mistake. As soon as I installed them, I wanted tips. The tips ran another $120, so I recommend you get the Americans (which come with tips) for a few extra bucks and be done with it. I ended up buying the simple, straight-cut tips. Both pipes DO have welded-in baffles. The pipes are loud, but not obnoxiously so, IMO. My only other regret (in hindsight of course!) is that I wouldn't mind if the pipes were longer. They end right at the bolts on the rear wheel hub. Kinda loud in the right ear! If I had purchased the Big Shots (ie, full length pipes), maybe the loudness would be back further from my right ear and less deafening? I've also heard skuttlebutt that the new 3" Big Shots(?, or Big Straights?) will have removeable baffles. This would be a feature worth the extra bucks. NOTE: the tech also told me that ALL HK pipes have a 1.75" inner exhaust pipe and only the outer diameter of the pipe is different. So, for example, my 2.5" Strippers have the same inside exhaust diameter pipe as the 3" pipes from HK. Pix are in my gallery at: www.volusiariders.com under my same name as here. http://www.volusiariders.com/album_p...p?user_id=5853 Hope this helps... Daryl __________________ Daryl '06 C50T... full-time hard-bagger and true dual exhaust http://www.volusiariders.com/album_p...r=DESC&start=0

02-08-2006, 10:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
DS06C50T Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Blvd. C50T (dark grey) Location: Ventura County, CA. Posts: 286	Adam, If you can stand it, try holding out for the HK's with removeable baffles. You can E-mail HK @ www.hardkrome.com or call them (phone number's on their website; they're in CA). The difference b/t the stock pipes and the HK's is night and day, so when you first get them and fire the bike up, you may think "uh-oh".... I got used to mine. I can also "tame" the sound a bit by driving less aggressively (ie, not revving it up every shift and keeping the rpm's low). Another option is to look into Vance & Hines pipes. They've copied the HK design and they may have removeable baffles. Worth a look BEFORE spending your $. Best, Daryl __________________ Daryl '06 C50T... full-time hard-bagger and true dual exhaust http://www.volusiariders.com/album_p...r=DESC&start=0

02-06-2006, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Adam_P Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Marauder 800 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 30	Anyone??? I really need to know what, if any other differences there are between the two and what the Strippers look like without the tips on them. Thanks a bunch guys!

02-08-2006, 08:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Adam_P Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Marauder 800 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 30	Daryl, Thank you very much for your help in finding that out for me. I will probably go ahead and the the American Classic Straights then. Hopefully they won't be too loud while I'm riding, but we'll see when I get them on! I really do wish that they also came with removable baffles like the Big Straights, especially since they are the same diameter inside you wouldn't think that it would be too difficult to do. Oh well. Again, thanks for all of your help. Adam

02-08-2006, 10:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Adam_P Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Marauder 800 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 30	All they show for my bike are the Cruzers and the Classics II from V&H, and I really don't like those styles as much...thanks again for the info though. Believe me, if they had the Straightshots for my bike, those are what I would have gotten, the HK's are the next best thing for my bike. Adam

02-08-2006, 11:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Hey U K How loud are your pipes compared to stock? __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

09-07-2007, 11:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
Townie In Training Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2005 Black M50 Location: Adelaide Australia Posts: 122	$%&^*@#&$ loud by aussie standards !!!!! but I love 'em !!!

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