Baffles in stock pipes

Since the ethanol thread got such a lively and informative response, let me try another one. Last year an experienced long-time riding buddy got a totally stock EFI 2004 Road King. He immediately took a long piece of drill rod and punched out the baffles in both mufflers. He made no other modifications, ie air cleaner or map flash. He's been riding that way for almost a year with no apparent ill effects. He likes the sound better and the bike has logged at least 10,000 miles without signs of overheating, etc. Mileage is in the upper 30's to low 40's. From all I've read and seen both here and elsewhere, this is not a recommended procedure for changing the sound but it seems to have worked here. Is he inviting major damage down the road?

Reference

If your buddy immediately punched out the baffles he would not have any reference to go on, as far as performance goes. If it seems to run “O.K,” and, if, all he is after is loud, Then that’s fine and dandy, but I would think he could have better performance from an performance-pipe that can be both loud AND perform. (IMO).

Econo-sound

I agree with Killer-B. If there SEEMS to be no ill effects from the mod, and it's been that long, why sweat it now? Ultimately, if he wants to get performance WITH sound he'll need to go after-market and get some designed to do so. We're all limited to what we have in our pockets!

I believe his only purpose was to get a deeper rumble with the stock pipes. This guy rides a lot, and stock performance has always been satisfactory so it wasn't a matter of looking for more horsepower. And yes, budget is ALWAYS an issue. The queston arose because these motors have become so finicky in the last few years. Just from reading the threads here, you have to be fairly sophisticated in selecting a performance package. Plus, if the powers that be ever institute an emissions inspection like we have for cars here in Pennsylvania, as has been suggested, we will have a whole new set of issues to deal with. Thanks for the input.

Non-smogger

Yesirreee, emissions, what a bummer. CD, and those folks out there in Arizona ought to be tuned into that one. From what I’ve been reading there’s a couple counties in AZ. Along with two other states that have yearly motorcycles emission standards to comply with.