Cat delete, is it worth the money

[Ramrover]

Just bought a new 2018 rtl and installed a RLS muffler, sounds much better, but is it worth the money to install a cat delete and will it actually increase the performance of the bike.

Thanks for any info,

 

[Jarred]

I’m curious about this as well. I’ve been considering adding that over the winter. I believe one of my friends has it, his RT sounds better than mine, not sure if he did cat delete or just different pipes. Curious to hear what others say about increased performance or not.

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

I have 10,000 miles of pipe configuration TRACK TIMED testing before and after an ECU flash. If you have a stock ECU and bike, putting on a cat delete causes measurable power loss on the low end. I'm talking loosing four bike lengths going from 0 to 60 mph. The best test pipes were Akrapovic, Two Brothers or any pipe that at least offers some back pressure tuning. A stock bike against a Two Brothers with an added baffle pulls about two bike lengths. However, The Two Brothers and Akra have a slight roll on advantage in the 4,000 to 6,300 rpm range which is usable street riding power.
Hyperone and I have dialed in a pipe configurations to work with the ECU flash. I have the Monster Fuel ECU flash, RLS cat delete, Spyder One open exhaust and a total of THREE specific in-line Baffles. My 2016 F3L is an absolute Hot Rod and lays rubber through the first two gears. Roll on power in any gear is great with little or no down shifting. My bike is quiet down low and snorts pretty good when on the pipe
If all you are looking for is a better sound leave the delete in place and get an Akrapovic pipe and you should have some improved roll on in the mid range.
If you want 25% more power EVERYWHERE, get the ECU flash. It works great with the stock exhaust system. If you want a great sound with performance pm either me or Hyperone for a pipe configuration set up. Dennis

k

Just bought a new 2018 rtl and installed a RLS muffler, sounds much better, but is it worth the money to install a cat delete and will it actually increase the performance


Thanks for any info,

 

[GOZFST]

Ask if any of the cat delete manufacturers provide dyno run info. Louder, sure, lighter sure, less heat, probably, more performance, doubtful.

 

[Jarred]

ECU Flash seems like the best option. I need to lose some weight anyway, so I?ll just lose 15lbs and have ECU Flash done. This way I?m healthier, Spyder will perform better and I?ll have same advantage of Cat Delete! Lol.
It does sound cool, but I?m ok w the quiet pipes.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!
Jarred.

 

[2dogs]

The cat delete is likely more beneficial for the ear than it is or the butt dino. I think the producer benefits more than the buyer. An ECM flash may be a better investment in both the short term and long term and for the pocketbook.

 

[tibadoe]

I have the cat delete pipe by RLS on my list. It has some sort of a resonator can inline and suppose to produce a lower deeper tone. I wouldn't expect more power, but a bit better tone. If I don't like it, can always reinstall the OEM cat. Time will tell.

 

[2dogs]

I have the cat delete pipe by RLS on my list. It has some sort of a resonator can inline and suppose to produce a lower deeper tone. I wouldn't expect more power, but a bit better tone. If I don't like it, can always reinstall the OEM cat. Time will tell.

That's what I have Joe. Cat delete pipe with resonator (baffle) in-line. It will allow you to retain your low end toque. Good choice and sounds good too.

 

[tibadoe]

That's what I have Joe. Cat delete pipe with resonator (baffle) in-line. It will allow you to retain your low end toque. Good choice and sounds good too.

Thanks for the input. Just what I wanted to hear!

 

[2dogs]

Now save your bucks for an ECU flash. LOL

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

Both Hyperone and I run the RLS cat delete. The RLS DOES NOT RETAIN LOW END TORQUE. I had to add two additional Big City Thunder Baffles to my RLS cat delete.
https://www.bigcitythunder.com/product-category/qq-thunder-monster-baffles/ The resonator is in an outer shell. It is a straight pipe through that center resonator and how it is designed and packed tight makes me question how any exhaust gasses get into it. It is a good starting point for sound but still needs help if you have a free flow open exhaust. I did not conduct any timed test runs with the RLS and a stock exhaust. But, ALL OTHER TIMED TEST RUNS SUFFERED WITH FREE FLOW CAT DELETES. Some side by side test runs would loose up to four bike lengths in 0 to 60 mph testing.

That's what I have Joe. Cat delete pipe with resonator (baffle) in-line. It will allow you to retain your low end toque. Good choice and sounds good too.

 

[PaladinLV]

When I installed my CAT delete for my 2014RT, the main purpose was to reduce weight and to drastically reduce the heat generation on an already hot trike.
I did both admirably!

AJ

Just bought a new 2018 rtl and installed a RLS muffler, sounds much better, but is it worth the money to install a cat delete and will it actually increase the performance of the bike.

Thanks for any info,

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

When I installed my CAT delete for my 2014RT, the main purpose was to reduce weight and to drastically reduce the heat generation on an already hot trike.
I did both admirably!

AJ

A cat delete is a perfect solution to reduce heat and weight. On my RT, items in the glove box use to ROAST when I parked the bike. That really changed with the delete pipe. My F3L is more open underneath and there isn't a glove box above the cat. The RLS delete and my exhaust pipe are bright stainless steel and looks sharp underneath, so I'm really happy with the looks.
The power loss down low isn't noticeable for average driving. it's really obvious for a full throttle start as it chokes for a second and for me it didn't spin the rear wheel. I got the RLS delete well after my testing and was excited as I hoped it would perform right out of the box. After I got a few miles on it I went to the test track and was really bummed that it was no better than other deletes I tested.
But after sharing date with Hyperone I came up with a two Big City Thunder Baffle combination that took my total performance to a whole new level.
I now have my cake and get to eat it as well.
Dennis
https://www.bigcitythunder.com/product-category/qq-thunder-monster-baffles/
here is the product and are super easy to install. Based on the inside diameter of your delete it will be either a QBL1625 or a QQ1750 The front baffle installs with the cone toward the exhaust and the rear baffle with the cone towards the motor.

 

[PMK]

When I installed my CAT delete for my 2014RT, the main purpose was to reduce weight and to drastically reduce the heat generation on an already hot trike.
I did both admirably!

AJ

Agree, primary goal was heat reduction in slow traffic diring the summer. The reduced weight was good too.

For whatever reason, our RTS has bark at the exhaust note that others with the same bypass do not have. Maybe it is from always running high grade fuel, or possibly mods I did to the intake airflow.

I gave up trying to make a vehicle with 1100 pound empty weight and 115hp into anything more than a fun machine. A racer it is not.

I was hot for the remaps a while back, then came to my senses. Yes, it is a bargain cost wise to gain 25hp, but the power to weight numbers are just not there.

Also, with so little weight bias on the rear tire, even ours can spin the Yokohama s.Drive rear tire. Not a smoking burnout, but it still can make it happen until traction control gets involved.

These days and even before the one time I wish the bike had more is passing big vehicles on the highway where you are cruising at 75 and passing a bus, rv, or semi truck doing a few mph slower than you. That wall of air kind of stalls the Spyder until it punches through. Nowadays, I simply plan ahead, grab a handful and bladt through, then resume where cruise was set at.

The best part though is the upshift bang and decell burble and pops. That bang is the moment you think am I driving a paddle shift supercar. Whaaaa, Bang!, Whaaaa, Bang!

 

[ARtraveler]

:thumbup:

 

[308gunner]

Both Hyperone and I run the RLS cat delete. The RLS DOES NOT RETAIN LOW END TORQUE. I had to add two additional Big City Thunder Baffles to my RLS cat delete.
https://www.bigcitythunder.com/product-category/qq-thunder-monster-baffles/ The resonator is in an outer shell. It is a straight pipe through that center resonator and how it is designed and packed tight makes me question how any exhaust gasses get into it. It is a good starting point for sound but still needs help if you have a free flow open exhaust. I did not conduct any timed test runs with the RLS and a stock exhaust. But, ALL OTHER TIMED TEST RUNS SUFFERED WITH FREE FLOW CAT DELETES. Some side by side test runs would loose up to four bike lengths in 0 to 60 mph testing.

hey dennis...I talked to rick at RLS Exhaust and he said that he offers a baffle for the front of his cat bypass..I told him that I want a baffle on BOTH the front and rear of his cat delete pipe like you discribed...he said he had no problem installing a second baffle for the back. Im hoping his baffles are as good as the thunder ones you discribed in your post...i want to know your opinion on this...I also have a stage I ECU remap on mine as well.

 

[jlc41]

Baffles look like well points??

 

[tehrlich]

Just my own riding observations, but adding the Big City baffle to the straight cat delete really helps with the torque than without the baffle. It also sounds better to me. I never thought about adding two.

I originally added it to the cat delete when I first bought it because I didn't like the cat delete sound with the stock exhaust. After adding the BCT baffle, it was a lot better.

I bought the RLS delete and compared it to the cat delete / BCT baffle combo with the stock exhaust. I like it a lot more. It sounds better, to me. It isn't quite as loud and seems deeper sound. I'm guessing that it may have more back flow pressure than the straight cat delete and one BCT baffle. I imagine with two BCT baffles, it would be better.

 

[308gunner]

I ordered my polished RLS cat bypass today. I spoke to Rick at RLS and hes going to WELD in TWO additional honeycomb baffles..one for the input and one for the output...so it will be a three level system. Baffle(1)...Resonator(2)...Baffle(3). I also wrote in the request so theres no mistakes...and... they are also on sale so I saved 60 bucks.

 

[tehrlich]

I ordered my polished RLS cat bypass today. I spoke to Rick at RLS and hes going to WELD in TWO honeycomb baffles..one for the input and one for the output. I also wrote in the request so theres no mistakes...and... they are also on sale so I saved 60 bucks.

Cool. He will do a great job. His cat bypass fits perfectly.