Motorcycle Repair: Straight pipes, straight pipes, drag pipes

Question
Hello, I recently brought a 2004 Harley XL1200R Sportster, it's my first bike I've ever owned or ridden and I love the bike but I would like to increase it performance or at least make it sound louder than it does right now. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
                     Thank you,
                          Joshua

Answer
First, straight pipes or drag pipes do nothing for performance. They hurt it. They sound great, but do nothing for the midrange or low end. They are designed for high RPM's, where the normal does not ride. Go witha  tuned exhaust. Cycle Shack makes great pipes, are not that expensive and sound good.
My next suggestion would be to install a high flow air system. Makes the bike breath better.
Next, if you are going to do the above you are going to make the bike run lean, because its flowing better. Also, your bike came from the factory lean and now you are making is leaner. So I would install a Dyna-jet kit. This will richen it up and give you better throttle responce.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike