I had the Stage 1 installed Wednesday and so far I'm very pleased. Overall the system seems very well sorted.  I have experienced absolutely NO POPPING and trust me, I tried as hard as I could to get it to pop.  That's not to say it will never pop but so far it's every bit as well mannered as the stock program.

The sound is not as loud as I was hoping for.  It's a nice deep rumble at idle but honestly, probably only a few dB's louder than stock.  Under acceleration it does open up and bark.  I'm told it should get a bit louder as it builds up some carbon and loosens up the packing.  I also need to remember that I sit very far forward of the exhaust so what I'm hearing probably isn't what people I pass hear.

The pipes themselves have a larger tailpipe, 1 3/4" vs. 1 1/2" and really fill out the stock tailpipe covers.  The pipes are also very free flowing with no forced direction changes to the primary flow.  You can see right through them which is rare these days for a factory pipe.  I don't know for sure but these may be the same internally as the Vision pipe, it wouldn't surprise me.

Performance is much better with the most notable thing being the motor's willingness to pull hard to redline.  Stock the motor is really choked past 4000 RPM. With the stage 1 kit it pulls very well to redline with less vibration past 4000 than with the stock system.

Overall, I give these a 4 star rating.  They miss that last star because they could be a bit louder IMHO but I suspect most of that is because the cats are still in the head pipes.

Great Review!

Thanks for the great info and video.

It seems alot different than the stock sound. (way better)

Andy wrote: Great Review! Hearing the sound of the exhaust is priceless! Thanks for taking the time of producing and posting the video.  (I'm glad the Cadillac didn't take out your camera!).

I know, the camera was on a box just off the road.  I used an undeveloped sub division so there's rarely any traffic but of course, someone needed to sight see and drive by when I was taping.  I could have stood there for 4 hours without anyone passing had I not had a camera and a mission.

Sounds DAMN GOOD to me, thanks for all the work you put into the video. It also looks as though Vic may have solved the popping issue?!

Thanks for all of your hard work putting together the video, bike and exhaust on order.

Yep, sounds like a Vic.  Very nice!!  They sound great!

Mark,

 

Is that a slip on system or completely new exhaust?  (sorry, having trouble viewing the video on the hotel wifi connection)

 

Don

dsjr70 wrote: Mark,   Is that a slip on system or completely new exhaust?  (sorry, having trouble viewing the video on the hotel wifi connection)   Don

Don,

The "stage 1" kit is 2 slip on pipes, a performance air filter (made in Vietnam.....) and a reflash of the ECM.  It retains the stock head pipes and crossover that also includes the cats.  I know some have removed the cats on their Visions and it opens up the sound but I think it also leads to a lot of the popping people complain about.

From what I've read the cats are the free flowing type so I doubt there's any significant gains in HP to be had so I think I'll leave then alone.

mjw930 wrote: dsjr70 wrote: Mark,   Is that a slip on system or completely new exhaust?  (sorry, having trouble viewing the video on the hotel wifi connection)   Don Don, The "stage 1" kit is 2 slip on pipes, a performance air filter (made in Vietnam.....) and a reflash of the ECM.  It retains the stock head pipes and crossover that also includes the cats.  I know some have removed the cats on their Visions and it opens up the sound but I think it also leads to a lot of the popping people complain about. From what I've read the cats are the free flowing type so I doubt there's any significant gains in HP to be had so I think I'll leave then alone.

 

I thought so, I had the slip-ons put on my Vegas and there was no popping.  I didn't like the sound and ended up going with the swept exhaust.  Sound was much better but then got the infamous pop...  It wasn't bad enough for me to go back to the slipons and with changing my riding style it was almost non existent

dsjr70 wrote: mjw930 wrote: dsjr70 wrote: Mark,   Is that a slip on system or completely new exhaust?  (sorry, having trouble viewing the video on the hotel wifi connection)   Don Don, The "stage 1" kit is 2 slip on pipes, a performance air filter (made in Vietnam.....) and a reflash of the ECM.  It retains the stock head pipes and crossover that also includes the cats.  I know some have removed the cats on their Visions and it opens up the sound but I think it also leads to a lot of the popping people complain about. From what I've read the cats are the free flowing type so I doubt there's any significant gains in HP to be had so I think I'll leave then alone.   I thought so, I had the slip-ons put on my Vegas and there was no popping.  I didn't like the sound and ended up going with the swept exhaust.  Sound was much better but then got the infamous pop...  It wasn't bad enough for me to go back to the slipons and with changing my riding style it was almost non existent

Understood.  If this were a Jackpot, Hammer or Vegas it would be too quiet and I would be going the full exhaust route but considering it's a touring cruiser the sound it about right.  Loud enough so people know you are riding a motorcycle but quiet enough to still hear the radio :)

I understand the thinking, that is the same reason I am not doing anything to the exhaust on my Vision.

mjw,

 

Great documentary video! Because the Victory legion is so small this info is priceless. Everyone has been wondering about the stage 1. I will also pass this on to my dealer.

 

I think the exhaust note sounds perfect.

 

I currently have a JP in Lucky Lime w/Victory Swepts and running on the S+S map and it's running pretty good. I had tried the Lloyd's PC and the Service Mgr. dialed it in w/o a dynotune and while it ran really strong, I couldn't live with the popping, so it's mounted, but disconnected. The S+S map works great. I had originally tried the Ness Signature series exhaust with the S+S map but it was like cannon fire between shifts. LOL

 

I want a few more Victory bikes and toying with the idea of getting a CR with add ons, or picking up another JP leftover if I can "steal" it.

 

I have to finance everything I buy and with no real retirement nest egg it may appear that I've lost my mind. But I feel there's a "return" on my crazyNESS.

 

A Victory tour bike is definitely in my future as I had 3 Kawi Nomads and a Vulcan 2000 Limited.

 

I'm kind of living out my second childhood right now (56) with the JP just bombing around with it and I love it. I think BOTH the CR and CC will be big for Victory.

 

 

mjw930 wrote: dsjr70 wrote: mjw930 wrote: dsjr70 wrote: Mark,   Is that a slip on system or completely new exhaust?  (sorry, having trouble viewing the video on the hotel wifi connection)   Don Don, The "stage 1" kit is 2 slip on pipes, a performance air filter (made in Vietnam.....) and a reflash of the ECM.  It retains the stock head pipes and crossover that also includes the cats.  I know some have removed the cats on their Visions and it opens up the sound but I think it also leads to a lot of the popping people complain about. From what I've read the cats are the free flowing type so I doubt there's any significant gains in HP to be had so I think I'll leave then alone.   I thought so, I had the slip-ons put on my Vegas and there was no popping.  I didn't like the sound and ended up going with the swept exhaust.  Sound was much better but then got the infamous pop...  It wasn't bad enough for me to go back to the slipons and with changing my riding style it was almost non existent Understood.  If this were a Jackpot, Hammer or Vegas it would be too quiet and I would be going the full exhaust route but considering it's a touring cruiser the sound it about right.  Loud enough so people know you are riding a motorcycle but quiet enough to still hear the radio :)

 

And I was thinking of a 2 into 1 system for my XC. This system did not sound bad at all. A little quiet but doing time in the saddle it will be just about right, not enough to bug you over the long haul.

 MJW930 give a heads up when the windscreen is ready to test. theres going to be so relief here and I'm thinking of taking her out without a shield..

Great review. I had my Stage 1 and heated seat installed on Wednesday. I like the low rumble and can hear the radio with full face pretty well.

 

The seat works great. when I left the dealer it was 33 degrees and I had to alternate the seat between off and low. High would light you on fire. Kept the heated grips on high.

 

 

That is a fabulous effort to share the information with others. 

Thanks for the great video.

I notice there was no big mouth tips on the exhaust - I thought that was included with the stage I price?

Woody63 wrote: I notice there was no big mouth tips on the exhaust - I thought that was included with the stage I price?

No, they aren't part of the Stage 1.  I think there was a mistake on their accessory website that showed the big mouth tips in the entry for the stage 1 kit.  Not sure if that's been corrected.

Woody63 wrote: I notice there was no big mouth tips on the exhaust - I thought that was included with the stage I price?

Nope, I just priced one out at the dealer and they're not included but have to say they look real nice.

It's posts like these that really help prospective buyers with their decision. Thanks for the time,  information and effort. Much appreciated.

bubba wrote: Yep, sounds like a Vic.  Very nice!!  They sound great!

Sounds GREAT!!! GOOD JOB!!!!
Does anyone miss the "POP"?


Ride Safe
Tim

That was just gr8. The sound of that is nice. Makes me want to go out and start my vic and listen to it run lol.

Anyone know the hp and torque figures with the stage 1?

I watched 2x.  Bueno Amigo!!!  Good job.  (I kepts stopping the video when the car drove by - trying to figure out what make & model it was.  Oh well ....  ).

This is just what I was told by the Grand Rapids MI dealer. It is supposed to add 5 hp. Not sure of the torque increase.

Well UPS dropped off my Stage 1 Exhaust. I'll put them on next week. Thanks for the review. It made it easier to pull the trigger. They are still heavy....