One of the first upgrades Indian Pursuit riders ask about is exhaust. The stock system is... competent. Quiet, efficient, no complaints. But it's also anonymous. After 15,000 km on a 2020 Indian RoadMaster and another 2,000 km on my 2024 Pursuit on stock pipes, I made the switch to Stage 1 exhaust and air cleaner. I've now got about 1,000 km on the new setup — here's what actually changed.
The Indian Pursuit comes with a compliant catalytic convertor system that meets emissions standards and keeps noise under 80 dB. Noble goals. Boring result.
Stock exhausts prioritize drivability, low-end torque, and neighbor relations. They're tuned to make the engine perform evenly across all RPM ranges without drawing attention. For a cruiser designed to tour, that's sensible. For riders who care about the actual experience of being on the bike, it's a missed opportunity.
A Stage 1 exhaust rebalances that equation. You get better throttle response, richer exhaust note, and the psychological benefit of riding something that sounds intentional.
This is the main event. Here's what I noticed after the swap:
Stock Exhaust — Quiet, muffled growl. At idle, you barely hear the PowerPlus 108. Cruising, it's a soft rumble. Throttle hard and you get... a slightly louder rumble. No character. No drama. Just an engine working.
Stage 1 Exhaust — Noticeably deeper. At idle, you hear the firing order. V-twin character actually emerges. Cruising between 2000-3000 RPM, the note is rich without being aggressive. Throttle up past 4000 RPM and the engine sings—there's actual harmonic definition to the exhaust note. It's aggressive without being antisocial.
Highway riding feels more connected. City riding turns heads (mostly good, some annoyed). The sound isn't raspy or tinny—it's that classic American V-twin rumble, but with presence.
| Scenario | Stock | Stage 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Idle | Barely audible | Purposeful rumble |
| Cruising (2000-3000 RPM) | Soft background | Rich, musical |
| Throttle (4000+ RPM) | Generic growl | Aggressive V-twin character |
| Noise Level | ~78 dB | ~84 dB (still legal) |
Here's where I'm brutally honest: horsepower gains are modest. The Stage 1 doesn't fundamentally change what the PowerPlus 108 can do. You don't unlock hidden power reserves.
What changes is how the power feels. The exhaust flows more efficiently, so there's less backpressure fighting the engine. This translates to:
• Quicker throttle response — Rolling on at low-mid RPM is more immediate
• Smoother midrange — The RPM sweet zone (2500-4000) feels lusher
• Cleaner higher RPM — You can actually use the full rev range without feeling like you're dragging the engine
• Cruising feel — Less work to maintain speed. You feel like the bike wants to go, not like you're pulling it along
With just the Stage 1 exhaust, you're looking at modest gains on a dyno — maybe 3-5 hp. But pair it with the Stage 1 air cleaner and a proper ECU tune, and the combined package typically shows 8-12 hp over stock on the PowerPlus 108. More importantly, it's not just peak horsepower — torque comes in sooner, throttle response sharpens up noticeably, and the power delivery feels linear rather than muffled.
I'm only about a month in and roughly 1,000 km on the new setup, so I can't give you a long-term verdict yet — but first impressions are excellent. The bike feels genuinely different to ride. Whether it's the exhaust note or the actual performance improvement, it's hard to go back to stock once you've felt it.
I had both the Stage 1 exhaust and the Stage 1 air cleaner installed at the same time by my Indian dealer here in New Brunswick — and if you're going to do one, you should do both. These two upgrades are designed to work together, and doing them simultaneously means one dealer visit, one ECU tune, and the engine breathing properly from the start.
Important: You need an ECU tune after the Stage 1 exhaust install. This is not optional. Without a proper tune, the engine is running on the stock fuel map which is calibrated for the restrictive stock exhaust and air cleaner. Your dealer handles this as part of the install — Indian has a specific Stage 1 tune that dials in fueling and ignition timing to match the freer-flowing system. Budget for this when you're pricing out the upgrade.
Why add the Stage 1 air cleaner at the same time? The engine needs to breathe in and out efficiently. The Stage 1 exhaust opens up the exhaust side — the Stage 1 air cleaner does the same for intake. Together, the engine gets a more complete airflow improvement and the ECU tune accounts for both changes in one shot. Doing them separately means two tune sessions and two labor bills.
The dealer did a clean job — about 2-3 hours combined for both installs plus the tune. Fitment is perfect on both. No clearance issues, no heat concerns. The Stage 1 exhaust sits exactly where stock pipes do, and the air cleaner bolts right in.
DIY on the exhaust is possible, but the ECU tune requires dealer software — so you'll need a dealer visit regardless. Makes sense to have them do the whole package.
About one month and roughly 1,000 km on the new setup so far. Zero issues — no rattles, no heat damage to nearside gear, no concerns. The stainless construction is already holding up well through New Brunswick spring riding conditions.
The Stage 1 air cleaner needs periodic cleaning and re-oiling (similar to a K&N-style filter) — your dealer will walk you through the interval. The exhaust itself just needs an occasional check for loose bolts and corrosion. Pretty low-maintenance overall.
Long-term? Stage 1 systems are proven — Indian has thousands of riders running this combo. I'll post an update after a full season, but so far so good.
Yes — if you ride the bike actively and want it to feel more intentional. The Stage 1 isn't a performance engine upgrade; it's a personality upgrade. Your Indian goes from anonymous to distinctive.
No — if you're chasing horsepower on a tight budget. The full Stage 1 package — exhaust, air cleaner, and dealer labour including the ECU tune — runs approximately $2,000 all in. It's not cheap, but you're getting a complete, properly tuned system from the factory brand. If raw power per dollar is your goal, there are other paths.
The real question: do you want your bike to match your riding? The Stage 1 exhaust says yes. It costs money and sounds like freedom.