My 2019 RM had Freedom Slip-ons when I bought it. It sounded okay, not really great… The chrome was already flaking off the tips, but since I was possibly going to change them, I didn’t mess with them for over a year. I recently put the Freedom True Dual headers on and man, those pipes sound great! Now, I gotta fix the tips… New tip are $150 each, minimum. Nope. That ain’t happenin’. Eastwood Company makes an exhaust manifold coating that comes in a spray can. The directions are pretty specific about cleanliness and moisture and I followed them carefully. Lost of sand paper needed to smooth out the edges and remove the flaking. I put 4 coats of coating on the tips. Now after about 10 heat cycles, they are holding up very well. Hopefully, it will continue.
Guess Freedom Quality has gone South 4 1/2 Years and 80,000+ Miles on my 2012 Victory and the Freedom Exhaust True Duals, Tips and All still looked New .. I opted for the Black Tips Though.. This is after detailed the Ride with Topcoat just before trading it in on the Chieftain Dark Horse ..
I seem to remember a few years ago that someone posted somewhere complaining about Freedom finish quality. At the time, I just had the headers and had no issues.The pipes are fine, a few small surface rust spots where they drag, but that’s it.
I may be a bit premature, it has not been hot outside, so the exhaust pipe tip is going to be cooler than it would in the summertime in traffic.I do know that Eastwood makes quality products and this is designed as an exhaust manifold coating for automobiles. There is a LOT more heat in an engine bay than the exhaust tips will ever see, so I am hoping for the best.
Blame the quality of chrome on all your rules and regulations regarding the chromium plating process. Handling of chemicals etc. I've been told from a good source in Phoenix, that V&H and Freedom products are either chromed in China or Mexico by the container loads.
As much I hate to admit it your probably right. God forbid we do it ourselves and do it right Greta Thornburg would never approve...man we're Phucked!
I have experienced lesser quality in V&H on my Dyna why switched from V&H Pro Pipe to Bassani 2:1's The Chrome and Header itself messing up ..
They look good. $150 for one tip? I wouldn't give that for two of them! Those people are snorting the crystal draino!!!
Prices on a lot Bike Accessories has gotten ridiculous .. And 80% of them come from Child Labor China .. Sometimes wish I still had access to the Ship's Machine Shop.. Made some pretty nice things there ..
It’s not so much that the regulations prevent us from doing it in the US, they just prevent us from doing it economically.
I did a lot of Research before getting the Two Brothers Racing Slip on .. While Sounds does count, The Reviews on them was actually what sold me of getting them .. While the sound of the V&H might have been slightly better.. The Reviews of the Quality of them sold me especially for $200 Less .. Is a little early yet to say they were right choice, but after over a 1,000 miles, have no regrets and my understanding is they are US made ..