Hi all, In the next few weeks I'll be buying my very first HD after 29years of riding a Honda Shadow 1100. I’ve decided after a couple of test rides to get a 2019 RGS. My question is relative to the benefits, if any, to going to a Stage 1 right from the get-go or is it best to wait till after the break-in period or even the 1K service?

I really like the sound and look of the Rineharts 4” or even the 4.5” slip ons, air cleaner I'm still in the “ air”, no pun intended and the SE tuner to “avoid” warranty issues.

Any other advice would be appreciated as well.

 

best benefit is getting rid of the hideous stock cover

 

Do it before you take it off the lot. You’re covered by factory warranty then.

 

You mentioned warranty.
Remember factory warranty does not cover aftermarket exhaust, no matter who installs it, or what they tell you. Factory warranty covers the original components. Custom coverage ( 2 year, unlimited mileage & ESP) applies when you have the dealer add HD approved accessories within the first 60 days of ownership.
If warranty is important to you, don't give them any ammo.
I suggest adding the SE Street Cannon slip-ons, SE Heavy Breather, and SE Street tuner before delivery.
Pretty hard for them to deny any coverage going this way.

 

+ 1 Post 4.

If I wanted to use aftermarket, I would put 1000 miles and on first to "weed out" any build flaws.
Good luck.

 

That's about what I did. Waited about 3 weeks, which accomplished the same thing.

 

I put SE slip ons and air intake as soon as I bought my 2014. Wanted good performance without the noise and keep it legal.
Had the dealer do download until warranty was up. Then FP3.
Very happy with pipes and intake. But don’t do the download. Do SE Tuner and you will be happy.

 

Why not try something different like putting about 5k miles on the bike before doing anything to it. You may ride it and be pleased with it as is after riding the Shadow for so many years.

 

Did stage one before delivery; than waited a week before making more changes. 5 years later still making changes.

 

The '19 RGS is a M8-114. From a lot of the many reccomendations I got here in the forum, a Dealer installed Stage I is really unnecessary at all on a 114. Nothing or very little to gain. Most have reccommender to go directly to Stage II if a performance upgrade is really desired. Of course aftermarket tuner is best with the Stage II, but that voids warrenty as you are aware of.

I my case I did nothing to my '19 SGS except replace the stock slip-ons with Magnaflow 4.5 Hitmam slip-ons just io improve the sound. I like them because they are not VERY loud, but have a deep heavy throated rumble. No tune needed. I was temped to go with Rineharts also, but I have them on my '18 Heritage and they are getting progressively louder and raspier to a point where they are getting to an uncomfortable sound level.

Edit: BTW, I'm very happy with the performance level of my bike. Its for touring, not a race bike, althougt for me it is rabbit quick and, if I'm not careful, hard to keep below 80 MPH on the highway.