Concours Owner Testimonials
(from the Concours Owners Group & Holeshot e-mail)

Colin Kelley (Broken Arrow, OK):

Ron Brown (Decatur, Illinois):

Robert Stahl:
Dale,
Thought I'd send you an e-mail to let you know I'm very pleased with my new Vortex™ slip-ons, and the stage 1 carb kit and airbox mod. The exhaust system brings my "98" Concours a "little attitude" now when I fire up the bike, a few heads turn in disbelief that a Concours has that cool rumble. After Dale bolted the Vortex system on, my wife and I were off to Tahoe for 4 days and put in 1000 miles on the new exhaust system, they performed great the whole trip, and they sound real wild in tunnels.
The sound is very smooth at cruising speed 70 mph to 80 mph I do wear ear plugs, but my wife doesn't and she said it sounds great. On the other hand if you get on the throttle it comes to life in a hurry, with a good deep rumble, that sounds like a small block V8, but when you back off its very socially acceptable. Power gains are pretty good as well, through the mid range all the way to the top end.
Fit and finish is excellent. The polished aluminum canisters look great and drop about 10 lbs.; and weight is horsepower! The best thing is the Vortex exhaust system is very kind to the ears, even the most conservative Concours owner will not be offended. It was nice working personally with Dale on the project, and giving him input on the sound of the pipes, and he nailed the sound perfectly. I give these slip-ons the thumbs up.

Dave Fritz wrote:
Just installed Dale Walkers Vortex mufflers on my 92 Concours today and here is my report. When you first open the box the mufflers are like things of beauty. Quality is top shelf and installation was easy, but I would recommend buying two new exhaust gaskets first. This is where the mufflers attach to the header pipes. Now the best part, they have that low resonating sound like a small block chevy with those "FlowMaster" type mufflers or like a Z28. At highway speed in highgear they are almost the same as the stock mufflers until you get on it. I also feel a big improvement in overall power & low speed torque using the stock jets. I'll try out those 128 jets in the spring.

Tyler Paris wrote:
Dale ,
I installed your Dyna coils and plug wires on my '93 Concours. What a difference! No more hard starting, improved acceleration and the bike just runs better. Thank you for offering products for the Concours. I am thinking I am now up for a jet kit.

Bob Wilde - (Houston, TX)
Ordered a pair of Holeshot Vortex performance slip-on mufflers after reading about them in the Concourier. I liked the concept of a throaty idle, a nice roar when getting it on, but being otherwise socially acceptable when just cruising.

The pipe's performance is as advertised: You get a cool rumble at idle to impress your friends while being only marginally louder while cruising. But put the engine under a load (say while accelerating), and they start to howl. Thus the mild mannered Barney bike now has a little attitude; all without pissing off everyone in the neighborhood. Don't know how Dale did it, but I'm very happy with the product. Certainly, aftermarket Harley pipes don't seem to have this characteristic; the ones in my neighborhood are loud under all conditions.

Tom "Ski" Konkolewski - (Klamath Falls, OR)
Hi Dale,
Just want to tell you how GREAT your slip-ons are on my "99" Concours. I just got back from the Concours Owners Group National Rally and with all the heads that turned when I pulled into the resort I think you'll be getting some orders soon. Whether in the twisties or the super slab, I had a very noticeable increase in performance. When our group stopped for gas, I always took the least amount. I increased my tank range to 260 miles before going to reserve (picked up 6 mpg), that's loaded with a passenger. As for the sound, it was just as you described in your advertisement, my back-seater had no complaints, there was no need to turn up the intercom or CD player. Again, I'm very happy with the purchase I made of your product and have shared my opinion with many of my fellow COGer's both in person and on our list server web site.

Tom "Ski" Konkolewski
COG# 4047
2001 COG National Rally Master

David Del Grosso wrote:
Dale, just wanted to let you know how happy I am with the Holeshot Vortex Slip-on's for my 99 Concours. The quality is first rate although I would have preferred stainless steel support brackets. I ended up making some up at a buddy's shop and they really look great. I will mail you some photo's. The sound is outstanding and I have found myself riding much more than ever as it made me remember why I used to love riding my 92 Ducati Paso with F1's - music to the ears. Glad I found your web site and appreciate a place to look for all the items to make my bike perform to it's capacity.

Jeff Hunkel wrote:
Dale, I finally put the Vortex slip-ons on my Concours and they sound great. It's hard to believe you can get such a deep sound out of a buzzy 4 cylinder motor. Being as I live in Wisconsin with the temperature in the teens and the wind chills below zero I have not been able to really ride it. I put 40 miles on the bike/slip-ons to see what they sound like at city cruising and highway speeds. I like the fact that they are not that much louder than stock until you really get on it. Great product. I can't wait to get the stage 1 jet kit put on, but that will probably not be for another month. Keep up the good work.

Jeff Hunkel wrote again:
Dale, I had the stage one power package jet kit installed on my 1998 Concours (I already had your Vortex slip-ons) and I am very impressed by the way the bike runs and the performance gains from it. The slip-ons and the jet kit sound and perform as you claimed they would. You sure did good work developing the two. Great products. Thank You.

Frank M. wrote:
Dale, got my slip-ons today and all I can say is WOW!! The pipes are awesome! The bike can really breath now! Sounds like an exotic sports car! Its got some attitude now! The noise level is much like stock, until you get on the pipe.
One happy camper! Thanks Dale.

Pat Muse, (Summit, MS):
Dear Dale, I just got the Holeshot Slip-ons installed on my 2005 Concours and "I LOVE EM". They are just as you described them. I can't wait till I get the bike broken in, so I can "hear them really talk". Tho, they sound good now when you just "roll on the throttle". At highway speed, they are calm and laid back. It seems more responsive as well. Thanks again for an excellent product.

Marcel Martinus, (Barendrecht,Netherlands):
Thank you Dale for my beautiful Concours Holeshot slip-ons.

Michael Castro:
Hey Dale,
I received your Vortex exhaust pipes for my 2002 Concours. They were quick & easy to put on AND Look/Sound very cool!! At first they sounded almost the same as the stock pipes (at idle) but once you give the throttle a little twist they get a sweet throaty tone. But thisÊwas all that I expected.
I took the bike out for a ride along Ocean Beach Great Highway last night. I went up and down those few straight-line-miles to see what the pipes could do for the performance of my bike. I am very impressed Dale- these slip-ons are great!!!!! I felt a big difference in throttle response. (And I haven't touched the carbs/stock air filter/timing- yet.) Now I'm convinced that if I've come this far with just the slip-ons...I must get your Stage 1 Jet Kit!!!!
Gratefully,
Michael

Todd Rice, (Grand Forks, ND):
Dale, I don't know how you do it. I just put my Holeshots on a few hours ago, and I can't believe the sound you can get out of that machine.
On the first ride it felt like an I.V. drip of adrenalin just because of the sound.
To be so smooth, and purr like a kitten at cruise, yet absolutely growl when opening the throttle. It's the best of both worlds.
The throttle is as much of a volume control as it is a power control now.
I've got to tell you, these things are pieces of art just to look at and hear.
Thanks for such a great product.

Gary Bretzman:
Dale - got the new mufflers and they went on just fine. Took me a while to get them even but got them where I want them. Found out I'm missing one of the rubber bumpers that keep the side stand form hitting the exhaust but I'll track one down, so until I get one, I made a spacer to keep the side stand off that awesome looking pipe. It was raining tonight after I got them on so all I could do was fire it up and here it idling on the Concours and it sounds GREAT. Can't wait to take her for a spin.
 
Thanks for a great product, great customer service and I'll let you know what I think after I get a few miles on the new pipes.

Michael Miller:
Hi Dale,
Just thought I'd drop a note about your exh. sys. which I purchased in 2002 for my concours.
It has been flawless. The installation instructions were helpfull and concise. The performance has been phenominal. Most people don't evan realize they are on untill I "open it up." The sound is aggressive but not obnoxious. And the additional power AND reduced weight are felt immediatly.
All in all I'm very happy with my purchase and want a set for my '03 SV1000S. Probably next year.
Also, I wanted to ask if Liza had made it to the U.S. yet. I ask because I, too, have married a filipina. And, like Liza, she is very loving and dedicated to our relationship.
I wish you all the happiness together and hope your business continues to prosper.
Sincerly
Michael Miller
A VERY satisfied customer

anonymous:
Dale,
Just wanted to say thanks for making sure I got my Concours exhaust in time for Americade this weekend. They were incredibly simple install, they look great and the quality is impressive. I got noticable performance gains especially in midrange acceleration. My only complaint is that they sound so awesome that I'm constantly on the throttle and my gas mileage is going to hell! Like I'm 16 again...I can't get enough of the sound. Now my dad's jealous and wants a set for his FJR. Thanks again for a great product and the service I needed.

Josh:
Dear Holeshot,
Just installed the Stage 1 kit on my 2000 Concours. Then I had it dyno-tuned at a reputable shop. Wow! It's like a new bike! Did I say "Wow"? Very crisp throttle response, highly improved low speed performance (much smoother -- no more stumbling), better fuel mileage, and smoother, quieter all the way around. I couldn't be more pleased with your product.

Danny R. Minor:
Hello Dale,
Just wanted to let you know how happy I am. I now have the jet kit/advancer/k&n filter installed, plus your polished slip-ons, plus the Dyna coils with yellow wires. I was able to install the coils and use the stock mounts. They are tucked in nice and neat. Bike runs super. I have some X1-R and will add it at next oil change and also to the rear drive unit. Thanks to you for the great products and knowledge.

(next up is a rear suspension upgrade and some weight shavings)

Best regards,
Danny

Scott (PA):
Dale, Just finished installing your exhaust. This is the best money I've spent on the bike. These are not only the best quality that I've seen, they sound great. I have your stage 1 and can't wait to get it installed. Thanks for a job well done.

Scott (PA):
Dale. I finally put the stage 1 kit on the Concours. Now let me tell you, what a difference. We went from Concours to "Super Concours"  This machine runs great. Kit was very easy to install as were the slip-ons.  Thanks again!!!!

Brian Gumaer:
Alright, I read everything all the other people had writen.about the ZG-1000 And beings there aren't many after market parts for my "Connie", I thought why not. There's a reason not many makers make parts for them........you make the best. I have a 2005 A20 (nice bike). This is my second concours (87, now 2005). I bought both the stage 1 jet kit +, and the Vortex pipes in black. Wake up!!! I don't need the new 1400. The one thing no one seemed to mention is the throttle response. This thing will bring the front tire off the ground in the first four gears. "Light the wick"!!! The sound turns heads, but the lag between wrist and tire is a quarter of what it was. Fast has become faster (cruising is better too). Thanks Dale.