I ordered a full exhaust system for my bike on 29 December 2025. It was supposed to be my winter project. It arrived 9 February 2026, which wasn't unexpected.
I started the install late February/early March and had a serious fitment issue. The exhaust headers had flanges that are entirely too thick and I noted the nuts wouldn't thread on fully.
At the time I suspected one of the following:
1. The headers were not fully seated. (User error)
2. The flanges are incorrect for my model.
3. The headers were welded incorrectly or for the wrong model.
I opted to torque the nuts, which only threaded on between one and two turns, to 10 pound-feet. The headers did not seat any further, and the nuts only threaded on another turn or two. (The studs were not even flush with the end of the nut at this point) I stop the install, take some pictures, and send it to CS Racing customer support on March 2nd, 2026.
The next day they ask if the nuts are tightened fully to which I told them my 10 pounds-feet setting. They respond "You can tighten them more. Let's see how it sits." They didn't give a torque value. I tightened them to 20 pounds-feet which got another couple of turns. I then went to 30 pounds-feet, which bent a flange and a stud.
Again, I stop the install, take pictures, and send it to customer support. They say "We changed the flanges and we’ll ship a new set to you. Sorry about the inconvenience."
Why ship an exhaust with flanges that are not current? Why tell me to tighten them more, if you already know there was a design change to solve this issue?
I had to replace the studs and overtorqued nuts. CS Racing hasn't helped with this added cost, claiming that I shouldn't have gone so far. But they couldn't be bothered by giving me a torque value.
At this point it's March 9th, and getting into motorcycle season. Not hearing anything, I reach out on the 12th (a Thursday) to see if the flanges have been shipped. Not only have they not, but they told me they will ship on the 16th.
It takes a week to get a customer replacement parts for a manufacturer defect?
I got a shipping notice that replacement headers were shipped March 17th 2026, for a March 25th delivery. On March 22nd I got a follow-up email that the headers have not yet shipped, but was delivered on the 23rd (two weeks later). The new headers are approximately 1/8" shorter than the first set.
Once fitted with the new headers, the exhaust went together as expected. I still can't fathom why CS Racing would send out a kit with headers that were already known not to fit. This install would have been done three weeks earlier if I had the correct headers to begin with, and there wouldn't have been a risk to my engine or studs. I'm out extra cost having to replace studs, and out time having to assemble and disassemble multiple times.
