Vance & Hines CS One Slip-On Exhaust | MC Tested

We love slip-on mufflers. They're less expensive and easier to install than full exhaust systems, yet offer significant weight savings and respectable power gains.

The Vance & Hines CS One line is a good example of the breed. Constructed from stainless steel, the CS One Black we tested-so called for its matte-black finish-comes with a nicely polished end cap.

Once the cables on our 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R's exhaust valve were disconnnected, mounting the slip-on took just 10 minutes and shed 5.5 lbs. Just as important, with its 15?8-inch quiet insert installed (the stock outlet diameter is 13/4- in.), the CS One is muffled to a pleasing but neighbor-friendly level.

Dyno results were good. With the stock air filter, the CS One unearthed an extra 1.8 horsepower and a tiny bit of torque, both at the same 14,400-rpm peak as stock. Better yet, the pipe helped smooth out the Ninja's power curve and produce more power throughout the rev range.

Seeking to further improve performance, we installed a V&H Fuelpak fuel controller, which added an additional .8 bhp. Then we slid in a K&N air filter (as recommended by V&H), but the results were less impressive: The ZX-6R inexplicably lost 2.3 bhp and .5 lb.-ft. of torque.

Nonetheless, overall we were quite pleased with the results of the V&H CS One muffler. Yes, we love slip-ons!

Vance & Hines Cs One Slip-On Exhaust
Price: $499 (fuel controller $279.95)
Contact: Vance & Hines
www.vanceandhines.com
Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Dollar-for-dollar, one of the most cost-effective and satisfying performance accessories you can buy.