I didn't do them in stages as you asked, but here is my opinion. I will say, I have had Thunderheaders on my last few bikes (loud), about 8 years worth. I was ready for a change, needed something a little less loud. The wife doesn't like it, she wants the TH back!! I only have about 4 hundred miles on my x pipe, 2.25 baffles and TTS tune, at this point. I have to say I am liking them more and more each day. In my opinion you need to go for it. The stock head pipe is so restricked it isn't even funny. I have 2 friends with stock 2011 103" bikes. Both added slip ons only, both are very unhappy with the outcome. I added what I discribed above and am happy, both wish thier bike sounded like mine. Worst case, you have a great head pipe and tuner. At that point you can go with different slip on's or wrap some of the baffles as discribed above. One thing I can say, your bike will run WAY better, get that CAT out, get a tune, your bike will run cooler, better all the way around. Here is my head pipe after about 150 miles, blue as HELL