Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde Exhaust for Indian Pursuit: 3-Mode Sound Review
I've been running a Stage 1 exhaust on my 2024 Indian Pursuit Dark Horse for about 10,000 km (6,200 miles) now, and it sounds great. But there's one thing that bugs me — it's loud all the time. Early morning starts, quiet neighborhoods, late-night arrivals... there's no volume knob. That's exactly the problem the Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust was built to solve.
It's an electronically adjustable exhaust system with three sound modes you switch on the fly with a handlebar-mounted button. Push once for near-stock quiet. Push again for a deeper growl. Push a third time and the valve opens fully — that's Mr. Hyde mode, and it's the one that turns heads. Let me break down what this system is, how it works on the Pursuit, and whether it's worth the premium price tag.
Table of Contents
How the Electronic Valve System Works
The core of the Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde system is a motorized valve inside the muffler. When the valve is closed, exhaust gases are routed through a longer, more restricted path — quieter. When it's open, gases flow straight through — louder and more free-flowing. A halfway position gives you a middle ground. The whole thing is controlled by a button on your handlebar, and you can switch modes while riding.
This isn't a new concept — cars have had variable exhaust valves for years. But Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde (a Dutch company with German engineering) was the first to bring it to motorcycles in a way that's actually street legal and reliable. They've been at it since 2013 and now offer systems for Harley-Davidson, Indian, Triumph, and BMW.
Indian Motorcycle officially partnered with Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde in 2026, making the exhaust available as an accessory across the entire 2026 Indian lineup — Scout, Chief, Challenger, Pursuit, Chieftain, and Roadmaster.
The Three Sound Modes Explained
The system offers three distinct personalities:
- Dr. Jekill Mode (Quiet): The valve is closed. The bike is quieter than stock — genuinely quiet. This is your early-morning-leaving-the-neighborhood mode. Indian Pursuit owners on the Facebook Indian Pursuit group report it's actually quieter than the factory exhaust, which is impressive for an aftermarket system.
- Dynamic Mode (Middle): The valve is halfway open. You get a deeper, richer tone than stock without being obnoxious. This is your everyday cruising mode — sounds good, doesn't draw unwanted attention. One Indian Roadmaster owner described it as "very comfortable" for long highway stretches.
- Mr. Hyde Mode (Loud): The valve is fully open. This is where the exhaust breathes freely and the Pursuit's 108ci PowerPlus engine sounds like it should. Deep rumble at idle, aggressive bark on acceleration. This is the mode you want on open roads, twisties, and anywhere you want to be heard.
Fitment on the Indian Pursuit
The Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde Grand exhaust system is confirmed for the Indian Challenger and Pursuit from 2020 through 2026. That covers my 2024 Pursuit Dark Horse and the newer 2026 Pursuit Limited. The system is a complete bolt-on kit — no cutting, no welding, no permanent modifications to the bike.
Available configurations for the Pursuit include:
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Bike fitment | Indian Challenger / Pursuit 2020-2026 |
| System type | Grand (full system) or Grand Big Shot (muffler kit) |
| Adjustment | Electronic, handlebar-mounted button |
| Modes | 3 (Dr. Jekill / Dynamic / Mr. Hyde) |
| Warranty | 4 years |
| Street legal | Yes, all three modes |
| Material | Stainless steel, available in black or chrome finish |
| End cap options | Multiple styles (Big Shot, standard, black, chrome) |
What It Costs
This is where it gets real. The Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde is a premium product with a premium price:
- Grand Big Shot Muffler Kit: Starting around $599.95 USD (RevZilla) — this is the muffler with the electronic valve, the most popular option for Pursuit owners who want the adjustability without replacing the entire system.
- Grand Full System: $1,500-3,800 USD depending on configuration (color, end caps, electronics package). Dennis Kirk lists the black Grand system with Big Shot end cap at $3,780 USD.
- Installation: If you're not doing it yourself, expect $200-500 in labor. The system is designed for DIY installation with basic tools, and Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde provides installation videos on their website.
For comparison, my Indian Stage 1 exhaust cost roughly $1,200 CAD ($875 USD) including installation. The Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde is two to four times that price. The question is whether the three-mode adjustability is worth the premium to you.
Installation
Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde provides detailed installation videos on their website for Indian models, and the system is designed as a bolt-on replacement. The key steps:
- Remove the stock exhaust (basic hand tools, 30-45 minutes).
- Bolt on the new muffler system using the included hardware.
- Mount the electronic control module and wire it to the battery.
- Install the handlebar button (fits standard handlebar mounts).
- Pair the system — the button communicates wirelessly with the valve controller.
Total install time is roughly 2-3 hours for someone comfortable with basic motorcycle maintenance. No ECU reflash is required — the system is designed to work with the stock tune, though a Stage 1 calibration would optimize performance in Mr. Hyde mode.
Dr. Jekill vs Stage 1 vs Other Aftermarket
Here's how the Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde stacks up against the options most Pursuit owners consider:
| System | Price (USD) | Sound Control | Street Legal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Stage 1 (stock upgrade) | ~$875 | None — one volume | Yes |
| Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde Grand Big Shot | ~$600-1,500 | 3 modes, electronic | Yes |
| Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde Grand Full System | ~$1,500-3,800 | 3 modes, electronic | Yes |
| S&S Qualifier 2-in-1 | ~$800-1,000 | 2 levels (manual baffle removal) | Yes (with baffles) |
| Vance & Hines (if available for Pursuit) | ~$700-900 | None — one volume | Yes |
The S&S Qualifier is the closest competitor in terms of sound adjustability, but it requires physically removing dB reducers to change the sound — not something you do while riding. The Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde is the only system that lets you go from whisper-quiet to full-rumble with a button press at highway speed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Three sound modes on the fly — genuinely useful in real-world riding
- Street legal in all modes, including wide-open Mr. Hyde
- 4-year warranty with serial-numbered plate
- Bolt-on installation, no permanent mods
- Official Indian Motorcycle partnership for 2026 models
- Dr. Jekill mode is quieter than stock — great for early starts and noise-sensitive areas
- Premium build quality, German engineering, Dutch craftsmanship
Cons
- Expensive — two to four times the cost of a Stage 1 exhaust
- Not as loud on the PowerPlus (liquid-cooled) as on Thunderstroke (air-cooled) models
- Electronic components add complexity — more potential failure points than a passive muffler
- Availability can be spotty — some configurations ship in 1-2 weeks
- Full system at $3,800 is a serious investment for an exhaust
My Verdict
As a 2024 Pursuit owner who rides 10,000+ km (6,200+ miles) a year across all kinds of terrain — from quiet Maritime neighborhoods to wide-open highway — the Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde solves a real problem. My Stage 1 exhaust is great on the highway and terrible at 6 AM in a campground. The ability to switch modes would genuinely change how I ride.
Is it worth $1,500-3,800 USD? That depends on your budget and how much the sound flexibility matters to you. If you tour a lot and pass through noise-restricted areas — national parks, residential areas, early ferry departures — the Dr. Jekill mode alone might justify the cost. If you only ride weekends and want loud all the time, save your money and get a Stage 1.
For me, it's on the wishlist. The Stage 1 is staying for now, but next time I'm due for an exhaust refresh, the Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde Grand Big Shot is the direction I'd go. Three modes for three kinds of riding — that's not a gimmick, it's practical.