Best Performance Exhausts for Harley Davidson in 2023!
For a high-end motorcycle like Harley Davidson, the exhaust system remains in full display with lengthy, streamlined mufflers. These massive, impressive exhaust systems are known to commence at the engine and extend past the saddlebags of the motorcycle giant.
In most cases, the given striking mufflers of the bike might require a proper aftermath exhaust upgrade to improve the overall performance.
If you are looking forward to improving the overall performance of your beloved HD beauty, then you might as well consider upgrading the exhaust system of the bike. It serves to be a quick & effective way to boost the overall performance while getting a better sound of the Harley.
The interesting part is that you can get access to a wide range of top-performing, feature-rich performance exhausts for the bike for an unparalleled riding experience. In this post, we will help you to unravel some of the best-in-class exhaust systems for Harley Davidson that significantly help in improving its performance.
Ensure the Best for Your HD Bike with Improved Performance
Whether you opt for the simple slip-ons or the full-header exhaust systems, there is a huge collection out there for all your unique Harley Davidson exhaust requirements.
There is no denying the fact that choosing the right exhaust system for your bike can be a challenging task. However, when you are aware of the right specifications and efficiencies of most of the popular options out there, you can look forward to tuning your bike to the necessary requirements.
An Insight into Performance Exhausts for Harley Davidson
Exhaust systems for bike are known to either replace the existing factory kit or provide unprecedented stock performance, or even improve the overall exhaust flow while delivering an increase in the overall power & torque. When you wish to upgrade the existing exhaust system of your bike, you are required to consider what exactly you want to do the exhaust system to do for your beast.
The modern exhaust systems that you come across for the high-end Harley Davidson models are longer available as metallic tubes for channeling the exhaust out from the bike’s engine to the back of the entire model. On the other hand, these leading exhaust systems have been engineered to deliver perfection in terms of the overall design as well as performance.
Performance, Sound, Looks –All Matter
Most of the modern exhaust systems for HD bikes are known to feature high-grade materials and aim at the creation of special channeling effects for the bike’s sound. At the same time, these exhaust systems are also known to increase the overall outflow while reducing obstructions that only help in adding to the overall performance of the bike.
To add to it all, you can look forward to selecting from the wide range of looks and finishes available out there for the respective exhaust systems. Therefore, while installing the all-new exhaust for your Harley Davidson, it is recommended to go through all the possible factors. You should also look into additional features like heat shields for ultimate leg protection, basic components of the entire system, sound & the overall appearance in addition to the performance parameters, and so more.
Looks of the given exhaust system turns out to be a perpetual choice. This implies that ultimately, the overall beauty of the system lies in the eyes of the beholder –the owner of the bike. Therefore, it is up to you to decide whether or not a particular system is appearing aesthetic on your bike’s structure. In addition to the overall looks, the sound of the exhaust system also happens to be perpetual in nature. As only you are able to decide the type of sound you require for the beautiful beast, choosing the right model comes down to your choice.
As far the overall performance of the bike’s exhaust system is concerned, it turns out to be objective. While deciding upon the performance feature of the bike, you are required to look into every possible detail related to improving the performance.
Therefore, in the end, the selection of the right exhaust system for a Harley Davidson comes down to three major factors: performance, looks, and sound.
Top-rated Performance Exhaust Systems for Harley Davidson
If you are wondering about the top-rated models of the performance exhausts for your Harley bike, here are some of our top picks from the experts.
1. Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered Exhaust System
Over around two decades ago, Terry Vance – leading motorbike drag racer, paired up with the leading engineer Byron Hines. Together, they started a business for selling top-class performance exhaust systems. The leading brand Vance & Hines is an All-American brand went forward with supplying parts for both the casual as well as professional motorcycle scene.
While these exhaust systems are depicted as a black finish, one of the most important about this exhaust system is that the pipes feature the chrome finish. The system also features the innovative blue-proof technology for maintaining the overall quality finish.
The black piping appearance of the system is achieved with the installation of a fully-fitted heat shield that is included in the kit. The heat shields of the system comprise top-quality racing coating of black ceramic finish. The kit is essentially known to offer two distinct looks for the price of a single exhaust system.
The headpipes of the exhaust system are known to measure around 1 ¾ inches and only 24 pounds in the overall weight with existing mounts to install the advanced O2 factory sensors. At the same time, the feature of minimal bending is known to give the setup a clean look that helps in reducing any type of back pressure on the exhaust while increasing the overall power & performance.
Installation of the Exhaust System
The beautiful pipes of the exhaust system are matched equally by the powerful sounds that the bike emits. For further amplifying the overall sound, the pipes are known to be available with removable baffles.
So if you are seeking strong & powerful sound for your Harley, the leading Shortshots Staggered exhaust system is highly recommended by the experts.
2. Vance & Hines Longshots Exhaust Systems
Another great feature of this exhaust system is that you are given the option of adding extra Hot Tips that are plasma-cut and can be easily mounted as well as rotated to two varying angles. The system’s Hot Tips can be found separately in the given market. At the same time, the respective baffles and mounting hardware for the exhaust system can be easily found in the exhaust kits.
3. Vance & Hines Big Radius Exhaust Systems
With this system, you can expect to receive the unique blue-proof chrome technology for improved durability of the exhaust’s finish. The exhaust has been curved to the 2 ½ inches of heat shields and feature slash-cut tips for improved aesthetics. At the same time, the innovative range of the Vance & Hines Big Radius exhaust system for HD bikes is known to produce extra torque and horsepower along with its signature hot-rod sound features.
As such, you can look forward to ensuring both performance as well as sound features for the bike.
4. Vance & Hines Competition Series 2-in-1 Exhaust
The latest range of 75-118-9 exhaust system serves to be a lightweight version that has been engineered to deliver optimum performance along with the desired looks. The model is known to be available with a black ceramic coating or the brushed finish for improved aesthetics. There is also the inclusion of a serviceable acoustic baffle.
Some of the advanced features of the given exhaust system include:
- Slip-fit merge collectors
- Stainless steel & lightweight construction
- Including wideband sensor ports
- Stepped and tapered head pipes
There are several other exhaust systems in the market out there. However, when it comes to the revolutionary Vance & Hines models for exhaust systems, it would blow off the riders. It is a high-end model for the leading sports bike and is regarded as worth the overall investment if you are searching for top-level upgrades to the bike for top-notch performance.
5. Rinehart 100-0200 4 Xtreme True Dual System
As far as the airflow performance of the exhaust, there is no beating the performance offered by that of the Rinehart 100-0200 models for Harley Davidson bikes. The specific model is known to feature the unique streamlined design. The design features the minimum number of bends such that the airflow exhaust system appears straight on the bike. This is true for the various aspects of handling your bike including rebalancing without any obstruction. The component is purely known to feature maximized outflow values for impressive performance gains.
The respective model is also known to sport 12mm & 18mm of advanced O2 sensor ports that are fitted into the exhaust systems. Moreover, there is a single piece of heat shield featuring full length specifications. This helps in providing maximum protection to your legs.
The given model is highly “rider friendly” and is available with a convenient header configuration for routing the pipes away from the legs of the riders. At the same time, there is also the presence of anti-reversion louvers for impacting power performance. This is achieved by the removal of the negative pulse from getting back into the port.
The mufflers of the exhaust system are polished with the impressive black Teflon-coated billet aluminum caps. The mufflers are also engraved with the impressive Rinehart logo for improved aesthetics.
Some of the unique features of the exhaust system by Rinehart are:
- Helps in providing maximum torque and performance increase to the bike
- Full-length heat shields present on the header pipes
- Presence of advanced O2 sensor ports for aftermarket and OEM fuel management systems
- Engraved black endcaps
- Chrome-plated finish all over the system
- Baffles with a separate torque chamber for giving a deep, rich sound to the bike
6. Freedom HD00060 Exhaust
You can get the given exhaust system in chrome or black finish. Moreover, the model is able to fit various Dyna rides and Harley Davidson series –delivering optimum style and performance throughout.
The exhaust system is available as a dual type style or design and is made out of top-grade chrome-plated steel. At the same time, there is the presence of two superior mufflers that are steel louvered and feature the configuration of a single inlet as well as outlet. The mufflers of the exhaust system are also chromed for improved aesthetics and durability. The exhaust tip features the dual round chrome steel port variant.
The given model is made available with the 16-gauage heat shield along with removable baffles. These baffles can be replaced by the noiseless ones for minimizing the overall sound feature of your beloved bike. The exclusive O2 sensor ports in the given component tend to be standard for the respective upgraded and OEM configurations.
Some of the salient features of this version are:
- Presence of cutting-edge O2 ports along with plugs for all types of models
- Impressive chrome steel finish for improved aesthetics
- Mounting hardware
- Removable baffles
- 21 ½ inches of diameter specification for a single piece of 16-guage & heavy-duty heat shield
The given exhaust system serves to be a classic version for the respective Dyna models. As such, it is a highly sought-after model by most HD bike owners out there. You can look forward to making your bike stand out in terms of the overall style & performance by installing this top-class exhaust system in the bike.
7. Cobra Power Pro HP 2-in-1 Exhaust System
The engineers and designers at Cobra Power have delivered a highly powerful exhaust system at minimal costs without affecting the overall performance. As such, they came up with a highly popular option of the exhaust component for the HD bike range.
The engineers, after taking the original PowerPro’s sleek cylindrical muffler, made a similar body with improved materials and megaphone in terms of the overall style and performance, while reducing the overall costs at the same time. As such, the engineers ended up with the revolutionary version of the 2-in-1 piping along with the 3.5 inches of chromed muffler component and a top-class chrome guarded mechanism as well.
The presence of the added component in the exhaust system by Cobra Power helps in removing the blue effect that most of the overheated exhaust systems in other variants are known to exhibit. This is the reason why you can look forward to retaining the clean & aesthetic chrome appeal of the bike with the installation of the new exhaust system.
The tip of the billet in the given component is of 3.75 inches of megaphone that is made available with a beveled inner-side wall. This helps in adding pure style to the given performance of the system. Moreover, the megaphone of the component is double-insulated for improving the overall sound as well as heat protection features. The ultimate product is known to not only appear aesthetic, but it also helps in delivering maximum torque & power increases while lasting longer than most of its rivals at a highly affordable price.
Some of the salient features of the given system to look out for are:
- Presence of the 3.5 inches of muffler body
- Presence of the double-insulated exhaust’s body
- 222 degrees of 2-in-1 shield component
- Increased torque and horsepower
- Ease of mounting as well as assembly
- 5 inches of chromed aluminum-based billet tip
- Removable baffle
8. RCX Tormentor Headers
The top-seller variant for the touring bikes, the given exhaust system is yet another topmost choice amongst the bike enthusiasts out there. You can look forward to gaining amazing performance advantages with the innovative RCX Tormentor Headers exhaust component for your Harley Davidson bike.
The impressive Headers series is known to feature the bespoke 2-in-1 exhaust system. Moreover, the exhausts are chrome-coated with an availability of choice between chrome and black heat shields. Moreover, there is also the presence of both narrow as well as wide-band oxygen sensors for delivering a highly tuned experience to the riders. The collector as well as placement of the exhaust system makes way for a unique design and therefore, it is a highly aesthetic option available for the bikers out there.
Some of the unique features of this exhaust system are:
- Lifetime warranty
- Equipped with both 18mm and 12mm O2 ports
- Designed to be used at the respective factory mounts and can be easily installed
- Designed for all advanced Harley Davidson touring models
Conclusion
These are the best performance exhausts for a Harley Davidson bike according to features and user experience. Whether you prefer performance, sound, or the overall aesthetics, you can choose the right model based on your unique requirements to significantly improve your riding experience.
