The Best Sounding Motorcycle Exhausts

Not all motorcycle exhausts are made equal, and some definitely sound better than others.
We sought the best exhaust systems for a variety of motorcycles and found some really high performing models that not only improve the sound quality of your motorcycle, but also reduce weight, and increase power.

While this article ventures to outline the best sounding exhausts in general, we also have more specific buying guides that focus on the best exhausts for particular bikes, manufacturers and categories. Find your own bike at one of the links below.

Based on everything we tested we found Akrapovic’s racing exhaust system to be by far the best sounding and it’s also compatible with a wide variety of motorcycles.

Without further ado, the best sounding motorcycle exhausts.

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Akrapovic’s exhausts never fail to impress with their fantastic sound, awesome performance, and great features. Akras are some of the best sounding exhausts on the market that also offer legitimate performance gains, all in a well designed package.

Be it slip-on or full exhaust system, Akrapovic offers loud exhausts that sound great on most any motorcycle. Having tested Akra’s pipes on a number of different bikes, we are happy to report that each and every one sounded louder, and indeed better after having the aftermarket exhausts fitted to them. These systems have a distinct sound that makes even smaller displacement engines come to life.

Fans of high revving motors will also be delighted to know that Akrapovics deliver a high pitched whine when revved, perfect for sportbikes and streetfighters. At startup, the sound of Akras is a bit heavier, teasing the power of the bike. Settling into idle, the exhaust notes become loud and droning, but crack that throttle and the pipes spit flames! Accompanying the fireworks is a satisfying, high pitched rev that screams louder and more intensely with every passing RPM.

Furthermore, Akra is a brand that makes premium exhausts, meaning their offerings will usually be made of top shelf materials like stainless steel, carbon fiber, and titanium. Construction is precise and high quality so you get durable components.

Performance is another strong suit of Akra exhausts. Our bikes all benefited from Akrapovic exhausts with massive improvements in power and torque output. Not to mention, the lightweight construction made the bikes more agile and easy to handle.

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Two Brothers has roots in moto racing so it makes sense that their exhausts are loud and high performing. Their M2 Black Series of exhausts not only looks cool, but also offers massive performance gains, a louder, more raw sound and a lightweight build.

The M2 is loud. But it is more than just loud. There is a method to the madness of this exhaust’s sound. It is refined and nuanced. The exhaust note is heavy and warm, but still shrieks when it passes you on the highway. Few other exhausts manage to be as loud without also compromising sound quality. At idle, the M2’s sound is deeper and heavier than even the Akrapovic, and starts becoming high pitched the more you rev it, but in a more controlled, subtle way.

Besides the sound, the build quality of these exhaust’s is top notch. TBR uses carbon fiber and premium 304 stainless steel for its exhausts. Moreover, the components are put together using their proprietary V.A.L.E system which ensures precise fit and finish.

All this premium hardware yields a noticeable horsepower increase that improves the riding dynamics of your bike and makes it perform better day to day. The lightweight materials also reduce weight making the bike easier to handle.

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Another great exhaust, the R77 Slip-On from Yoshimura improves your bike’s sound, gives a reasonable boost in power, cuts weight and looks cool fitted to your bike.

The sound of the R77 is loud, but not obnoxious. Although loud for a slip-on, it isn’t the loudest option on this list but still holds its own. And it even makes up for its lack of dB’s with the abundance of HPs it brings to your bike. Just bolt this pipe onto a bike and the bike instantly becomes more responsive, faster to accelerate, and easier to handle thanks to the reduced weight.

The R77 also gets points for its unique design. It is a trapezoidal shape that not only looks modern, but also gives the exhaust its signature sound: deep and bassy. The heavy, growly character of this exhaust goes well with torquey engines that give it a formidable, authoritative feel. But really, this slip-on is all about the power.

Our testing took us to the track where we consistently got better lap times with this pipe installed in place of the stock one. Not to mention, the bike was so much easier to maneuver thanks to the combination of less weight and more torque.

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