In this buying guide we’ll be covering the best exhausts for the Harley Dyna Wide Glide.
We’ve combed through all the available exhausts that are compatible with the Harley Dyna Wide Glide, comparing one and another until we were left with these three contenders.
This review is based both on my own personal experience using these exhausts as well as considering factors such as built quality, features, pricing and performance benefits.
We found that Vance and Hines Big Radius exhaust stood out from everything else available. I personally have this exhaust installed on my Dyna, it’s got superior sound, built from top quality materials and an exceptional design, plus it’s curvey aesthetic will make your Dyna Wide Glide give a little extra appeal.
Image | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Vance & Hines Big Radius Exhaust |
| Check Price |
![]() | Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered Exhaust |
| Check Price |
![]() | Bassani Radial Sweepers Exhaust |
| Check Price |
Vance and Hines Big Radius brings sensational build quality, huge weight reductions and excellent performance gains around the lower power rangers, not to mention a deep throaty sound while still producing a seriously sexy exhaust. There were some minor design floors such as the closeness of the rearset, and slightly too low to the ground, but nothing to warrant any serious problems.
The build quality of the Big Radius and the design underpins everything about this exhaust. A stainless steel build ensures durability while keeping weight low, entirely covered in a heat shield to protect your feet from warming up but more importantly to keep those essential parts of your motorcycle from getting too hot.
Quite obviously this is a very compact exhaust and one of the shortest on the market, if you’re switching from a standard stock exhaust for your Dyna Wide Glide, you can expect to drop half the weight of your stock exhaust. Although it will depend on what you have installed, no matter what we can guarantee you’ll see significant weight reductions nonetheless.
These weight reductions plus the expert design that will efficiently transform your Harley’s gasses into huge performance gains around the lower rev ranges, although there were increases at high speeds it wasn’t as noticeable.
Vance and Hines went for a curvy design that stands out from everything else that we tested, it’s slick curves and outward direction directs fumes further away from your motorcycle and in turn you.
A downside to this design is that the exhaust is low to the ground so depending on how hard you turn it could potentially scrape, also these exhausts are very close to the rear set, meaning your foot is most probably going to rub against them. We hadn’t experienced any problems with this but it’s still worth noting.
Lastly, the sound is loud with a throaty aggressiveness that never gets old, although if you’re using it for touring it can get on your nerves after a while, but luckily it comes with a louvered barrel to reduce it’s noise.
Pros
- Fully synthetic engine oil
- Louvered core baffles
- Unique style and aesthetic
- Full coverage heat shields
- Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
- Factory oxygen sensors
- Made in the USA
- Includes quiet baffle
- Throaty and aggressive sound
- Mounting hardware included
- Weights significantly less than stock
- Awesome sounding
Cons
- Potentially too low to the ground
- Boots can rub against the exhaust due it being close to the foot pegs
- Price
I know you’re thinking why we would recommend two exhausts from the same brand, but this is a testament to the quality and performance Vance and Hines offers and so we felt the Shortshots Staggered was the best choice for your Harleu Dyna Wide Glide, if you’re on a budget.
You’re going to be hard pressed to find a quality exhaust that fits a Dyna Wide Glide below $500, yet Vance and Hines have managed to deliver an exhaust that delivers great build quality, super aesthetics and improved performance all round. The only downsides we could find are average quality brackets and the instructions are pretty useless.
Weight reduction and efficient funneling of gases is the name of the game and the Shortshots just like the Big Radius are nicely compact to do just this, stripping away all that deadweight your stock exhaust would be carrying.
Vance and Hines Shortshots staggered exhaust is of similar length to the Big Radius but what changes is the diameter of the pipe is a little wider. Which means it’ll provide more balanced performance improvements across your engine’s entire power ranges.
While this exhaust will still require you to dish out a few hundred bucks, in the jist of things it’s a budget option for a Harley Dyna Wide Glide. Although the aesthetics and how it sounds is still excellent. Twin slash cuts give a nice appeal and the sound is very loud with a throaty purr. Surprisingly, installing the quieter baffle improved the sound, yes it was quiet but it it’s thrashiness was replaced with a much deeper pleasant tone.
Lastly the build quality is top notch, entirely covered in heat shields, previous components around the right rear set will stay safe, improving both the exhaust and yourDyna Wide Glides longevity.
The only drawbacks is that some riders complain of the exhaust being a bit too throaty, also since it’s a more affordable option, Vance and Hines skimped on the brackets so in a year or two you might need to purchase new ones. The instructions are very poor although there’s plenty of installation videos on youtube.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Affordable
- Fully covered heat shield
- Twin slash cuts
- Very loud but not obnoxious
- Quiet baffles give it a deeper tone
- Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
- Throaty purr
- Performance benefits for higher speeds
Cons
- Mounting brackets could be better
- Poor instructions
Bassani provides superior longevity, sexy aesthetics, perfect performance improvements and a loud deep rumble, not to mention it’s straightforward instructions and bolt on design make installation a breeze. Some minor things were that it might not fit motorcycles with stock passenger pegs and weight reduction could have been better.
Bassani’s choice of 16 gauge double walled steel was an unusual choice but provides superior longevity and prevents less heat reaching your Dyna Wide Glides important components, heat reduction is further enhanced with a full heat shield although if it’s included will depend on the model of your Dyna Wide Glide. The downside to steel is it is going to be heavier than most alternatives on the market.
Even though Radial Sweepers are made from steel they’re relatively short and will see weight reductions even if you’re switching from a stock exhaust. You’ll also notice significant gains at lower power ranges and improved torque, although this is going to come at the cost of top speed. Bassani generally leans more to torque heavy exhausts which is no different for the Radial Sweepers.
The sound is a deep rumble, it’s not as throaty and will come down to personal preference. Like most aftermarket exhausts for a Harley, it’s loud but can be dialed down with a quieter baffle that’s sold separately.
Pros
- Top quality brand
- Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
- 16-gauge, double-wall steel
- Superior longevity
- Direct bolt-on design
- Loud deep rumble
- Great instructions
- Easy installation
Cons
- Steel makes the exhaust heavier
- Pricey
- Some models won’t fit with stock passenger pegs
- Not every model includes full heat shields