The Loudest Exhausts for Harley Davidson’s Street Glide Motorcycle in 2024

This is my buying guide on the loudest exhausts for Harley Davidson’s Street Glide in 2024. Below is a quick summary of my top recommendations. Scroll further down to read in depth, hands on reviews for each exhaust.

MOST USEFUL

Bassani Radial Sweepers Exhaust System

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• 16-gauge double-wall steel
• Unique design
• Best ground clearance
• Exhaust pipes are shorter
• Less pipe equals lower weight
• Higher volume of exhaust
• Aggressive, guttural sound
• Noticeable bump in low-end torque
• Faster acceleration
• Easier to pass other vehicles
• Heat shields integrated into the design
• Easy installation
• All the mounting hardware is provided in the box

Overall LOUDEST

Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered Exhaust

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• Simple, minimalist design
• Available in black and chrome
• Staggered setup with narrow headers and wide mufflers
• Louder exhaust sound
• Free-flowing exhaust
• Lower frequencies are accentuated
• Awesome air intake sound on cold starts
• 220-degree heat shield
• Ideal for longer journeys
• Enhanced throttle response

BEST SLIP-ON

S&S Grand National Slip-On Muffler For Harley

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• Highest grade steel
• Comes in either chrome or black
• Larger, rounded muffler design
• Highest performance upgrade of any Harley slip-on
• Improved torque down low
• Smoother rolling on the throttle
• By far the loudest exhaust for Harley Davidson Street Glide
• Deeper idling sound
• dB killer can reduce the volume
• Easy to install
• Compatible with both Softails and Touring models

Welcome to my hands-on review of the loudest exhausts for the Harley Street Glide.

Sound and volume are usually the main attractions, but in this review, I’ve gone beyond that. I’ve gotten up close and personal with these exhausts, focusing on the build quality, any noticeable performance upgrades, and of course, the overall design.

Need a quick recommendation? Look no further than the Shortshots staggered exhaust from Vance and Hines. Trust me, as the loudest Street Glide exhaust, it’s a beast! With its crisp and roaring exhaust note, higher power figures, and a style that’s hard to match, it grabbed my attention right away. Plus, it’s built like a rock, something V&H is famous for.

With twenty years of riding under my belt and a decade spent testing motorcycle accessories, you can count on me for a solid, informed opinion on which loud exhaust to choose for your Harley Street Glide.

Stick with me as I delve into more details about the loudest exhausts for Harley Street Glide motorcycles. You won’t be disappointed!

IMPORTANT! – Make sure you have the correct sizing and fitment so you don’t waste your money.

The Vance & Hines Shortshots are, without a doubt, my go-to loud exhaust for the Harley Davidson Street Glide. Once I got my hands on these pipes, they treated me to a beefier, louder sound, a noticeable power boost, and a design that just oozes coolness.

First, let’s talk about the look of these beasts. I’ve always been a fan of the stripped-down, utilitarian style of Vance & Hines exhausts, and these are no exception. They fit perfectly with the classic lines of the Street Glide.

I couldn’t help but notice how the pipes themselves are staggered, growing in diameter from the headers to the muffler. Those narrow headers work wonders with backpressure, while the larger mufflers bring the sound to life.

But what really caught my eye were the 220-degree heat shields, seamlessly integrated into the pipe design, eliminating the need for any aftermarket shields. And trust me, they do their job well, especially on those long rides. Plus, they offer a blacked-out option if chrome’s not your style.

Now, let’s get to the real star of the show: the sound. Just one crack of the throttle, and I knew I was dealing with one of the loudest exhausts for the Street Glide.

The Shortshots from Vance & Hines don’t just make your bike louder; they make it deeper, more imposing, and downright aggressive. And don’t even get me started on that unique air intake sound on cold starts. You have to hear it to believe it. Honestly, it might be my favorite feature of this loud Street Glide exhaust.

But what about performance? Well, the free-flowing design of this exhaust uncovered a delightful power boost. It’s not something that’ll send you flying, but trust me, you’ll feel it when you roll on the throttle. And a little more torque at the low end? Definitely appreciated.

Now, you might be wondering if there’s anything not to love. Well, there might be one thing: some might find the exhaust a tad TOO loud. If you’re one of those folks, don’t worry. Just install the optional baffles, and you’ll have the volume right where you want it.

Bassani’s Radial Sweepers are among my absolute favorite exhausts for the Street Glide, and undoubtedly some of the loudest. I was immediately drawn to their unconventional design, shorter and sleeker than anything I’ve seen before.

The standout feature for me had to be the styling. Built with 16-gauge double-wall steel, Bassani’s construction is top-notch. Not only does it help keep the weight down, but it also ramps up durability. And that slash-cut look? Pure style. Trust me, this is nothing like my grandpa’s Street Glide exhaust!

When I got my hands on the pipes, I noticed they were noticeably shorter than the stock or even other aftermarket options. And boy, did this come with benefits! The exhaust sits higher on the bike, reducing the scraping on bumps, and giving me that extra ground clearance for leaning into turns.

And the best part? They’re lighter than their competitors.

The shorter design also didn’t skimp on power. In fact, it gave my bike a little more oomph than a similarly set up but longer exhaust. And let’s not forget how it boosted the overall volume.

These Radial Sweepers turned out to be the loudest exhausts for Harley Davidson Street Glides I’ve ever handled. The exhaust note? Mean, aggressive, and made my otherwise tame Street Glide sound like an unleashed beast!

But it wasn’t just about sound. This exhaust brought a healthy performance upgrade that left me floored. The torque addition was so noticeable that it made the bike easier to control at low speeds. And if I needed to get going quickly, this Bassani pipe had my Street Glide accelerating like never before.

Of course, no feature list would be complete without mentioning the integrated heat shield, keeping that excess exhaust heat at bay. Though I did feel a bit more heat on my legs, I figured that’s the price to pay for such unique shape and style.

Installing these pipes turned out to be a breeze, even for a full system like this. The included instructions were straightforward, and all necessary parts were there in the box. Plus, knowing that the whole setup was built in the USA, just like my Street Glide, gave me that extra sense of satisfaction.

This S&S slip-on for the Harley Davidson Street Glide is something else, I tell you. It squares up to Bassani’s volume level, but adds its own distinctive flair to the exhaust note. Throw in top-tier build quality and a noticeable power boost, and you’re looking at one excellent addition to your bike.

I’ve always found S&S exhausts to be incredibly sturdy and long-lasting, and this one didn’t disappoint. The stainless steel is a cut above the rest, and the surface coating? It’s impressively scratch-resistant. But it’s gotta be, if it’s gonna keep that powder coating looking as good as new. Or, you have the option to get the slip-on in chrome, if that’s more your style.

Design-wise, it’s clear a lot of thought went into this motorcycle hardware, but I have to admit, it’s not really my cup of tea. But hey, to each their own, right? Maybe you’ll dig the dual, large, rounded mufflers on this slip-on. It definitely has a clean, stylish, and modern look to it, so I can’t complain too much.

Now, the real showstopper with this exhaust, like most of S&S’s gear, is the performance. The free-flowing design of these pipes accelerates the expulsion of exhaust gasses, boosting performance significantly. From my experience, the simple act of rolling on the throttle is a whole lot more gratifying with these cans on. Plus, the acceleration sees a decent uptick, primarily thanks to the enhanced low-end torque.

Passing cars and other bikes? Easier than ever. Merging onto the highway? An absolute breeze.

And when your fellow motorists hear the ear-shattering exhaust note from these Street Glide exhausts, they’ll know to steer clear. It was a close call between the S&S and Bassani for the title of loudest Street Glide exhaust, but the S&S just edged ahead with its amplified low frequencies.

The sound character? It’s a deeper, fuller sound than stock. The kind of growl you’d expect from race bikes at full throttle. If you do decide to get these S&S pipes, you might want to think about investing in some earplugs. You’ll thank me later!

But if the sound still feels a bit much for you, or you’re getting some disapproving glances from local law enforcement, just pop in the included dB killers to quiet the exhaust down.

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Loudest Street Glide Exhausts FAQ

How do I make my Harley Davidson Street Glide louder?

Want your Harley Davidson Street Glide to roar a little louder? I’ve been there, and I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve. First, you could get rid of those stock baffles that keep your exhaust gasses in check. By doing that, more gasses will exit the engine at the same rate, and you’ll get that louder exhaust note you’re craving.

Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more refined, why not add an aftermarket exhaust? Whether you go for a full system or just a muffler, your bike is sure to sound louder, and you might even notice some performance benefits.

Pro tip: If loud is what you’re after, consider a shorter slip-on style exhaust. Trust me, shorter exhausts typically yield higher volume and can even boost performance.

How do I make my Harley Davidson Street Glide Deeper?

We all love that deep, guttural growl of a Harley, but what if you want to push those low frequencies even further? Make your bike sound even meaner and throatier? I’ve found that the best way to achieve this is by grabbing an aftermarket slip-on or full system exhaust. It doesn’t just make the sound louder; it makes it deeper and more imposing.

Want to go even deeper? Opt for a wider slip-on. I’ve noticed that the wider design lets the sound reverberate more, making it deeper before it exits the exhaust.

Will a Slip-On Exhaust Make My Street Glide Louder?

In a word: absolutely. I’ve tried many slip-ons designed to make my bike sound louder and more aggressive.

But in a couple of words: it depends. While most slip-ons I’ve tested have successfully amped up the volume, some haven’t made much of a difference. Sure, I’ve never come across a slip-on that actually quiets the bike down, but there have been cases where it simply maintains the same sound levels as the stock setup. In those instances, the slip-on is really more about looks or tweaking the sound character, rather than cranking up the volume.

Don’t worry, though; I’ve reviewed a variety of Street Glide exhausts, so you can shop for your next aftermarket pipe or can with confidence. Feel free to lean on my experience and make your Harley sound exactly the way you want it to.