Best Exhausts for Harley Davidson’s Tri Glide Motorcycles in 2024

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

BEST SLIP-ON

Vance & Hines Power Dual Headers

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• Simple, straightforward design
• Comes in chrome or matte black
• Louder, throatier sounding exhaust
• Power Chamber integrated into the design
• Noticeable bump in power
• Smoother, faster acceleration
• Integrated heat shields
• The rear passenger experiences less exhaust heat
• Less chance of damage to sensitive engine parts
• Comes with all necessary O2 sensors and adapters
• Non-bluing design

Best FULL SYSTEM

Vance & Hines Big Radius Exhaust

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• Attractive design
• Noticeable increase in power
• Enhanced performance throughout the rev range
• Integrated heat shields
• Pipes don’t discolor over time
• Louder exhaust
• Deeper sound character
• Lightweight build
• Most well put together option
• Premium stainless steel
• Free-flowing exhaust architecture
• Cool fluttering sound on cold starts

BEST BUDGET

Sharkroad Slip-on Exhausts for Harley

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• Alloy steel design
• Durable and robust
• Aggressive styling
• Loud and throaty exhaust note
• Deep and rumbly character
• Improved throttle response
• Removable baffles can make the exhaust louder or quieter
• Various color options are available
• CNC-machined end caps
• Budget-friendly option
• Easy to install

In this piece, I’m going to recommend the best exhausts for the Harley Davidson Tri-Glide, based on my hands-on experience.

I’ll be focusing on the real-world performance, the quality of construction, and the sound characteristics of each aftermarket Tri-Glide exhaust that I’ve personally tested. I’ll also take into account other exhaust features, such as the design and cost.

From my years on the road, I’ve found that the Vance & Hines Big Radius truly reigns supreme for the Tri-Glide. With its revered build quality, throaty exhaust note, and massive performance gains, it stands out as the best option for your heavy Harley Davidson Tri-Glide.

I’ve been riding for over twenty years, and I’ve spent the last ten reviewing motorcycle accessories. So when I recommend motorcycle exhausts, you can trust that it’s coming from real-world testing and thorough evaluation. With my guidance, you won’t have to worry about any surprises when you buy the exhaust!

So buckle up, and let’s dive into my thoughts on the best exhausts for the Harley Davidson Tri-Glide. Trust me; it’s a ride worth taking.

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

The Vance & Hines’ flagship exhaust for Harley-Davidsons, especially for the Tri-Glide, is something I can’t help but rave about. When I installed these pipes on my Tri-Glide, I immediately noticed the sleek design, the loud and beefy sound, and undeniably the most robust construction I’d ever seen in an aftermarket exhaust.

Let me dive into that construction for a moment. From my experience, V&H pipes have consistently been my go-to for quality, all thanks to their premium stainless steel and durable design. The stainless steel not only provides functional weight savings on my heavy Tri-Glide but also withstands the highest exhaust temperatures and pressure. This has translated to optimal exhaust performance for me, even years down the line.

And the aesthetics? The TIG welds add structural integrity and are downright artistic to my eyes. The Big Radius exhaust with its curved styling and slash-cut ends has always captivated me. I opted for the blacked outlook, although the chrome option is equally striking.

When riding, I relished the extra inches of ground clearance due to the unique mounting position. Not once did I scrape the exhaust on any bumps. Unlike lesser exhausts that start to blue, V&H’s ‘non-bluing’ design kept my chrome sparkling like new, although I understand design preferences can vary.

The integrated, full-coverage heat shields? They did their job wonderfully, keeping the exhaust heat off both me and my passenger.

Performance-wise, I’ve enjoyed substantial benefits with these pipes. The added horsepower and torque made my Tri-Glide feel faster and more responsive. Whether on the highway or around town, accelerating felt smoother and more potent, giving me the extra ‘oomph!’ I was seeking.

But it’s the sound that’s been the real game-changer for me. The louder, beefier exhaust note, coupled with the deep, rumbly characteristic, is something I still can’t get enough of. Even on startup, I’m greeted with a fluttery, thumping sound that’s uniquely V&H.

Having these pipes on my Tri-Glide has truly elevated my riding experience. If you value construction, design, and performance as much as I do, these might be just the exhausts for you.

Vance & Hines’ Power Duals caught my eye when I was looking to upgrade my Harley’s Touring line, particularly for my Tri-Glide. The promise of a substantial bump in power was tempting, but it was the combination of a fantastic build and features that really sold me on these headers.

The first thing I noticed was the evident care and attention the designers put into these header pipes. Sporting a classic look that seamlessly fit my Tri-Glide, I had the option to choose between classic chrome or a matte black that matched perfectly with the new blacked-out engine on my Harley.

I was excited about the possibility to fit my choice of mufflers to these pipes, playing around with styles to find what I liked best. However, I soon stumbled upon a minor setback: the pipes required an additional adapter to bolt onto the Tri-Glide due to its trike design. But, honestly, after installation, the hassle felt worth every penny!

Riding with these bad boys brought my engine to life. The free-flowing exhaust architecture unleashed smoother throttle response and noticeably faster acceleration. I quickly realized that Vance & Hines didn’t just accidentally discover a power-up. The unique ‘Power Chamber,’ cleverly integrated into the pipes and hidden behind heat shields, clearly played a crucial role.

What impressed me further was the heat management of these headers. Despite the high performance, I didn’t feel the excess heat that I anticipated. Vance & Hines seemed to have thoughtfully used special exhaust routing to direct the heat away from both me and my passenger. It even addressed a previous issue I had with excess exhaust heat on the left side and protected certain engine components at risk of heat damage.

Then there’s the sound profile. The deeper, more powerful exhaust note was music to my ears. Sure, it’s louder and more throaty, but on the highway, the beefy, thumpy sound felt like a commanding presence, telling other vehicles to make way. I personally found the best results when I paired these pipes with V&H slip-ons, although other brands seemed to mesh well too.

Lastly, I appreciated the same ‘non-bluing’ design as in the Big Radius pipes. With all the necessary O2 sensors and mounting equipment provided, the overall experience was something that made me feel like I made the right choice. If you’re considering an upgrade for your Tri-Glide, these might just be the headers you’ve been looking for.

Looking to get more bang for my buck, I turned to Sharkroad’s slip-on exhausts for my Tri-Glide. Right off the bat, the rowdy exhaust note, durable build quality, and aggressive design caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but feel a thrill.

Sharkroad clearly decided to take a bold path when crafting their exhaust for the Harley Davidson Tri-Glide. The slip-ons boasted a unique, modern look that I hadn’t found in many other aftermarket exhausts. Made from quality alloy steel, the slip-ons felt incredibly durable and presented a robust look that I found appealing.

What surprised me was the plethora of color options for these slip-ons. I was torn between classic chrome, matte black, a brushed metal look, glossy black, and even dull gray. The addition of the really cool end caps only added to the visual appeal. CNC-machined with a unique perforated design, they added an aggressive edge to the appearance.

But these exhausts weren’t just about looks; the sound was something else altogether. A meaty, guttural sound erupted from them, almost as if wanting to melt my face off! The loud and raucous tone added an unexpected menace to my otherwise unimposing Tri-Glide. Though not quite as refined as the V&H pipes, I quickly realized this might have been a deliberate choice by Sharkroad to impart a meaner vibe. And boy, did these exhausts make my bike sound more powerful!

Performance-wise, I knew not to expect the same power gains as a pair of aftermarket headers or a full system. However, Sharkroad’s high exhaust flow design still impressed me, delivering slightly better throttle response and a bit more speed at the top end.

I did recognize some limitations, though. These budget slip-ons didn’t come with full coverage heat shields or an anti-bluing design like pricier options. The only extra features that Sharkroad seemed to add were the removable baffles, which allowed me to play around with the exhaust note.

Even with these drawbacks, I found myself considering Sharkroad’s slip-on exhausts for the Harley Davidson Tri-Glide as one of the best budget options out there. Solidly built and loudly announcing their presence, they could be paired with more expensive headers for even higher performance and sound. If you’re on a budget like I was, they might just be the choice for you.

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