The Best Performance Exhausts for Harley Davidson 103 in 2024

This is my buying guide on the best Performance Exhausts for Harley Davidson 103 in 2024. Below is a quick summary of my top recommendations. Scroll further down to read my in depth, hands on reviews for each exhaust.

BEST SOUNDING

Bassani Pro
Street Exhaust For Harley

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• 3-stepped pipe design
• High-flow exhaust design
• Adds a lot of power throughout the rev range
• Highest boost in torque of any exhaust
• Faster acceleration
• Easier merging and passing on the highway
• 16-gauge steel construction
• Lightweight
• Integrated heat shields
• Available in chrome and matte black
• Louder, more aggressive sound
• Sound is not harsh or unbearable
• All necessary mounting hardware is provided

Best Overall

Freedom Performance Sharp Curve Radius Exhaust For Harley

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• Highest grade stainless steel
• Lightweight
• Stylish curved design
• Durable build
• Perfect fitment
• Full coverage heat shields
• Blue-proof
• Available in chrome and matte black
• Huge boost in power
• Faster acceleration
• Improved power-weight ratio
• Better top-end performance
• Triple stepped headers
• Louder, fuller sound
• The low and bass-heavy exhaust note
• Removable baffles

WORTHY CONSIDERATION

Two Brothers Turnout 2-Into-1 Shorty Exhaust For Harley

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• 2-into-1 style exhaust
• Shorter exhaust design
• Enables scavenging
• Race-inspired exhaust
• More horsepower
• Improved torque down-low
• Better acceleration
• Mandrel-bent stainless steel construction
• Lightweight design
• Louder than stock
• High-temp SS wool mitigates exhaust heat
• Durable and sturdy construction

In this piece, I’m going to give you my personal recommendations for the best performance exhausts for the Harley Davidson 103 ci engine, straight from my garage and hours on the road.

I’ll dive into the most vital features of each exhaust, such as the build quality and those unique sound characteristics we all crave. But let’s be clear: for this review, performance is king. If an exhaust didn’t rev up the power, it didn’t make my list.

Take Freedom Performance’s Sharp Curve Radius exhaust, for example. Living up to its name, this stylish set of pipes didn’t just boost my Harley Davidson 103’s power substantially; it added a sexier, more robust sound that turned heads. And in terms of durability? It’s one of the toughest exhausts I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.

I’ve owned, ridden, and tinkered with a couple of different Harleys fitted with the 103 engine. Honestly, they felt a bit down on power, especially compared to the newer engines out there. That drove me to search high and low for the best performance exhausts specifically for the Harley Davidson 103, and I’ve chosen the top contenders to share with you.

Stick with me, and I’ll guide you through more of my firsthand thoughts on the best performance exhausts that have truly made my Harley Davidson 103 come alive.

The Sharp Curve Radius exhaust from Freedom Performance? Let me tell you, this thing’s got it all. Imagine a loud, beefy roar, a design that’s as cool as ice, and performance that’s unmatched by anything else I’ve put on my bike. It’s so tough, it feels like it could withstand a nuclear explosion!

When I first got my hands on this exhaust, I knew Freedom Performance had gone all out. The stainless steel used is the highest grade I’ve ever come across. I put it to the test by exposing it to extreme pressure and temperature, and the ‘Freedom’ didn’t even bat an eyelash.

I was blown away by how perfectly it fit my Harley Davidson 103. No leaks, no cracks, just pure perfection.

But let’s talk about looks. The design is out of this world. The curves, the irregular openings, everything screams aggression and fits the 103 models like a glove. I went for the matte black version, but the chrome one’s a stunner too.

If chrome’s your choice, worry not about ugly discoloration over time. This exhaust is designed to be ‘blue-proof,’ so even after countless heat cycles, it’s shiny as the first day I laid eyes on it!

What I found particularly useful was the integrated full coverage heat shield. Keeps the heat away from me and anyone riding with me. But you’re here to know about performance, right? Hold on tight, because the ‘Freedom’ is something else.

I’ve never felt anything quite like it on my Harley Davidson 103. The free-flowing design unleashed power like I’ve never seen before. Quicker 0-60 times, zippy top-end performance at highway speeds, and a ride that made me grin from ear to ear.

The extra torque at low revs? Man, it made maneuvering at low speeds a piece of cake. And don’t even get me started on how the lightweight build gave my bike a better power-weight ratio!

The sound, though, that’s where it really sings. Louder and fuller than anything else, all thanks to the triple-stepped header. It’s so loud I kept the removable baffles in. At idle, it rumbles like distant thunder. Open up the throttle, and it roars like a wild beast. Honestly, it’s the best exhaust note I’ve ever heard on my Harley Davidson 103.

Looking for that ‘bark’ to match the extra ‘bite’ from a performance exhaust for Harley Davidson’s 103 engine? Let me tell you about my experience with Bassani’s Pro-Street. This mean, grunty pipe is something else, producing an exhaust note from another world and offering torque like no other.

When I first installed it, I immediately noticed Bassani’s use of 3 different diameters from the header to the end cap. This stepped design gave my Harley a boost in power and a whole lot more torque. It’s like the exhaust gases were in a hurry to leave the system, taking the performance up a notch.

Riding with it every day, I felt the smooth power delivery across the rev range. My Harley was not just accelerating faster, but reaching higher top speeds, and it felt more agile too.

The bike seemed more alive, more eager. The throttle response was smooth and immediate, making passing and merging on the highway a breeze. And those pipes being lighter than the stock ones? That was just the cherry on top.

The 16-gauge stainless steel, not only lightweight but also more durable and sturdy, handled the pressure and heat without breaking a sweat. A perfect match for my high-performance Harley Davidson 103.

Heat shields? Oh, they’re integrated and highly effective. Riding on hot days or long journeys, I felt comfortable all the way. You can have these pipes in black, but I must admit, I fell for the chrome version.

But let me tell you about the real magic – the sound. Bassani has a reputation for making the best-sounding pipes, and they didn’t disappoint here either. Thanks to the high-flow exhaust architecture and stepped headers, I got this rowdy, aggressive sound that’s music to my ears. Whether idling or pushing it to the redline, it’s loud and meaty but never harsh.

There’s something almost ‘creamy’ about the sound. As the loudness increases, so does the quality, creating a mesmerizing effect.

Everything you need comes in the box, including O2 sensor plugs. And don’t forget, this pipe is made right here in the USA, just like my Harley Davidson. It’s more than just an accessory; it’s a game-changer.

Two Brothers Racing (TBR) made an entrance into my life with their peppy 2-into-1 ‘Shorty’ performance exhaust for my Harley Davidson 103 engine. As soon as I got this baby on, I knew it was all about a healthy boost in power and a rowdy exhaust note that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The first time I revved it up, TBR’s motorsport heritage was all over the sound and feel. That major power upgrade I felt was thanks to the unique design and free-flow exhaust architecture. When I took it out on the highway, my bike felt faster, more assured, like it had found a new confidence.

What surprised me was how the shorter design not only helped generate more power but also kept the weight down. My Harley, usually a heavy and hard-to-handle beast, felt surprisingly more agile.

And let me tell you about the ‘scavenging’ effect from the 2-into-1 design – I never thought I’d feel it so distinctly. It’s like one cylinder was helping the other, making the engine breathe more efficiently and perform better.

Sure, it couldn’t match Bassani’s torque, but the extra pull it provided still made a difference. The acceleration felt quicker, the low-speed handling smoother, and merging onto the highway became an effortless thrill.

Now, let’s talk about the sound. It’s louder and more raucous, all thanks to the shorter proportions and a unique muffler design. Not the deepest, maybe, but beefy and aggressive enough to put a smile on my face.

Riding at speed, the exhaust note took me back to the track, reminding me of race-bikes. TBR’s racing roots were echoing in every roar and rumble.

But it’s not just about the looks and sound; the build quality is something else. The Mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing and hand-crafted TIG welds result in a solid piece of metal that takes the exhaust pressure and heat like a champ. With high-temperature SS wool and other packing material integrated into the construction, it even kept some of the heat at bay.

All in all, if you’re looking to coax some extra performance out of your Harley Davidson 103, you might want to give TBR a chance. The sound might not be the best out there, but trust me, it’s more than just ‘pretty good.’ It’s a whole new riding experience.

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