The Best Exhausts for Harley Sportster Iron 883 Motorcycles

This is my buying guide on the best exhausts for the Harley Sportster Iron 883 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 SLIP-ON

Vance & Hines Shortshots
Staggered Exhaust

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• A clean, understated look
• Highest grade stainless steel
• Lightweight design
• Available in matte black and chrome
• Slash cut ends
• Staggered with narrow headers and wide mufflers
• Anti-bluing design does not discolour over time
• Free-flowing exhaust
• Beefier exhaust sound
• More aggressive exhaust note
• Unique thumping sound on cold starts
• Full coverage heat shields
• Sturdy build quality
• Best in class durability
• All the mounting hardware is provided in the box
• Comes with removable baffles
• Can make the exhaust louder

Best Overall

Two Brothers Comp-S 2-Into-1 Exhaust For Harley Iron 883

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• Best performance of any Iron 883 exhaust
• Available in chrome and black
• Carbon fiber end cap
• TIG welds hold up better to high pressure and heat
• Faster acceleration
• Lightweight stainless steel construction
• Better power-weight ratio
• 2-into-1 style enables scavenging
• Megaphone style muffler amplifies the bass
• Compatible with both forward and mid controls
• Uses stock O2 sensors

WORTHY CONSIDERATION

Vance & Hines 3” Round Twin Slash Slip-On Exhausts

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• Stainless steel construction
• Lightweight build
• Available in chrome or black
• Anti-bluing design
• Integrated full-coverage heat shields
• TIG welds for better durability
• Better backpressure
• Louder sound
• Deep and bassy exhaust note
• Improved throttle response
• Faster acceleration

In this review, I’m diving into the nitty-gritty of performance, sound characteristics, and, of course, the build of each exhaust. I based all of my findings on real-world testing, so you can trust you’ll get exactly what you pay for.

I began by tackling the challenge of adding tons of power to a smaller displacement engine like the 883. Among all the options, the Comp-S from Two Brothers stood out and simply couldn’t be beat. The 2-into-1 style pipe provided my bike with a significant power-up, paired with a beefier, more aggressive exhaust note that resonated in my chest. The design immediately became one of my favorites.

I’ve always been a fan of the Sportster Iron series, and they make up some of my favorite Harleys. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were a bit low on power and exhaust sound. Driven by this desire for more, I set out to find the best exhaust for the Sportster Iron 883. With over a decade of experience guiding me, I painstakingly explored various options to find the best ones.

Continue on, and I’ll share more of my personal thoughts and hands-on experience with the best exhausts for the Sportster Iron 883. You’ll get an insight into what it’s like to actually use these exhausts and how they can transform your ride.

Two Brothers’ racing heritage became evident the moment I installed their high-performance exhaust on my Sportster Iron 883. Sporting a 2-into-1 style pipe, I could tell it was ready to pack a serious punch. Beyond its striking appearance, the unique design served a practical purpose, amplifying the exhaust sound.

Now, let’s dive into the power aspect, something I’m really passionate about. The Comp-S stood out as the top-performing exhaust in my hands-on experience. The 2-into-1 design didn’t just enhance backpressure for the engine; it also facilitated ‘scavenging.’ I could feel this phenomenon in action, where the exhaust pulses from one header traveled to the other, boosting power output.

Riding day-to-day, I noticed my Sportster Iron 883 had become noticeably faster, especially in a straight line. Even low-speed maneuvering became easier, with added torque down low in the rev range. What thrilled me was the smoother, more responsive throttle, giving my bike a ‘zippier’ feel.

But power alone isn’t enough. How did it sound? That’s where the TBR pipe made its presence known. Thanks to the free-flowing exhaust architecture, this exhaust sounded louder than stock. The unique megaphone-style muffler added bass, giving a deeper, more imposing note. Though not the loudest, it was a dramatic improvement over stock, satisfying my ears.

The design also caught my eye. I personally enjoyed the retro styling, and the customization options allowed me to choose between dull chrome or matte black. The carbon fiber end cap was a nice touch, adding to the overall appeal.

Crafted from the highest quality stainless steel, I found it to be lightweight and durable. The weight savings not only improved the power-weight ratio but made it easier to navigate tight spots. I must also mention the high-quality TIG welds, which not only withstood the immense pressure and heat but also looked more elegant than regular welds.

In conclusion, the TBR Comp-S turned out to be one of the most powerful exhausts I’ve ever tried on the Iron 883. It’s aggressive and beefy in sound, though not the loudest. But for me, the retro bobber design and incredible power boost more than compensated for this, leaving me with a grin each time I twisted the throttle.

The Vance & Hines Shortshots became the Iron 883 exhaust I had to have when I wanted the epitome of build quality. Installing these pipes, I found that they didn’t just sound incredible; they possessed a timeless design that seemed to be a perfect match for my Sportster.

First things first, I was taken by the build quality and design. Crafted from the highest grade stainless steel, I could immediately sense the lightweight and sturdy nature of these Iron 883 exhausts. Through some pretty intense rides and extreme temperatures, they held up admirably, showing no cracks or leaks, even under heavy strain.

The focus V&H placed on build quality was apparent throughout. Impressively, the entire exhaust was designed to be ‘blue-proof,’ so I knew it wouldn’t discolor after thousands of heat cycles. The full-coverage heat shields offered a practical bonus, protecting both me and my passenger from excess exhaust heat.

Though the design was classic and restrained, it was anything but boring. I had a choice between chrome or a deep matte black for the finish. With subtle slash-cut ends, this pipe had the allure of a ‘gorilla in a tuxedo.’ By that, I mean an aggressive design artfully concealed under a sensible exterior.

The aggressive design wasn’t just aesthetic. With the free-flowing exhaust architecture of this pipe, I felt a significant power boost. This staggered exhaust setup, with narrower header pipes, not only enhanced backpressure and engine power but also maintained a beefy exhaust note.

So, what about the sound? Let me tell you, it quickly became one of my favorite sounding exhausts. It was over 25% louder than stock, possessing a deeper, rowdier character. The unique fluttering, thumping sound at cold start was something I couldn’t get enough of, tempting me to turn the ignition again and again.

In my daily rides, I experienced a more responsive throttle and better acceleration. Passing other vehicles on the highway became an effortless task. The lighter weight of these pipes compared to those they replaced also improved the power-weight ratio, giving me an altogether enhanced riding experience.

If you’re like me and prefer an aftermarket slip-on for your Iron 883, I’ve found the option I wholeheartedly recommend. The Vance & Hines’ Round Twin Slash pipes caught my attention with a meatier, growly exhaust note, a boost in performance, and a straightforward design that simply exudes coolness.

Upon installing this V&H pipe, I immediately noticed its classic approach to design. It might seem pretty basic at first glance, with rounded mufflers and slash-cut ends, but these subtle touches added flair to the pipes. Choosing between chrome or black wasn’t easy. The design might not be the flashiest, but believe me, it works perfectly.

What sets these pipes apart are some special features. The high-grade stainless steel build, designed to resist ‘bluing’ over time, was a significant plus. Those 220-degree full-coverage heat shields integrated into the design? An absolute godsend on hot days and during long journeys.

I appreciated the beautifully done TIG welds, ensuring better durability and allowing the pipes to endure high exhaust temperatures and pressures. And since it’s a V&H pipe, I knew it was built to outlast… well, practically everything!

However, let’s not overlook the true strength of these pipes. Behind their subtle design lies a ton of grunt.

The performance boost I got from these slip-ons was something to behold, rivaling that of a full system exhaust for the Iron 883. The unique design of the Shortshots facilitated higher exhaust flow, improving backpressure, and allowing my 883’s engine to output even more power. Though ideally paired with aftermarket headers, these slip-ons alone proved to be pretty powerful.

I felt the biggest difference in the improved throttle response, which made the bike feel smoother and more eager. Launching from a standstill became faster, and merging on the highway felt more effortless.

And the sound! Oh, the sound. These slip-ons produce a deep and rumbly exhaust note that practically roars power. Much louder than stock, the bike could be heard from miles away. Yet, despite the increased volume, these exhausts retained a crisp and pleasing tone, something I suspect the louvered core baffles contribute to. The fantastic sound simply completes the whole experience for me.