Best Exhausts for Harley Davidson’s V ROD Motorcycles

I’m here to guide you through the best exhausts for Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycles, a ride I’ve known and loved for the past 10 years.

I’ve personally focused on the key features of each exhaust, including the build quality, performance, and the sound that each one produces. Trust me, I’ve tested each option extensively on the open road, so my review is not just theory; it’s grounded in real-world experience.

When it comes to my top pick for the V-Rod, I have to give it to Bassani’s Road Rage B1. Riding with this purpose-built exhaust, I felt the loud and rowdy sound, experienced the free-flowing design that boosts performance, and appreciated the top-notch construction designed to endure the harshest conditions.

The V-Rod has become one of my favorite Harleys. Its excellent design, sporty feel, and incredible performance always leave me wanting more. Having spent a decade riding it, I’m confident I can help you find the perfect exhaust to match your specific needs.

So, ride along with me as I share more of my personal thoughts and experiences on the best exhausts for the Harley Davidson V-Rod.

Bassani’s Road Rage B1 isn’t just a fan favorite; it’s my favorite, too. This version has brought the same loud and raucous exhaust to my V-Rod, accompanied by some massive performance gains and durable construction that I’ve personally tested to withstand all that extra ‘oomph!’

Now, about that construction. Feeling it up close, I’ve discovered that Bassani uses high-quality 16-gauge steel, which makes it lighter than the stock alternative. Riding with it, I’ve enjoyed an improved power-weight ratio, and I can’t help but admire the megaphone-style muffler. It looks mean and sounds even meaner. Plus, it comes in black or chrome, so I picked the one that matched my ride.

The Road Rage has been a joy to ride with, packed with features I’ve found to be really useful. Full coverage heat shields have made my long journeys on hot days more comfortable. And if I wanted to, I could use the included Quiet Baffle to tone down a few annoying dBs.

But let me tell you, I didn’t buy this V-Rod exhaust for the extras. I bought it for the raw, unbridled performance that I’ve felt firsthand. The stepped header design and high-flow exhaust architecture gave my bike a noticeable boost in power. And Bassani’s unique collector design ensures that every ounce of performance is squeezed from the V-Rod’s engine. Even the 2-into-1 design helped me get more torque where it matters.

What I’ve ended up with is a faster, more agile, and peppier bike. In fact, after trying every other performance mod, I found the Bassani adds those last few HP to the V-Rod, perfecting it.

And oh, the sound! It’s louder, throatier, and deeper than stock. Riding with that signature Bassani growl, which I’ve come to adore, has been a thrilling experience. The sound is rich and resonant, thanks to the unique muffler design. Honestly, from my hands-on experience, it’s probably the best sounding exhaust I’ve ever had!

If you’re like me and don’t want to break the bank on your next V-Rod exhaust, let me tell you about the 4″ slip-ons from Bassani. I gave them a try, and they were a cheap but worthy upgrade. They brought a louder, more aggressive exhaust note to my V-Rod and a fantastic design that made the stock exhausts seem dull.

Now, I’ll be honest with you, these slip-ons didn’t add much power to my V-Rod’s engine. The free-flowing design mainly just amped up the sound. However, the lightweight build made my V-Rod feel a bit less chunky, and I could tell they were durable since they used the same high-grade, 16-gauge steel as the Road Rage pipes.

What caught my eye was the larger, rounded design that looked mean and fitting for my V-Rod. I think most riders, like me, will appreciate the black end caps with contrasting flutes, which added a dash of flair to the design.

But what really made me fall in love with these slip-on exhausts was their deep and thumpy exhaust note. After installation, the pipes woke up my engine and generated a more imposing sound, transforming my V-Rod from a cruiser to a bruiser!

These pipes have way more character than the stock exhausts, and I absolutely loved the crackly pops and bangs they produced every time I let off the throttle. Sure, you can tune this out, but I chose to leave them in.

The cherry on top? The full coverage heat shields and all necessary mounting equipment came right in the box. The instructions were clear, concise, and easy to follow. Believe me, it took me no more than 20 minutes to get these exhausts ready to go. If you’re on a budget, I’d highly recommend giving them a try!

Akrapovic isn’t typically known for making Harley Davidson exhausts, but let me tell you about the time I got my hands on their Open-Line for the V-Rod Muscle. They truly went all out. It’s a 2-into-1 style exhaust that, from my experience, outperforms the competition in every aspect.

The moment I looked at the Open-Line 2-into-1 exhaust, I knew I was dealing with something extraordinary. The build quality was unlike anything I’d seen, using high-grade stainless steel for the headers, titanium for the muffler, and carbon fiber for the heat shield. Riding with it, I could feel that this premium hardware wasn’t just for show; it enhanced heat and pressure resistance a thousand-fold!

What surprised me was how lightweight the exhaust was – seriously lightweight. With a 30 lb weight reduction, I immediately noticed my V-Rod Muscle becoming more agile and easier to handle. Plus, the power-weight ratio improved significantly.

I had to take a second glance at the design. Whether in chrome or black, the shorter muffler fit my V-Rod Muscle surprisingly well and gave it a more performance-focused appearance.

And speaking of performance, it seemed like that’s what this exhaust was built for! The free-flowing exhaust architecture and stepped headers led to the biggest power boost I’d ever felt on my V-Rod Muscle. I even measured a 4 hp increase in power and almost 2 extra lb-ft after installing this exhaust.

During my test rides, I found that my V-Rod Muscle was quicker in acceleration, handled low-speed maneuvering with ease, and felt more confident on the highway. If it weren’t for the high price tag, I would declare this the best V-Rod Muscle exhaust without a second thought. If you’re looking for performance and can handle the cost, this is the exhaust to have.

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