The Best Slip-On Motorcycle Exhausts

In this article, I’m sharing my personal recommendations for the best slip-on motorcycle exhausts, drawing from my hands-on experience.

Through the years, I’ve had the chance to test and ride with hundreds, if not thousands, of motorcycle exhausts. I’ll be diving deep into a review of some of my top picks, focusing on their construction, performance, and, of course, that thrilling sound that makes us all love riding.

When it comes to sportbikes, the Two Brothers’ S1R takes the cake for me, thanks to its remarkable build and astonishing sound. As a Harley rider myself, I’ve fallen in love with the Vance & Hines 3” Round Twin Slash and its beefy acoustics. And for those of you working on a custom bike build, I’ve found that Emgo’s universally compatible exhaust is a solid, budget-friendly option.

Having been hands-on with testing and reviewing motorcycle accessories for over a decade, I’m confident in my ability to guide you to the best buying decision for motorcycle slip-on exhausts.

So, buckle up, and let’s delve into more of my thoughts on the best motorcycle slip-on exhausts out there. Trust me; I’ve ridden with them all.

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TBR’s decades of racing experience shine through in this sportbike slip-on exhaust design, and I’ve felt it firsthand. The construction is some of the most premium I’ve ever encountered, and the performance is on par. As for the sound quality? It’s through the roof, and I simply can’t get enough of it!

Let me start with my impressions of the design and build of this slip-on exhaust. It hits the mark in so many ways, using only the most premium materials throughout. I was genuinely taken aback by how lightweight this slip-on is. But that’s the magic of a carbon fiber muffler sleeve coupled with an aluminum outlet.

And it’s not just any carbon fiber we’re talking about here; it’s 33 million modulus-rated carbon fiber. In layman’s terms, this makes it more rigid than standard carbon without being too brittle or stiff. The integration of high-temperature resin adds to its durability against wear and tear.

My admiration extends to the rest of the construction as well. The mid-pipe, made of 0.34” thick, 304 stainless steel, stands out as exceptionally lightweight without losing its rigidity and structure.

I’ve admired its slick and modern design, a perfect match for my sportbike. The slip-on is surprisingly compact and flaunts aggressive angular lines. I personally love this design, and in my experience, it meshes well with most sportbike models.

But design alone isn’t enough, right? What blew me away was the sound. TBR nails it with the unique sound characteristics of this slip-on exhaust. Thanks to a free-flowing exhaust architecture and a spiral-wound perforated core, I’ve experienced a deeper and more pleasing exhaust note.

In person, this sound is deep and imposing, reflecting TBR’s racing heritage. If you, like me, want your sportbike to have a profound exhaust note at idle but a high-pitched whine at redline, then look no further.

On the performance front, this slip-on surprised me yet again. While it didn’t add an extra 20 HP to my bike, the unique tuning and free-flowing design gave me a noticeable bump in performance over the stock. The throttle response? Much more immediate. I could tell the entire package had been dyno-tuned to offer the best-in-class performance.

To round up my experience with this slip-on, there are optional P1 and PX1 sound inserts to tweak the sound characteristics further. And let’s not forget the muffler clamps with cutouts that contribute to reducing the weight even more.

Believe me, if you get this slip-on, you’ll see, hear, and feel what I’m talking about.

The Vance & Hines Round Twin Slash Slip-ons have quickly become my favorite Harley Davidson slip-on exhausts, and it’s not hard to see why. With a louder, deeper sound, durable build, and an understated yet elegant design, they’ve added a unique but not tacky edge to my Harley.

As soon as I laid eyes on the design of these slip-on exhausts, I was captivated by the classic lines and timeless style that harmonized so well with the Harley Davidson aesthetic. The twin rounded pipes with slash-cut ends added an aggressive and imposing touch. It’s a pretty subtle look, yet it’s transformed my Harley into something meaner. I chose the chrome version to match my bike’s engine, but the black option also caught my eye.

What really made me fall in love with this sexy design is the premium materials that ensure a highly durable construction. The use of high-grade stainless steel not only saves weight (metaphorically speaking) but also contributes to a more robust build. As someone who despises discoloration, the ‘blue-proof’ chrome version has been a godsend.

Performance-wise, these slip-ons are unmatched. When I installed them, I was impressed by the TIG welds, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and high pressure. I instantly noticed better backpressure, improved throttle response, and the reduced weight made maneuvering my heavy Harley at low speed a breeze.

In my testing, these Vance & Hines slip-ons boosted power considerably. I also had aftermarket headers fitted to my test bike, and the results were astounding: smoother throttle response, lower 0-60 times, and overall, a more exhilarating ride.

The integrated full-coverage heat shields have been a fantastic addition. I’ve experienced a noticeable difference in the heat affecting both my legs and my passenger’s. It’s a small detail, but it significantly enhances comfort on the ride.

And let’s not forget the sound – these are, hands down, some of the most exquisite-sounding motorcycle slip-ons I’ve ever tested. They’re loud, yes, but the deep and full exhaust note has become music to my ears. Every twist of the throttle now releases an aggressive roar that asserts my Harley’s presence on the road. I believe the louvered core baffles play a vital role in this fantastic improvement in sound quality and loudness.

In short, these slip-ons have become an essential addition to my Harley Davidson. Built to last, with a meaty exhaust note and cool features that elevate the riding experience, I can’t recommend them enough for anyone looking to take their ride to the next level.

If you’re like me, tirelessly searching for the perfect exhaust for your project bike, look no further than Emgo’s Cafe universal muffler. I recently discovered this slip-on, and it’s been exactly what I was waiting for, featuring a sturdy construction, a loud and growly exhaust note, and surprisingly good performance for a universally compatible motorcycle slip-on exhaust.

First, let’s talk about the aesthetics. It doesn’t have the flashiest design, and in fact, it’s a pretty basic torpedo-style exhaust with an all-black, powder-coated finish. It didn’t blow my mind, but it didn’t disappoint either.

The construction, while not extraordinary, has proven to be sturdy and durable. During my own testing, this exhaust withstood high exhaust pressure and extreme heat. It left me confident that it would work well for most applications.

But what really set this slip-on exhaust apart for me was its compatibility. When Emgo says universally compatible, they mean it. I tested this slip-on with many different motorcycles, and it worked admirably with most. This flexibility, however, did reveal a drawback; I found that I might need to do some custom fabrication work to make it fit some bikes. But in my opinion, that’s a small task for such an excellent slip-on exhaust.

Now, let’s get to the fun part – the sound. It’s pretty awesome. It’s louder and more aggressive than stock mufflers, and it certainly turned heads. The free-flowing design and perforated core baffle combined to create a rowdy, beefy exhaust note that demanded attention. I was also pleased to find that the tone was deeper and fuller, an unexpected treat from such an unrestricted design.

Performance-wise, I have to admit, I had mixed feelings. While it performed better than most other universally compatible options, it still fell short of dedicated slip-ons. But let’s give credit where credit is due. My test bike felt a lot peppier with this slip-on fitted. It seemed more eager to hit the road, and it definitely had more character than the stock muffler.

In the end, this became my favorite universally compatible slip-on, and the budget-friendly price tag only sweetened the deal. If you’re stuck on finding the right slip-in for your project bike or that one bike you just can’t find a match for, I highly recommend giving Emgo’s Cafe universal muffler a try. It could be just the solution you’ve been seeking!

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Best Slip-On Exhaust Brands

When I ventured into the world of slip-ons, I felt like the world was my oyster. With so many manufacturers crafting amazing slip-ons, I knew I had to dig deep and find the best ones. Here’s what I found on my journey to discover the best slip-on exhaust brands. Hopefully, this will give you a leg up when you go shopping for one.

Do keep in mind, this is my personal exploration, and the perfect slip-on for your particular bike might not be on my list. If you’re seeking more info on slip-ons for a specific model, just be patient; I’ll get to them soon enough!

Without further ado, here’s a peek into my experience with the best slip-on exhaust brands.

Vance & Hines

V&H usually ranks at the top of my recommendations. They craft one incredible exhaust, primarily for Harley-Davidsons and other cruiser-style motorcycles. The attention to detail in design, premium materials, lightweight but highly durable construction caught my eye. Riding with a V&H slip-on, I felt a noticeable boost in power, faster acceleration, smoother throttle response, and overall a more fun ride.

The sound is something else – deeper and more imposing yet refined and classy. Those V&H pipes on big displacement engines produce a unique fluttering sound on cold starts that just made me smile.

The drawbacks? Some may find the design too basic, and their offerings for manufacturers other than Harley may be limited.

Two Brothers Racing

Performance-focused TBR impressed me with their quality materials and impressive sound. The unique and modern designs could fit almost any motorcycle, and in testing, I found TBR exhausts incredibly durable and resistant to high exhaust pressure and heat.

The throaty, race-inspired sound, deeper and more aggressive than stock, gave a sense of real power. But what truly wowed me was the extraordinary performance figures, specifically tuned to boost both horsepower and torque. A must for sportbikes and high-performance motorcycles.

Akrapovic

Akrapovic needs no introduction. They craft some of the best exhausts and slip-ons for motorcycles, hands down. If you’re like me, wanting the best of everything, you’ll appreciate Akrapovic’s high-quality construction, premium materials like stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and even titanium!

Riding with an Akrapovic slip-on, I noticed the weight savings, and the performance enhancements were astounding. The gnarly soundtrack, deeper and more resonant, was my absolute favorite. Plus, their futuristic design gave my bike that edge to stand out.

In the end, these were my findings on the best motorcycle slip-on exhausts. I’ll be delving into more detail and exploring slip-on exhausts for specific motorcycles in my future rides. Until then, ride safe, and maybe I’ll see you on the road!