This is our buying guide on the deepest sounding exhausts for Harley Davidson’s in 2024. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read in depth, hands on reviews for each exhaust.
Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered
- Minimalist design
- Comes in either black or chrome
- Mufflers are wider than headers
- Amplifies the sound of the exhaust
- Higher volume of exhaust gasses flow
- Deeper, more rumbly exhaust note
- Unique air intake sound on cold starts
- 220-degree integrated heat shields
- More rider comfort for warmer days
- Throttle response is much improved
- More competitively priced than other options
- Included baffles can quiet the exhaust down
- Great for longer rides
Bassani Road Rage III
- 304 stainless steel construction
- Lightweight design
- Makes manoeuvring the bike easier
- TIG welds for better rigidity and aesthetics
- Pipes are mounted higher than stock
- Allows for more aggressive leaning of bike
- Megaphone style muffler
- 2-into-1 design
- Louder volume
- Deeper, more full sound
- Free-flowing exhaust design
- Noticeable bump in power
- Better throttle response
- Higher performance throughout the rev range
- Integrated heat shield
- O2 sensors and adapters included in the box
- Easy to install
- Made in the USA
Two Brothers Comp
- Race-inspired exhaust pipes
- Available in chrome and matte black
- Boosts power by 3-5 HP depending on the bike
- TIG welds provide better structural rigidity
- Faster 0-60 time
- Top-end power also benefits
- Lightweight stainless steel design
- Carbon fiber end-cap looks cool
- Better power to weight ratio
- Free-flowing exhaust design
- More backpressure
- Rounded muffler enhances volume
- Deeper exhaust note than stock
- Fits both forward and mid controls
- Stock O2 sensors can be used
Today, I’m excited to share with you my top picks for the deepest-sounding Harley exhausts. As someone who’s spent over a decade riding and tinkering with motorcycles, I’ve had the pleasure of thoroughly testing these exhausts on different Harley Davidson models, and I can’t wait to dive into the details.
I’ll be focusing on the build quality, the unique sound each one offers, and any special features that stood out to me.
If you’re in a hurry for a recommendation, let me tell you about the Bassani Road Rage III. This exhaust lives up to its name, producing a raucous note that accentuates the bass. Don’t let its brawny appearance fool you, though – it’s built with high-quality, lightweight materials and gives a decent power boost. I’ve spent time with it on the road, and it’s a real thrill.
I’m sharing these thoughts to help you make the best purchase, drawing from my hands-on experience with these exhausts. If you have any questions or need further insights, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.
Stay with me as I delve deeper into the world of the most soul-stirring, deepest-sounding Harley exhausts. The ride is just getting started!
Overall Loudest
Bassani Road Rage III 2-into-1 Exhaust For Harley
If you’re on the hunt for that ‘bone-rattling’ exhaust note, let me tell you about the Bassani Road Rage. It’s my go-to option, and I can personally vouch for its lightweight build and neo-classic styling that seems to fit perfectly with most of Harley’s bikes. I felt a peppier throttle response myself, and I’m sure you will too.
I’ll start with the design of this exhaust. With a 304 stainless steel construction, it’s noticeably lighter than the stock pipes, making mounting it a breeze, and living with it daily an absolute joy. Now, the 2-into-1 style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m completely smitten with it!
What really impressed me were the TIG welds used for this exhaust. They not only look better than stock but also allow the pipes to hold up exceptionally well to abuse. I’ve given it a run, and it stood up to the challenge.
The slimmer proportions gave me easier maneuvering of the bike, something that you can feel right away. And the exhaust’s mounting sits a bit higher than stock, a feature that I genuinely appreciated when leaning my Harley into the twistys.
But let’s get to the real deal: the sound and performance. This bad boy doesn’t just look pretty. It packs a serious punch with its megaphone-style muffler, amplifying my bike’s exhaust by a whopping 25%. The 2-into-1 design didn’t just shine; it screamed. It gave my ride a unique, ‘growly,’ and deep tone that still resonates in my ears.
Performance-wise, I can attest to a remarkable difference. The throttle response was crisper, and my engine felt livelier. Bassani’s design allowed faster exhaust flow, leading to a 3-horsepower upgrade that I could feel across the rev range, especially when combined with the lower weight.
The low-end torque got a nice boost, making my Harley quicker off the line and easier to maneuver in tight spots, something I particularly enjoyed during city rides.
Rounding up my hands-on experience, the integrated partial heat shield helped minimize the heat from the exhaust, and the inclusion of all necessary O2 sensors and adapters made the installation a breeze. And just like my beloved Harley, this exhaust was designed and manufactured right here in the USA. A win-win situation if you ask me!
Pros
- 304 stainless steel construction
- Lightweight design
- Makes manoeuvring the bike easier
- TIG welds for better rigidity and aesthetics
- Pipes are mounted higher than stock
- Allows for more aggressive leaning of bike
- Megaphone style muffler
- 2-into-1 design
- Louder volume
- Deeper, more full sound
- Free-flowing exhaust design
- Noticeable bump in power
- Better throttle response
- Higher performance throughout the rev range
- Integrated heat shield
- O2 sensors and adapters included in the box
- Easy to install
- Made in the USA
Cons
- The design may not appeal to all riders
Overall Loudest
Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered Exhaust For Harley
If you’re like me and you want that extra ‘oomph!’ from your Harley without having to break the bank, then let me tell you about the Vance and Hines Shortshots. These became the top pick on my list, and they might be yours too.
What caught my eye at first was the understated design of this Harley exhaust. The pipes themselves had an unbroken line from the header to the end-cap. I took a closer look, and the pipes were narrower at the headers, around 1 ¾’, and then widened to 2 ⅛’ near the muffler. Not only did this create an aesthetically pleasing look, but it also gave the exhaust that beefier sound I crave.
I was glad to discover an integrated heat shield that offered 220-degree coverage on the Shortshots. It translated into a more comfortable ride for me, keeping my calves sweat-free.
The thick powder coat added a stealth look to these pipes, blending well with my blacked-out Harley engine. You can opt for classic chrome if that’s your style, but I loved the dark look.
Now, let’s talk about performance, something I was eager to test. The free-flowing architecture of the Shortshots gave my bike a nice boost in power, but of course, I had to make sure I did the relevant tuning to get the most out of them. I immediately noticed the smoother power delivery and throttle response.
But the real star of the show? The sound. These affordable exhaust pipes delivered a couple of extra decibels compared to my stock setup, and the difference was more than just noticeable – it was thrilling. I didn’t just get more sound; I got higher quality sound. The enhancement in low-end frequencies made this one of the deepest sounding Harley exhausts I’ve ever had the pleasure to… well… hear.
What made these exhausts stand out was a unique sound characteristic I noticed on cold starts. It was the sound of air rushing into the pipes, accompanied by a guttural, popping noise. It’s hard to describe, but trust me, you’ll know it when you hear it, and you’ll love it as much as I did.
An added bonus of these deep and rumbly Harley exhausts is that they come with additional baffles that can quiet them down if you wish. So, if you’re planning a cross-country trip like I did, you can make the exhausts a bit quieter for more comfort.
As for me, I’ll still be running my Shortshots at full send, but that’s the beauty of it – to each his own. And these might just become your own, too.
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Comes in either black or chrome
- Mufflers are wider than headers
- Amplifies the sound of the exhaust
- Higher volume of exhaust gasses flow
- Deeper, more rumbly exhaust note
- Unique air intake sound on cold starts
- 220-degree integrated heat shields
- More rider comfort for warmer days
- Throttle response is much improved
- More competitively priced than other options
- Included baffles can quiet the exhaust down
- Great for longer rides
Cons
- Full system exhaust will require tuning/ECU remapping
Overall Loudest
Two Brothers Comp-S 2-Into-1 Exhaust For Harley
In case you haven’t picked up on my taste, I’ve got a thing for 2-into-1 style exhausts, and the ‘Two Brothers’ offering really caught my attention. It offers classic styling and a booming exhaust note that I could hear from a mile away. And let me tell you, this one doesn’t just sound good; it delivers some incredible performance!
If you’re like me and love cafe racer and bobber-style bikes, you’ll find the Two Brothers exhaust right up your alley. Just like the Bassani I tried before, this one has a large, rounded muffler connected to the individual header pipes. While many opt for the chrome version, I decided to go with the matte black, and I was pleased with my choice.
But what truly set the Two Brothers’ exhaust systems apart for me was their focus on performance. I found their race-inspired style fitting both on the track and on the road. Depending on the model, the Comp-S gave my Harley a nice 3-5 HP boost. And boy, did I feel it! Maybe it was all in my head, but I swear the bike felt quicker to 60 and had better top-end performance with these pipes installed. The stainless steel construction didn’t just look good; it made for some functional weight savings, too.
A lot of that gain in power seemed to come from these pipes allowing a freer flow of exhaust gases. I could tell that the TIG welds were there to help the pipes withstand higher pressure, improving backpressure at the same time.
Now, you might be reading this because you’re looking for the deepest sounding Harley exhausts, and trust me, the Two Brothers Comp-S won’t disappoint. I found its exhaust characteristics similar to the Bassani – louder, but also more crisp and meaty. Just a twist of the throttle, and these pipes sang for me! The overall volume might have been a tad lower than some other options I’ve tried, but it was still a massive improvement over stock.
I appreciated not having to mess around with aftermarket accessories either, as these pipes fit the stock O2 sensors on my bike and could be fitted to bikes with forward or mid controls.
Lastly, a small detail that won me over was the carbon fiber-trimmed end cap. It might seem trivial, but it added a bit of flair to the exhaust pipes, making them look even cooler.
The ‘Two Brothers’ exhaust wasn’t just about aesthetics or sound; it was an all-around great addition to my ride. If you’re after both style and performance, you might just find it to be the perfect fit for your Harley too.
Pros
- Race-inspired exhaust pipes
- Available in chrome and matte black
- Boosts power by 3-5 HP depending on the bike
- TIG welds provide better structural rigidity
- Faster 0-60 time
- Top-end power also benefits
- Lightweight stainless steel design
- Carbon fiber end-cap looks cool
- Better power to weight ratio
- Free-flowing exhaust design
- More backpressure
- Rounded muffler enhances volume
- Deeper exhaust note than stock
- Fits both forward and mid controls
- Stock O2 sensors can be used
Cons
- Not as loud as some other aftermarket options on this list