The Best Exhausts for Harley Davidson’s Electra Glide Motorcycles

If you’re in search of the best exhaust for your Harley Davidson Electra Glide, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve dedicated this article to personally recommend the top exhausts for this beautiful bike.

With a careful focus on build quality, performance, and sound, I’ve ridden and tested each Electra Glide exhaust in various real-world scenarios. My hands-on experience with these exhausts will provide you the insight you need to make an informed decision.

My personal favorite? Vance & Hines’ Big Radius. There’s something about that rowdy sound, the impressive performance, and the top-tier construction that sets it apart. I mean, this is Vance & Hines we’re talking about – quality is in their DNA. And with its eye-catching design, it’s like adding a dash of adrenaline to your ride!

You see, Harley Touring bikes and I go way back, and I’ve spent over a decade testing motorcycle accessories professionally. Riding these beasts and pushing them to their limits is not just my job; it’s my passion. So, when it comes to helping you choose the perfect exhaust for your Electra Glide, I know I’ve got the experience and the love for the ride to guide you right.

So, stick around, and let me take you through my thoughts on the best exhausts for the Harley Davidson Electra Glide. Trust me, it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.


Overall Best

Vance & Hines Big Radius Exhaust For Harley Electra Glide

Two Brothers Racing caught my eye with a fantastic and affordable exhaust for my Electra Glide. Upon fitting the 2-into-1 design, I was rewarded with a surge of power, and the sound? Phenomenal. I recognized it as a longer version of the Comp-S exhaust, and its quieter nature seemed just perfect for my touring adventures.

Let me start with the design of these pipes. I was amazed by how endlessly customizable they were. With options for standard or slash cut end caps, in finishes and materials like carbon fiber, I felt spoiled for choice. Though black was available, I found myself actually preferring the chrome for the first time.

Fitting the exhaust, I was impressed by the precision – it was confidence-inspiring. Unlike the regular Comp-S, compatible with both forward and mid control bikes, this Touring variant seemed tailor-made for my Electra Glide.

With the aesthetics sorted, I couldn’t wait to get out on the road and feel the performance of this exhaust. Any 2-into-1 style exhaust worth its salt promises a power boost, but this one actually delivered. Depending on my Electra Glide’s model year and after getting the engine tuned, I felt up to a 5 HP increase in power.

The ‘scavenging’ effect in the 2-into-1 design caught my attention, allowing the exhaust pulse from one cylinder to draw more air into the other, enhancing performance. The result? A better throttle response, faster acceleration, and more torque for daily riding. Though I didn’t notice a significant weight reduction, I quickly realized that this was a robust exhaust in more ways than one.

That beefiness wasn’t just about appearance; it was evident in the exceptional build quality. The durable, mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing and TIG welds held the high exhaust pressure at bay. And the high-temp SS wool and packing material did wonders in keeping the exhaust heat controlled.

Finally, I must talk about the sound. It had that loud, raucous 2-into-1 style exhaust note, but without the discomfort of excessive noise on my cross-country trips. It was no slouch, belting out a deep and rumbly sound, adding a more aggressive feel to my Electra Glide.

In the end, the Two Brothers Racing exhaust proved to be more than just an accessory. It was a transformation of power, aesthetics, and sound, adding a new dimension to my riding experience. The quality, performance, and customization were a blend that made this exhaust a thrilling addition to my Electra Glide.

Pros
  • Modern, stylish design
  • Significantly more powerful than stock
  • Improved performance throughout the rev range
  • Integrated heat shields
  • Blue-proof design
  • Louder exhaust note
  • Deeper sound
  • Lightweight construction
  • Most durable exhaust
  • Highest grade stainless steel parts
  • Free flow design
  • Incredible fluttering sound on cold starts
Cons
  • Styling may not appeal to some riders

Worthy Consideration

Two Brothers Comp-S 2-Into-1 Exhaust

When I laid my eyes on the Two Brothers Racing exhaust for my Electra Glide, I knew I was onto something fantastic and affordable. The moment I fired it up, the 2-into-1 design didn’t just add power, it sounded absolutely phenomenal. I recognized it as a longer variant of the Comp-S exhaust, which meant it was a bit quieter – just perfect for my touring needs.

I started by marveling at the design of these pipes. The choices seemed endless, with options for standard or slash cut end caps in an array of finishes and materials, including carbon fiber. I could have gone for black, but for the first time, I was drawn to the chrome.

As I fitted the exhaust, I found the fitment to be precise, instilling confidence. This wasn’t the regular Comp-S, compatible with both forward and mid-control bikes, it was the Touring variant, seemingly custom made for my Electra Glide.

Once I got the aesthetics sorted, I was eager to unleash the performance of this exhaust. Like any self-respecting 2-into-1 style exhaust, it served a serious power boost. After getting my engine tuned, I could expect up to a 5 HP increase in power depending on my Electra Glide’s model year.

What I found fascinating about the 2-into-1 design was the ‘scavenging’ effect. This phenomenon allowed the exhaust pulse from one cylinder to help pull more air into the other, thus enhancing performance.

This meant I enjoyed better throttle response, faster acceleration, and a load more torque for everyday riding. I was amazed at how much more fun my Electra Glide felt with this exhaust fitted. It didn’t deliver a ton of weight savings as it was a rather solid exhaust, but that was fine by me.

The robustness was also a testament to the exceptional build quality. Durable, mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing and TIG welds effectively managed the high exhaust pressure. The high-temp SS wool and packing material did a fantastic job at keeping exhaust heat under control.

And now, let’s talk about the sound. It had that distinctive, loud 2-into-1 style exhaust note, but it wasn’t so loud as to disturb my cross-country trips on the Electra Glide. Yet, it was no slouch either. It churned out a deep and rumbly sound, giving my Electra Glide a more aggressive feel. All in all, the Two Brothers Racing exhaust was a game changer, delivering a perfect blend of aesthetics, performance and an exhilarating soundtrack.

Pros
  • Race-inspired Milwaukee 8 exhaust pipes
  • Up to 5 HP boost in power
  • TIG welds for better structural rigidity
  • Improved acceleration
  • Top-end power also benefits
  • Mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing
  • Carbon fiber end-caps
  • 2-into-1 style exhaust enables scavenging
  • Bass-heavy exhaust
  • Not as loud as the regular Comp-S
  • Compatible with stock O2 sensors
Cons
  • Some folks might prefer louder exhaust

Premium Choice

S&S Diamondback Exhaust

When I stumbled upon the S&S Diamondback, I was instantly captivated by this 2-into-1 style exhaust. It promised not only performance but also a design that was as functional as it was striking. The sound? It was louder and more imposing, just what I wanted for my performance bagger build.

I have to admit, the design of this Electra Glide exhaust was awe-inspiring. Built with high-grade stainless steel from header to end cap, it had something special. What really set it apart for me was the use of CAD software, which allowed for an incredibly precise design and construction. This exhaust was designed to maximize ground clearance, so I knew I could lean further into corners without a second thought.

The focus S&S put into making this exhaust as powerful as possible was clear to see. With free-flowing exhaust architecture, improved backpressure, and that ‘scavenging’ effect from the 2-into-1 design, I felt the power.

But there was more. S&S didn’t just stop there; they added oversized header primary tubes, enhancing exhaust flow and ensuring higher power throughout the rev range. The stepped header and merged collector was a genius move, preventing exhaust gas reversion. Simply put, this pipe made my bike go fast. Very fast.

Once I got my Electra Glide out on the road with the Diamondback installed, I immediately noticed how much quicker it was to accelerate. The throttle response was smoother, and I had some extra torque for those low-speed maneuvers. I couldn’t help but think this was, by far, the best performing exhaust I had ever fitted to my Harley Davidson Electra Glide.

The sound was just as impressive. An ear-splitting, boomy note that seemed like it was straight from the racetrack – probably because that’s where S&S developed this exhaust. The designers had made this exhaust just the right length for more power and an even louder sound.

And the look? The pipe ended just before the rear axle, giving my Electra Glide a stripped-down, performance-focused appearance that I absolutely loved.

But it wasn’t all about looks and performance. The Diamondback came with full-coverage heat shields, which came in handy on hot days and long journeys. The 4 separate O2 sensor bungs made installing the sensors a breeze. While I could have gone for an all-black version, there was something uniquely appealing about the stainless finish, so that was my choice.

All in all, the S&S Diamondback transformed my bike, combining style, sound, and sensational performance in one package. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Pros
  • High-grade stainless steel build
  • Designed with CAD software
  • Precise bending and design
  • Mounts higher on the bike
  • Does not scrape on bumps
  • Allows for more aggressive leaning
  • Stepped headers
  • Free-flowing exhaust design
  • Improved performance throughout the rev range
  • Quicker acceleration
  • Impressive torque
  • Louder than stock
  • Race-inspired sound
  • Booming, rumbly exhaust note
  • Full coverage heat shields
  • 4 O2 sensor bungs
  • Available in black or stainless finish
Cons
  • Most expensive exhaust for the Harley Davidson Electra Glide
Author
Hugo Alais

Hi, I'm Hugo, I'm a motorcycle enthusiast who’s been riding for the last 10 years. I'm passionate about all things motorcycles and started Bikes Future to help other riders make the right motorcycle moves. I ride a white Kawasaki Ninja 400. You can find out more about me and my experience with motorcycling here.