This is my buying guide on the loudest slip on exhausts for Harley Davidson motorcycles 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.
S&S Slip On Harley Davidson Exhausts
- High-grade stainless steel
- Available in chrome and satin black
- Large, rounded mufflers
- Modern slash-cut design
- Highest bump in power of any Harley slip-on
- Slightly better low-end torque
- Smoother throttle response
- Loudest slip-on for Harleys
- Deeper sound at idle and on the road
- dB killer can be removed for even more power and volume
- Easiest installation process
Vance and Hines Slip-On Exhausts
- Stainless steel construction
- TIG welds
- Clean, minimalist design
- Available in chrome, matte black
- Non-bluing surface coat
- Louder than stock
- Louvered baffles for a throaty exhaust note
- Deeper tone
- Unique air intake sound on cold starts
- Integrated heat shields
- Prevents excess heat on rider and passenger
- Removable baffles for a louder sound
- Compatible with dB killers for noise regulation compliance
Rinehart Slip-On Exhausts
- Sturdy materials used
- Aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium used
- Aluminum end caps add a nice design cue
- Hold up well to high temperatures and pressure
- No exhaust leaks
- Classic styling
- CNC machined parts
- One of the loudest Harley slip-on exhausts
- Deeper exhaust note
- Decent power upgrade
- Free-flowing exhaust architecture
- Better throttle response
- Slightly better low-end torque
- Most affordable loud slip-on for Harleys
Welcome to my personal buying guide for the loudest slip-on exhausts for Harley Davidson motorcycles in 2023. I’ve ridden, tested, and truly experienced these beasts, and what follows is a quick rundown of my top recommendations. Feel the rumble? Hear the roar? That’s just a taste of what awaits. Scroll further down to dive into my hands-on, in-depth reviews for each exhaust. Let’s ride!
Welcome to my personal journey through the world of the loudest slip-on exhausts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Hold on tight, because I’m about to take you on a deep dive into the raw details such as build quality, design, and sound characteristics of each slip-on. And believe me, I’m not just talking from the specs sheet – I’ve tested these exhausts on various Harley models to really get a feel for their performance.
When it comes to the best, Vance & Hines’ slip-ons for Harley-Davidsons remain unbeaten in my book. Their build quality? Unmatched. Their volume? Among the loudest you can find. And that unique V&H sound? Music to my ears.
Over the last two decades, I’ve had the pleasure of owning quite a few Harley-Davidsons. Slip-ons have always been my go-to accessory to pump up the sound and style of my bikes. From enhancing the exhaust’s volume to adding that special flair, these are more than just accessories – they’re part of the Harley experience.
So come along as I share more of my thoughts, insights, and personal experiences with the loudest Harley slip-on exhausts. Let’s hit the road!
IMPORTANT! – Make sure you have the correct sizing and fitment so you don’t waste your money.
Overall Loudest
Vance and Hines Slip-On Exhausts for Harley Motorcycles
When it comes to Vance & Hines, I feel like they can do no wrong. In my quest to find the best Harley slip-ons, I tried many, but Vance & Hines’ pipes caught my attention. They might not be the loudest Harley slip-ons on my list, but to me, they sound and look the best.
First, let’s talk about what stood out to me the most: the construction. If you’re looking for a loud Harley slip-on that seems like it could outlast the bike itself, V&H pipes should be your choice. I was amazed by their stainless steel construction and the beautiful TIG welds, painstakingly perfected to a tee.
The clean and minimalist design language of Vance & Hines slip-ons also caught my eye. These pipes have this classic, restrained aesthetic that I found fit right in with any Harley Davidson I tried, from Sportster to Road Glide.
I found most slip-ons in either classic chrome or a dull matte black, matching perfectly with powder-coated engines. Plus, the Vance & Hines pipes’ special surface coating resisted bluing over time, keeping my slip-ons looking pristine.
Now, let’s get to the sound, and I must say, I loved the sound characteristics of Vance & Hines slip-ons. The special louvered baffles and unique inner muffler design produced a deeper, louder, and more throaty sound that was music to my ears.
These slip-ons were definitely louder and fuller-sounding than the stock exhaust on my Harley. I particularly enjoyed the cool air intake sound on cold starts, something few other manufacturers replicated. Overall, the sound from Vance & Hines slip-ons was, for me, the most balanced. It was loud enough to thrill but just quiet enough to keep things legal!
Being one of the oldest Harley exhaust manufacturers, V&H knows what they’re doing. I appreciated the unique features they packed into their products, like the integrated heat shields that were pretty effective at keeping excess exhaust heat off both me and my passenger.
Additionally, I liked that the slip-ons were fully compatible with dB killers, allowing me to quiet down the exhaust when needed. On the flip side, I could remove the baffles for an even louder exhaust when the mood struck. It was these simple yet effective features that made Vance & Hines my top pick for the loudest Harley slip-on.
Pros
- Stainless steel construction
- TIG welds
- Clean, minimalist design
- Available in chrome, matte black
- Non-bluing surface coat
- Louder than stock
- Louvered baffles for a throaty exhaust note
- Deeper tone
- Unique air intake sound on cold starts
- Integrated heat shields
- Prevents excess heat on rider and passenger
- Removable baffles for a louder sound
- Compatible with dB killers for noise regulation compliance
Cons
- Not as loud as some other slip-on for Harleys
Worthy Choice
Rinehart Slip-On Exhausts for Harley Davidson
Rinehart caught my eye as another top-notch slip-on manufacturer for Harleys, and I was eager to try them out. Once installed, the loud and raucous exhaust note immediately impressed me, and I could tell that these slip-ons had more style than I could have asked for.
Although they didn’t quite match Vance & Hines’ robust build quality that I’d experienced before, I was still amazed by the construction of Rinehart pipes, especially in the budget category. I got my hands on materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and even titanium – all for a reasonable price. The sturdiness of these materials was evident as they held up admirably to high exhaust temps and pressure while cranking up the loudness.
What truly set Rinehart apart for me was their use of CNC machining in the slip-on’s construction. It allowed for a more precise build that looked and felt less prone to exhaust leaks and cracks. I couldn’t help but notice that the CNC parts simply looked nicer than the traditional alternatives I’d seen before.
In terms of design language, I found Rinehart’s style to be low-key and classic, reminiscent of V&H’s offerings. The straight, unbroken lines and smooth curves added a refined look to my Harley without making it seem over-stylized or tacky.
Now, let’s talk about the sound quality. I was thoroughly pleased with Rinehart’s sonic signature. That deep, guttural sound not only blew the stock pipes out of the water but gave other aftermarket brands I’d tried a real run for their money. In fact, my testing showed that Rinehart slip-ons consistently beat other brands in terms of volume and loudness.
The CNC machined inner sleeve seemed to play a significant role here, channeling exhaust gases in a way that made them sound louder as they exited the pipe.
But Rinehart offered more than just a loud Harley slip-on. I found the exhaust note to be more pleasing, sounding and feeling robust. And I can’t leave out the performance benefits.
Unlike some other brands I’d tried, Rinehart seemed to focus on building not just the loudest but the most powerful Harley slip-on exhausts. I could feel a unique inner design facilitating higher exhaust flow, helping the engine crank out more power that I could really feel in everyday driving.
Sure, this was a slip-on, so it didn’t give me heaps more power, but the free-flowing architecture did lead to noticeably better throttle response and a bit more low-end torque.
Lastly, I must mention a small detail that really stood out to me. Most of Rinehart’s loud slip-ons for Harleys featured a CNC machined endcap made from aviation-grade aluminum. It added just the right touch of flair to the whole package without making it look overly flashy. It was a fine finishing touch to an overall impressive experience with Rinehart’s slip-ons.
Pros
- Sturdy materials used
- Aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium used
- Aluminum end caps add a nice design cue
- Hold up well to high temperatures and pressure
- No exhaust leaks
- Classic styling
- CNC machined parts
- One of the loudest Harley slip-on exhausts
- Deeper exhaust note
- Decent power upgrade
- Free-flowing exhaust architecture
- Better throttle response
- Slightly better low-end torque
- Most affordable loud slip-on for Harleys
Cons
- Volume may break some sound regulations
Loudest Slip On
S&S Slip On Harley Davidson Exhausts
Finally, I got my hands on the S&S slip-on for Harley-Davidsons, and I was immediately drawn to its premium materials and focus on delivering the loudest exhaust note for my Harley. I didn’t just appreciate the look; the performance benefits were something I felt every day on the road.
S&S truly knocked it out of the park with this slip-on’s construction. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel, which I could tell made it more durable and resilient against scratches. I fell in love with the whole slip-on’s satin black powder coat finish, but if that’s not to your taste, they also offer classic chrome.
I must admit, the design of this loud and rowdy Harley slip-on is a bit divisive. I personally love the twin, large rounded mufflers, but I could see how some folks might prefer something sleeker. However, I think anyone would appreciate the slash-cut design that gave my bike a modern, trendy look.
Moving on to the performance benefits, I was amazed at what this Harley slip-on did for my bike. The free-flowing architecture breathed new life into the engine. I could feel a smoother roll-on of the throttle, slightly faster acceleration, and even more torque down low.
These enhancements not only helped with low-speed maneuvering but also made passing other vehicles on the highway a breeze. I wasn’t expecting a massive bump in power, but it was certainly the highest I’ve ever felt from any slip-on.
And then there’s the sound. S&S has outdone themselves with the sound characteristics of this Harley slip-on. It’s likely the loudest slip-on for Harleys, thanks to the larger muffler bodies and aggressive styling. I even clocked it a couple of dBs above the others I’ve tried, so it’s safe to say, this one means business.
The sound itself was deeper than stock, more full and beefy at idle. Every crack of the throttle felt like a volcanic eruption! Besides being the loudest, it quickly became one of my favorite-sounding slip-ons for Harleys.
I discovered that if I wanted to unlock even more power and volume, I could easily remove the dB killer that comes as standard. However, I made sure to double-check the noise regulations in my area because this Harley slip-on is LOUD!
To wrap up the experience, I was thrilled with one of the easiest installation processes of any slip-on. It bolted right onto the stock header pipes of my bike, and I found that I could do it myself without any hassle.
The only consideration that crossed my mind was that this slip-on only fits Softail models, so Touring and Sportster riders like some of my friends will have to look elsewhere. But for me, the S&S slip-on was a complete game-changer for my Harley-Davidson.
Pros
- High-grade stainless steel
- Available in chrome and satin black
- Large, rounded mufflers
- Modern slash-cut design
- Highest bump in power of any Harley slip-on
- Slightly better low-end torque
- Smoother throttle response
- Loudest slip-on for Harleys
- Deeper sound at idle and on the road
- dB killer can be removed for even more power and volume
- Easiest installation process
Cons
- Only available for Softail models