The Top 3 Loudest! Motorcycle Exhausts in 2023

This is my buying guide on the loudest motorcycle exhausts in 2023. Below is a quick summary of my top recommendations. Scroll further down to read my in depth, hands on reviews for each exhaust.

LOUDEST SLIP-ON

S&S Slip On
Harley Davidson Exhausts

CHECK PRICE

• High-grade stainless steel
• Available in chrome and satin black
• Large, rounded mufflers
• Modern slash-cut design
• Highest bump in the power of any Harley slip-on
• Slightly better low-end torque
• Smoother throttle response
• Loudest slip-on for Harley
• Deeper sound at idle and on the road
• dB killer can be removed for even more power and volume
• Easiest installation process

Best Overall

Bassani Radial Sweepers

CHECK PRICE

• 16-gauge double-wall steel
• Backswept style exhaust
• Mounts higher on the bike
• Does not scrape on bumps
• Shorter proportions make the exhaust lighter
• Better power-to-weight ratio
• Aggressive exhaust sound
• Loudest true dual for Harley
• Low-end torque gets a nice bump
• The bike is faster off the line
• Passing and merging on the highway is easier
• Heat shields on the pipes
• Easy to install
• Comes with all the necessary hardware in the box

LOUDEST ON SPORTSBIKES

Akrapovic Superbike Exhausts

CHECK PRICE

• Premium build quality
• Titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber options are available
• Modern, angular design
• Lightweight
• The loud and aggressive exhaust note
• Deep and aggressive sound
• Revving the engine makes the sound higher and louder
• Race-inspired
• Free-flowing exhaust architecture
• Unique muffler design
• Ideal for sportbikes
• Tuned explicitly for your bike’s particular make and model

This article takes a closer look at the loudest motorcycle exhausts currently on the market. 

We tested a variety of exhausts for different motorcycles from various brands. While loudness was the ultimate deciding factor, we also considered features such as the construction and performance for our reviews. 

If you ride a Harley, Bassani’s Radial Sweepers are the loudest and best-sounding full system pipes currently available. 

If you don’t want to go the full system route, S&S has you covered with their super loud Harley  slip-on exhausts. And for the sportbike riders, Akrapovic makes some excellent, loud exhausts for most modern sportbike models. 

We’ve been riding motorcycles all our lives. And with over 10 years of experience reviewing motorcycle accessories under our belt, we think we can help you make the most informed purchase decision. 

Keep reading for more of our thoughts on the loudest motorcycle exhausts.

Bassani’s Radial Sweepers are one of our favorite full system exhausts for Harley Davidson. They have a sexy, modern design, with a loud, rowdy exhaust note that makes your presence known. Not to mention, this exhaust comes with a pretty healthy power up too.

Starting with the construction of this true dual exhaust, we have a shorter design that looks phenomenal. You get slash-cut ends that make your Harley Davidson look much more aggressive and mean. The backswept design helps direct exhaust gasses away from the rider, while the higher mounting prevents the pipes from scraping on large bumps in the road.

That design is backed up by a durable construction that inspires confidence. Bassani went with 16-gauge, double-wall steel, which is both lightweight and sturdy. We did not have any issues with the fitment, and we did not notice any leaking or cracking of the exhaust, even under the most extreme conditions. 

Moving onto our favorite part of the exhaust, we have the sound. As expected, the shorter design helps enhance the exhaust note and makes it significantly louder than stock. In fact, the unique muffler design makes these exhausts so loud that you might have to wear ear protection for longer rides. 

In addition to being louder, the exhaust note is heavier and more pleasing than stock. It’s that classic Bassani roar that we have come to know and love. Definitely pick up these exhausts if you want your Harley to look and sound like a mean cruiser.

Creature comforts include fully integrated heat shields that prevent excess heat from falling on the rider’s legs. However, because of the unique design, you still do get a fair bit of exhaust heat on your legs regardless.

Lastly, the performance of these exhausts is otherworldly. The free-flow design, paired with the lightweight build, results in faster acceleration, improved top-end power, and just gobs and gobs of torque for you to play around with.

We love the Bassani pipes and highly recommend them to anyone looking for one of the loudest and best exhausts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. 

If a loud slip-on is more your speed, this Harley Davidson pipe from S&S is sure to please. It employs the most premium materials and brings a louder, deeper exhaust note to the table. Performance benefits are also in tow.

On the design and construction side of things, S&S outdid themselves. This loud Harley Davidson slip-on uses high-grade stainless steel for enhanced durability and a lightweight build. We are also huge fans of the matte black finish, though classic chrome is also available.

As for the styling, we think it divides the room. We absolutely loved the large, dual mufflers, but some riders might prefer a more subtle look. The slash-cut ends add even more flair to the design and give it a modern look.

Moving on to performance, it’s a slip-on, so we weren’t expecting the biggest power-up. Boy, were we wrong. This slip-on sports a free-flowing exhaust architecture that enables better throttle response, a smoother roll-on, and a peppier-feeling bike overall.

The lightweight design makes for a noticeable difference in the ease of low-speed maneuvering and day-to-day riding. And while you shouldn’t go into it thinking this slip-on will give your Harley the same power boost as a full system, it does still add a bit of ‘oomph!’ here and there.

But how does the damn thing sound!? Well, this is the single loudest and best-sounding slip-on you can get for your Harley Davidson. The larger muffler bodies and aggressive inner design generate a significantly louder, fuller sound. It is deep and thumpy, just the way we like it.

Plus, it’s not so loud that it gets annoying on long journeys. In fact, the sound is nice and balanced, with more than enough volume to get you in trouble. If for some reason, you want to make it quieter, there is an optional dB killer available that quiets the exhaust down a bit. Personally, we left this piece off in favor of higher power and louder sound.

Finally, this slip-on is dead easy to install. All of the necessary mounting equipment comes in the box, and the instructions are easy to follow.

One drawback of this otherwise awesome exhaust is that it only fits Softail models, so most Touring and Sportster owners will have to be disappointed.

If you own a sportbike, you already know the name. Akrapovic has been making the absolute best and loudest exhausts for sportbikes for over three decades and offers exhausts for a wide variety of models. Their build quality is unmatched, the sound is unique, and the power-up you get from an Akra pipe beggars belief! 

Now, Akrapovic exhausts aren’t exactly budget-friendly. In fact, they are usually some of the most expensive pipes on the market. And while that is a definite drawback, we think the price is worth it for what you get. 

The first and probably easiest way to justify the premium price is the materials. Akrapovic exhausts use the absolute best materials known to man. You can find Akrapovic exhausts made of the usual high-grade stainless steel or aluminum. But then, the company also offers loud sportbike exhausts made of titanium and carbon fiber. 

The result is extremely lightweight exhausts that are also highly durable. We tested a couple of different Akrapovic exhausts for sportbikes, all of which held up well to extreme exhaust pressure and high temperatures. 

Another salient feature of Akrapovic exhausts is their race-bred performance. By combining free-flowing exhaust designs and tuning meant for each sportbike, Akrapovic made the most powerful superbike exhausts out there. You can expect your full system Akrapovic exhaust to add anywhere between 2 to 10 horsepower to your sportbike. 

In our testing, Akrapovic impressed us by delivering faster 0-60 times, higher top-end power, and improved throttle response throughout the rev range. Those are just a few of the benefits you get when you get an exhaust made specifically for your sportbike. 

Finally, we have to talk about the sound of Akrapovic exhausts. The cool thing about these exhausts is that, since they are tailor-made for each specific bike, they can be tuned to produce optimal sound for that particular motorcycle. 

Akrapovic exhausts have a unique, loud sound that can only be described as ‘eargasmic.’ It is deep and heavy, but when you rev the engine, it generates a higher-pitched sound that can be heard for miles around. Compared to other sportbike exhausts, Akrapovic pipes are usually the loudest of the bunch. 

Really, the only drawback of Akrapovic exhausts is their exorbitant price. Even still, few sportbike exhausts offer such an incredible combination of features and performance as Akrapovic. 

---

How To Choose The Loudest Exhaust For Your Motorcycle

When choosing the loudest exhaust for your motorcycle, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. How loud the motorcycle ends up being and the quality of the sound will depend on these factors. 

First and foremost, if you want your motorcycle to be louder and sound better, you will want to choose an exhaust system that was made specifically for your bike’s make and model. That means you should steer clear of universally compatible exhausts for the most part. 

And with aftermarket motorcycle exhausts, a full system exhaust will deliver louder, fuller, and more pleasing sound than a simple slip-on. Still, slip-ons can make a pretty noticeable difference in the loudness of most motorcycles and do so while costing less than a full system. 

The exhaust brand is another important consideration when choosing the loudest exhaust for your motorcycle. Different exhaust brands will have not only varying levels of loudness but also varying levels of sound quality. 

As a rule of thumb, pick up a pipe that aids freer exhaust flow if you want your motorcycle exhaust to be louder. This will produce more sound and also provide a bit more power. 

Which Exhaust Brand Is Loudest?

This question isn’t so cut and dried. The answer depends on the exact make and model of your motorcycle, the budget you’re working with, and the style of exhaust you want to get. The fact is that every major exhaust manufacturer offers something that is loudest in one particular category but falls short in another. 

Still, a couple of brands are worth considering if you want the loudest motorcycle exhaust. For Harleys, Bassani’s full system exhausts deliver a crisp and powerful exhaust note that is just as loud as it is heavy and deep. 

If a slip-on style muffler is more your speed, we think Vance & Hines stands head and shoulders above the competition. These exhausts offer a balanced package with a durable build, loud sound, and a classic design. 

For the sportbike squids out there, Akrapovic makes some of the rowdiest, wildest sounding exhausts on the market. Sure, you’ll have to pay a little extra, but the price is well worth it, in our opinion. You get a premium build, plenty of performance enhancements, and a sound that just puts a smile on your face. 

How Loud Can A Motorcycle Exhaust Legally Be?

Again, the answer to this question is purely subjective. 

If you’re riding your bike off-road, a couple hundred miles from civilization, or on a racetrack, the sky’s pretty much the limit as far as loudness is concerned. But if you mostly find yourself riding your bike on city streets, with businesses, houses, school zones, and neighborhood Karen’s aplenty, then there is a legal level of exhaust emissions and volume that you need to maintain. 

Now, these noise regulations are meant to apply to both the manufacturer and the vehicle operator (you). That’s why you get such quiet motorcycle exhausts from the factory. Otherwise, the manufacturer would get in legal trouble etc. 

As for how loud you are ‘allowed’ to run your motorcycle exhaust, it’s like adult diapers. In other words, it Depends. Noise pollution laws vary from state to state and from one region of the world to another. Thankfully though, so does the level of enforcement of these laws. 

In some regions, noise pollution laws are strictly enforced, and you could get a pretty heavy fine if you don’t follow them. The rules are a bit more lax in other areas, and you can get away with running anything from a slip-on to straight pipes! Still, it’s best to do your due diligence and follow the law to the best of your ability. 

Loudest Motorcycle Exhausts FAQs

What type of motorcycle exhaust is loudest? 

Generally speaking, a full system exhaust will be louder than most slip-ons, but exceptions exist. Furthermore, you will be able to extract more dBs from an exhaust made specifically for your bike. 

How can I make my motorcycle’s stock exhaust louder?

Suppose you aren’t too keen on buying an aftermarket exhaust. In that case, there are several ways of making your motorcycle’s stock exhaust louder. For one, you can swap out the stock baffles for an aftermarket set that makes the exhaust louder. You can also remove the baffles altogether. 

Another option is to remove the catalytic converter from your motorcycle’s exhaust. Be warned that the catalytic converter is an essential exhaust component that reduces the emission of numerous toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. That said, removing the ‘cat’ will definitely make your motorcycle’s exhaust louder. 

Will taking off the muffler make my motorcycle louder?

Yes, taking off the muffler will make your motorcycle louder. The muffler, by definition, is there to make your motorcycle quieter. Removing it will let a higher volume of exhaust gasses flow out of the system, resulting in a louder sound. 

But the drawback is that this sound could be a bit too loud and annoying. Not to mention, the sound quality will suffer quite a bit. Most motorcycle engines are tuned to run at optimal performance with the muffler installed, so removing it may also result in worse performance. 

How much will the loudest motorcycle exhaust cost?

If you buy a nicer aftermarket exhaust from a reputable brand, you can expect to pay a pretty penny. Motorcycle exhausts, especially ones designed to enhance the performance of your motorcycle, use premium materials. Moreover, the research and development that goes into these exhausts also cost a ton of money. 

That doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive motorcycle exhaust on the planet to get a louder motorcycle. There are plenty of fantastic, loud exhausts at all price points. Slip-ons can be had for less than $100 to a couple hundred bucks. Full systems routinely get into the multiple hundreds of dollars, and you will have to pay more for premium materials like aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. 

---