While the stock Harley experience is truly breath-taking, most enthusiasts look to modify their bikes. This puts in more power behind the wheels with better-sounding engine roars.
Most people start with putting in new performance exhaust systems to get more power with a unique sound. Not only does it give your engine more horsepower, but it also manages to enhance fuel efficiency.
For all those Street Glide owners that don’t know where to start their modification journey, this review is just for you. We have rounded up our top picks for the best exhaust for Harley street glide to aid your decision-making process. The products were picked based on factors like mod type, efficiency, noise emission, and value for money.
Quick Summary of Our Top 5 Picks
- Editor’s Choice: SHARKROAD Slip Ons For Harley Touring 2019-2023
“Shiny chrome with contrasting tips that give off a nice bass-heavy roar is what this exhaust is all about.”
- Premium Choice: Vance & Hines 16763 Twin Slash Slip On Mufflers 1995-2016
“Made with the best quality materials along with a signature internal heat shield makes this super-reliable for use in the long run.”
- Best Value: SHARKROAD Black 4.4″ Megaphone Slip On
“This exhaust adds the right boost to your engine’s sound while being super lightweight and affordable.”
- Best for Sound: SHARKROAD 4.0″ Chrome Slip Ons Muffler
“With a removable baffle design and changeable tips, this creates the perfect deep sound all bikers desire.”
- Best for Performance: Vance and Hines 16672 Twin Slash Slip-On
“Featuring a louvered baffle that works hand in hand with the twin slash design, this exhaust gives your engine that extra boost in power it needs.”
How to Choose the Best Exhaust For Harley Davidson Street Glide
Before you run out to get an exhaust system of your choosing, it is important to consider certain factors. These will help you judge your choice better and make a more personalized decision to suit your needs better.
Mod Type
There are two kinds of exhaust mods you can install on your Harley, one is the slip-on muffler and the other is a full exhaust system. As the name suggests, a slip-on muffler attaches to the stock exhaust pipe to modify your engine roar. This brings little to no change to your engine output.
The full exhaust system, however, brings a noticeable difference to your riding experience. It is more expensive to get over the slip-ons but offers more bang for the buck. Installing a full exhaust system will ensure more horsepower, increased fuel efficiency as well as a distinct engine sound.
Noise Emission
By now, you already know that these bikes can be super loud. However, in order to comply with the government-imposed laws, Harley needs to limit the true potential of their exhausts. So, when you are upgrading your Street Glide exhaust, be sure to keep an eye on the decibel level of your exhaust.
Taking some time out to look into the noise pollution law your state has set for you will allow you to invest in an exhaust that doesn’t attract the cops.
Weight
When it comes to speed and power, all vehicles have better output with a lighter body. This applies to the Street Glide as well. Because the brand has to focus on tons of rules and regulations when manufacturing, the stock exhaust can add a significant amount of weight to the frame.
This problem comes to an end when you install a performance exhaust. Since these systems are wired to give you more power without much emphasis on limitations, they tend to be much lighter. Getting a lightweight exhaust will ensure more power and acceleration.
Top 5 Best Exhaust for Harley Street Glide Reviews 2023
After running a thorough scan of the top-rated exhaust systems in the market, we have picked out our top 5. Let’s take a closer look at them!
1. SHARKROAD Black 4.4″ Megaphone Slip On Muffler Exhaust (2017-21) – Best Value Pick
Key Features
- Exhaust Type: Slip-on
- Outlet Diameter: 4.4 inches
- Exterior Finish: Smooth
- Size: 31.5 x 10.2 x 5.4 inches
- Color: Black
Firstly, the megaphone design is perfect for your Harley Street Glide if you’re looking for an aggressive aesthetic. The smooth black finish will complement any dark body color and enhance the mean vibe of your bike. Also, you can switch out the end tips according to your own preference to further customize the exhaust.
Installing this slip-on is truly a breeze. Forget about reprogramming your ECM or rejecting your carburetor, all you need to do is slip it on, and you’re good to go. All the necessary hardware needed is shipped with the unit, so you don’t have to spend extra on the installation process.
What We Liked
- The easy slip-on design takes less time to install
- Refined sound which is well below state noise level law
- Removable end tips allow for further customization
- Fits a range of Harley touring bikes (2019-20231)
- Affordable pricing
What Could Be Better
- Discolors very easily
2. Vance and Hines 16672 Twin Slash Round 4 Inch Chrome Slip-On Exhaust (2017 and 2018 Models Only) – Best For Touring
Key Features
- Exhaust Type: Slip-on
- Exterior Finish: Smooth
- Outlet Diameter: 4 inches
- Size: 38 x 14 x 8 inches
- Color: Chrome
Since its inception in 1979, Vance & Hines has made quite the name for themselves when it comes to motorcycle exhausts. Made with the best quality materials, the riding experience proves why this is the best slip on exhaust for Harley Davidson touring bikes.
The 16672 twin slash round exhaust has a chrome finish that stands out on any Harley model. Unfortunately, this particular exhaust will only fit the 2017 and 2018 touring models. But once installed, the 4-inch outlets provide enough bass to your engine sound to make you stand out in the crowd.
We must warn you that these mufflers come at a high price and should only be bought if you’re looking to put performance over everything. The twin slash design pairs with the louvered baffle to generate noticeable gains in power. If you can spend a few extra bucks on the Vance & Hines fuelpak, then you can also enhance your bike’s fuel efficiency as well.
What We Liked
- Louvered baffle enhances horsepower
- Twin Slash design and chrome finish aids aesthetics
- Full-coverage heat shield ensures color guarantee
- High-quality build
What Could Be Better
- Very expensive price tag
3. Vance & Hines 16763 Twin Slash Slip On Mufflers (1995-2016) – Best for Performance
Key Features
- Exhaust Type: Slip-on
- Exterior Finish: Smooth
- Outlet Diameter: 4 inches
- Size: 38 x 14 x 8 inches
- Color: Chrome
Coming in the third we have an alternative to our previous Twin slash design exhaust from Vance & Hines. As the 16672 model only fits 2017 and 2018 Harley touring bikes, we picked out the 16763, which is compatible with a wider range of bikes. The 16763 looks similar with its chrome finish but can fit all touring versions from 1995 to 2016.
Other than being constructed from top-quality materials, this twin slash model comes with the manufacturer’s signature internal heat shield. As a result, the heat build-up on your exhaust will not turn your beautiful chrome exhausts blue. This helps the slip-on to retain its color and look as good as the day you bought it for long years to come.
Moving on, the twin slash pipes offer an all-mechanical straight-through louvered baffle that helps increase your engine power. Also, if you have extra cash, pairing these up with a Vance & Hines fuel pack will boost the fuel consumption efficiency of your bike. With all the additional installations, this could very well be the best performance slip-on mufflers for Harley touring motorcycles.
What We Liked
- Internal heat shield prevents chrome from discoloring
- Twin slash pipes add power to the engine
- Strong and reliable build quality
- Compatible with a wide range of Touring bike models
What Could Be Better
- The overall unit is quite heavy
- Mount design does not keep the unit sturdy
4. SHARKROAD 4.0″ Chrome Slip Ons Muffler – Best for Sound
Key Features
- Exhaust Type: Slip-on
- Exterior Finish: Smooth
- Outlet Diameter: 4 inches
- Size: 33.5 x 11.2 x 5.4 inches
- Color: Chrome
If you’re someone who places sound over everything, then look no further. This is by far the best sounding Harley touring exhaust we have come across. While being priced reasonably, SHARKROAD’s chrome slip-on muffler manages to give you a loud bass-heavy roar that is soothing to any motor head’s ears.
What we love about the muffler is its wide compatibility range that makes it an option for almost everyone. This particular model is designed to fit snugly with all Harley touring models from 1995 to 2016 without any problems. And, its easy to install mechanism makes it all the more desirable.
For some of you, the muffler might not be loud enough to catch the attention of your biker crew. Well, in that case, you can remove the baffle to get an extra boost on the loudness of the sound. While most people tend to like it with the baffle on, this is an extra adjustment feature that works well for people with a knack for loudness.
What We Liked
- Deep and throaty sound
- Removable baffle for increasing maximum sound
- Compatible with a larger range of touring models
- Does not require you to reprogram your ECM when installing
What Could Be Better
- Poor bolt design requires extra washers
5. SHARKROAD Slip Ons For Harley Touring (2019-2023) – Best for Sound
Key Features
- Exhaust Type: Slip-on
- Exterior Finish: Smooth
- Outlet Diameter: 4 inches
- Size: 33.5 x 11 x 5.25 inches
- Color: Chrome
Concluding our list, we have yet another slip-on muffler from SHARKROAD. Known for its aesthetics and deep bass-heavy throaty sound, this is truly the best slip on mufflers for Harley touring bikes. That is if you’re looking to prioritize sound above all else.
While our previous all chrome SHARKROAD muffler features similar mechanics, this model tends to take the cake in terms of design. The high-quality chrome finish is well contrasted by the black CNC machined tips. This adds an extra layer to your bike’s aesthetics by adding a twist to the all-chrome pipe body. You can swap out the tips for any other designs that you might prefer as well, giving you room for extra customizations according to your bike style.
Much like all our SHARKROAD products, this one too fits comfortably with a wide selection of Harley Davidson touring bikes. However, be sure to check the model’s year as it will only fit those ranging from 2019 to 2023. So if you have just recently bought the new Street Glide, this is your go-to exhaust tip.
What We Liked
- Easy installation doesn’t require you to reprogram ECM
- CNC machined tips can be removed for other designs
- Compatible with a wide selection of Harley touring models
- Allows you to gain maximum loudness by removing the baffles
What Could Be Better
- Bolts are too long and might scratch the paint if tightened carelessly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harley Davidson Street Glide
1. What is a Slip-on Muffler?
Ans: A slip-on muffler attaches to your stock exhaust pipe to bring changes to your engine sounds. They rarely affect performance by a noticeable amount.
2. Will Installing an Exhaust Void My Bike’s Warranty?
Ans: No, it will not.
3. Do I Need to Remap My Harley After Installing a New Exhaust?
Ans: Most brands do not require you to remap your tuning as the exhausts are well-suited to match any setting. However, we would advise you to remap your bike to get the most out of your new exhaust.
4. Why Should I Remove My Baffle?
Ans: Not all exhaust systems allow for baffle removal. But for those that do, it is mainly to increase the loudness of your engine sound.
Final Words
Choosing the best exhaust for Harley street glide models is never an easy task. You need to set your preferences right when it comes to choosing power over sound or vice versa.
In any case, all the exhaust systems listed above are of high quality and will give you satisfactory results.
We hope this review has been able to clear all your confusion and aid your decision-making process.
Hi, I am, Raphael E Loy, have profound knowledge of the automotive industry, and my passion for the car goes beyond just the technical aspects. For the past decade, I have pursued a carrier in automotive photography and journalism. I am a car enthusiast and love everything that has to do with cars and automotive vehicles. In my leisure time, I can be found in my small garage under the hood of a rare model. Over the years of experience in line with this, I have been writing for popular blogs and websites.
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