Best Exhaust For M8 Softail

I believe every Harley-Davidson rider needs three key things to truly enjoy their bike — and love the way it looks.

Number 1: Exhaust (or a full Stage 1 upgrade)
A Stage 1 setup includes an intake, tune, and exhaust — the foundation for both sound and performance. The exhaust is one of the first things everyone notices, including you. It changes how your bike looks, feels, and sounds.

Let’s be honest — factory Harley exhausts sound like sewing machines. Swapping that out for a proper system gives you that deep, iconic HD sound we’re all after.

Here are my Top 5 Exhausts for Harley-Davidson Softail (2018–Current) — based on over six years of experience as a professional parts advisor and from what I’ve run on my own bikes:

Slip Ons: (Muffler Only) 

Khrome Werks Slip-On; Deep, rich American V-Twin tone without being obnoxiously loud. Excellent fit and finish — made in the USA. Noticeable torque increase in low-to-mid RPMs. Ideal for riders who want quality sound and style without going full system.
Best for: Riders wanting a classic, clean sound and easy bolt-on performance.

S&S Grand National Slip-Ons;  Classic Harley rumble with a refined tone (not raspy). Great upgrade from stock with minimal install effort. Works well with S&S intakes and tuners for a full Stage 1 setup. Available in chrome or black.
Best for: Riders who want a simple bolt-on upgrade that sounds great and performs even better.

TAB Performance Slip-Ons (With Zombie or Louder Baffles); Famous for the deep, aggressive tone — the Zombie baffle is one of the loudest and best-sounding options on the market. Excellent build quality and fitment — made in the USA. Offers interchangeable baffles, so you can dial in volume and back pressure. Noticeable throttle response improvement, especially with a tune and intake.
Best for: Riders who want that deep Harley rumble, customizable sound, and solid gains without going full system.

Full Pipe; 

HPI (Horsepower Inc.) 2-into-1; Top-tier performance exhaust — hand-built and dyno proven. Deep, bold sound with zero rasp. Excellent choice for bikes with cams, big bore kits, or full Stage 2+ builds.
Best for: Riders chasing horsepower and top-end performance without sacrificing sound quality.

Bassani Road Rage 3 2-into-1; Classic Bassani tone — deep, raw, and powerful. Excellent ground clearance and sleek lines that suit Softail styling. Great all-around performance with strong midrange torque.
Best for: Riders who want both performance and classic Harley attitude.

Two Brothers Racing (TBR) Comp-S 2-into-1; Aggressive, race-inspired tone with crisp throttle response. Lightweight stainless construction — big weight savings over stock. Proven dyno results: noticeable horsepower and torque gains. Available in brushed, black, or ceramic finishes.
Best for: Riders looking for top-end performance and aggressive sound.

Trask Performance “Assault” 2-into-1; High-performance, turbo-inspired design with aggressive styling. Stepped header design for improved exhaust scavenging and torque. Distinctive sound — deep, throaty, and unmistakably Trask. Built from high-quality stainless and designed for tuned bikes.
Best for: Riders who want a performance-focused, high-end look that stands out.

2025 Softails have a different fitment than previous years. for the 2025+ Softails, I recommend HPI, TBR, and Tab for Slip-Ons.  These are all personal recommendations from customers who were really happy with their exhausts, as well as close friends and my own bikes. I hope this helps you find the perfect exhaust for your ride!