Best Exhausts For Baggers
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 Baggers (1999–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)
S&S MK45 Slip-Ons – Great balance of sound and performance. Deep tone without being obnoxious, plus S&S build quality is hard to beat.
TAB Performance with Zombie Baffles – Deep, throaty, and loud enough to make an impression. One of the most popular exhausts I’ve sold.
Rinehart Racing 4.5” Slip-Ons – Classic Harley sound, clean look, and solid midrange performance. A go-to for a reason.
Khrome Werks 4.5” Slip-Ons (HP-Plus or SoundFX Series) Extremely popular among dealers and riders — consistent performer. Deep, refined tone without the drone. Noticeable torque improvement even without tuning. Top-quality chrome or black finishes, available with interchangeable baffles.
Best for: Riders who want a clean, professional look and classic Harley tone.
Full Pipe:
S&S Grand National 2-into-1; Industry benchmark for performance and reliability. Deep, controlled tone and excellent torque curve. Premium fit, finish, and dyno results to back it up.
Best for: All-around riders who want real performance and durability.
Made in: USA 🇺🇸
Bassani Road Rage III 2-into-1; Proven stepped header design for big midrange torque. Aggressive tone, performance-focused build. Available in stainless or black finishes.
Best for: Tuned performance baggers and aggressive riders.
Made in: USA 🇺🇸
Khrome Werks HP Plus 2-into-1; Balanced, dyno-proven power and torque improvements. Distinctively clean design with billet end cap. Excellent choice for daily riders who want performance without harsh sound.
Best for: Touring riders who want performance without compromise.
Made in: USA 🇺🇸
Trask Assault 2-into-1; Designed with performance and forced induction in mind. TIG-welded stainless, aggressive styling. Matches perfectly with Trask’s turbo setups or big power builds.
Best for: Performance baggers and club-style builds.
Made in: Arizona, USA 🇺🇸
Two Brothers Racing 2-into-1 Gen-II Comp-S; Lightweight stainless steel construction and race-inspired design. Crisp, aggressive tone — deeper than most short pipes. Adds strong midrange torque and top-end power. Sleek lines that fit tight to the bike for a modern look.
Best for: Riders who want race-quality sound and feel with a clean, modern style.
Made in: California, USA 🇺🇸
HPI (Horsepower Inc.) 2-into-1; Serious performance pedigree — built for tuners, racers, and high-output builds. Hand-built in-house from stainless steel, TIG-welded to perfection. Excellent ground clearance and smooth flow for torque and top-end power. Often paired with HPI throttle bodies and intakes for full performance packages.
Best for: Riders chasing real numbers — dyno-proven bagger performance.
Made in: Indianapolis, USA 🇺🇸
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!