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How we chose: this guide is research-based, built from manufacturer specifications, safety certifications and owner feedback rather than hands-on testing. How we research.
The best performance exhaust for most Milwaukee-Eight Touring Harleys is the Vance & Hines PCX Pro Pipe, a 2-into-1 system built for torque that stays 49-state emissions compliant. If you want race-bike looks, the V&H Hi-Output RR is the step up. If you only want better sound without replacing the headers, the S&S Grand National slip-ons are CARB approved and bolt to the stock headers. Below are eight options across Touring, Softail and Sportster, plus how to choose and what to do after you install one.
Quick picks
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Best made-in-USA 2-into-1
- Type
- 2-into-1 full system
- Fits
- Touring 2017+
- Price tier
- $$$
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Best balanced look
- Type
- 2-into-1 full system
- Fits
- Touring 2017+
- Price tier
- $$$
- Best slip-on: S&S Grand National
- Best deep tone slip-on: Khrome Werks HP-Plus 4.5″
- Best for Softail: Vance & Hines PCX Pro Pipe (Softail)
- Best for Sportster: Vance & Hines PCX Mini-Grenades
Harley performance exhausts compared
| Exhaust | Type | Fits | Emissions note | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V&H PCX Pro Pipe | 2-into-1 full system | Touring 2017+ | 49-state compliant | $$$ |
| V&H Hi-Output RR PCX | 2-into-1 full system | Touring 2017+ | Has PCX high-flow catalyst; check listing | $$$ |
| Bassani Road Rage B4 | 2-into-1 full system | Touring 2017+ | Check listing | $$$ |
| Two Brothers Ghost 2-Into-1 | 2-into-1 full system | Touring 2017+ | Check listing | $$$ |
| S&S Grand National | Slip-on | Touring 2017+ | CARB approved | $$ |
| Khrome Werks HP-Plus 4.5″ | Slip-on | Touring 2017+ | Check listing | $$ |
| V&H PCX Pro Pipe (Softail) | 2-into-1 full system | Softail 2018–2024 | Check listing | $$$ |
| V&H PCX Mini-Grenades | Full system | Sportster 2004–2022 | 49-state compliant | $$ |
Fitment ranges are from the RevZilla listings at the time of writing; always confirm your exact year and model. Price tiers are relative within this list, and prices change.
Slip-on vs full system: which do you need?
Slip-ons replace only the mufflers and bolt to your stock headers. They’re cheaper, quick to fit and change the sound most, but they free up less power. Full systems, usually 2-into-1 on modern Harleys, replace the headers and mufflers. A good 2-into-1 merges the exhaust pulses in a collector, which is why they’re the usual choice for riders chasing torque. The trade-off is cost, install time and, often, a louder bike.
Either way, a freer-flowing exhaust lets the engine breathe more air, and you’ll want a matching tune. Our guide to the best fuel management systems for Harley-Davidson covers the Power Vision, Fuelpak and ThunderMax options. Pair the pipe with a Stage 1 air cleaner and you have the classic Stage 1 build.
The 8 best performance exhausts for Harley-Davidson
1. Vance & Hines PCX Pro Pipe: best overall for Touring
The Pro Pipe has been a staple of Harley performance builds for years, and the current version adds Vance & Hines’ PCX (Power Chamber Exhaust) technology. That pairs stepped headers and an oversized collector with a chambered high-flow catalyst cartridge that V&H says is designed to increase torque. Crucially for street riders, V&H lists it as 49-state emissions compliant.
The sound is deep and aggressive, closer to a drag bike than a stock bagger. Full-coverage heat shields come in different finishes, and the finish you pick is the main visible color once installed.
Who it’s for: Touring riders who want the most proven 2-into-1 for a Stage 1 or Stage 2 build and want to stay emissions compliant outside California.
2. Vance & Hines Hi-Output RR PCX: best for performance baggers
The Hi-Output RR is inspired by the Vance & Hines King of the Baggers race bikes. It uses 304 stainless steel, hand TIG-welded headers that step from 1.75″ to 1.875″ to 2.0″ into the same oversized collector used on the race system. The collector is rotated for extra ground clearance, which matters if you lean your Road Glide hard.
It finishes in a mid-length 4″ Hi-Output megaphone and also uses PCX tech with a chambered high-flow catalyst. It’s the pipe for a performance-bagger look.
Who it’s for: Milwaukee-Eight Touring owners building a performance bagger who want race looks and more ground clearance.
3. Bassani Road Rage B4: best made-in-USA 2-into-1
Bassani’s Road Rage is a long-running favorite. The B4 version uses equal-length 2-into-1 headers that step from 1 3/4″ to 1 7/8″, an advanced inner collector and a 4″ muffler body. It has removable, packable louvered baffles, so you have some control over the sound, and OEM-sized O2 sensor ports. Full-coverage heat shields are included, and it’s made in the USA.
Who it’s for: riders who want a classic American-made 2-into-1 with adjustable sound.
4. Two Brothers Ghost 2-Into-1: best balanced look
Two Brothers’ Touring 2-into-1 sends stainless steel headers into a spring-retained collector and its 4″ touring muffler with a spiral perforated core. The twist is the “ghost pipe”: a dummy pipe on the other side that uses the OEM heat shield, so the bike still looks balanced instead of having bare frame on one side. The headers accept stock and 18mm O2 sensors.
Who it’s for: riders who want 2-into-1 performance but prefer the symmetrical look of dual pipes.
5. S&S Grand National: best slip-on
If you want more bark without a full system, the S&S Grand National is the slip-on to beat. It’s CARB approved, uses a high-flowing perforated baffle with a removable dB reducer, and bolts directly to the stock headers or S&S Power Tune duals. S&S pitches it as an aggressive but not overbearing sound, and it’s made in the USA.
Who it’s for: Touring riders who want a quick, street-legal sound upgrade, especially in California.
6. Khrome Werks HP-Plus 4.5″: best deep tone slip-on
Khrome Werks’ HP-Plus slip-ons use an absorptive baffle wrapped in stainless steel mat and high-temp fiberglass to soak up high-frequency noise, so you get a deep rumble without the raspy buzz some slip-ons have. They come with billet aluminum tips, and you can choose between replaceable end caps and finishes.
Who it’s for: riders who want a deeper, more refined tone on a stock-header Touring bike.
7. Vance & Hines PCX Pro Pipe (Softail): best for Softail
Softail owners get the same Pro Pipe recipe: PCX technology, stepped headers and a chambered high-flow catalyst cartridge designed to add torque. This version fits 2018–2024 Softails. If you ride a 2025-or-newer Softail, look for the model-specific versions instead, because the newer bikes need different pipes.
Who it’s for: 2018–2024 Softail riders who want the most popular 2-into-1 for their bike.
8. Vance & Hines PCX Mini-Grenades: best for Sportster
The Mini-Grenades bring a compact, muscular look to the Sportster with a staggered three-step design and CNC-machined billet end caps. The PCX version adds a chambered high-flow catalyst cartridge to increase torque while staying 49-state emissions compliant. Expect an aggressive, deep tone.
Who it’s for: Sportster riders (2004–2022) who want a short, punchy full system.
How to choose a Harley performance exhaust
Start with fitment
Touring (2017+), Softail (2018+) and Sportster bikes all use different exhausts, and Harley has changed things again on 2025-and-newer models. Check the exact model and year before anything else.
Decide on sound vs power
Slip-ons mainly change sound. A 2-into-1 full system is where most of the performance gain comes from. Removable baffles and dB reducers give you a way to tame the volume.
Budget for a tune
Any free-flowing exhaust should be paired with a tune so the engine isn’t running lean. Factor the cost of a Fuelpak or Power Vision into your budget.
Check emissions and noise rules
Some exhausts are labeled 49-state compliant or CARB approved; others are sold for closed-course use. In the US the EPA enforces anti-tampering rules, and California’s CARB is stricter. Many states and towns also enforce noise limits.
Think about heat and clearance
2-into-1 systems move heat and change the bike’s lean clearance. Full-coverage heat shields help, and the Hi-Output RR’s rotated collector is designed to add ground clearance.
See the brands’ own fitment tools at Vance & Hines and S&S Cycle for the most up-to-date fitment.
After you install
- Get the bike tuned before you ride hard.
- Keep the stock exhaust if you might sell the bike or need to pass an inspection.
- A tuned, harder-working engine benefits from fresh oil; see our best oils for Harley-Davidson.
- Louder pipes make it harder to hear your music; our loudest motorcycle speakers guide can help.
Shopping for other bikes too? See our general best motorcycle exhaust guide.
FAQ
Do performance exhausts add horsepower on a Harley?
A full 2-into-1 system with a proper tune typically adds noticeable torque and power over stock. Slip-ons alone add less. Manufacturers’ claims vary, and the tune matters as much as the pipe.
Do I need a tuner with a new exhaust?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended so the fuel mixture matches the extra airflow.
Is a 2-into-1 better than true duals?
For performance, 2-into-1 systems are generally preferred on V-twins. True duals give a classic look and sound. The Two Brothers Ghost is a middle ground on looks.
Are these exhausts street legal?
Some are labeled 49-state compliant or CARB approved. Check each product’s legal status and your local noise rules.
Verdict
For a Milwaukee-Eight Touring bike, the Vance & Hines PCX Pro Pipe is the best all-round performance exhaust. Go for the Hi-Output RR if you’re building a performance bagger, the Bassani Road Rage B4 for a made-in-USA 2-into-1, or the S&S Grand National if you just want better sound on stock headers. Whatever you choose, budget for a tune.
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