Motorcycle Exhaust Systems Reviewed: Best Slip-Ons

The best motorcycle exhaust for most riders is a quality slip-on like the Yoshimura AT2 (~$600) or an Akrapovic Slip-On Line (~$630). You get a way better sound, a few pounds off the back of the bike and a clean look without touching your engine's tune. On a tighter budget, the M4 GP19 (~$390) gets you most of that premium sound for a lot less, Harley riders should start with Vance & Hines (~$465 for the Twin Slash Round slip-ons), and Delkevic sells a full stainless system for around $390. A full exhaust system ($800-$2,500) is the only way to real horsepower, and it needs an ECU tune to run right.

All right guys, so here's the thing. The exhaust is the first mod basically everybody wants, and I get it, bro. I totally get it. Nothing changes the personality of a bike like the sound it makes when you crack the throttle. That's my stripped-down Honda in my driveway in the photo up top, no fairings, long chrome slip-on hanging off the back, and honestly even half naked like that the pipe is the first thing your eye goes to. That's the power of an exhaust, man.

But let me tell you, the exhaust world is a minefield. You've got overpriced chrome, fake "performance gains" that don't exist, and cheap no-name pipes that crack after one season and drone on the highway like a dentist drill. So I'm going to break down what actually matters: slip-on vs full system, the brands that are worth your money, what each one sounds like, and whether any of this makes your bike faster. Spoiler, bro: it depends.

Quick Picks:

What's the Difference Between a Slip-On and a Full Exhaust System?

Before you spend a single dollar, guys, you need to know what you're actually buying, because these are two totally different mods and the price gap is hella big.

What Does a Slip-On Exhaust Replace?

A slip-on replaces just the muffler, the canister at the very end of your exhaust. The headers (the pipes coming straight off the engine) stay stock. You literally slide the old can off, slide the new can on, tighten a clamp and you're done.

What you get:

• A better sound, which is the number one reason anybody buys one
• Weight savings of 3-8 lbs, because stock mufflers are heavy, bro, like stupid heavy
• A cleaner look out back
• An easy install, 30-60 minutes with basic tools
• No ECU tune needed in most cases

What you don't get:

• Real horsepower. Expect 1-3 hp at most
• The full race sound you hear in videos of a complete system

Price range: $200-$800

Best for: Most riders. If you want your bike to sound better and look better, this is all you need. I'm not gonna lie, for a street bike this is the move 9 times out of 10.

What Does a Full Exhaust System Replace?

A full system replaces everything: headers, mid-pipe and muffler. The whole path from the engine to the tip is brand new.

What you get:

• Genuine horsepower gains, 5-15+ hp depending on the bike and the tune
• Maximum weight savings, 10-20+ lbs, because the headers are where the real weight lives
• The complete, unrestricted sound
• Better heat management, since aftermarket headers are usually designed better than stock

What you don't get:

• A simple install. This is a full afternoon or a shop job
• Stock-like running without a tune. You MUST get an ECU flash or a Power Commander with a full system or the bike runs lean

Price range: $800-$2,500+

Best for: Track riders, experienced riders chasing real performance, or anybody building a full project bike.

Real talk, the lean thing is the part nobody tells new riders. Modern bikes run fuel injection that's mapped from the factory for the stock exhaust, so when you open up the whole system and let way more air flow through, the computer doesn't magically know about it. That's why the tune isn't optional on a full system. It's part of the price.

Which Motorcycle Exhaust Brands Are Actually Worth Buying?

There are a million exhaust brands out there, guys. A million. These are the six that keep showing up with quality, sound and durability. Everything else is a gamble, and I'll talk about the gamble stuff in a minute.

Quick note on how these cards work: every exhaust is bike-specific. The exact parts below are example fitments, so if you ride a different bike, use the brand's fitment search to find the version made for your model and year.

1. Akrapovic — The Gold Standard

Akrapovic is to motorcycle exhausts what Shoei is to helmets. It's the default choice in MotoGP and World Superbike, and among riders who want the absolute best and are cool paying for it.

Price: ~$630 | Fits: 2015-2021 Yamaha YZF-R3 | Part: S-Y2SO12-HAPC | Material: Carbon fiber sleeve and end cap

Why riders love them:

• Titanium and carbon fiber construction, the lightest exhausts on the market
• Designed and tested in competition, they supply factory race teams
• Fitment is perfect. These things go on like they were made for your bike, because in a lot of cases they literally were (Akrapovic is OEM for KTM, Ducati and others)
• The sound. There's a reason "Akrapovic sound" is its own search on YouTube, bro

The downside: The price. A slip-on runs $400-$800 and a full titanium system can hit $1,500-$2,500. Like, 2,500 bucks for pipes, bro. That's a whole used sportbike in some parts of the GTA. You're paying for the name, the materials and the engineering, and the engineering is real, but just know that's what the money is.

Funny thing in that video above, the guy says it doesn't change the sound a ton on his R3 but it looks a thousand times better. Honestly? That's a fair take on a lot of small-bike slip-ons. On a 300cc twin you're buying looks and weight first, sound second.

Best for: Sportbikes, nakeds and adventure bikes. If you ride a Yamaha MT-07, a KTM Duke or any Ducati, Akrapovic probably makes an OEM-quality option for your exact bike.

2. Yoshimura — The Japanese Sport Bike King

Yoshimura has been building motorcycle exhausts since 1954. They're the dominant force in AMA Superbike racing and the go-to for riders on Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasakis and Suzukis.

Price: ~$600 | Fits: 2018-2023 Ninja 400 / Z400, 2024+ Ninja 500 | Part: 14730BP520 | Material: Stainless with carbon fiber end cap

Why riders love them:

• Deep know-how with Japanese engines, their R&D is done on the same bikes you ride
• The RS-series slip-ons (RS-5, RS-9T, RS-12) are iconic
• Alpha T full systems are some of the best-sounding exhausts ever made
• Stainless steel at a lower price point than Akrapovic's titanium
• Made in the USA (Chino, California)

The sound: Deep, aggressive and very "sport bike." That video above is Yoshimura's own stock vs AT2 comparison on the Ninja 500, so yes it's the brand showing off their own product, but it's the exact part on the exact bike and you can hear the difference straight up. Then go search "Yoshimura Alpha T R7" and you'll understand the hype immediately. Oh my god. That sound, bro.

This is the one I'd point most Japanese bike riders to first. As a Honda guy since 2013 it hurts me a little that this example card is a Kawasaki, but it is what it is. The Ninja 400 is one of the most popular beginner bikes out there, so a ton of you are riding one.

Best for: Any Japanese sportbike or naked. If you ride a Ninja 400, R7, MT-07, GSX-R or CBR, Yoshimura should be your first look.

3. Vance & Hines — The Harley Standard

If you ride a Harley-Davidson, Vance & Hines is the name. They've owned the American V-twin exhaust market for over 40 years and they're the official exhaust of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing.

Price: ~$465 | Fits: 2017-2024 Harley-Davidson Touring | Part: 46672 | Finish: Black, 4-inch round with slash-cut tips

Why riders love them:

• Designed specifically for Harley engines, nobody knows the V-twin platform better
• The "Harley rumble" is literally what they do. Deep, low, chest-thumping
• A huge lineup, from budget slip-ons ($300) to full race systems ($1,500+)
• Fuelpak FP4 integration, their own tuner that pairs with their exhausts

Popular models:

• Twin Slash — the classic Harley slip-on sound ($300-$400)
• Hi-Output RR — full 2-into-1 system, serious power ($1,500+)
• 450 Slip-Ons — 4.5" diameter touring mufflers ($500-$700)

I couldn't find a video of this exact black 4-inch Round set on a 2017-2024 Touring bike that I could actually verify, so no video on this one. I'd rather show you nothing than show you the wrong pipe, guys. Most of the Twin Slash videos out there are the 3-inch version, the chrome version, or a Softail, and those are different parts.

Best for: Any Harley-Davidson. Sportster, Softail, Touring, they make an exhaust for every model.

4. M4 Performance — Best Value for Sport Bikes

M4 flies under the radar compared to Akrapovic and Yoshimura, but they're a serious player in sport bike exhausts. Their GP-series slip-ons give you 80-90% of the premium exhaust experience at about half the price.

Price: ~$390 | Fits: 2009-2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R | Part: KA6922-GP19 | Material: Ceramic-coated black stainless

Why riders love them:

• Aggressive pricing, most slip-ons are $200-$400 vs $500-$800 for Akrapovic
• Excellent fitment for Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda sport bikes
• Carbon fiber and titanium canister options at budget-friendly prices
• A strong presence in club racing, which means proven durability

The sound: Louder and more aggressive than Yoshimura. Not as refined as Akrapovic, but that raw edge is exactly what some riders want. If you want your inline-four to scream, M4 is how you get there without spending Akrapovic money.

That install video is solid by the way, start to finish on a ZX-6R without pulling the fairings. One thing I'll say from the buying used side of things: if you're shopping a used ZX-6R and it already has an M4 on it, ask the seller if the baffle is still in the box. You'll want it.

Best for: Riders who want a great-sounding exhaust without spending $600+. Especially strong for the Ninja 400, ZX-6R, GSX-R600/750 and R6.

5. Two Brothers Racing — The Harley and Indian Alternative

Two Brothers Racing (TBR) used to cover pretty much everything, sportbikes to side-by-sides. These days they've narrowed down to Harley-Davidson and Indian, where their Comp-S systems go head to head with Vance & Hines.

What makes them different:

• Comp-S full systems for Harleys have a different character than Vance & Hines: sharper, less rumble, more bark
• Strong coverage for Indian, which Vance & Hines covers less deeply
• Their old S1R sport bike slip-ons are discontinued, so if you find one "new," it's old stock

No product card here, guys, on purpose. The sportbike stuff that made them famous is gone, and I'm not going to throw a random part number at you. If you ride a Harley or an Indian, check their site for your exact model.

Best for: Harley and Indian riders who want a sharper, barkier sound than the classic Vance & Hines rumble.

6. Delkevic — The Budget King

Delkevic is what you buy when you want a real exhaust upgrade (not an eBay pipe bomb) but you don't want to drop $500+. They're a UK-based brand that manufactures in-house and sells direct.

Price: ~$390 | Fits: 2018-2021 Ninja 400, 2019-2021 Z400 | Type: Full 2-into-1 system | Material: Stainless headers and 14" round muffler

Why riders love them:

• Full stainless steel systems for $150-$400, which is full system money for less than most brands charge for a slip-on
• Surprisingly good build quality for the price
• Huge model coverage, they make exhausts for bikes nobody else touches (older models, less common bikes)
• Multiple canister lengths and shapes to pick from

The trade-off: Fit and finish isn't Akrapovic level. The sound is good but not as refined. These are budget exhausts and they look like it up close. But they work, they last, and they sound way better than stock.

No video on this one either. Every Delkevic Ninja 400 video I found was the slip-on or the Mini 8 can, not this full system, so they didn't make the cut. And remember, this is a full system, so the tune warning from earlier applies here too. Budget for it.

Here's how I think about it, bro. If your bike is worth $3,000, putting a $1,200 Akrapovic on it makes zero sense. Like zero. That's like a full year of Timmy's runs bolted onto the back of a bike, just to make it sound expensive. A sub-$400 Delkevic system? That makes sense.

Best for: Budget builds, older bikes, and riders who want to upgrade without breaking the bank.

How Do These Exhaust Brands Compare?

Which Exhaust Is Right for You?

Ask yourself three questions, guys. That's it. Three.

1. What's your bike?

• Japanese sportbike: Yoshimura, Akrapovic or M4
• Harley-Davidson: Vance & Hines or Two Brothers
• European (KTM, Ducati, BMW): Akrapovic
• Budget or older bike: Delkevic

2. What's your budget?

• Under $250: Delkevic slip-on
• $250-$500: M4 or a Yoshimura slip-on, or a Delkevic full system
• $500-$800: Akrapovic slip-on
• $800+: Any brand full system plus a tune

3. What do you actually want?

• Better sound only: a slip-on (any brand above)
• Sound plus real power: a full system plus an ECU tune
• Weight savings: an Akrapovic titanium slip-on
• The "Harley rumble": Vance & Hines

The right exhaust is the one that matches your bike, your budget and what you actually expect from it. Don't overspend on gains you'll never feel on the street, and don't underspend on a pipe that'll fall apart in a year. Both of those hurt, bro.

Are Cheap No-Name Amazon and eBay Exhausts Worth It?

You'll find "$80 universal slip-on exhausts" all over Amazon and eBay, guys. Here's the reality:

• They're loud, not good. There's a massive difference between a tuned exhaust note and a straight pipe that sounds like my lawnmower. And trust me, I know exactly what a lawnmower sounds like. I've cut the grass in my dad shoes enough times, bro.
• Fitment is terrible. Universal means "fits nothing perfectly." Expect gaps, vibration and exhaust leaks.
• The materials are cheap. Thin stainless or chrome-plated mild steel that rusts, discolours and cracks within a season. And with Canadian winters and road salt? Forget about it.
• No baffles, no tuning. Most are basically straight-through pipes with zero sound engineering. They drone on the highway and can make your bike run lean.
• They can mess with warranty claims. At least branded exhausts have engineering data behind them. No-name pipes are a liability.

If you're on a tight budget, spend the extra $70-$100 and get a Delkevic. You get real stainless steel, proper fitment for your specific bike, and an exhaust that lasts.

Do Motorcycle Exhausts Actually Add Horsepower?

Okay, the honest answer, guys, and I know some of you don't want to hear it:

Slip-ons: 1-3 hp, maybe. On most street bikes a slip-on is a sound and weight mod, not a performance mod. The stock headers are the real restriction, and you're not touching those.

Full systems: 5-15+ hp, yes, but only with proper tuning. Free-flowing headers plus a muffler plus an ECU tune (or a Power Commander) is what unlocks real power. On a Ninja 400 that might mean 5 hp. On a liter bike it could be 10-15 hp. On a Harley with a cam upgrade, 20+ hp.

The truth nobody wants to hear: if you're buying an exhaust purely for horsepower, a full system plus a tune is the only way to get gains you can feel. A slip-on alone is a sound mod. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Most riders buy exhausts for the sound, and that's a perfectly valid reason. I love bikes, bro. I freaking love bikes. And part of loving bikes is loving how they sound. Nobody needs to justify that.

Should You Install a Motorcycle Exhaust Yourself or Go to a Shop?

Can You Install a Slip-On at Home?

Yeah, a slip-on is one of the easiest mods you can do. And I'm saying that as someone who will be the first to admit I'm not a mechanical type of guy.

1. Remove the stock muffler (usually 2-4 bolts plus a spring or a clamp)
2. Slide the new muffler on
3. Tighten the clamp
4. Done. Boom.

Time: 30-60 minutes. Tools: a basic socket set. Difficulty: beginner friendly.

Put the bike on a stand if you've got one, it makes the whole thing way easier. And do it with a cold engine. Please. A muffler that just came off a ride will brand you like a cow, bro.

When Should a Shop Do It?

A full system means pulling the stock headers, which means:

• Working around hot engine parts
• Dealing with stubborn, possibly seized header bolts
• Torquing header-to-engine gaskets properly
• Getting the ECU tuned after the install

Time: 2-4 hours. A shop will usually charge $150-$300 in labour, plus the cost of an ECU tune ($200-$400). So yeah, add that up, and that "cheap" full system just got a lot less cheap.

How Do You Take Care of an Aftermarket Exhaust?

Once it's on, keep it looking and sounding good:

• First-ride discolouration is normal. Titanium and stainless headers turn gold and blue from heat. That's expected and honestly it looks sick on most setups.
• Repack your muffler every 10,000-15,000 miles (about 16,000-24,000 km). The fibreglass packing inside the can breaks down over time, making the exhaust louder and raspier. Repack kits cost $15-$30 and take about 20 minutes.
• Don't use chrome polish on titanium or carbon fiber. Use the right cleaner for each material.
• Check the mounting bolts and springs once in a while. Exhaust vibration loosens hardware over time.
• Keep the baffle in. Unless you're at a track day, the baffle keeps the volume reasonable and your neighbours from hating you.

Speaking of neighbours, oh my god, guys. If you live on a street in the GTA where the houses are like four feet apart, a debaffled pipe at 6 AM is how you become the most hated person on the block. Every neighbour knows the guy. Don't be the guy. And save your own ears too, because a loud can on the highway gets exhausting fast. My earplugs guide covers the ones that cut the drone but still let you hear traffic.

But anyways, back to the bikes. When the season ends, the exhaust needs a little love too. Plug the tip so critters don't move in over the winter (it's a real thing), and follow the rest of my winter storage guide so everything fires up in spring.

What Should You Read Next?

• Complete Beginner's Guide to Motorcycles — start here if you're new
• The Complete Motorcycle Maintenance Guide — keep your bike running right
• Best Beginner Motorcycles — pick the right bike before you mod it
• How to Buy a Used Motorcycle — find a deal, then upgrade the exhaust

So What's the Move?

If you're on a Japanese sportbike, go Yoshimura or Akrapovic and enjoy every single cold start. If money's tight, the M4 is hella good value. Harley crew, Vance & Hines and don't overthink it. And if your bike is older or cheap, Delkevic gets you real stainless for real-person money.

Just keep the baffle in on the street, get the tune if you go full system, and don't buy the $80 mystery pipe. That's it, guys. Go make your bike sound like it means it. Let's go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a slip-on exhaust worth it on a motorcycle?

Yes, for most riders a slip-on exhaust is worth it. It replaces only the muffler at the end of the exhaust, so it installs in about 30-60 minutes with basic tools and usually needs no ECU tune on a modern fuel-injected bike. The biggest change is the sound: a quality slip-on from Yoshimura, Akrapovic or M4 gives the bike a deeper, more aggressive note than the quiet stock can. You also save roughly 3-8 lbs, because stock mufflers are heavy, and the back of the bike looks cleaner. What you will not get is real power, since the stock headers are still the main restriction, so expect 1-3 hp at most. Good slip-ons cost around $200-$800, with examples like the M4 GP19 at about $390 and the Yoshimura AT2 at about $600. If sound and looks are what you want, a slip-on is the best value mod you can make.

Do I need a tune with a slip-on exhaust?

In most cases, no. A slip-on muffler swap on a modern fuel-injected motorcycle does not require an ECU tune, because the stock headers and catalytic converter stay in place and the air-fuel ratio stays close to stock. Most riders bolt on a slip-on and ride away with no issues. There are exceptions: some bikes run very lean from the factory to pass emissions, and a few riders notice a little extra popping on deceleration after a slip-on. A tune can smooth that out, but it is optional. A full exhaust system is completely different. Replacing the headers and muffler lets far more air flow through the engine, and without an ECU flash or a Power Commander the bike will run lean, with poor throttle response and possible engine damage over time. Budget around $200-$400 for tuning with any full system, and check the exhaust maker's notes for your exact bike.

What is the best motorcycle exhaust brand?

There is no single best brand for every bike, but a few names stand out. Akrapovic is widely considered the best overall for fit, finish and sound, with titanium and carbon fiber construction and a long MotoGP and World Superbike history. Yoshimura is the top pick for Japanese sportbikes and nakeds, with decades of racing experience and slip-ons like the AT2 built and tested on the same bikes people ride. Vance & Hines owns the Harley-Davidson market and makes its own Fuelpak FP4 tuner to pair with its pipes. M4 Performance gives sportbike riders most of the premium experience for about half the price, with slip-ons around $200-$400. Delkevic is the best budget option, selling full stainless systems direct for roughly $150-$400. Two Brothers Racing now focuses on Harley and Indian. The right brand is the one that makes a well-reviewed exhaust for your exact model and year.

How much horsepower does a full exhaust system add?

A full exhaust system with a proper ECU tune typically adds about 5-15 horsepower, depending on the motorcycle. On a small 400cc bike like a Ninja 400, expect roughly 3-5 hp. On a 600-1000cc sportbike, gains of 8-15 hp are common. On a Harley with supporting mods such as a cam, air cleaner and tune, gains of 15-25 hp or more are possible. The tune is the key part. A full system lets far more air flow through the engine, and the factory fuel map is built for the stock exhaust, so without a flash or a Power Commander the bike runs lean and you may actually lose power, along with getting poor throttle response and popping. A slip-on by itself is different and usually adds only 1-3 hp, because the stock headers remain the main restriction. If horsepower is your main goal, plan for a full system plus tuning, not just a muffler swap.

Are cheap Amazon motorcycle exhausts worth it?

Usually not. Sub-$100 universal exhausts from no-name brands tend to have poor fitment, so you deal with gaps, rattles and exhaust leaks. Many use thin stainless or chrome-plated mild steel that rusts, discolours and cracks within a season, especially where winters bring road salt. Most are basically straight-through pipes with no real sound engineering, which means they are loud rather than good, they drone at highway speeds, and they can make the bike run lean. They also carry more risk if a warranty claim ever comes up, because there is no engineering data behind them. If your budget is tight, spend the extra $70-$100 on a Delkevic, which sells proper stainless slip-ons and full systems for specific models in roughly the $150-$400 range. You get real fitment for your bike, better materials and an exhaust that lasts. As a rule, if a pipe costs less than your oil change, skip it.

Will an aftermarket exhaust void my motorcycle warranty?

In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act means a dealer cannot void your entire warranty just because you installed an aftermarket exhaust. They can, however, deny a specific warranty claim if they can show the exhaust directly caused the failure. In practice, a quality slip-on from a known brand rarely causes problems, because the headers and fuel map stay stock and the bike runs the way the factory intended. A full system is riskier. If you install one without a proper tune and the engine runs lean, an engine-related claim could be denied. Canadian warranty rules work differently, so riders outside the US should check their manufacturer's terms and ask the dealer before buying. Either way, the smart move is the same: keep your stock exhaust in storage, keep receipts for the parts and any tuning work, and use a reputable brand built for your exact model.

How loud is a motorcycle exhaust without a baffle?

A debaffled motorcycle exhaust typically produces about 100-115 dB at full throttle, compared with roughly 80-92 dB with the baffle installed. For reference, 100 dB is about as loud as a jackhammer. Most local noise rules set limits somewhere around 80-95 dB, so running without a baffle is often illegal on public roads and can get you a ticket. It also causes constant highway drone, which makes long rides tiring and adds to hearing damage on top of the wind noise you already get inside a helmet. That is why most slip-ons ship with a removable baffle, often called a dB killer, and why it is worth leaving in for street riding. If you want a louder sound for the track, you can pull it for track days and put it back afterward. For everyday riding, keep the baffle in, wear good earplugs and keep your neighbours on your side.