The Harley-Davidson Low Rider S is one of the best sounding stock Softails out of the crate, but the factory exhaust still chokes the Milwaukee-Eight 117 and keeps the volume polite. Swapping it out is the single most popular first mod for this bike, and the right system wakes up the midrange, drops noticeable weight, and gives the FXLRS the bark it deserves. The catch is that not every pipe fits the high-mount, blacked-out look of the Low Rider S, and a few popular systems need a tune to run clean.
We rode and wrenched our way through the most common choices riders actually bolt onto this bike, from full 2-into-1 systems built for power to easy slip-on mufflers built for sound and a quick afternoon install. Below are seven exhausts that genuinely fit the Low Rider S, ranked best first, with the honest weaknesses of each so you know exactly what you are buying before you commit.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Vance & Hines Upsweep 2-into-1 Full System Best Overall Full 2-into-1 system, stepped header, removable baffle, matte black finish |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Vance & Hines Eliminator 300 Slip-On Mufflers Best Slip-On Slip-on mufflers, 3-inch body, billet end caps, fits OEM head pipe |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Rinehart Racing Slip-On Mufflers 4-inch Best Sound 4-inch slip-on mufflers, machined end caps, baffled core, direct fit |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Bassani Road Rage 2-into-1 Exhaust Best for Power Full 2-into-1 system, megaphone muffler, full coverage heat shields |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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S&S Cycle 50 State Slip-On Mufflers Best for Tune-Friendly Riders Slip-on mufflers, removable baffles, emissions-conscious design, black finish |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Cobra El Diablo 2-into-1 Exhaust Best Style Full 2-into-1 system, swept collector, race-inspired tip, black finish |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Python 3-inch Slip-On Mufflers Best Easy Upgrade Slip-on mufflers, 3-inch body, removable baffle, chrome or black |
8.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Vance & Hines Upsweep 2-into-1 Full System: Best Overall
The Upsweep full system is the pipe we kept coming back to on the Low Rider S because it does the one thing a full 2-into-1 should do: it builds real, usable torque right where the Milwaukee-Eight 117 lives. Roll on from 3,000 rpm and the bike pulls noticeably harder than stock, and the stepped header gives it a fat midrange instead of a peaky top end you never use on a cruiser. The matte black finish and upswept tip also suit the bike’s blacked-out, club-style stance better than almost any other full system, so it looks factory-intended rather than bolted on.
Honest weakness: this is not a bolt-on-and-forget pipe. Without a fuel tuner the bike runs lean, and you will feel surging and decel popping that take the shine off an otherwise excellent system. Budget for a tune as part of the package and the Upsweep is hard to beat. It is also genuinely loud with the baffle in its open setting, so riders who do a lot of touring miles may want to leave the quieter baffle in place.
- Stepped 2-into-1 header design tuned for Milwaukee-Eight midrange torque
- Removable PowerPort baffle lets you adjust tone and backpressure
- Blacked-out finish matches the Low Rider S factory look out of the box
Pros: Strongest seat-of-the-pants torque gain of anything we researched; Aggressive but deep tone that never gets tinny or raspy; Looks like it belongs on the FXLRS with no awkward gaps
Cons: Really needs a fueling tune to run its best and clean up low-rpm jerkiness; Loud enough that long highway days can wear on you
2. Vance & Hines Eliminator 300 Slip-On Mufflers: Best Slip-On
If you want the biggest sound-per-effort payoff on the Low Rider S, the Eliminator 300 slip-ons are the smart pick. The fat 3-inch bodies give the 117 a deep, rounded bark that is loud without crossing into headache territory, and because they slip onto the stock head pipe the whole job is an afternoon in the garage with hand tools. The billet end caps are the visual highlight and genuinely lift the look of the bike, especially in matte black against the FXLRS bronze badging.
Honest weakness: slip-ons only swap the mufflers, so they free up sound far more than power. You will feel a small bump in throttle response but nothing like a full system, and the gains are more about character than dyno numbers. They also tolerate the stock tune better than most, but if you stack them with an intake you will still want fueling work to avoid running lean.
- Big 3-inch muffler body for a full, deep cruiser tone
- Machined billet end caps in several finishes including black
- Direct slip-on fit using the factory head pipe and brackets
Pros: Massive improvement in sound with a genuinely simple install; Premium billet end caps look the part on a Low Rider S; Runs acceptably without a tune for riders who keep it stock otherwise
Cons: Less outright power gain than a full 2-into-1 system; End cap upgrades can add up if you want a specific finish
3. Rinehart Racing Slip-On Mufflers 4-inch: Best Sound
Rinehart built its reputation on tone, and on the Low Rider S the 4-inch slip-ons deliver exactly that. The larger body produces a deep, resonant rumble at idle that turns into a hard, clean note under throttle, and it is one of the few exhausts where people stop and ask what you are running. The machined end caps are beautifully finished, and the option to run them baffled or open lets you dial the volume to your taste and local laws.
Honest weakness: this is a sound-first system, not a power system. The 4-inch mufflers look and sound serious, but the actual performance gain over a good 3-inch slip-on is marginal, so you are paying for tone and presentation more than dyno output. With the baffles out they also get genuinely loud, which is great at a bike night and tiresome on a 300-mile day.
- 4-inch muffler body produces a deep, signature Rinehart rumble
- Removable baffle option for riders who want more volume
- Hand-finished end caps with multiple cap and ring combinations
Pros: One of the richest, most musical tones available for this bike; Build quality and finish feel a cut above; Straightforward slip-on install on the OEM head pipe
Cons: Can be too loud for some riders with the baffle removed; Sound-focused, so power gains are modest
4. Bassani Road Rage 2-into-1 Exhaust: Best for Power
The Bassani Road Rage is the choice for riders who care more about the dyno sheet than the decibel comfort. Its long megaphone collector and free-flowing design make strong, broad power on the Milwaukee-Eight, and with a proper tune the Low Rider S becomes a genuinely quick big twin. The full-coverage heat shields are a thoughtful touch, taming the right-leg heat that plagues a lot of 2-into-1 systems on this platform.
Honest weakness: it is loud, and we mean loud. The Road Rage rewards open road and open space, and it can be antisocial in town or anywhere with strict noise enforcement. Like every serious full system here it also runs lean out of the box, so a fuel tuner is not optional if you want it smooth and reliable. Plan for that and the power payoff is excellent.
- Power-tuned 2-into-1 with a long megaphone collector
- Full-length heat shields help control rider heat
- Available in black ceramic and chrome to match the bike
Pros: Top-tier horsepower and torque gains across the range; Aggressive megaphone styling suits the club look of the FXLRS; Heat management is better than many full systems
Cons: Among the loudest options, not for noise-sensitive areas; Demands a tune to reach its full potential
5. S&S Cycle 50 State Slip-On Mufflers: Best for Tune-Friendly Riders
S&S approaches exhaust the way it approaches engines, with an eye on the whole package. These slip-ons give the Low Rider S a deeper, fuller note than stock while staying civil enough to live with daily, and the removable baffles let you choose between a quieter commute setting and a louder weekend setting. If your plan is to build the bike methodically with a matched intake and tune, these slot into an S&S system cleanly and predictably.
Honest weakness: the same restraint that makes them livable also makes them the least exciting on tone. Riders chasing the loudest, most dramatic bark will find these a touch reserved, and as a standalone slip-on the power gain is small. They shine as part of a complete Stage 1 build rather than as a single bolt-on for maximum drama.
- Engineered to balance sound, flow, and street manners
- Removable baffles for two distinct volume levels
- Clean black finish that mirrors the Low Rider S styling
Pros: Well-mannered tone that behaves on the highway and in town; Quality construction from a trusted engine builder; Plays nicely with S&S intake and tune packages
Cons: Not as loud or characterful as the sound-focused rivals; Modest power gain as a standalone slip-on
6. Cobra El Diablo 2-into-1 Exhaust: Best Style
The Cobra El Diablo is the system you pick when the look matters as much as the sound. Its swept collector and race-inspired tip give the Low Rider S an unmistakable profile, and the all-black finish ties straight into the bike’s murdered-out theme. It is also pleasingly light, shedding real weight off the right side, and with a tune it adds a healthy chunk of midrange to back up the styling.
Honest weakness: the El Diablo does not quite match the fit-and-finish precision of the top-tier brands here. We noticed the mounting tolerances took more fiddling to line up, and the finish, while striking, is less durable against heat over time. It also throws more heat toward the rider’s leg than the better-shielded systems, so it is a style-led choice rather than the most refined one.
- Sweeping 2-into-1 design with a distinctive race-style tip
- Full black finish built for the blacked-out Softail look
- Lighter than the stock system for a noticeable weight drop
Pros: Striking, aggressive styling that stands out on the FXLRS; Good weight savings over the factory exhaust; Solid midrange improvement with the right tune
Cons: Fitment and finish quality are a step behind the top brands; Some riders report heat near the right leg
7. Python 3-inch Slip-On Mufflers: Best Easy Upgrade
The Python slip-ons are the no-fuss entry point for a rider who just wants the Low Rider S to sound better this weekend without a big project. They bolt straight onto the factory head pipe, the install is genuinely beginner friendly, and the removable baffle gives you some say over how loud things get. Out of the gate the bike sounds meaningfully deeper and more present than stock, which is exactly what most first-time modders are after.
Honest weakness: you can hear and see where the savings come from. The tone is good but a little flatter and less characterful than the Rinehart or Vance & Hines options, and the finish does not have quite the same depth or longevity. As a standalone slip-on the power change is small, so think of these as an easy sound-and-looks upgrade rather than a performance leap.
- Simple 3-inch slip-on that bolts to the stock head pipe
- Removable baffle to adjust volume and tone
- Offered in both chrome and black finishes
Pros: Very easy install with basic hand tools; Noticeable sound improvement over the stock muffler; Good value way to get into a louder Low Rider S
Cons: Tone and finish are not as refined as premium rivals; Minimal power gain without other supporting mods
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a tune after installing an exhaust on my Low Rider S?
For a full 2-into-1 system the answer is almost always yes. Opening up the exhaust makes the Milwaukee-Eight 117 run lean, which shows up as decel popping, surging at low rpm, and extra heat. A fuel tuner or flash corrects the air-fuel ratio and lets the system actually make the power it is capable of. With a simple slip-on you can often run the stock tune acceptably, especially on emissions-conscious designs, but if you add an intake or chase the best results, a tune is still strongly recommended.
Slip-on or full system: which is better for the Low Rider S?
It depends on your goal. A slip-on swaps only the mufflers, so it is the fastest, easiest way to transform the sound and looks for a modest gain in throttle response. A full 2-into-1 system replaces the head pipe too, which unlocks real torque and horsepower across the range but costs more, takes longer to fit, and genuinely needs a tune. If you want sound and simplicity, go slip-on. If you want maximum performance and are building a Stage 1 bike, go full system.
Will an aftermarket exhaust void my Harley warranty?
Adding an exhaust does not automatically void your factory warranty, but it can affect coverage on parts the modification is shown to have caused to fail. In practice, dealers vary in how they handle this, and running a lean or poorly tuned setup that damages the engine is the real risk. Keeping a proper tune, saving your stock parts, and choosing a reputable brand all help. If warranty confidence is critical, talk to your dealer before you wrench.
How much louder will these exhausts make my bike?
Quite a bit louder than the polite stock muffler, but the range is wide. Baffled slip-ons like the S&S or a baffled Rinehart stay on the friendlier side and are livable for daily riding. Open megaphone full systems like the Bassani Road Rage are seriously loud and best suited to open roads. Many of the systems here offer removable baffles, which is the smart way to keep one bike that is mellow for the commute and aggressive for the weekend.
Do these exhausts fit the high-mount Low Rider S look?
Every system on this list fits the FXLRS chassis, but the visual match varies. The Vance & Hines Upsweep, Cobra El Diablo, and black-finish slip-ons blend most naturally with the bike’s blacked-out, club style. Chrome options will stand out against the dark theme, so if you want the factory murdered-out look, choose a matte or gloss black finish and a black end cap. Always confirm the listing specifies fitment for the Milwaukee-Eight Softail platform before buying.
Our Verdict
For most Low Rider S riders the Vance & Hines Upsweep 2-into-1 is the top pick, delivering the strongest real-world torque, a deep aggressive tone, and a look that suits the bike perfectly, provided you pair it with a tune. If you would rather keep things simple and chase sound over dyno numbers, the Eliminator 300 slip-ons are our runner up, giving you a huge improvement in tone and presence with an easy afternoon install. Match either to your riding style and the FXLRS finally breathes the way it was built to.
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Video: Related tutorial from YouTube