H-D Forums Asks: ‘Which Pipes for My New Street Bob?’

By Cameron Vanderhorst - October 22, 2019

**Finding fresh pipes for your bike that won’t annoy your neighbors is a challenge, but H-D Forums is here to help.**

A big part of owning a Harley-Davidson is personalizing the bike to suit your unique style. What’s the first change you usually make when you get a new bike?

Many owners change the handlebars and foot controls to make the bike fit them better. Others change the seat right away – either to accommodate their favorite riding buddy, or to feel less fatigued after several hours in the saddle.

It seems to us, though, that the vast majority of owners waste no time in upgrading the exhaust. The stock exhaust gets the job done, but it’s quiet and restrictive. For many, a major part of the Harley-Davidson experience is the distinctive V-twin roar.

Replacing the stock pipes with aftermarket units can improve performance, as well as give the bike a distinctive style and look. They’re one of the best all-around upgrades you can make to your Harley-Davidson.

One of our forum members, Youragas Bravo, has recently picked up a 2020 Street Bob, and he’s looking to upgrade his exhaust. Even on such a new bike, the aftermarket is brimming with choice, so he took to the forums to see what other members recommend.

While he likes the look and the performance of a 2-into-1 system, Youragas Bravo would like to remain in the good graces of his neighbors. He’d like a little more sound, sure, but nothing too obnoxious for his neighborhood.

Another concern is his warranty. We can completely understand being wary of messing with a brand new bike, especially if a voided warranty means that we’re on the hook for an unrelated issue later. According to his dealer, he should be in the clear, just so long as he has a tuner installed along with the freer-flowing exhaust.

One of our members, Mchad, recommends the S&S Superstreet system. It’s available with and without a catalytic converter, and he praises the exhaust note,saying that it’s “Probably the most reasonable loudness in any aftermarket exhaust to date.”

Another member, MoneyFor, shared a picture of his Street Bob with Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes. It’s a dramatic look for sure, but probably too loud for what Youragas Bravo is looking for, unfortunately. A Rinehart system was recommended by kgballer2442, which also looks great but would probably wake the dead.

Griff012FLHX also praised the mellow nature and overall tone of the S&S Superstreets, however, claiming that the exhaust “sounds good when ya get on it, but easy to sneak out of the neighborhood.” We might have a winner, although Youragas Bravo is still considering other options.

What is the exhaust system like on your Harley? Do you prefer loud or mellow exhausts? Let us know in our forums!

Photos: H-D Forums members Youragas Bravo, MoneyFor, and kgballer2442