Vance & Hines Exhaust for Dyna, Softail and Sportster
- Motorcycle Gear Reviews
- Aug 24, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3, 2024
For over 40 Years, Vance & Hines has been synonymous with performance exhaust. They got their start in motorcycle racing and have been developing quality performance products ever since. Here, we are going to take a look at some of the most popular exhaust systems from Vance & Hines for Dynas, Softails and XL Sportsters.
Vance & Hines - Big Shots Staggered
The Big Shots Staggered exhaust from Vance & Hines is a full exhaust system. By that I mean that it replaces the factory head pipe and slip on. The Big Shots Staggered exhaust gives the low lean look of a true dual set up with the power advantages of a 2 into 1.
The power advantages come by way of Vance & Hines PCX technology. The PCX stands for Power Chamber Exhaust. As of the writing of this review, the PCX technology is really new and been on the market for about a year. It's all about making more mid range torque, increasing rider comfort by reducing heat, and meeting EPA standards. It utilizes a high flow catalyst cartridge that is designed to increase torque over a stock system. The catalyst is placed further down the pipe. This greatly reduces heat at the under the rider and at the collector. The hard truth is that EPA standards create challenges for everything that makes motorcycles fun, but they are here to stay and will likely only get more strict. Vance & Hines has done a great job designing a system that is 49 state compliant while still improving performance. There is a crossover connector between the pipes, so it is not a true dual set up. The connector is hidden, which allows the exhaust to retain that classic and clean look.
I actually have the Big Shots Staggered exhaust system on one of my motorcycles. I love the long and classic look of the pipes. Like many Vance & Hines systems, they run a full heat shield, which not only gives the exhaust a beefier look, it also helps reduce heat on the rider, and ensures the pipe will look great for years to come. Any bluing of the pipe is covered by the heat shields. These pipe come in either chrome or matte black.
They produce a crisp clean sound. They are plenty loud enough without being obnoxious. Want that loud and obnoxious sound? Check out the Short Shots Staggered below!
Short Shots Staggered
The Short Shots Staggered exhaust system offers most everything the Big Shots Staggered system does, but in a shorter and louder package. The Short Shots are a full Exhaust system as well, replacing the stock head pipe. They utilize the same PCX technology to maximize exhaust flow while maintaining EPA compliance.
You do tend to feel more of the heat from the exhaust, than you do on with the Big Shots due to the nature of a short exhaust system.
Like the Big Shots, the Short Shots have a full heat shield and are available in either a chrome or matte black finish. The full heat shield is a one-piece system, which really gives a nice, finished look to the exhaust.
What makes the Short Shots so great is that they are very loud. If you are looking for a super loud exhaust for your Dyna, Softail, or XL Sportster, this just might be the exhaust for you. Generally speaking, the shorter the exhaust system, the louder it is. The sound is crisp and a bit raspy, everything you want in the sound of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. They produce a very aggressive sound. The Short Shots stop just past the start of the swing arm.
Big Radius 2 Into 2 Exhaust
The Big Radius is a full exhaust system, which replaces the factory head pipes. This system has been around for a while but set the bar when it comes to a custom looking exhaust without the custom build price tag. I have always loved the look of this system. It gives about every motorcycle a wow factor that cannot be matched without having a custom one-off exhaust built. When it comes to styling, the Big Radius gets a 10 out of 10.
The Big Radius does offer a full heat shield, like most Vance & Hines exhaust systems. So, there is never a worry of the pipes discoloring and they have a great finished look. They also feature Vance & Hines new PCX Technology. This high flow catalyst system improves mid-range torque while maintaining 49 state compliance with the EPA.
The Big Radius is a longer exhaust system than the Short Shots but ends at about the same spot on the motorcycle. They stop right about the front of the rear tire, but their swept styling means a longer exhaust system. The Big Radius full exhaust system is available in your choice of chrome or matte black. The matte black option gives you a little chrome exposed at the type and on the Vance & Hines logo, which is a great look. These choices allow you to customize the look of your bike even more.
Personally, I love the sound of the Big Radius. It provides a deep yet crisp growl that is only slightly less loud than the Short Shots. Common feedback on the Big Radius is that they are not as loud as people thought they would be. This is due to the direction of the exhaust. The exhaust points down, which directs the sound away from the rider. So, I would describe the Big Radius as deceptively loud.
