Comparison Summary
For a 2017–2023 Touring rider with stretched saddlebags, the Vance & Hines Backslash 450, part 46764, is the clearest first stop: its 4.5-inch outlets are designed to sit flush with stretched-bag cutouts. Its manufacturer-declared 50-state replacement-part statement, however, specifies 2017–2022 Touring applications, not every year in the listing title. For a 1995–2016 Touring bike, the S&S Cycle MK45, part 550-0623, offers a distinct chrome-and-black finish and a documented baffle construction; it is not the corresponding muffler for later Touring models.
The two black Rinehart choices address different sound goals on listed 2017-and-later Touring applications. The MotoPro45 is the more straightforward traditional-style choice, while the DBX45 includes DBX baffles that Rinehart describes as its more aggressive option. SHARKROAD’s 9505CC gives 2009–2016 Touring owners a chrome pair with stated 1.75-inch stock-header compatibility; its exclusions matter as much as its fit list. The 36-inch HDFT-3695C fishtails prioritize a long silhouette, while the 26CB offers a chrome 4.5-inch option for listed 2017-and-later Touring bikes but cannot ship to California.
The remaining picks fill narrower needs. The chrome 459510CB serves a listed 2009–2016 Touring application, though its 50-state replacement-part statement conflicts with a “cannot ship to California” notice. The HDTGMF-400925CB targets Trike owners rather than ordinary two-wheel Touring fitment. The III BLACK3 B3H0802=AL=J is a 2-into-1 full system for riders seeking to replace more of the exhaust assembly; its broad 2009–2025 Touring claim requires especially careful model and emissions checks.
Buying Guide
Sizing and Capacity
Exhaust “size” is principally a fit and clearance question, not a capacity ranking. A 4.5-inch muffler-body diameter describes the outside profile; it does not tell you whether its inlet fits your header. SHARKROAD’s HDMF-MP9505CC explicitly calls for stock headers with a 1.75-inch outside diameter and excludes aftermarket 2.0-inch headers. The HDFT-3695C fishtail listing instead gives a 1-3/4-inch inlet inner diameter alongside its 36-inch length. Do not substitute one measurement for the other. Measure or identify your existing header, check the precise motorcycle application and consider where the outlets will sit relative to saddlebags and accessories.
Feature Tradeoffs
Choose a slip-on if you want to retain the existing headers and focus the change on muffler appearance and sound. The III BLACK3 2-into-1 is a different purchase: it includes headers and a muffler, so fitment and the installation scope deserve closer attention. Baffles also distinguish otherwise similar round slip-ons. Vance & Hines specifies an LS275 baffle for the Backslash 450; S&S describes stainless steel baffles with fiberglass packing in the MK45; Rinehart identifies DBX baffles as its more aggressive-sounding option. These descriptions help narrow a preference, but they do not establish a measured volume, tone on your bike or power gain.
Best For, Avoid If
| Profile |
Recommended Product |
Why It Fits |
Avoid If |
| Compatible Touring rider with stretched saddlebags |
Vance & Hines Backslash 450 46764 |
The Backslash 450 positions its 4.5-inch outlets to align with stretched-bag cutouts. |
You need the stated 50-state replacement-part declaration to cover a year beyond its specified 2017–2022 Touring range. |
| 1995–2016 Touring owner seeking chrome with black accents |
S&S Cycle MK45 550-0623 |
Part 550-0623 has a manufacturer-identified application and distinctive Tracer end caps. |
Your bike is a later Touring model. |
| Compatible later-Touring rider seeking a more aggressive baffle option |
Rinehart Racing DBX45 500-0186 |
Part 500-0186 includes Rinehart’s DBX baffles. |
You prefer a less assertive sound character or need the older-Touring version. |
| 2009–2016 Touring owner retaining stock 1.75-inch-OD headers |
SHARKROAD HDMF-MP9505CC |
The listing specifies the header interface and includes a chrome pair with hardware. |
You have 2.0-inch aftermarket headers, a listed excluded Trike or a 2017-and-later M8 Touring bike. |
| Earlier-Touring owner prioritizing a long fishtail silhouette |
SHARKROAD HDFT-3695C Fishtails |
The listing specifies two 36-inch chrome fishtails and their inlet dimensions. |
You cannot confirm clearance around your saddlebags and accessories. |
| Touring owner intentionally shopping for a full 2-into-1 system |
III BLACK3 B3H0802=AL=J 2-into-1 |
The listed package replaces more than the mufflers and includes stainless steel headers and heat shields. |
You only want slip-ons or cannot confirm exact-model fitment and applicable road-use status. |
Key Specs to Compare
Read the exact part number before comparing model-year ranges: 46764, 550-0623, 500-0111T and 500-0186 refer to distinct applications despite similar-looking 4.5-inch profiles. Then check whether the item is a pair of mufflers or a full system, the header interface, supplied mounting hardware, baffle and tip design, and the finish. Road-use documentation must likewise match the exact part and motorcycle application. Vance & Hines’ manufacturer-declared 50-state replacement-part statement for 46764 names 2017–2022 Touring, even though the product listing names 2017–2023. Do not extend that declaration to another year merely because the muffler is listed as fitting it.
Setup and Handling Considerations
Before removing a muffler, compare your bike’s model and year with the exact part’s application and identify whether it has stock or aftermarket headers. Lay out the listed kit contents, then check the required clamps and mounting points against the instructions for that part; a claim that installation is quick is not a substitute for those checks. The SHARKROAD 9505CC and HDFT-3695C listings explicitly include two slip-ons and hardware. The III BLACK3 listing describes a complete system, which entails a broader replacement than fitting mufflers to existing headers. For long fishtails or stretched bags, confirm clearance and outlet alignment before tightening the assembly.
Maintenance and Longevity
Choose a finish you are prepared to care for and inspect the fitted exhaust periodically for secure mounting, visible damage and changes at its joints. Chrome, matte black and stainless steel offer different looks; material or finish descriptions alone cannot predict how a particular installation will age. Keep the part number and purchase documentation so you can identify the correct replacement components or seek warranty support if needed. Warranty terms vary by product and seller, so check coverage for the exact item rather than assuming one brand’s stated term applies to every variant.
Reliability Signals
The strongest purchasing signal here is an application tied to an identifiable part. S&S identifies MK45 550-0623 as a 1995–2016 Touring muffler, and Rinehart’s part listings distinguish its later-Touring MotoPro45 and DBX45 variants. That specificity is more useful than a broad Harley-Davidson claim. Resolve conflicts before ordering: one DBX45 listing feature says 1995-and-later although Rinehart identifies part 500-0186 for 2017-and-later Touring; the SHARKROAD 459510CB listing pairs a 50-state statement with a California shipping restriction. A shipping restriction is not itself an emissions determination. Ask for documentation covering the exact part and application where road use is material.
How to Compare Reviews
Look for accounts from a bike that matches yours in model, year, engine and header setup. A comment about the MK45 on a 2016 Touring bike cannot establish fit for a 2017 model, and feedback about Rinehart’s MotoPro45 does not describe the DBX45’s different baffle. For installation reports, note whether the rider had stock headers, stretched saddlebags or a Trike; those details can explain why another person’s clearance or mounting experience differs. Treat sound descriptions in the context of the complete exhaust setup and distinguish a rider’s impression from a documented measurement.
Common Mistakes
Do not buy on “Harley Touring” alone: the 2009–2016 SHARKROAD 9505CC excludes 2017-and-later M8 Touring bikes, while its 1.75-inch stock-header requirement rules out the stated 2.0-inch aftermarket interface. Do not assume a Tri Glide takes the same slip-ons as a two-wheel Road Glide; start with the Trike-specific listing and verify the exact machine. Avoid treating 4.5-inch body diameter as inlet size, a long fishtail as a guaranteed saddlebag fit, or a louder baffle as proof of more power. Finally, check emissions and shipping statements for the precise part, year and location instead of transferring one product’s declaration to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 2017-and-later Touring slip-on fit a 2009–2016 Touring bike?
Do not assume so. The selected products include separate applications for those year ranges. Match the exact part number to your model and year, then check its header connection.
Does a 4.5-inch muffler require a 4.5-inch header?
No. That figure generally describes the muffler body on these listings, not its connection. Check the specified inlet and your header-pipe diameter separately.
Should I choose slip-ons or the 2-into-1 full system?
Choose slip-ons if you intend to keep compatible existing headers and change the mufflers. Consider the full system if replacing headers is part of your goal, after confirming the complete system fits your exact bike and meets your road-use requirements.
Can I infer that an exhaust is California-eligible from a 50-state statement?
Check the statement’s exact part-number and model-year scope, along with current seller restrictions. The SHARKROAD 459510CB listing contains both a 50-state replacement-part statement and a notice that it cannot ship to California; resolve that conflict before ordering.
Final Recommendation
Choose the Vance & Hines Backslash 450 46764 first for a compatible Touring bike with stretched saddlebags: its outlet placement gives it a specific advantage beyond finish or muffler diameter. Verify the exact model and note that its manufacturer-declared 50-state replacement-part statement specifies 2017–2022 Touring. For a 1995–2016 Touring bike, the S&S Cycle MK45 550-0623 is the better starting point; if your goal is a full header-and-muffler replacement rather than slip-ons, investigate the III BLACK3 2-into-1 only after confirming exact fit and road-use documentation.
