I know this is an old thread, just came across. Am in a similar position as the OP. Been riding my 2013 Fatboy with stock pipes. Now I really want to get that extra performance by upgrading the exhaust and air intake and re-tuning. I have read a lot and clearly there's a difference in performance. I don't really care for the thunderous loud sound, it seems 2:1 is the way to go for performance. I would love any and all suggestions from you good folks.

 

Vance and hines prop pipe or if you want to spend the extra coin the drago 2 into 1.

 

+1 ,I have the dragos dragula2 the performance and sound is great ,I have heard the propipe also sounds great. The propipe from board tracker harley for 520.00

 

Vance and Hines, Rhinehart, S&S, Screaming Eagle. All of them promise a 'heaven on earth" with their pipes. The truth is, that a requested sound of a set of exhausts is very personal. One loves the sound of Screaming Eagle and hate the sound of Vance and Hines and reversed. Including every combination one can make.
Second, the sound of an exhaust is not only determined by the pipes themselves. Issues like restraints in headers (catalist convertors, probes and even the cooling system of the bike and type of fuel (98, 95 or 91) can make the difference.
Riding style, outside airtemp all are factors influencing the sound of your pipes.
Bear in mind, that just like music, the 'ideal sound' doesn't exists. One have to compromise here and there and approach the personal sound as he/she likes, but the best way is like doing with music and sound boxes: try to find people who will lent you their pipes as you consider and test them on your own bike. Still, bear in mind that the sound as installed on your friends bike can strongly differ from the sound as installed on YOUR bike..Due to the circumstances as mentioned earlier here. I personally have Screaming Eagles 4" and they give me what I want: loud, deep, rumbling Harley sound when accelerating and silent enough to not disturb a conversation with my passenger during a steady speed.