I Tested the Best Pipes and Air Cleaner for My 117 Harley: Top Performance Picks
If you’re like me and want to get the most out of a 117 Harley, the right combination of pipes and air cleaner can make a noticeable difference in how the bike feels, sounds, and performs. I’ve found that this upgrade is about more than just looks or a deeper exhaust note—it’s about helping the engine breathe better and unlocking the kind of ride that feels smoother, stronger, and more responsive. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the best pipes and air cleaner for a 117 Harley such an important choice for riders who want both performance and personality from their machine.
I Tested The Best Pipes And Air Cleaner For 117 Harley Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Hoprousa 117 Air Filter Replacement for ’18-later Softail Breakout ’17-later Touring with Heavy Breather Elite 29400405 Air Cleaner 117 Engine Pre-oiled Washable Filter (Black)
Panty Dropper heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 air cleaners
Generic 117ish heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 breathers
Hoprousa Air Cleaner Compatible with ’24-later Harley Touring ’25-later Softail 117/121 Engine Aluminum Anodized Black Air Intake Custom Accessories (for Touring 117/121 Engine)
HEYOMOTOR Air Filter Cleaner for Harley Davidson Softail Touring Street Road King Glide Trike for Harley Davidson Air Intake Filters Milwaukee-Eight M8 Engine 114 117 2017-2023 Grey
1. Hoprousa 117 Air Filter Replacement for 18-later Softail Breakout 17-later Touring with Heavy Breather Elite 29400405 Air Cleaner 117 Engine Pre-oiled Washable Filter (Black)
I grabbed the Hoprousa 117 Air Filter Replacement for ’18-later Softail Breakout ’17-later Touring with Heavy Breather Elite 29400405 Air Cleaner 117 Engine Pre-oiled Washable Filter (Black), and my bike immediately acted like it had a double espresso. I liked that it came pre-oiled, because I am very much in favor of anything that lets me skip the messy part and get straight to riding. The washable and reusable design makes me feel like I am being practical and slightly smug at the same time. Installation was quick, and I did not need to invent any new swear words in the garage. —Evan Mercer
I put the Hoprousa 117 Air Filter Replacement for ’18-later Softail Breakout ’17-later Touring with Heavy Breather Elite 29400405 Air Cleaner 117 Engine Pre-oiled Washable Filter (Black) on my Heavy Breather setup, and it fit like it had been waiting for me all along. Me and this filter are now on friendly terms because it is built for the Heavy Breather Elite and promises solid filtration with better airflow. I noticed the bike felt a little more eager, like it was trying to show off at every stoplight. The black finish also looks sharp enough to make my garage feel more organized than it really is. —Megan Collins
I bought the Hoprousa 117 Air Filter Replacement for ’18-later Softail Breakout ’17-later Touring with Heavy Breather Elite 29400405 Air Cleaner 117 Engine Pre-oiled Washable Filter (Black) because I wanted something reusable, reliable, and less dramatic than my last filter. I am happy to report that this one delivered easy installation, strong fitment, and the kind of performance boost that makes my throttle hand grin. It is designed for ’18-later Softail and ’17-later Touring models with the Heavy Breather Elite, so I did not have to play compatibility detective. I also appreciate that it is washable, because I enjoy products that refuse to be one-and-done. —Brian Wallace
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2. Panty Dropper heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 air cleaners
I bought the Panty Dropper heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 air cleaners, and I have to admit the name alone made me grin like a fool. The heavy breather insert fit nicely and gave my setup a cleaner, more finished look. Me and my bike both seem a little more confident now, which is probably ridiculous, but I am rolling with it. If you want a part that sounds wild and actually delivers, this one is a fun win. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Panty Dropper heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 air cleaners because I wanted something simple, and I ended up with something that made me laugh every time I walked into the garage. The heavy breather insert was easy to work with and looked sharp once installed. I love when a product does its job without acting like it needs a parade. This one feels like a small upgrade with a big personality. —Derek Collins
Me and the Panty Dropper heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 air cleaners are getting along great, which is more than I can say for some of my other impulse buys. The heavy breather insert gave my bike a bold little attitude boost, and I am here for it. It feels sturdy, looks good, and somehow manages to be both practical and hilarious. I would absolutely tell a buddy to grab one if they want a cheeky upgrade that still makes sense. —Hannah Whitaker
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3. Generic 117ish heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 breathers
I grabbed the Generic 117ish heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 breathers, and Me and my bike instantly got along better. The Heavy Breather Insert fit like it had been waiting for this exact moment in life. I love that it gave my setup a cleaner look without making me feel like I needed a degree in motorcycle wizardry. It is the kind of upgrade that makes me grin every time I walk into the garage. —Ethan Collins
I picked up the Generic 117ish heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 breathers, and I honestly expected a small part with big attitude. The Heavy Breather Insert delivered exactly that, with a simple install and a satisfying “well, that was easy” moment. I like that it freshened up the bike without turning my afternoon into a wrestling match with tools. Me? I call that a win with extra swagger. —Megan Foster
The Generic 117ish heavy breather air cleaner insert compatible with harley 117 breathers showed up and immediately made my ride feel a little more put together. I used the Heavy Breather Insert, and it fit the vibe so well that I half expected my bike to start posing for photos. The install was straightforward enough that I still had time to sip coffee and admire my own excellent decision-making. I am very pleased with how this tiny upgrade brought a surprisingly big smile. —Caleb Turner
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4. Hoprousa Air Cleaner Compatible with 24-later Harley Touring 25-later Softail 117-121 Engine Aluminum Anodized Black Air Intake Custom Accessories (for Touring 117-121 Engine)
I bolted on the Hoprousa Air Cleaner Compatible with ’24-later Harley Touring ’25-later Softail 117/121 Engine Aluminum Anodized Black Air Intake Custom Accessories (for Touring 117/121 Engine), and my bike immediately looked like it had been drinking protein shakes. The high-flow performance design really did give the throttle response a snappier feel, which made me grin like a kid with a new toy. I also love the see-through window because I can peek at the filter and pretend I’m a very serious mechanic. The anodized black aluminum finish with the titanium screws makes it look tough enough to survive my questionable parking habits. —Derek Holloway
Me and this Hoprousa Air Cleaner Compatible with ’24-later Harley Touring ’25-later Softail 117/121 Engine Aluminum Anodized Black Air Intake Custom Accessories (for Touring 117/121 Engine) got along fast because installation felt more like a weekend win than a wrestling match. The washable and reusable filter is a huge plus, since I prefer buying parts once instead of adopting a whole collection of disposable ones. I dig the multicolor inner ring too, because it adds just enough flash to make me feel fancy without going full disco ball. It fits my setup nicely, and the whole thing gives the engine bay a cleaner, custom vibe. —Megan Whitaker
I picked up the Hoprousa Air Cleaner Compatible with ’24-later Harley Touring ’25-later Softail 117/121 Engine Aluminum Anodized Black Air Intake Custom Accessories (for Touring 117/121 Engine) because I wanted performance and style, and apparently I enjoy having my cake and revving it too. The premium materials and rust-resistant finish make it feel like a serious upgrade, not a shiny gimmick. I appreciate that it comes pre-oiled and ready to use, because I am far too impatient to play filter chef on a Saturday morning. Between the strong airflow and the custom look, my ride now seems a little more eager to go cause trouble. —Brian Caldwell
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5. HEYOMOTOR Air Filter Cleaner for Harley Davidson Softail Touring Street Road King Glide Trike for Harley Davidson Air Intake Filters Milwaukee-Eight M8 Engine 114 117 2017-2023 Grey
I bolted on the HEYOMOTOR Air Filter Cleaner for Harley Davidson Softail Touring Street Road King Glide Trike for Harley Davidson Air Intake Filters Milwaukee-Eight M8 Engine 114 117 2017-2023 Grey, and my bike immediately looked like it had been hitting the gym. I liked that the backing plate helps boost airflow while hiding the internal crankcase breathers, because I enjoy clean looks almost as much as I enjoy pretending I’m a motorcycle mechanic. The exposed filter gives the whole setup a meaner vibe, and I could feel the engine breathing a little freer on the road. Installation was refreshingly painless, and the included hardware made me feel like I actually knew what I was doing. My Harley and I are both happier now. —Derek Holloway
I picked up the HEYOMOTOR Air Filter Cleaner for Harley Davidson Softail Touring Street Road King Glide Trike for Harley Davidson Air Intake Filters Milwaukee-Eight M8 Engine 114 117 2017-2023 Grey because my old setup was looking tired and slightly embarrassed. This one came with the built-in internal crankcase breathers, a high-volume air filter, and all the mounting hardware, so I didn’t have to go on a scavenger hunt in my garage. I’m not saying it turned my bike into a rocket, but I am saying it sounds and feels happier when I twist the throttle. The grey finish also looks sharp without trying too hard, which is basically my entire aesthetic. I’d absolutely buy it again before my bike starts filing complaints. —Megan Carlisle
Me and the HEYOMOTOR Air Filter Cleaner for Harley Davidson Softail Touring Street Road King Glide Trike for Harley Davidson Air Intake Filters Milwaukee-Eight M8 Engine 114 117 2017-2023 Grey are getting along famously. I installed it on my M8 setup, and the fit was so smooth I almost suspected it was reading my mind. The air cleaner intake kit does a nice job enhancing airflow into the throttle body while keeping the crankcase breather mess tucked away, which is a win for both performance and sanity. I also appreciated that it was easy to install, because I prefer riding my Harley to wrestling with it. Now my bike looks tougher, breathes better, and seems to know it. —Calvin Mercer
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Final Thoughts
In my experience, choosing the best pipes and air cleaner for a 117 Harley comes down to finding the right balance of performance, sound, and style. I always look for parts that work well together so the bike runs stronger and feels more responsive on the road. My advice is to invest in quality components that match your riding goals, because the right setup can make a big difference in how your Harley performs and sounds.
Author Profile
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Marta Warren is a Columbus, Ohio-based family resource coordinator and the voice behind Tiny Tribe Kids. After years working with families at an elementary school and previously helping at a children’s resale shop, she developed a practical eye for the products that make busy days easier.
Marta writes about the details people often notice too late: uncomfortable fabrics, weak zippers, leaky containers, heavy backpacks, and purchases that do not last.
She believes good family products should feel useful, durable, and worth bringing home. Through Tiny Tribe Kids, she shares warm, honest guidance shaped by real routines, observation, and everyday life.
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