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[DakotaZeb]

I think my '06 SEUC has a lot of noise coming from the engine and have always complained about it.  But nearly every other Harley owner I come across says the same thing.  Doesn't seem to matter whether it's an 88" or 103".  Is this just the way it is?

I don't remember my '04 Road King having as much noise but then maybe the Ultra traps more noise in the fairing and lowers so that you hear it more.

Are the newer bikes any quieter?

[Gecko]

Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha.....

[dartman]

Are the newer bikes any quieter?

Nope, engines are larger and you have a bunch of parts making contact, they are sturdy engines but they are not quiet, my 110 really clatters around 3000 rpms

[Boatman]

I don't remember my '04 Road King having as much noise but then maybe the Ultra traps more noise in the fairing and lowers so that you hear it more.

I do believe that they help magnify the noise.  HD's definitely aren't sewing machines like Hondas.

[grc]

Be patient, grasshopper.  When Harley finally bites the bullet and converts the Big Twin to water cooling, you will notice immediately that the clatter will be severely diminished.  Lovely thing about water cooling, since operating temperatures are much more closely controlled you don't need huge clearances between moving parts.  Also, water jackets tend to act as sound insulation, keeping more noise from reaching your ears. 

Jerry

[DCFIREMANN]

The fairing and the lowers will let you hear more engine noise. Unlike your Road King you will hear everything, unless you are hard of hearing like I am. I would not worry too much about your top end noise unless you start to hear some clacking. Then you will have a problem. Also run a quality Syn oil in your motor it will help with the engine noise.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[DCFIREMANN]

Be patient, grasshopper.  When Harley finally bites the bullet and converts the Big Twin to water cooling, you will notice immediately that the clatter will be severely diminished.  Lovely thing about water cooling, since operating temperatures are much more closely controlled you don't need huge clearances between moving parts.  Also, water jackets tend to act as sound insulation, keeping more noise from reaching your ears. 

Jerry

Jerry do you have some inside info about the 2010 models?

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[DakotaZeb]

What's everyone's guess as to when Harley will have a liquid cooled engine in the Touring bikes?

[DCFIREMANN]

What's everyone's guess as to when Harley will have a liquid cooled engine in the Touring bikes?

2010

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[jfletch409]

Just bought a 2007 Ultra Screaming Eagle with the stock exhaust. The top end is really noisy with lots of rattling. I traded in a 2005 Ultra that also had a pretty noisy top-end, but the Vance & Hines masked most of it. I agree that I think that's just how they are. It's one of the things that Harley really isn't concerned with.

[DCFIREMANN]

Just bought a 2007 Ultra Screaming Eagle with the stock exhaust. The top end is really noisy with lots of rattling. I traded in a 2005 Ultra that also had a pretty noisy top-end, but the Vance & Hines masked most of it. I agree that I think that's just how they are. It's one of the things that Harley really isn't concerned with.

It is the nature of the V TWIN beast. I have been riding since 1975. I can tell you that they are much nicer and a lot quiter than the old days!

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[fgizzo]

I have had 6 Harley's - 2 of them were softtails with the B engine and for some reason they were both very quiet. The 03 SE Deuce was the best very quiet and also the best shifting Harley I ever owned.  My 2004 B+B isn't too bad even with the fairing, however it could be my imagination but is seems to louder the longer the bike is running.