Trade or mod 14 FXDL?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Motorcycles make noise, motorcycles aren't a Lexus or a BMW car. Good luck with that Ducati when there is a warranty issue and there aren't parts available for it and you are talking to an atty about buy back. Or good luck with that BMW and the $1000's it takes to keep it maintained. Just saying
Ride the Harley and enjoy it
Ride the Harley and enjoy it
My wife just gave me a love smile and nod - get another and see what is best for you, and then get rid of one I like less next year. If I am going to have two bikes, then I will probably get naked/standard instead of cruiser, since I already have one.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 716
Likes: 24
Shift clunk usually attributed to clutch cable adjustment, adjust clutch cable and change your primary oil using HD primary / transmission oil.
Valve train noise, usually attributed to using Synthetic motor oil. Use a quality 20/50 mineral oil in the engine.
Install a free flowing exhaust, air cleaner and a tuner. $1000.00 . This will cancel your perceived noise and add some fun factor to the bike.
Now you KNOW you will lose over $1K on a trade or private sale of a 2014 bike. Thus the mathematics work in your favor.
You want to talk about noise, ride a Ducati. That is a noisy bike, dry clutch rattle...etc.
BMW, incredible bikes but absolutely sterile in riding dynamics.
Honestly with no offense given, man up. It's a Harley Davidson, one of the nicer ones they make (LR) and in the long run will serve you well and be a comfortable bike to ride.
You go and trade it and you will kick yourself later, seen it many times with guys I take care of their bikes. They get an idea that they want to be Valentino Rossi and trade for a zippy bike and after a week realize they were absolutely nuts to give up the long range abilities and comfort of their HD.
Your call.
Valve train noise, usually attributed to using Synthetic motor oil. Use a quality 20/50 mineral oil in the engine.
Install a free flowing exhaust, air cleaner and a tuner. $1000.00 . This will cancel your perceived noise and add some fun factor to the bike.
Now you KNOW you will lose over $1K on a trade or private sale of a 2014 bike. Thus the mathematics work in your favor.
You want to talk about noise, ride a Ducati. That is a noisy bike, dry clutch rattle...etc.
BMW, incredible bikes but absolutely sterile in riding dynamics.
Honestly with no offense given, man up. It's a Harley Davidson, one of the nicer ones they make (LR) and in the long run will serve you well and be a comfortable bike to ride.
You go and trade it and you will kick yourself later, seen it many times with guys I take care of their bikes. They get an idea that they want to be Valentino Rossi and trade for a zippy bike and after a week realize they were absolutely nuts to give up the long range abilities and comfort of their HD.
Your call.
Last edited by Lama; Sep 12, 2015 at 12:52 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Also what might be the best way to adjust clutch cable for reducing clunk? I experimented with 1/2 - full turn of adjusting screw after it touches the clutch plate, and I honestly did not notice any difference in clunk. I prefer 1/2 turn for friction zone.
Can you also explain more about the BMW "absolutely sterile in riding dynamics"?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 953
From: Out West
Happy 14' FXDL owner here. (End of story, you're happy!) Well, happy about everything except noise. (So you're not happy after all!) Two noises that I could not get used to are ticking noise (valve or whatever, the dealer said it's normal, and asked me if this was my first Harley) and shift clunk.
These noises make me reluctant to throttle and shift, (Really?) so I am losing the opportunity to enjoy the bike. I don't think I can get used to this, although Harley has been my dream bike (before I got mine). So I had (You do mean "have" right?) to get rid of these noises or get rid of her.
I test rode ("a") Ducati Diavel and several BMWs (I like bike ****, a lot, please be specific on exactly which BMW's you rode.) yesterday. Besides other aspects, they didn't have loud ticking noise nor shift clunk. Shifting was like work of art. (Yes, they are generally "snick-snick-snick" on shifting, good shifting bikes.)
So, before I pull the trigger next week, I would like to listen to your opinions. If noises are only issues for me, with $5k (So you have $5k more cash for this bike?) or so money, would I be able to eliminate those noises by modding my bike? If not, then I may have to leave HOG.
Thanks,
Dansel
These noises make me reluctant to throttle and shift, (Really?) so I am losing the opportunity to enjoy the bike. I don't think I can get used to this, although Harley has been my dream bike (before I got mine). So I had (You do mean "have" right?) to get rid of these noises or get rid of her.
I test rode ("a") Ducati Diavel and several BMWs (I like bike ****, a lot, please be specific on exactly which BMW's you rode.) yesterday. Besides other aspects, they didn't have loud ticking noise nor shift clunk. Shifting was like work of art. (Yes, they are generally "snick-snick-snick" on shifting, good shifting bikes.)
So, before I pull the trigger next week, I would like to listen to your opinions. If noises are only issues for me, with $5k (So you have $5k more cash for this bike?) or so money, would I be able to eliminate those noises by modding my bike? If not, then I may have to leave HOG.
Thanks,
Dansel
First, get a new 2-1 exhaust, this will not only help cover the valve train noise but it will allow you to take advantage of the Stage 1 intake change and new cams that will make you more power and again, help drown out the valve train noise.
Along with these changes don't forget you still have over $3800 to spend on a new top of the line tuner, a pair of Leather Pro saddle bags, and still have a bunch of cash to spend on other things!
Secondly, get some ear plugs. I wear ear plugs all the time, mainly for wind noise but it works for all noises.
How many miles do you have on this bike now? It's brand new right, not even broke in?
I like Redline Shockproof in the tranny and Redline Primary oil, my shifts are as snick-snick as a HD can be I figure, and it is pretty darn smooth.
Your first Harley and you've already been messing with your clutch adjustment? Did you buy the manual (Service Manual) and have been using it for your adjustments?
How's about posting a picture of your bike, we all love pics.
How many miles on it now?
And, welcome to the forum!
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Victoria
Uhhhhhhhhh, Bloke, I hate to say this but buy the BMW and pay the bills.
Part of owning a Harley is dealing with this sort of stuff. It's why there are umpty two jillion threads on oil and clunks and noise and stuff, all over the web.
A dealers job is to sell bikes. He sold you one.Warranty and service and accessories and other stuff are part of the deal, but his job is to sell bikes. His interests and yours no longer necessarily co incide.
The Ducati (coming from an ex Aprilia owner) is as likely to leave you stranded any where and suck up dollars as a Harley.
I don't mean to insult you or anyone else but may be the BMW would suit you better.
I would not recomend a Ducati or an Aprilia to any one who wanted to keep their license.
Part of owning a Harley is dealing with this sort of stuff. It's why there are umpty two jillion threads on oil and clunks and noise and stuff, all over the web.
A dealers job is to sell bikes. He sold you one.Warranty and service and accessories and other stuff are part of the deal, but his job is to sell bikes. His interests and yours no longer necessarily co incide.
The Ducati (coming from an ex Aprilia owner) is as likely to leave you stranded any where and suck up dollars as a Harley.
I don't mean to insult you or anyone else but may be the BMW would suit you better.
I would not recomend a Ducati or an Aprilia to any one who wanted to keep their license.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
I had a BMW r1200r and a s1000r (among many Japaneese bikes over my earlier years) before I got my first Harley, a 2008 FXD last year. I loved the Super Glide so much, but the one thing I got used to with the BMW's is the confidence of ABS (which I have had the opportunity to save my *** a couple times). So I ended up trading the FXD in on a '15 FXDL. No question the BMWs were smoother and quieter, but as said, sterile, personality-less machines. I LOVE every sound, rattle and shake my Low Rider makes. Won't go to another brand for the thirty or so years of riding I have left (optimistically lol).
Harley's are personality. If you want the smooth turbine sound of the inline 4 then you'll never be happy with a HD, or you'll suck it up and keep it, and be posting stuff like this for the rest of your ownership.
Love it or sell it.
Harley's are personality. If you want the smooth turbine sound of the inline 4 then you'll never be happy with a HD, or you'll suck it up and keep it, and be posting stuff like this for the rest of your ownership.
Love it or sell it.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Uhhhhhhhhh, Bloke, I hate to say this but buy the BMW and pay the bills.
Part of owning a Harley is dealing with this sort of stuff. It's why there are umpty two jillion threads on oil and clunks and noise and stuff, all over the web.
A dealers job is to sell bikes. He sold you one.Warranty and service and accessories and other stuff are part of the deal, but his job is to sell bikes. His interests and yours no longer necessarily co incide.
The Ducati (coming from an ex Aprilia owner) is as likely to leave you stranded any where and suck up dollars as a Harley.
I don't mean to insult you or anyone else but may be the BMW would suit you better.
I would not recomend a Ducati or an Aprilia to any one who wanted to keep their license.
Part of owning a Harley is dealing with this sort of stuff. It's why there are umpty two jillion threads on oil and clunks and noise and stuff, all over the web.
A dealers job is to sell bikes. He sold you one.Warranty and service and accessories and other stuff are part of the deal, but his job is to sell bikes. His interests and yours no longer necessarily co incide.
The Ducati (coming from an ex Aprilia owner) is as likely to leave you stranded any where and suck up dollars as a Harley.
I don't mean to insult you or anyone else but may be the BMW would suit you better.
I would not recomend a Ducati or an Aprilia to any one who wanted to keep their license.
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Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I had a BMW r1200r and a s1000r (among many Japaneese bikes over my earlier years) before I got my first Harley, a 2008 FXD last year. I loved the Super Glide so much, but the one thing I got used to with the BMW's is the confidence of ABS (which I have had the opportunity to save my *** a couple times). So I ended up trading the FXD in on a '15 FXDL. No question the BMWs were smoother and quieter, but as said, sterile, personality-less machines. I LOVE every sound, rattle and shake my Low Rider makes. Won't go to another brand for the thirty or so years of riding I have left (optimistically lol).
Harley's are personality. If you want the smooth turbine sound of the inline 4 then you'll never be happy with a HD, or you'll suck it up and keep it, and be posting stuff like this for the rest of your ownership.
Love it or sell it.
Harley's are personality. If you want the smooth turbine sound of the inline 4 then you'll never be happy with a HD, or you'll suck it up and keep it, and be posting stuff like this for the rest of your ownership.
Love it or sell it.
But of course, I would seriously consider an inline-4 if there's anything like
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Yes, with 5 thousand more dollars you can not only eliminate those noises but you will also be able to do some things to make that LR be your's more personally and stand out in a crowd of LR's.
First, get a new 2-1 exhaust, this will not only help cover the valve train noise but it will allow you to take advantage of the Stage 1 intake change and new cams that will make you more power and again, help drown out the valve train noise.
Along with these changes don't forget you still have over $3800 to spend on a new top of the line tuner, a pair of Leather Pro saddle bags, and still have a bunch of cash to spend on other things!
Secondly, get some ear plugs. I wear ear plugs all the time, mainly for wind noise but it works for all noises.
How many miles do you have on this bike now? It's brand new right, not even broke in?
I like Redline Shockproof in the tranny and Redline Primary oil, my shifts are as snick-snick as a HD can be I figure, and it is pretty darn smooth.
Your first Harley and you've already been messing with your clutch adjustment? Did you buy the manual (Service Manual) and have been using it for your adjustments?
How's about posting a picture of your bike, we all love pics.
How many miles on it now?
And, welcome to the forum!
First, get a new 2-1 exhaust, this will not only help cover the valve train noise but it will allow you to take advantage of the Stage 1 intake change and new cams that will make you more power and again, help drown out the valve train noise.
Along with these changes don't forget you still have over $3800 to spend on a new top of the line tuner, a pair of Leather Pro saddle bags, and still have a bunch of cash to spend on other things!
Secondly, get some ear plugs. I wear ear plugs all the time, mainly for wind noise but it works for all noises.
How many miles do you have on this bike now? It's brand new right, not even broke in?
I like Redline Shockproof in the tranny and Redline Primary oil, my shifts are as snick-snick as a HD can be I figure, and it is pretty darn smooth.
Your first Harley and you've already been messing with your clutch adjustment? Did you buy the manual (Service Manual) and have been using it for your adjustments?
How's about posting a picture of your bike, we all love pics.
How many miles on it now?
And, welcome to the forum!
I didn't buy the manual, I just learned from Youtube. Do you think I might have done something wrong? What can it be? It's quite a straightforward process.