Why no tach?
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,225
From: the 50s & the 60s
RE: Why no tach?
ORIGINAL: cjackson
Well, I've been riding for over 40 years and I have owned about 50 bikes. (currently have five) I was asking the same questions 25 years ago. With age comes wisdom. and I like to think I have, over time figured out why the motor company does things the way they do. Unlike most companies HD's success is because they have refused to change. They have stayed as close to there heritage as is possible in the business world today. They build a basic bike and let the owners make it there own. You can keep it stock or change everything, but the heart and soul is still a Harley.
I own a 1959 BMW R69 (Dover White ) You can put it in a row with every model BMW made in the last 10 years, when you walk the row and come to the 59 you stop and just stare. People that don't even own a bike follow me into gas stations to tell me it is the most beatiful machine they have ever seen. It doesn't have a clock or a Tach. I get a grin on my face every time I ride it. The new BMW's have every gadget imagineable, power brakes, heated seats, GPS, etc, etc. Somewhere underneath all that crap is a heart and sole and there heritage. Unlike Harley, BMW has lost there way, they are trying to be everything to everybody.
I hate to admit it but back in 1991 I owned a Goldwing. It had every gadget imagineable, it ran perfect, but it was a robot. It didn't have a heart or a sole. Nobody ever looked at my red goldwing and said wow, this is something special. Riding it really wasn't fun at all. Of all my bikes I've sold I never think back and say, I wish I still had my wing.
The motor company pisses me off alot, but I separate there management from there product. If you really want a tach and a clock, add it. But underneath you have a bike with a heart and sole, and a heritage. Just don't add so much that you can't feel or see the heart and sole.
By the way I own the 2006 FXDI 35 anniversary superglide. I changed the seat and the exhaust. So far I would say it is one of the best bikes I have ever owned. Like my 59 BMW I always look forward to the next ride.
Well, I've been riding for over 40 years and I have owned about 50 bikes. (currently have five) I was asking the same questions 25 years ago. With age comes wisdom. and I like to think I have, over time figured out why the motor company does things the way they do. Unlike most companies HD's success is because they have refused to change. They have stayed as close to there heritage as is possible in the business world today. They build a basic bike and let the owners make it there own. You can keep it stock or change everything, but the heart and soul is still a Harley.
I own a 1959 BMW R69 (Dover White ) You can put it in a row with every model BMW made in the last 10 years, when you walk the row and come to the 59 you stop and just stare. People that don't even own a bike follow me into gas stations to tell me it is the most beatiful machine they have ever seen. It doesn't have a clock or a Tach. I get a grin on my face every time I ride it. The new BMW's have every gadget imagineable, power brakes, heated seats, GPS, etc, etc. Somewhere underneath all that crap is a heart and sole and there heritage. Unlike Harley, BMW has lost there way, they are trying to be everything to everybody.
I hate to admit it but back in 1991 I owned a Goldwing. It had every gadget imagineable, it ran perfect, but it was a robot. It didn't have a heart or a sole. Nobody ever looked at my red goldwing and said wow, this is something special. Riding it really wasn't fun at all. Of all my bikes I've sold I never think back and say, I wish I still had my wing.
The motor company pisses me off alot, but I separate there management from there product. If you really want a tach and a clock, add it. But underneath you have a bike with a heart and sole, and a heritage. Just don't add so much that you can't feel or see the heart and sole.
By the way I own the 2006 FXDI 35 anniversary superglide. I changed the seat and the exhaust. So far I would say it is one of the best bikes I have ever owned. Like my 59 BMW I always look forward to the next ride.
One of the reasons I bought the SuperGlide was so I didn't start out by paying for stuff I don't care for.
mud
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 3
From: Clarksburg, PA
RE: Why no tach?
But seriously...a little clock readout on the odometer wouldn't take much...and it wouldn't hurt the heart and soul or take away from the looks! I just think it's such a small request for such a high priced bike.
Here's my old Suzuki. Can't see the clock unless you're riding it.
2004 Volusia 800
Here's my old Suzuki. Can't see the clock unless you're riding it.
2004 Volusia 800
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Why no tach?
I actually prefer Not to have a tach. It makes me listen to the engine. A tach is just one more thing to take my attention off the road. I don't think it would hurt HD's heart or soul to put a clock on the bike. For God's sake, they give us 2 trip odometers (still haven't figured that out).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
RE: Why no tach?
ORIGINAL: triton.fisherz
I actually prefer Not to have a tach. It makes me listen to the engine. A tach is just one more thing to take my attention off the road. I don't think it would hurt HD's heart or soul to put a clock on the bike. For God's sake, they give us 2 trip odometers (still haven't figured that out).
I actually prefer Not to have a tach. It makes me listen to the engine. A tach is just one more thing to take my attention off the road. I don't think it would hurt HD's heart or soul to put a clock on the bike. For God's sake, they give us 2 trip odometers (still haven't figured that out).
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
RE: Why no tach?
I've thought about that question myself but in all honesty, I doubt I would ever use a tach. It would be one of those nice lil gadgets that would be on my wishlist but I am pretty good at using my ole ears and I bet that I would be pretty close at guessing my rpm's by just the feel of my bike. Thats why the Superglide seemed to be perfect for me,.... It gives a great platform for making it your own bike. It's no longer identical to everyone else's bike now that I've added my personal touches and it gives me everything I need without anything that I dont.
John
John
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
RE: Why no tach?
I miss the tach too. My two Dodge (auto) pick up's have tach's, had a Nissan once with a tach. --ALL bikes should have them! It's a performance thing. HD has a Tach addition kit.( only a few hundred thousand dollars) Anybody tried to install one?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Why no tach?
ORIGINAL: pvglide
I miss the tach too. My two Dodge (auto) pick up's have tach's, had a Nissan once with a tach. --ALL bikes should have them! It's a performance thing. HD has a Tach addition kit.( only a few hundred thousand dollars) Anybody tried to install one?
I miss the tach too. My two Dodge (auto) pick up's have tach's, had a Nissan once with a tach. --ALL bikes should have them! It's a performance thing. HD has a Tach addition kit.( only a few hundred thousand dollars) Anybody tried to install one?
I'd love to have a tach...and may still add one. But I don't really want it for performance reasons. I just would like to see where I'm running my engine on a given ride. If anything, it would be more of a way to monitor my fuel consumption more precisely.
That said...if anyone has installed on, I'd be interested in hearing a bit more about the install specifics. I have an 06 WG and am looking at those small handlebar upright mounted tachs. I know HD has some...but would consider an aftermarket tach if the price was right.
Todd
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
RE: Why no tach?
ORIGINAL: jmbear328
I've thought about that question myself but in all honesty, I doubt I would ever use a tach. It would be one of those nice lil gadgets that would be on my wishlist but I am pretty good at using my ole ears and I bet that I would be pretty close at guessing my rpm's by just the feel of my bike.
I've thought about that question myself but in all honesty, I doubt I would ever use a tach. It would be one of those nice lil gadgets that would be on my wishlist but I am pretty good at using my ole ears and I bet that I would be pretty close at guessing my rpm's by just the feel of my bike.
a) if you wear a fullface, have stock or relatively quiet pipes and depending on ambient traffic/wind noise, you may not necessarily be able to determine engine speed audibly.
b) the feel of the bike can be changed by other factors - engine mounts, suspension/tire issues, etc. The tach is actually a great troubleshooting tool which can help you isolate problems when your bike starts feeling "different" at a given RPM.
So I agree that if everything is working fine, the tach may be just a nice gadget to have but when you need it, it's REALLY nice to have.
just my $.02
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 4
From: Tallahassee Florida
RE: Why no tach?
ORIGINAL: TowJam
The problem with this is two-fold:
a) if you wear a fullface, have stock or relatively quiet pipes and depending on ambient traffic/wind noise, you may not necessarily be able to determine engine speed audibly.
b) the feel of the bike can be changed by other factors - engine mounts, suspension/tire issues, etc. The tach is actually a great troubleshooting tool which can help you isolate problems when your bike starts feeling "different" at a given RPM.
So I agree that if everything is working fine, the tach may be just a nice gadget to have but when you need it, it's REALLY nice to have.
just my $.02
ORIGINAL: jmbear328
I've thought about that question myself but in all honesty, I doubt I would ever use a tach. It would be one of those nice lil gadgets that would be on my wishlist but I am pretty good at using my ole ears and I bet that I would be pretty close at guessing my rpm's by just the feel of my bike.
I've thought about that question myself but in all honesty, I doubt I would ever use a tach. It would be one of those nice lil gadgets that would be on my wishlist but I am pretty good at using my ole ears and I bet that I would be pretty close at guessing my rpm's by just the feel of my bike.
a) if you wear a fullface, have stock or relatively quiet pipes and depending on ambient traffic/wind noise, you may not necessarily be able to determine engine speed audibly.
b) the feel of the bike can be changed by other factors - engine mounts, suspension/tire issues, etc. The tach is actually a great troubleshooting tool which can help you isolate problems when your bike starts feeling "different" at a given RPM.
So I agree that if everything is working fine, the tach may be just a nice gadget to have but when you need it, it's REALLY nice to have.
just my $.02
Yes.....
Tach is a tool, and like any other tool.... if you dont never use it you could consider it "In the Way" or "Clutter".
I dont "Need" mine to shift the bike... but it sure is nice when I am making adjustments to the bike.
And.....
I could look at it this way, I know what speed I am at in any given gear due to the Rpm's.......
Why do I need a speedometer ?
Anyways......
Budds................
