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I know this is a dumb question but want to know the facts before wasting the dealers' services time. A little background on me I've been riding and racing dirt and street on mainly Japanese bikes (including a few KTM's) for over 50-years. My new 2023 FatBoy sounds like the motor is going to throw a rod at any time when warm (only 500-miles and noise present since new), Clanking from the front suspension and brake rotor, ticking on rear suspension on bumps. Everyday there some new noise noticed, I love the bike and bought it to slow down in my old age and take the wife on some scenic day rides (her health now is an issue). Anyway my remaining 94-year old uncle (x-rider and angle president) says they're just noisy and ride it till it blows?
Thanks and forgive the dumb question..
As you know, it's impossible to decipher noises on a forum, but I think you'll find that many folks will state that H-Ds ARE noisy-er than a lot of other bikes.
I came from a string of Hondas to my first Harley, a 2006 Road King Classic. Loved the bike, but had to get used to the fact that H-Ds are more like tractors than many other brands. Think of it this way. Many bikes use synchros in their transmissions. Harley uses dogs, which are much stronger, but have that distinctive "clunk". Check around on the forum here and you'll see folks asking about valvetrain noises, clutch noises, suspension noises, etc.. I've found that "noisy" is relative to your bike. Once you figure out what is normal, you'll be better able to detect when something isn't. Someone else may have much more information than that, but I hope it helps. I'd especially not be concerned with a 2023 unless it was something extreme. IMHO.
Listen to yer Uncle AND put on yer Big Boy shorts. 2023 Fatboy is an M-8 counterbalanced very smooth engine. YES, it will make mechanical noises. Clanking from the front suspension and disk brake shoud be looked after, cause that ain't right. As for ticking from the rear suspension, it's a monoshock swingarm which should be noise free. So have that checked out too. I've been riding over 54 years and can safely say a Pan, Shovel or Ironhead would freak ya out. Those bikes sounded like a bucket of nuts n bolt ina metal pail . . . bouncing in a tumbler. BUT , THAT"S why we love em!
I missed my 1972 XLCH soooo much. My Wife bought me a Retirement Project bike. 1977 XLH 1000. Took me 3 1/2 year to bring it back to life.
I'm not too concerned about the noises since they're not getting worse. I have 4-years of warranty and just don't want to ignore something serious that will strand me along the road.
I do wear ear plugs on long rides even though I'm 90% deaf.lol
If any of my 1L jap bikes or dirt bikes made these noises I would pull the motor, suspension and repair it within 24-hours, same with the dirt bikes.
Anyway already changed the oil once and will do a 3-hole change at 1k miles. Thanks for the input
They do make noises. The front forks on late model Glides sound like tin cans if you hit sharp bumps. The rear shocks are quiet. I mean, they don’t do anything, so they should be.
Each bike makes its own weird noises for you to discover, and appreciate. They are designed that way from the factory.
I Ride a 1981 fxe lowrider Shovel Andrews a grind solid lifters oem banana calipers 1 3/4 drag pipes and yes its really noisy but its mine and i love it noise and all ride on brother
I Ride a 1981 fxe lowrider Shovel Andrews a grind solid lifters oem banana calipers 1 3/4 drag pipes and yes its really noisy but its mine and i love it noise and all ride on brother
i have a 18 fatboy and i dont hear any noises from it. well sometimes the front brake makes a poping noise (only when applying brake once or twice a day) and thats about it. i dont count clunk when putting in first normal. and yes have had the brake fluid changed 3 mths ago by harley
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