the REAL harley sound
 

it is my understanding that the poTAtoe harley sound is due to the timing of the spark in the cylinders, along with a single carb for the 2 cylinders and the crossover exhaust.
it is also my understanding that many new harleys do not quit make the poTAtoe sound becuase of fuel injection as well as some other reasons.

that having been said, i wonder how many can definitely recognize a harley, as opposed to some other brand

and is there any one who can recognize a specific engine type

at the 105th in milwaukee there was a semi trailer with a small harley museum inside. in the museum there was display of the various engine models over the years. by pushing an associated button for each engine model, you could hear a recording of the sound of that engine. did they in fact sound different or was that display all hype.

me - i have trouble telling which of my kids is on the phone

My bike says Harley on the side....I like the way it sonds.....guess it's the real Harley sound to me. Thanks for asking.

It's a different pattern than the past, but it sounds like a Harley to me.

Different bikes sound different. Why not take a poll and find out when the last totally stock harley actually made that Harley sound.
IMO I have never heard anyone refer to any stock bike as "having that Harley sound". But they will claim that just about any modification or aftermarket exhaust will get it.

Oops back around 1990 I do remember that there was discussion about a Japanese company producing bikes that had that Harley sound.

Mine has it and I know how to get it.

Drag pipes on a shovel, yep, sounds like a Harley:D
I live very close to a very popular road from inland to the coast, a nice day we will see well over 100 bikes going out in the morning and comming home in the afternoon. I can tell a Harley without mufflers about 1/8 mile from the house. Everything else with mufflers, I can't tell...:confused:

The Type of pipes I run on my custom have quite a different sound to em.. But still no mistaking them for anything but a Harley

V&H Straight Shots, w/o baffles sound like a Harley to me...

Mine sounds like a Harley, but I want some different pipes to make it a little louder. Too quiet.

https://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7704/1000525wu7.jpg

the harley sound is due to a patented engine design where the first cylinder fires slightly before the second rather than one cylinder firing 180 degrees of crank rotationfrom the other resulting in a steady thumping. also gives harley its vibrating characteristics.