General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

the REAL harley sound

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-11-2008, 03:32 PM
mark10's Avatar
mark10
mark10 is offline
Road Master
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: la grange, il (near chicago)
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 3 Posts
Default 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
 
  #2  
Old 09-11-2008, 03:38 PM
2ForTheRoad's Avatar
2ForTheRoad
2ForTheRoad is offline
Road Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northeast Wisconsin
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Talking

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.
 
  #3  
Old 09-11-2008, 03:41 PM
gunner11's Avatar
gunner11
gunner11 is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

It's a different pattern than the past, but it sounds like a Harley to me.
 
  #4  
Old 09-11-2008, 04:07 PM
piasspj's Avatar
piasspj
piasspj is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Posts: 9,149
Received 321 Likes on 184 Posts
Default

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.
 
  #5  
Old 09-11-2008, 04:13 PM
confederate's Avatar
confederate
confederate is offline
Most Wanted
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ( . )( . )
Posts: 6,340
Received 806 Likes on 392 Posts
Default

Mine has it and I know how to get it.
 
  #6  
Old 09-11-2008, 04:22 PM
tseek555's Avatar
tseek555
tseek555 is offline
Road Master
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Drag pipes on a shovel, yep, sounds like a Harley
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...
 

Last edited by tseek555; 09-11-2008 at 04:23 PM. Reason: spelling
  #7  
Old 09-11-2008, 04:35 PM
PastorTom's Avatar
PastorTom
PastorTom is offline
Elite HDF Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

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
 
  #8  
Old 09-11-2008, 04:44 PM
Hangfire1's Avatar
Hangfire1
Hangfire1 is offline
Tourer
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orygun
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

V&H Straight Shots, w/o baffles sound like a Harley to me...
 
  #9  
Old 09-11-2008, 04:56 PM
2wheels4ever's Avatar
2wheels4ever
2wheels4ever is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

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

 
  #10  
Old 09-11-2008, 05:05 PM
johnnyshrooms's Avatar
johnnyshrooms
johnnyshrooms is offline
Cruiser
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

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.
 


Quick Reply: the REAL harley sound



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:23 PM.