First off, I will admit to being a Harley newb; riding for years, but bought my 08 Heritage about 3 mo ago, and I love it (mostly).

One thing that I still can't get around is the engine noise. The bike is stock, so no loud pipes (yet), and you can hear clatter of all sorts while riding. I have had the dealer mechanics where I bought it listen, they say normal noise for a Harley, and with the windshield, you will hear a lot more... normal. I have just never heard one going past me that sounds like this. I have a full warranty, but it would be nice to know before something breaks.

The 06 Deluxe that we bought later doesn't sound quite the same!

Any opinions on engine noises? Thanks!

 

Without a better description of the noise, it is tough to tell what it could be. One thing that ma be the reason for the difference between the two bikes you mentioned is any modifications made to the Deluxe. You said that the Heritage was mostly stock. Also if the Heritage is running synthetic oil, the valve train will sound a bit louder.

 

Normal with stock pipes and especially a windshield. Take the shield off, go for a ride, and you won't believe the difference.

 

Yeppers it a Harley and if U hear some motor noise then Ur OK.. when U don't hear something U can then worry about it.. cause that means the engine DIED....

A shield will reflect more noise bact to the rider....

U should hear the lifters rattle a little and other engine noises..

Next time U start Ur cager, lift up the hood and listen,,,,, can u hear more/diff noise than U can sitting in the drivers seat.???

After a while U wont notice it and when/if U can find enough $$$ to change the Muffs U wont hear it...

Too many Newbies worry about little. Besides if it does brake, as U said U've got a warranty.. Sooo just ride her and quit thinking bout it..



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It definitely sounds like lifters or rockers; I used to drag race and it is very much like the solid lifters and roller rockers we ran. And yes, I am running synthetic; Mobil 1 15W-50. It is actually quieter than when I first bought it, since I changed the oil to M1 synth. The bike has 30K miles on it. AFAIK, the Deluxe is also stock, but it only has 10K on it.

Thanks,

 

30k on her I wouldn't think a lifter is bad. If maintained, the syn M-1 15-50 is a little thinner than a 20-50 syn oil and would be a little noisier, I also read any sny oil is usually noisier than if U used a 20-50 dyno.

May someone did cams and install adj pushrods and one has backed off a little.??



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Be careful, my brothers brand new heritage was torn down three times in first one thousand miles for bad cranks...don't lug the engine, a mechanic told me the cranks won't take it. 6 th gear minimum 65 mph...

 

Also the balancer system in the softail B engines makes more noise than a V-Twin on a touring bike.

 

Seems like the things are alive with all the noise they make.

 

Lifters...be carefully, an hd mechanic on here and another I know said to change them after 30k miles. They said the needle bearings can go and nuke your engine...much cheaper to change them and not big bucks...