I'm doing something I thought I'd never do
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've tried to use ear plugs and attenuators. Different kinds and materials. They're just not comfortable and become a distraction. I have even tried my IEM headphones with no music playing. My helmet is fairly quiet though.
I think I'm just getting tired of loud pipes on long rides.
I think I'm just getting tired of loud pipes on long rides.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
screaming eagles are a bit louder than stock, much more quiet than most others. another option is looking at some used (low mileage) police r/k's. not sure if the newer ones have cruise. I had an 06 and it didn't have cruise. good luck
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 3
From: Rome, GA
sporty sits................
I agree with practically everything everyone has posted. Once you start riding the RK your sporty will sit more and more. The RK is quite nimble and very easy to move about at low speeds. Check out some of the "Ride like a Pro" videos on youtube to verify this. I love my carbed '02 RK and plan to keep it for a very long time. Good luck with your search and acquisition. 
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
The adjustable Supertrapps sound like a good possibility too.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
One of the things I'd be looking forward to is the storage capacity. Especially if I add a QD rack and tour pack. When I load up the Sporty, it looks like I'm hauling a house with me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,893
Likes: 29,868
From: PNW
I'm with you on the quiet thing. My last bike was just too damn loud even after taking steps to quiet it down. I'm very happy with the stock exhaust on my 14 SGS. But, if you get a 96, you'll want to let it breath. That said, I would consider as others have mentioned - Fuel Moto jackpot exhaust, A/C, and a tuner. There's a thread on the 15 Roadglide showing HP/TQ gains as well as sound levels. It's very informative and would apply to an 09 RK more or less. -
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...fuel-moto.html
The stage 1 should cool things down and make for a smoother, better running machine for a sub $1500 investment. The 96 is a good motor and with a stage 1 should provide plenty of power for 1 up touring.
I would try to get the 09 or newer bike if at all possible. There's quite a few changes from the pre 09s. If nothing else, when travelling you won't have a dealer scratching their head when you come in for an emergency repair.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...fuel-moto.html
The stage 1 should cool things down and make for a smoother, better running machine for a sub $1500 investment. The 96 is a good motor and with a stage 1 should provide plenty of power for 1 up touring.
I would try to get the 09 or newer bike if at all possible. There's quite a few changes from the pre 09s. If nothing else, when travelling you won't have a dealer scratching their head when you come in for an emergency repair.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
I can't even imagine how a Sporty would be a better around town/urban areas bike than a Road King. They're so damn small, I can't imagine the cagers would see you. Advantage of a RK. Bigger, more easily seen by the cagers. 3 headlights on a RK vs. 1 on a Sporty. Common sense bro. And I'm not buying the "more nimble" argument either. Nope, not happening! Think about it, they're used by police depts.
And hearing protection...I preach it til I'm blue in the face and everyone thinks I'm stupid! Wear friggin earplugs every damn time you get on the bike!! That **** kills your hearing! Like your eyes and your teeth, you only get one set. And it's not the exhaust noise. It's the wind noise and road noise of vehicles next to you. You'll thank me when you're in your golden years cuz you'll be able to hear people talking to ya. Trust me on this.
And hearing protection...I preach it til I'm blue in the face and everyone thinks I'm stupid! Wear friggin earplugs every damn time you get on the bike!! That **** kills your hearing! Like your eyes and your teeth, you only get one set. And it's not the exhaust noise. It's the wind noise and road noise of vehicles next to you. You'll thank me when you're in your golden years cuz you'll be able to hear people talking to ya. Trust me on this.
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Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I'm with you on the quiet thing. My last bike was just too damn loud even after taking steps to quiet it down. I'm very happy with the stock exhaust on my 14 SGS. But, if you get a 96, you'll want to let it breath. That said, I would consider as others have mentioned - Fuel Moto jackpot exhaust, A/C, and a tuner. There's a thread on the 15 Roadglide showing HP/TQ gains as well as sound levels. It's very informative and would apply to an 09 RK more or less. -
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...fuel-moto.html
The stage 1 should cool things down and make for a smoother, better running machine for a sub $1500 investment. The 96 is a good motor and with a stage 1 should provide plenty of power for 1 up touring.
I would try to get the 09 or newer bike if at all possible. There's quite a few changes from the pre 09s. If nothing else, when travelling you won't have a dealer scratching their head when you come in for an emergency repair.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...fuel-moto.html
The stage 1 should cool things down and make for a smoother, better running machine for a sub $1500 investment. The 96 is a good motor and with a stage 1 should provide plenty of power for 1 up touring.
I would try to get the 09 or newer bike if at all possible. There's quite a few changes from the pre 09s. If nothing else, when travelling you won't have a dealer scratching their head when you come in for an emergency repair.
Good thread. Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I've ridden most of the touring bikes except the RG. I'm not a fan of fairings. Maybe it's just me, when I tested the SG, the suspension seemed to bottom out with even moderate bumps. I believe the RK has a longer suspension travel. I want the longest suspension travel possible to soak up all the crappy roads I'm likely to encounter.
but, shocks are very easy to change.
so don't let that little thing make you miss out on a great deal.
they are only marginally louder than stock, very radio and highway friendly.
Last edited by skratch; Dec 24, 2014 at 05:09 PM.