Thank You earplugs
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
When I got my 2011 FLHX, it was significantly noisier than my 2006 unit. Mostly top end ticking. While I had my rocker covers off to paint them, I installed Rockouts. Most bang for my fifteen bucks ever! Better to actually get rid of the noise than cover it up!
That said, Harley Big Twins are just naturally noisy engines, especially in the top end and valvetrain. Just the way it rolls!
That said, Harley Big Twins are just naturally noisy engines, especially in the top end and valvetrain. Just the way it rolls!
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
John @ Rockout
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below... For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sporsters
__________________
NO, they DON'T all do that!
ROCKOUT rocker shaft inserts... make the tapping STOP! From the guy that FOUND and CURED the problem NO ONE ELSE COULD, thank you for your support!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
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Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 92
From: Michigan
I have, yet to see over 230 and that was just because of slow moving traffic. Out on the road 210 is highest.
no fans just stock oil cooler. Tapping noise only after running 80 for long period in 80 to 90 heat, more than 90 I park it and get the cage out with awesome air.
no fans just stock oil cooler. Tapping noise only after running 80 for long period in 80 to 90 heat, more than 90 I park it and get the cage out with awesome air.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 123
From: Spokane, WA
When you are very near ready to stop, keep your eyes up enough so that you don't even see the handlebars. VERY GENTLY squeeze the front brakes a little bit and then a little bit more. If you even peek down at the street or jab those front brakes then that is when the pucker factor goes way up. Gentle braking and 'eyes up' makes for super smooth stops.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 379
Likes: 102
From: Illinois
I am 5'9 and typically wear shoes. Haven't worn boots yet. I can stand flat footed if my feet are inline with my body but to me I feel like my feet are behind me at this point. I like to have my feet a little in front of me and with that, I am not flat footed. My honda shadow had a lower seat height so I was flat footed with a decent bent knee so it is an adjustment. I do contemplate a different seat that would put me a little lower to the ground.
I think you are right, I need to brake more gently and come to a slow resting stop instead of a brake stop if that makes sense. I just get stiff when I brake and realize I am not straight up and down which then I have a second of panic followed by a burst of strength to get her square again.
I think you are right, I need to brake more gently and come to a slow resting stop instead of a brake stop if that makes sense. I just get stiff when I brake and realize I am not straight up and down which then I have a second of panic followed by a burst of strength to get her square again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
I am 5'9 and typically wear shoes. Haven't worn boots yet. I can stand flat footed if my feet are inline with my body but to me I feel like my feet are behind me at this point. I like to have my feet a little in front of me and with that, I am not flat footed. My honda shadow had a lower seat height so I was flat footed with a decent bent knee so it is an adjustment. I do contemplate a different seat that would put me a little lower to the ground.
I think you are right, I need to brake more gently and come to a slow resting stop instead of a brake stop if that makes sense. I just get stiff when I brake and realize I am not straight up and down which then I have a second of panic followed by a burst of strength to get her square again.
I think you are right, I need to brake more gently and come to a slow resting stop instead of a brake stop if that makes sense. I just get stiff when I brake and realize I am not straight up and down which then I have a second of panic followed by a burst of strength to get her square again.
Get out after the local mall closes and use those painted lines in the parking lot to practise maneuvers including stopping from speed (slow and panic), figure eights, tight 180's at slow speed. Once you get good at that?.... get the significant other into the pillion and start all over again. Practise, practise, practise.
Nothing feels better when you make that complex stop/start in traffic on a steep hill followed by a 180 on a narrow road to get that last parking spot...all with her on the back.
Last edited by hamah; Jun 14, 2017 at 12:24 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 34
From: Maryland
Welcome to the dark side.
Glad you are wearing earplugs. Too many people don't realize the wind is killing our hearing much more than the sound.
Seat and boots are most common helps I've seen for height. Changing out the 13" shocks for 12" shocks is another one, although I'd hate to see see give up any ride quality.
Last option is kinda expensive but there is a subframe kit to lower the seat 3". Requires a different seat and side panels.Most kits will include those.
Glad you are wearing earplugs. Too many people don't realize the wind is killing our hearing much more than the sound.
Seat and boots are most common helps I've seen for height. Changing out the 13" shocks for 12" shocks is another one, although I'd hate to see see give up any ride quality.
Last option is kinda expensive but there is a subframe kit to lower the seat 3". Requires a different seat and side panels.Most kits will include those.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 75
From: Goldsboro, NC
750 Shadow to that? Nice jump! Enjoy, don't let the ticking bother you too much, and ride the hell out of it!
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 461
Likes: 119
From: North Dakota
I am 5'9 and typically wear shoes. Haven't worn boots yet. I can stand flat footed if my feet are inline with my body but to me I feel like my feet are behind me at this point. I like to have my feet a little in front of me and with that, I am not flat footed. My honda shadow had a lower seat height so I was flat footed with a decent bent knee so it is an adjustment. I do contemplate a different seat that would put me a little lower to the ground.
I think you are right, I need to brake more gently and come to a slow resting stop instead of a brake stop if that makes sense. I just get stiff when I brake and realize I am not straight up and down which then I have a second of panic followed by a burst of strength to get her square again.
I think you are right, I need to brake more gently and come to a slow resting stop instead of a brake stop if that makes sense. I just get stiff when I brake and realize I am not straight up and down which then I have a second of panic followed by a burst of strength to get her square again.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I was reading this thread yesterday morning and thinking that I have heard some top end clicking, but never loud enough for me to think much about it.
I then took off for a ride to run several errands in several different towns. I started hearing what I thought was top end noise, and tried to convince myself it was just because I had read this thread I was making more of it than it was.
It kept getting louder and louder until finally it was loud enough I knew it wasn't my imagination and I knew it wasn't top end noise. I had lost one of the nuts holding the header on the front cylinder and the other was very loose. An exhaust leak can sound like a loud ticking noise.
I had to shake my head at the chances of having that happen right after reading this thread.
Dennis
I then took off for a ride to run several errands in several different towns. I started hearing what I thought was top end noise, and tried to convince myself it was just because I had read this thread I was making more of it than it was.
It kept getting louder and louder until finally it was loud enough I knew it wasn't my imagination and I knew it wasn't top end noise. I had lost one of the nuts holding the header on the front cylinder and the other was very loose. An exhaust leak can sound like a loud ticking noise.
I had to shake my head at the chances of having that happen right after reading this thread.
Dennis