I recently bought a 103 Limited and coming from a Jap bike I'm wondering if hearing the valve train as distinctly as I do id normal.
My guess is that it all bounces off the fairings'etc. and sounds loud to me.
Is this normal?
Thanks for your input.
Glen

 

Yes it is normal. I don't hear it all if I wear a 3/4 helmet though... or listen to the radio.

 

Normal Sounds for a Harley...

 

After 27,000 miles, the valve train noise still bothers the gear head side of me.

 

Yes it's normal and if you're lucky you'll get used to it. Others try louder pipes, turn up the stereo, 3/4 to full helmet, or ear plugs.

 

I noticed that too coming off of a triumph....... worried me a little bit that something was wrong, but I came to peace with it after a few weeks and all has been well so far.

 

Yep its normal. When my SG gets over 3000 RPM'S it gets a lot worse. It didn't seem as bad on my 06 Heritage but I ran with Vance and Hines BigShots which were fairly loud. I also didn't use the windshield very much. The noise does seem more noticeable on the 96" motor though.

 

I personally have resorted to louder pipes and going deaf ~ I've had 29 HD's and they all have their own personal melody... I've grown to enjoy the distinct racket ~ as long as no new grinding, whistling, or increased volume occurs you are good...

 

when i did my first service at 950miles on my 2011 street gilde, i ask harley
if it was normal because my 2011 is noiser than my fatbob 2008 with 16000 miles
on it.....very weird..the thing i hate is that if you talk to them about engine noise,
they ALWAYS SAY NORMAL....