noisy 103 RGU
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
noisy 103 RGU
I been noticing a lot of noise at only the 2800 rpm range, which is where I run a lot of times. Its real quite at any rpm below that and after 2800 its gone as well. Seems like vale train coming from the front. Im not use to having lowers so don't know if this is just intensifying the noise level for me or not. But its been real noticeable since day one and like I said its right at 2800 rpm. Just curious if any others have noticed this noise. Bike is completely stock and 1k service is coming up real soon so I will be letting them know as well.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, FL
noisy 103"
My 2011 FLHTK is noisy too- but coming from goldwing, everything sounds like a bunch of marbles.. The stealer is going to tell you "That's normal"..
And maybe the valves haven't seated yet completely..but don't let them talk you into synthetic oil just yet- Wait until 5000 to change. That's what I'm doing..The synthetic will just make it noisier. Mine did quiet down a little after stage one ( maybe it was pinging a little) - or maybe that's just the jackpot slip-ons covering it up..hahhahaa
Good luck.
Postman
And maybe the valves haven't seated yet completely..but don't let them talk you into synthetic oil just yet- Wait until 5000 to change. That's what I'm doing..The synthetic will just make it noisier. Mine did quiet down a little after stage one ( maybe it was pinging a little) - or maybe that's just the jackpot slip-ons covering it up..hahhahaa
Good luck.
Postman
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
I was amazed at how much noisier my RG was compared to other bikes I have owned. In my case, it was the normal sounds of the engine, drivetrain, and road reflecting off of the fairing and lowers. There were times when I thought the engine was about to blow up, even took it to the dealer a couple of times, and it turned out that everything was normal.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 14
donf610
Sounds like I wrote your post. My 103 is exactly the same. Started right after the 1000 mile service and at 5,000 is still there. Did not get any worse and two different dealers (one I trust) tell me it is normal. The bike runs great so I am going to just keep an eye on it and see if it gets any worse. Going to keep an eye on this thread. This little issue is the only thing I do not LOVE about this bike. It is an awesome ride!
Sounds like I wrote your post. My 103 is exactly the same. Started right after the 1000 mile service and at 5,000 is still there. Did not get any worse and two different dealers (one I trust) tell me it is normal. The bike runs great so I am going to just keep an eye on it and see if it gets any worse. Going to keep an eye on this thread. This little issue is the only thing I do not LOVE about this bike. It is an awesome ride!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
my rgu is extremely quiet. It is in fact the quietest harley motor wise I have ever been around which has been many. I switched to synthetic at the first oil change which was around 100 miles.
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The sound IS normal. It's a 1936 design, air-cooled, push rod actuated V-Twin motor. The mechanical sound of the inner workings of the motor, the valve train, etc... are part of the beauty of the H-D experience. With modern technology the machining tolerances have tightened up and some of the magic of the sound of the engine has gone away. However, it's still there, as everyone here has pointed out. You should hear my old Shovel when I ride it around the 2,000RPM mark. The engine noise is loud but I love it. A friend's old Panhead sounds even louder, and I knew a guy who rode a an old '39 Knuck and the engine was louder than the exhaust! LOL! But it sounded BEAUTIFUL! Learn to enjoy the sounds of your Harley-Davidson. No other engine is like it in the world...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
I don't have a RG or the 103 but I do have a shield and the fork mounted wind deflectors and man is this thing noisy.....I hear clacks and chatter and all sorts of stuff.....just got back from 1000 mile check and I swear it is noisier lol Dealer said all noises are normal...even the clacking that seems to go up in volume as accelerating I'm convinced that the shield and deflectors are acting as an amplifier channeling all the engine noise right up to you
I've got 5 years insurance in case the engine decides that it is "not a normal noise"
I've got 5 years insurance in case the engine decides that it is "not a normal noise"