Topic: 2012 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic

[754]

I don't know of any stock bike that is loud,  if it is a street model.

[Bailgang]

I don't know of any stock bike that is loud,  if it is a street model.

Stock HD mufflers are popular with the older goldwing crowd (gl1000,1100 ....) that don't want to spend the $ for a new exhaust. As long as the GL headers are usable they'll adapt the HD mufflers to them and they can be purchased pretty cheap sometimes because one of the first things many new HD owners will do is remove the stock (quite) mufflers, install a louder exhaust then put the original mufflers on CL or ebay.

[eigenvector]

I was poking around youtube looking for what the stock mufflers sound like - and they are fairly quiet.  So looking in the lot today at the Harleys - quite a spread of models, years, and whatnot, and NONE of them had stock mufflers.  (edit:  I should clarify - my lot at work, not the HD lot)

That shocks me really.  The first thing I invested in when I got my 750 Limited was a set of stock 4 in 4s.  Those mufflers are practically silent and I like it that way.  So if I ever do get a Harley, I'll definitely keep the stockers on it.

[Terry in Australia]

The problem with the "keep it stock" theory, is that due to their ancient design, to get a Harley thru EPA testing, they have to literally strangle it with super-lean carbs (or EFI) and super-quiet mufflers.

Just by replacing the stock carb on my XLH1200 with a Mikuni HSR42, replacing the air filter with a K&N, and replacing the OEM mufflers with slightly louder (but not as loud as the pipe on my Honda VFR750) I've probably increased the BHP and torque output by more than 25%.

While loud pipes do save lives, on a Harley, along with a better carburettor, they're pretty much a necessity. Cheers, Terry.

[BPellerine]

there are diff kinds of loud,the Harleys have a low tone no matter what exhaust,while the jap v twins have a hollow bark to them that is more offensive to me,also from my house I can hear a sportbike for a long way when they are fitted with a perf header,high pitched sound.bill

[Jefft750]

I have a 2009 FLH with stock mufflers but with a Vance and Hines power chamber X pipe. Works great and is quiet.

[Bankerdanny]

Under powered, ill handling, over weight and over priced. Sounds like a great deal.
But seriously,there are plenty of nice low mileage HD's for $10,000+ less out there.
Buy one of those if you need one of these antiquated, Mexican/Japanese/American motorcycles and spend the 10G you saved on a nice long road trip. JMHO

Under powered for what? For the size of the engine? Not everyone wants or needs a 200hp screamer. I rode my buddy's '99 Road King and I didn't notice any lack of power. It handled just fine for the large cruiser that it was and he put about 50k miles on it while he owned it riding all over the country including a couple long trips with his daughter without a single problem.

[Bankerdanny]

I don't know of any stock bike that is loud,  if it is a street model.

Stock HD mufflers are popular with the older goldwing crowd (gl1000,1100 ....) that don't want to spend the $ for a new exhaust. As long as the GL headers are usable they'll adapt the HD mufflers to them and they can be purchased pretty cheap sometimes because one of the first things many new HD owners will do is remove the stock (quite) mufflers, install a louder exhaust then put the original mufflers on CL or ebay.

I have a Harley muffler on my '72 MGB. Look up my channel on YouTube (same user name), there is a video of the sound I made for the MG Experience forum.

[dhall57]

I saw him again yesterday and he still has his Ultra Classic. It is a nice one no doubt and has ridden it very little since I first posted this back in 2016. He would still like to sell it but says he isn't going to give it away and he will just keep it if thats the case. He is done with CL, and other sites nothing but aggravation. Still wants top dollar for it though. Will come down to 15K from 18k. Maybe I could wait another 2 years and get it for 12K. Haha!


 

[spotty]

nonsense, this is what you both want and need, and under $11K

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Yamaha-V-Max/183200915708?hash=item2aa7a020fc:g:IVoAAOSwH8ta1VQm

i know i need it

[Terry in Australia]

Well as much as I'd like a ride on your VMax Spotty, I'd rather have the Hawg. Having said that Dwight, it's a buyers market, so let your mate keep on thinking he's got something special, while you buy the same bike from someone else, for what you think it's worth.

[spotty]

Well as much as I'd like a ride on your VMax Spotty, I'd rather have the Hawg. Having said that Dwight, it's a buyers market, so let your mate keep on thinking he's got something special, while you buy the same bike from someone else, for what you think it's worth.

much as i wish that was my vmax, its the grown up Gen II version, makes mine look like a kiddies moped
and you may have to wait for a ride on mine anyway, not sure whats wrong with it but gears are getting a little hard to choose, hoping its the clutch wearing out ( mostly cos i've got a spare one of those )

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, well I'm in the process of pulling the engine out of my ZZR1100 to take a look at the crankshaft Spotty, so hopefully you'll have your VMax sorted by the time my big black girl is back in the road after an 18 year hiatus......

[Yamahawk]

Well as much as I'd like a ride on your VMax Spotty, I'd rather have the Hawg. Having said that Dwight, it's a buyers market, so let your mate keep on thinking he's got something special, while you buy the same bike from someone else, for what you think it's worth.

much as i wish that was my vmax, its the grown up Gen II version, makes mine look like a kiddies moped
and you may have to wait for a ride on mine anyway, not sure whats wrong with it but gears are getting a little hard to choose, hoping its the clutch wearing out ( mostly cos i've got a spare one of those )

Spotty,
  It's probably the slave cylinder on your hydraulic clutch. I was an old 1st. gen Venture guy, and that is the symptoms of the hard to get shifted deal... I would try to bleed the clutch first, and pay attention to whether there is any fluid leaking down there before  you bleed the clutch.
Charlie

[spotty]

Well as much as I'd like a ride on your VMax Spotty, I'd rather have the Hawg. Having said that Dwight, it's a buyers market, so let your mate keep on thinking he's got something special, while you buy the same bike from someone else, for what you think it's worth.

much as i wish that was my vmax, its the grown up Gen II version, makes mine look like a kiddies moped
and you may have to wait for a ride on mine anyway, not sure whats wrong with it but gears are getting a little hard to choose, hoping its the clutch wearing out ( mostly cos i've got a spare one of those )

Spotty,
  It's probably the slave cylinder on your hydraulic clutch. I was an old 1st. gen Venture guy, and that is the symptoms of the hard to get shifted deal... I would try to bleed the clutch first, and pay attention to whether there is any fluid leaking down there before  you bleed the clutch.
Charlie

yes charlie, thats the conclusion i've been coming to, the fluid level seems to have dropped in the m/c and theres a new and suspicious stain under its parking space that isn't oil or petrol. luckily i have a spare slave cylinder too ( due to having a very broken motor sitting in the carport, if anyone tells you you can't kill a vmax gearbox don't believe them) so i shall pull the slave cyl and swap them over thewn get a rebuild kit and fix the current one and still have a spare on the shelf

[Terry in Australia]

Hmmmnnn, I wonder if a VMax engine would fit in a ZZR1100 frame......?

[spotty]

Hmmmnnn, I wonder if a VMax engine would fit in a ZZR1100 frame......?

shaft drive fitment could be a bit awkward, not to mention its about the same length as a ford straight 6