Hi lindstrom,
It seems that one model in particular, the Harley V-Rod, lacked the
distinctive "Potato Potato Potato" sound, displeasing some owners. I
found a few other models that lacked the correct sound as well, but
primarily, the V-Rod was the "Too Quiet" model.
In this Salon.com article, the thumping staccato sound of Harley
engines, invented in 1907 is extremely important to Hog riders. (You
may need to sign up for a free one day pass to read this article, if
you do not already subscribe to this web site)
?But despite all that effort and care, some loyal customers are less
than thrilled with Harley's latest engines. The V-Rod, introduced in
2002, has been particularly castigated. Few fault the performance of
the liquid-cooled, 1,130-cc, 60-degree V-twin engine, which Harley
co-developed with Porsche. But the sound -- the classic sound
officially described in court documents as the "potato, potato,
potato" by Joseph Bon, Harley's trademark attorney, just isn't there.
Some riders dismiss the V-Rod as nothing more than a "sweet potato."
http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2003/05/19/harley_noise/
?Is Harley Trying to Find Its Inner Wuss??
http://www.coldfury.com/archives/001449.php
Scroll just past the middle of this page to ?Hogs and Headlines?.
?Part of the Harley-Davidson experience or mystique involves the
"sound" of the bike. Customers want the bike to "sound like a Harley."
http://www.usbiker.com/press.php3
Another model seems to lack the coveted Harley sound as well. The
owner of this 2002 Harley Davidson FXSTB/FXSTBI Night Train was
displeased with the sound of his hog:
http://www.epinions.com/content_58458803844
This 2001 Harley Davidson Softail Standard owner says:
?When I first turned over the engine on the bike I was a bit
disappointed. I was expecting to hear that infamous Harley sound, but
instead I thought I had just started the engine of a Honda!?
http://www.epinions.com/content_52121996932
This new Harley owner was unhappy with the sound of his Anniversary
2003 Model V-rod. He learned from another reader he only needed to add
?D&D slip-on's, a K&N air filter and the Power tune download that
sets the engine computer to the pipes. He also claimed a 20 - 30 HP
increase with this set-up? to return his bike to a full decibel level!
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/question_list.asp?quest=7007&veh=5779
From Motorcycle Online:
?Things are kept quiet thanks to a 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust system. The
lower muffler is the only thing to really limit your fun in the
canyons when it touches down.?
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcharley/vrod.motml
You can't please all of the people all of the time:
This Harley owner complains of TOO much noise!
http://www.epinions.com/content_89703419524
"This is the sound of Harley, the roar heard 'round the world, a sweet
melody to many a biker's ear. It's a sound that's so sweet to some
ears that it was nearly patented.?
http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/harley100/aug03/163730.asp
From HowStuffWorks: What Gives a Harley Davidson Motorcycle Its Unique Sound?
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question325.htm
http://www.ironheadsportster.com/html/the_harley_sound.html
Buy replacement (read LOUD) muffler systems for the V-Rod Harley here:
http://www.motorcyclegoodies2.com/CATALOGUE/Exhaust/samsonvrod.htm
You already have information on the ?Potato? sound patent idea, but
you can *hear* the actual sound here, on a Straight Dope page:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000915.html
An interesting aside found on the Wikipedia site: ?the Harley Davidson
company now makes more money selling licensed merchandise featuring
the Harley-Davidson logo than selling motorcyles.?
http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson
Hope this helps! Please request an Answer Clarification before rating
if any part of this answer is unclear.
Regards,
crabcakes-ga
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