How Does Harley Get Its Sound?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Why do Harley-Davidson motorcycles this way? “The 45° design of the engine thus

creates a plug firing sequencing

as such: The first cylinder fires, the second (rear) cylinder fires 315° later, then there is a 405° gap until the first cylinder fires again, giving the engine its unique sound.”

Why do V Twins sound so good?

Possibly a more interesting sound is made when you move those cylinders apart to make a V-twin. Now you have a difference in the firing order so there is

a quiet time

, then a cylinder fires, a shorter quiet time, and another cylinder fires, which is why V-twins have more like a V-8 sound.

Is the Harley sound patented?

A good example is the motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson, which, in

1994

, filed a sound trademark application for its distinctive V-twin engine sound. … Just like a visual logo, the most essential qualities of a sound logo are uniqueness, memorability, and relevancy to the brand promise.

How would you describe the sound of a Harley-Davidson?

Harleys produce

a low, deep-throated, somewhat syncopated vibration

many aficionados describe as “potato-potato-potato-potato.” The sound is so distinctive – and so closely associated with the brand – that Harley-Davidson once sought to have it trademarked.

What causes Harley sound?

Why do Harley-Davidson motorcycles sound this way? “

The 45° design of the engine thus creates

a plug firing sequencing as such: The first cylinder fires, the second (rear) cylinder fires 315° later, then there is a 405° gap until the first cylinder fires again, giving the engine its unique sound.”

Why are Harleys so expensive?

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are expensive because

it's a premium brand

, it has increased its quality since the 1970s by reducing the number of suppliers and implementing strict standards and also because manufacturing and assembly takes place in a country where the demand for labour is higher.

How loud is a Harley-Davidson in dB?

But… when Harleys are sold, they emit

80 decibels

, which is already loud (about the sound equivalent of a lawn mower) and arguably in violation of the city's night time noise restrictions (which state that “no power tools or equipment…

Is V-Twin better than parallel twin?

In the case of air-cooled engines,

parallel twins are usually better positioned than V-twins for efficient cooling

, with both cylinders placed up front in the centre of the airflow. … This, however, is less of a concern with liquid-cooled V-twin engines that do not rely purely on air flow to cool the engine.

Why do Ducatis sound so bad?

The noise is composed of

louder exhausts

than anyone else seems to get away with, the rattle of the clutch, the tinkle of components falling off and the whistle as the rider's wallet empties at high speed. It's all about engine type, The “V” twin vs. inline engine sound!

What's better V-Twin or inline 4?


V-twin

engines produce their peak power and torque at lower engine speeds than four-cylinders. They must turn the rear wheel further for each engine rotation to achieve road speeds equivalent to those of a four-cylinder machine. For any given increase in road speed, a multi will gain more revs than a twin.

Are Harley engines noisy?

The Harley V-twin

engine is characteristically noisy

. Many owners find themselves fretting over engine sounds that clatter, tick, and rattle, but experience no ride-ability issues or loss of performance.

What makes the Harley brand unique?

The

sound of a Harley-Davidson engine

is distinctive. … The engine's pistons are timed so that one fires on one revolution of the crankshaft and the other fires on the next revolution. This means that one of the two pistons involved is always firing on every revolution.

Why are Harleys allowed to be so loud?

Why are Harleys so loud? Many Harleys are loud

because the owners want them that way

. New Harleys from the factory don't exceed the 80db limit stipulated in the U.S. EPA Code. It is Harley owners who make several aftermarket modifications on their bikes to turn up the volume.

Are Harleys overrated?

Harley riders might disagree, but

Harley Davidson is terribly overrated

. This is what Sammy James from hotcars.com claims. Nice to look at, but pretty much worthless overall. Performance, comfort, reliability, and every other feature that define a cool superbike are all missing.

Are Harleys difficult to ride?

IS IT HARDER TO LEARN TO RIDE A HARLEY® THAN OTHER TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.