Motorcycle tryout: ’04 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic
January 20th, 2005 17 Comments » | View blog reactions
I couldn’t say no when I had the opportunity to try a touring contraption like this, with wind shield, floorboards, chrome rivets and the whole shebang. Unfortunately it where still fitted with the standard exhausts, so the legendary “potato-potato” where drowned by the metallic tinkling of the Twin Cam engine. Now I understand why that’s the first thing they change when getting a Harley straight of the factory floor. I’ve tried a few Harleys by now (more on that later) and this one with its standard setup seemed a bit too domesticated for my taste. I’d like a bike like that to rattle, rumble and make some noise.
First impression rating: 
great blog…check out mine when u get a chance http://www.1harley.com
Are they having another one like this year? I sure hope so! Would love to be there!
My softail has a bit of a rumble but it is more of a wimpy rumble sporting the Screaming Eagle exhaust. Just not enough noise. Thinking of getting a set of Rinehart slip ons.
I like my bike like to rattle, rumble and make some noise as well. If it’s not loud enough, how can I be sure it’s running when my brothers fire theirs up? The louder the better. Ride On!
Yup, toss the pipes and add some Screaming Eagle slash cut, slip ons and everyone will hear you coming.
There’s nothing like a bike that gives you the feedback you are talking about wanting. Great site!
I put Vance and Hines Longshots. Sounds awesome. I also have a set of Super Porkers for sale if anyone is interested.
I have had this skooter for a while now and it is the best back the MoCo has. It is the perfect cross between a touring bike and a bar hopper. First thing one needs to do though is rip off the exhaust and put some straight pipes on with a Big City Thunder baffle in it. The screaming eagles are still to quiet for my liking. The fuel injection is very smooth as wel as the throttle response. It’s a very heavy bike so you feel it in the weight to horsepower ratio, but harleys arent made to do wheelies, theyre made to cruise. Another good investment is the barebacks so you can turn the saddlebags into a quick release system. that way you can turn it into a cross country cruiser in minutes. Ride safe friends
yeah i put the longshots on also with a home made baffle in it. i welded a washer to a short stud in the centerline of the back end to straighten out the curve on the dynagraph (you can tell by the way it responds). So i maintain the curve and it is LOUD. Just how i like em. its the same way Big City thunder does theres, just a 5 cent nickel versus an 80 dollar baffle.
I agree, I like my bike to make some noise. The majority of our experienced customers say the same thing.
I think the best thing to do with loud pipes is to face the exhaust forward so then folks can hear you coming. I’m searching for the quietest bike myself, hate noisy bikes. I’m a long distance rider and the Honda Pacific Coast was as anti Harley as they come. The Softail is a great riding bike but if you can get over the Metric what is the difference over a Shadow or Suzuki Cruiser. I have a Shadow and every one thinks it’s a Softail. The Shadow name was off. I don’t really care what anyone thinks about what I ride as I don’t care. Nice blog. Good info. Ride what you love and it’s impossible to do it all with one bike.
Thanks buddy. I agree that you should ride what you want to, and not care to much about what other people say.
Can anyone please give me the horsepower rating of a 2002 – Harley-Davidson – Flhtci Electra Glide Classic Engine 1450cc,Twin Cam 88 Engine
Softail Harleys look retro-cool but are not as comfortable as the touring models and don’t handle as well as the Dyna and Sportster model Harleys.
Just like to pay our Respects to all Brothers and Troops around the world, and say hello.
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Yes agree with Jack D. It looks cool and trendy but not much comfortable as it should be.