Posted by Peter the blacksmith on February 20, 2001 at 22:04:49:
In Reply to: Sewing machine?? posted by PW120 on February 20, 2001 at 20:42:14:
Dear PW,
welcome to the family ! Don't worry about the sound, it is NOT like a sewing machine. It sounds like a big single should .."thump, thump,thump..", That's why single cylinder four-stroke machines are called "THUMPERS". Most people are happy with the sound, only some freaks like myself want a deeper or (not for me) LOUDER sound. But it is not too nice to ride close behind somebody with a very loud bike...so if you want company stick to the factory sound. Many people also think that changing the muffler automatically gives more speed. Don't belive it. You might imagine that the bike goes faster if it is louder, but that's all. This is not supposed to be a fast bike, it is a big single with LOTS of torque at lower rpms, and a moderate fuel consumption. This is a bike made for those individuals who like biking on smaller, windling country roads. If you are in a hurry and want to enjoy the highway or autobahn get one of those "plastic rockets" with 130 horses under the Tupperware lids... (Ah, shame on me! Those guys are -hopefully- just as happy as we are..)
Take your time and go reading through this forum, it is nice and you learn a lot. And you get to know the people, lots of really nice folks !
If you don't have a Clymer manual for your bike my advice is that you get one. Many things are a lot easier that way.
Cheers ! Peter.