Yes, but not in some cadence like a 45° V-twin or even a 360° parallel twin. One can tell a single almost immediately when running because it only fires every two revolutions (720°) with a distinct thump, where even the 360° parallel twin is hitting every 360° with one or the other cylinder. They sound smoother, the V-twins have a distinct note that is off cadence, especially the Harley.

 

And HDs go "potato-potato-potato-potato" not anything like "thump."

Back in 2012, some riding communities were exciting that H-D might tbe coming out with a thumper/single, but I don't think that it ever materialized. Buell had the Blast, but it was truly terrible.

 

Was gonna add the FTR... Test drove one.. Got in trouble for riding wheelies on it in the front lot of the next-door Harley dealership.. Turns out that Harley dealership and the Indian dealership have the same owner.. lol

I wanted the FTR to be a dual-sport. Apparently, It really isn't. What it is, is a street bike built to look like a dirt track racer.

I badgered the membership of the Indian forum ( FTR subsection ) for anyone who'd outfitted one with DS tires, skid plate, offroad handlebar, and could give a real single track offroad review.. Finally one member did such - and this fella also owns a KLX250S !!! - he has offroad skills and reported the FTR was quite difficult t deal with on single track.. Limited suspension, heavy weight, etc etc..

So, I saw no use for one in my stable..

 

HD's go thumpity, thumpity, thumpity..... .... lets just call it thumper.

 

Sorry, dude. American English has been butchered enough by the latest generations. I'm never going to use leverage as a verb, say like every other word, or call those thumpers...you're on your own in this fight.

 

I pity the dude that drops by years from now looking for meaningful and relevant info on sprocket combinations and has to wade thru pages of "Harley's are thumpers" debate.

 

LOL! You're not wrong. Debate isn't the work you're looking for...

I used to work with a guy nicknamed sprocket (better?).

 

He'll be working on a dictionary too! Some changes are coming.

 

If you don't like 7,000 RPM at cruising speed then going down to a 13T front sprocket is only going to raise that number some. The benefit is that you're cruising more in the meat of the powerband, so 6th gear becomes actually usable, plus obviously you get better acceleration in general, but it definitely won't put you at ease like that for cruising smoothly.

For 20 bucks though go get a Sunstar sprocket and try it. Make sure you have an impact, you're going to need it. Don't plan on breaking the countershaft nut loose with just a breaker bar.

 

Or get one of these and you can totally plan on breaking that nut loose with a breaker bar. If not, yeah you’re gonna need some help. In my case, I had my 190lb bro-in-law stand on the rear brake while I hit it with a breaker bar. It was a tough SOB from the factory.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...procket-tool-p