I heard a SW purring like a kitten

Yesterday I happened to be crossing the road where a guy on SW had stopped to let me cross the road.

As he pulled away afterwards I noticed that his SW sounded like Forza 125 or the like, it was so quiet. Mine sounds like a tractor compared with his. I wondered whether it was a 400cc model and if so, could a mere 200cc make that much difference in noise output...or is my SW shot? It certainly doesn't seem like it.

Perhaps there is a problem with your muffler? My FSC600A purrs also. I tell my buddies with H-D's I ride with to let me start my scoot up FIRST as I can't hear it over the V Twins. This always gets a good laugh.

Well, I always thought the exhaust noise from my SW was a bit harsh but I've always found the drive train a bit noisy too. although it sounds like any other 600cc straight twin, at least in my limited opinion.

Having said that, I've never heard my SW from even a short distance away, maybe mine purrs too if I stand far enough away?

I certainly hear more drive train noise than muffler noise.

I know that when I rev it up (with the brake held) at a traffic light the Harley guys are never impressed.

Yeah, I tried that once but forgot to hold the brakes.

The Harley guys were even less impressed.