I'm a new rider and this bike is my first ever.

A fellow biker at work heard me put it into first gear before I took off and mentioned that it sounded really loud. So I shifted into neutral and back into first for him and it does have an audible noise.

He said that I could be due for a new clutch because it should sound smooth and be basically silent. This bike has 4150 miles on it.
He showed me on his bike (a big Honda cruiser which is not a Shadow) and true enough I couldn't hear him shift, though his pipes were really loud too.

I do notice the noise when I shift on the road. It's done this since the day I got it, about a month ago. I thought it was normal until he pointed it out, this being my first bike I didn't know any better.

No problems that I know of, she runs like a champ. We checked the oil when I bought it and it was good.

So what do you guys think? Does the Iron or a Sporster in general have a loud shift into gear or is something amiss?

Thanks!

 

Harleys have a chain driven primary, a chain that connects the engine to the transmission.
That is what is under the left cover on the engine, a primary chain and clutch. That is what makes the clunk when you put it in gear, slack in the chain...one of the noises that Harleys are known for.
I seriously doubt you will need a clutch for a while, you might need a clutch adjustment or primary chain adjustment...find a fellow Harley rider and ask him how it sounds.
A Honda is a totally different animal.

 

oh and congrats on your first bike....great choice!

 

Yep for what it's worth my Nightster does it and so does my buddy's Nightster.

 

Add in that you've got 4100 miles on your Iron, and at 5000 miles the service manual calls for adjusting the primary chain tension.

So run it out 900 miles and do the 5000 mile service, the noise should quiet down a bit.

And never compare an american made bike to foreign, American made bikes and vehicles make sounds so you are aware what is running right and what's about to break. Foreign doesn't make a sound until after it breaks, leaving you stranded.

 

Thanks fellas, I can now sleep tonight.

 

Yup, that clunk is totally normal.

 

Go on a ride with a group of Harleys. You will know when it is time to pull out when you hear the "Clunks" from the other bikes.

 

I love that sound! Reason why I like forward controls too, I always kick it into first

 

Tell your buddy thats why you ride a Harley.