RE: Loud Motorcycles (Full Version)

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InkedMaster -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:14:47 AM)

Oh boy, here we go...Yes I ride a Harley and yes I have been riding Harleys even before the yuppies made them a fashion statement. Infact it's my only transportation I own. Is it loud?, bet your ass it is, no baffles, just short straight pipes...Now with that being said, alot of people in cages (cars) are too busy not paying attention to thier surroundings, nor are they driving defensively and any help I can get to be noticed so be it. But I also know there are ALOT of inconsiderate riders that will crack the throttle every chance they get to sound "cool", just like there are ALOT of inconsiderate drivers that blast the base in thier car stereo that shakes everyone around it. All I'm saying is I have been to more funerals than I even care to admit too, all brothers lost in motorcycle accidents and everyone of them caused by an inconsiderate asshole in a cage, the business woman talking on her cell phone runs a stop sign, brother dead...the drunk who ran a stoplight, brother dead, head crushed, people in the cage killed...the guy going the wrong way on an off ramp...brother dead, his ol lady now an amputee, need I go on? Face it, to some people motorcycle riding is a way of life, not a fucking fashion statement that so many wannabes have turned it into, and if you don't understand that, you never will. Fact is, there are many inconsiderate people, whether it be bikes, stereos, barking dogs, but I really don't ever remember saying to myself while sleeping during the day when I was working nights, gee wish that screaming kid out playing would get hit by a car so I can finally get some sleep!                 To those here that ride as a way of life...LL/R



seeksfemslave -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:19:38 AM)

Twicehappy: yes yes dont go over the top will you. We all know bikers are "wunnerful "I am one and have been for 40 years so it must be true OK?

The point is that many are inconsiderately lound.
Thats the point.... and its true.
Same with the nitwits who play at ear breaking volume "so called" music when driving a car.
We are dealing in facts not sentiment OK?



pahunkboy -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:20:52 AM)

Even tho I like bikes- I would not ride one on the roads. It is too dangerous. There is nothing between the person and cars. It is getting so nutty- that cars are in danger from semi rigs.

Do I ever ride with say, "Born to be Wild" loudly - you betcha. 

Do I noticed wanting more silence as I age. Yup.

The key words in the OP- are "residental" and "sleep".

The OP- might have desparately needed a good night rest for work. Not everyone works 9-5.

So this is yet another instance of poor community planning- and poor building design.  [the road is on 4 sides]



Twicehappy2x -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:22:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: seeksfemslave

The solution to this is quite simple.
Ban Harleys and only allow Japanese with unmodified exhausts (mufflers 2U)

adding: MMMud. good post and sadly thats why the problem will never go away.


Unfortunately Mudd forgot to mention he owns a bike;

http://www.collarchat.com/m_338118/mpage_10/tm.htm



Twicehappy2x -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:26:29 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: InkedMaster

Oh boy, here we go...Yes I ride a Harley and yes I have been riding Harleys even before the yuppies made them a fashion statement.

All I'm saying is I have been to more funerals than I even care to admit too, all brothers lost in motorcycle accidents and everyone of them caused by an inconsiderate asshole in a cage, the business woman talking on her cell phone runs a stop sign, brother dead...the drunk who ran a stoplight, brother dead, head crushed, people in the cage killed...the guy going the wrong way on an off ramp...brother dead, his ol lady now an amputee, need I go on? Face it, to some people motorcycle riding is a way of life, not a fucking fashion statement that so many wannabes have turned it into, and if you don't understand that, you never will. 

To those here that ride as a way of life...LL/R


All i can say is me too sadly enough and Amen.



RapierFugue -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:29:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CuriousLord

My apparentment complex is in the city in university grounds.  So, we have a street on all four sides.  And, despite being 2 AM in a residental area for students, I still hear that loud, irritating grinding from motorcycle engines.  To be honest, I keep hoping to hear one of them crash into a pole so I can have some silence; do they not care that people are trying to sleep?  Are they only thinking of themselves when they get those damn things that subject anyone near them to that noise?  Is it part of the thrill- to simply annoy people as they go by?

Regardless of my antipathy for them, though.. if I was on a motorcycle, I think it'd drive me nuts there.  Hearing the same repetative sound, loudly, constantly.. not being able to appreciate the open air nor natural sounds, just the same disgusting noise coming out of the engine that I'm sure must blot out any ability that one has to think with.  And, jeeze, just what does it do to someone's hearing after a while?

So, as someone who can't understand why anyone would actually want to be around that sound.. why in the world do many motorcyclists like that noise machine that they put onto those bikes?


Reasons are:
 
1. it helps alert clueless car drivers to your presence, as well as lemming-like pedestrians if you live in a city.
 
2. on sports bikes, fitting a race exhaust and re-jetting yields power gains
 
3. it sounds cool as fuck
 
<pats race-exhaust-fitted GSX-R750 lovingly>



Twicehappy2x -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:37:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: seeksfemslave

We are dealing in facts not sentiment OK?


Is this quote from the OP an important  fact?
 
"To be honest, I keep hoping to hear one of them crash into a pole so I can have some silence; do they not care that people are trying to sleep? "
 
The fact does remain that loud pipes do make other drivers aware of your sharing the road with them. As well as warning deer and other critters that tend to run out in the road that something is coming.



RapierFugue -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:38:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CuriousLord

My apparentment complex is in the city in university grounds.  So, we have a street on all four sides.  And, despite being 2 AM in a residental area for students, I still hear that loud, irritating grinding from motorcycle engines.  To be honest, I keep hoping to hear one of them crash into a pole so I can have some silence; do they not care that people are trying to sleep?  Are they only thinking of themselves when they get those damn things that subject anyone near them to that noise?  Is it part of the thrill- to simply annoy people as they go by?

Regardless of my antipathy for them, though.. if I was on a motorcycle, I think it'd drive me nuts there.  Hearing the same repetative sound, loudly, constantly.. not being able to appreciate the open air nor natural sounds, just the same disgusting noise coming out of the engine that I'm sure must blot out any ability that one has to think with.  And, jeeze, just what does it do to someone's hearing after a while?

So, as someone who can't understand why anyone would actually want to be around that sound.. why in the world do many motorcyclists like that noise machine that they put onto those bikes?


PS: If you use a sports bike (ie, travel at high speed, with attendant wind-roar), you tend to use foam ear plugs or, like my racing mate, you end up with massive hearing damage after a couple of decades.

WHAT?!  PARDON?!



LaTigresse -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:39:00 AM)

Well, let'see what we have here.

Yes, SOME motorcycles, regardless of brand are too loud to ME. Just as are some cars, trucks, tractors, pickups, one piece of shit mini van that drives past my farm, don't EVEN get me started on that stuttering death trap of a geo storm that blasts past here with his stereo BOOM BOOM BOOMING.........etc etc. But then I have sensitive ears and not alot of patience for people that annoy me either.

I live on a picturesque state highway that is part of a good cruise for many bikers in the area. There is only ONE motorcycle that I would like to see go up in flames. I haven't a clue what kind it is. I assume it is a harley but it is so loud and rattly that I cannot really tell for certain. All I know is that I can hear it coming when it leaves the town 4 miles to the west, tops every hill inbetween and long after it passes and heads east. That guy may THINK he is cool but the way that thing sounds, parts are either falling off it or he is using superglue and duct tape to hold the thing together.

All of that being said............I live with one of those reformed yuppies that wanted a harley since he was a little shit. After he came back from his last tour in Iraq and retired from the military I finally got pissed and pushed him over the edge. I was sick of seeing him run to the window, gazing wistfully up at the road on those gorgeous summer days as the bikes cruised by. Sick of stopping by Metro Harley after work (we carpool) to drool over that beautiful black dyna. I put my foot down. The 4 seasons porch can wait until we are old enough to actually spend time sitting on it. "Buy the bike." "ohhhhhhh I shouldn't spend the money." Me...."Buy the bike or else!" After several months of futzing, he bought the bike.

Truth be told, he is still one of those fair weather yuppie riders. I tease him all the time about his perfect weather requirements. Also, he doesn't want to change the sound, make it louder. He likes the quieter rumble. "It still sounds like a harley" he says. So yeah, as far as the big tough biker image goes.........not a chance. But his heart is still a biker. He adores that bike, it is a dream come true for him. Yes, it is louder than either the car or the truck it shares a garage with, but you know, I have almost run into a motorcycle with my truck, one of those big quiet BMW road cruisers you see on the freeways. I am glad the sun glinted on the old man's face shield when it did because I didn't see it prior and I sure as hell hadn't heard it.

Piss and moan, if you want, about loud. I can tell you a dozen things I found alot louder and more annoying when living in the city. The god damned police helicopter was one of them, fucking car alarms were my most hated enemy though. Last I knew, there aren't too many alarms that are always going off on motorcycles in parking lots........



Termyn8or -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:39:34 AM)

Twice, that you didn't see me thing was real good. I know it's true.

Friend of mine has a Heritage with totally open pipes. This is one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. He has the bike jetted just right or something so he can keep it quiet. He went down my street many a time and I thought it no louder than any average Harley. But he did tell me about the pipes.

One day he was leaving and it was like 4 in the afternoon on a Saturday, something like that, I told him to crack it good. He said he doesn't like to do that until he gets on the highway. I said come on, it's 4 in the afternoon, there isn't a cop in sight. So he did.

At that point in time I realized just how considerate he had been. That thing is LOUD. But he can keep it pretty quiet by accelerating gently and using the right gear.

That "You didn't see me" thing is great. If you don't mind I'll be stealing that. It is not so much about motorcycles as it is about people's selfishness and ,,,,,,,,,, can't think of the word. And it doesn't even matter, you get an idiot in a good size truck and they might not be diligent enough to see a compact car in the mirror. And now they are going to introduce a new smaller class of subcompacts. I guess people will have to blow the mufflers out of them as well after a few hundred of them die.

CL, I fully understand that there are assholes out there. And some of them are not complete assholes. You are allowed your little rant, you have a valid point. Some riders will sit there revving it up for an hour for no good reason, right by your bedroom window at three AM. Others will keep it cool. The only time you should hear them is when the bike is cold, because alot of them are still carbuerated so they need to be warmed up.

And, we all have to make an exception for one guy in Cleveland. I met him once but do not know him. He has a Harley with a Chevy V8 on it. If you ever hear this thing, take a look, it is a sight to behold. One wonders how he rides it at all, but he does. Wish I had pictures. Now that's crazy. If you need 300 HP on a motorcycle ................

T



Twicehappy2x -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:43:49 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

And, we all have to make an exception for one guy in Cleveland. I met him once but do not know him. He has a Harley with a Chevy V8 on it. If you ever hear this thing, take a look, it is a sight to behold. One wonders how he rides it at all, but he does. Wish I had pictures. Now that's crazy. If you need 300 HP on a motorcycle ................


Here ya' go.

http://www.thunderboltentp.com/



NikkiRogers -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:48:55 AM)

As a Harley rider (Dyna Wide Glide) I personally feel proud of the sound my bike makes. The unmistakable roar of a Harley burns through your soul and there is absolutely no feeling in the world that can equal the rush you get listening to your bike in full flight. The bike's sounds is legendary and its all part of the appeal. I've been in the bike lifestyle longer then this one and my partner also rides. His prefered modal is a 1985 Softtail Heritage (somewhat heavier and more bulky then mine) and having had his bike boured out to a  1600C.C. engine I can personally testify to just how much of a sound it can make. My ex partner was also a Harley rider. If any of you ever has the pleasure of conversing with a member of the HA (Hells Angels) particually from England ask them if they knew a member of the "Lea Valley Chapter" called "Stavros." When I say biking is in the blood I am not speaking lightly! The reality is Cars simply do not care about bikers. They do not look, they do not listen and they do not give a fuck! If a bike and a car end up going toe to toe in a crash who will come off second best? Even on the biggest bikes the Car driver is going to typically come out on top. Even the biggest V-Twins rely upon their distinct egine sound to alert braindead drivers to their presence and if the engine sound on bikes is ever reduced the number of bike fatalities will sky rocket. Yes I supported Helemt Law when most tother bikers were fighting it. Yes I admit the present day Direct Access and other bike tests are a little more extreme and petty then I personally care for. I pity today's young rider and the test's they will have to take but the harsh reality is the problem doesn't lie with bikers it lies with Car drivers. The vast majority of bike fatalities are THEIR responsibility not ours and until something is done to alter their percetions and attitude the number of bike fatalities isn't going to improve. I love my bike I adore her sound and if anything she's going to get louder and more vocal (debating having her boured out.) You don't like that? "Shit happens!" 



topcat -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 5:51:04 AM)

I have had bikes since I was sixteen years old, and haven't owned a car since '93... Most of that time I've lived in NY. I have owned most makes and all styles of bikes- and outside of thinking that I have gotten too old for harleys, I like 'em all. I have 265,000miles on the Kbike, and 160,000 on the Hawk.
 
My two current bikes are a BMW K100 and a Honda Hawk GT (I believe they are pics 6 & 8 in my profile). The Beemer is stock pipes, and supernaturally quiet, The Hawk has aftermarket pipes, and is louder than stock, but not but not full bore stright pipe earsplitting loud.  I have, in the past, had some very loud bikes of different makes.
 
I have seen NO differance in cager's awareness of me in most riding situations. The full effect of loud pipes doesn't hit till I am already past.
 
One can get a slight boost in preformance by going to louder pipes, though interestingly, the HD I built we found wound up faster with baffles in (Dyno Tuned for both setups, 111 hp with baffles, 113 w/o).
 
Stay warm,
Lawrence



Aneirin -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 6:01:26 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: seeksfemslave

The solution to this is quite simple.
Ban Harleys and only allow Japanese with unmodified exhausts (mufflers 2U)

Having said that you have my sympathies. Noise is the bane of modern existence.
Stupid emergency services with their loud sirens annoy me. I give 'em the finger, well the ambulances not the police. Can take protest too far lol

To those who want to defend the ambulances etc, their sirens are too loud and used inappropriately. 2/3 hundred yards radius of sound is quite sufficient not a mile or so depending on the prevailing wind direction.

adding: MMMud. good post and sadly thats why the problem will never go away.


Hahaha, I had to laugh at you giving the finger to ambulances, I did much the same where I used to live. This was not because of malice, as I know they need to warn people of their often speedy approach, but because of where I unlucky enough to reside. I do now see why the housing was cheaper in that area.

I lived on a main road, at one end was the ambulance station, at the other end was the fire station, both services vehicles raced past with sirens blaring I in a irritated but bored moment calculated one siren every six minutes on average.

One would think at night time there would be no sirens, wrong, there was, often the police but sometimes an ambulance.

There was a blind junction from a hosing estate on that road, guarded by a curve and slight incline. I have seen ambulances overturned in gardens near that junction and many a smashed car , T-boned by an ambulance. So whatever directive there was gave the services the right to sound their sirens at night.

I was really unhappy at being woken at five thirty am by sirens, normally one could get used and sleep through noise, but the early hours being woken so really jarrs the nerves.

On top of that because of the aforementioned housing estate, which was a tadge rough, we had to contend with the police helicopter in it's usual position , over my house, chopping helicopter blades can be really annoying as can be the sometimes gun fire, fireworks and the inevitable police round up squad and their penetrating noise.

Now that is passed, I am woken by the sound of ravens and seagulls living here on top of my cliff.

I have lived on an airport before, my billet one hundred yards from the end of a runway for VC-10's and they roar, the house used to tremble.

On the subject of engine noise, some years ago, one could get a cd of V8 engine noises.



SeeksOnlyOne -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 6:43:59 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zensee

quote:

ORIGINAL: SeeksOnlyOne

loud pipes save lives


Bullshit.

Loud pipes rob quality of life from thousands of people. Lack of sleep is deadly too. How many people must suffer disrupted sleep and negative health effects so you can feel a bit of power between your legs? That seems pretty selfish.


Z.



well, you obviously have never ridden, but please, if you ever do, get a really really quiet bike...............



demistress -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 6:52:16 AM)

First:  I own and ride a 2003 Harley Sportster883 with stock pipes, a quieter cruiser.  I have considered modifying my pipes many times, usually after being nearly killed or after being run off the road.  I ride a 883 because it is the biggest thing I can pick up by myself off my own broken ankle, while pinned underneath it, and yes, I know from experience, from being run off the road by someone who wasn't paying attention. 

I do all sorts of things to attract AND KEEP more attention, wear a pink hoodie under my black leathers, or wear my girlie riding armor.  I have reflectors all over my helmet and hidden all over my bike. 

Why ride?

1) Wind blowing through your hair, cruising down an open country road, sense of freedom and unity with the environment that I'm sure the OP will find ironic. 

2) I had no other vehicle for 2 years

3) 50+MPG

4) Crossing the country on under $150 in gas!!

5) The looks and treatment I get as a solo chick on a bike are awesome!!!



And lastly, my number one reason:  CAN YOU SAY 482 LB VIBRATOR?!?!?  Just inch up a bit so the clit sits just on the tip of the gas tank..... mmmmm mmmmmm mmmmmmm

edited to add:  And now I will return to my low conflict world of message board ignorance.  Simply won't do to go getting all passionate when I'm preggers.  Also can't ride :(  making me crazy trapped in my "cage" as IM put it :)



Termyn8or -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 7:29:02 AM)

Having loud mufflers wouldn't have saved my favorite cousin.

He had a BMW, it was nice and quiet and I guess he knew how to drive a bit defensively. I don't know if he had a few beers in him or what but he is out on a two lane road with a gravel burm. He decides to take the burm.

He was probably smiling as he passed all those cars illegally, but that smile was gone for sure when his neck got wrapped around the driveshaft of a truck that pulled out into a driveway which crossed that burm.

He decided to drop the bike. Perhaps he figured he would just slide all the way under the truck to the other side. I don't know how fast he was going, but he probably would've been better off taking the head on hit. He probably would've been very fucked up physically, but he might've lived. Just how fast would he be going on gravel ?

Tom was my oldest cousin, the first to die in my generation of the family. And he was somewhat of a mentor. He tried to be a positive influence. This was an untimely death at 33. Now that I brought it up I am feeling the loss again right now. And this happened over twenty years ago.

You people who need to ride, especially if you ride in the city, I assure you of this, if I am driving I am watching. I will not ride a bike in the city, it is crazy. But even if you live out in the sticks, be careful out there. Just assume people can't see you. Some really can't.

T



seeksfemslave -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 7:44:25 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse
I live on a picturesque state highway that is part of a good cruise for many bikers in the area. There is only ONE motorcycle that I would like to see go up in flames. I haven't a clue what kind it is. I assume it is a harley but it is so loud and rattly that I cannot really tell for certain. All I know is that I can hear it coming when it leaves the town 4 miles to the west, tops every hill inbetween and long after it passes and heads east.

If he was travelling at 50 mph it almost certainly was a Harley.
Had it have been quiet and moving at about 110mph then it could have been an SOB like me.
SOB = Silly old Brit. who's a bit of a fibber. but not by much.
90-100 is quite common but over here you have to be careful !

Sounds as tho' your hated biker is  happy tho' lol
I can just imagine the grin on his face.



Alumbrado -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 8:24:08 AM)

If its too loud, you're too old..



DesertRat -> RE: Loud Motorcycles (10/20/2007 9:38:42 AM)

Loud pipes are supposed to indicate manliness, I guess. Ditto for not giving a fuck about other people. When you hear the noise you're supposed to think the engine is very powerful and only a very special person would dare to ride such a machine. Ironically, on most bikes, louder, less restrictive exhaust systems actually "overscavenge" at the engine speeds most commonly used. So the engine actually makes less torque and, therefore, less power except when it's running close to redline. Yamaha did it right with their EXUP power valve system. My '90 FZR1000 was very quiet at idle and around town, had good low-end torque, and  also got good mileage at sane speeds, all because of a valve in the collector that responded to engine speed and intake vacuum. But when I racked the throttle open on the open road, the valve would open fully and the machine would fly. That bike had a 'no bullshit' top speed of about 170, could do the 1/4 mile in the very low 10s, and didn't scare the shit out of lil old ladies...or piss off the neighbors.

Oh yeah...and wide open (out in the boonies) it made a glorious noise for no one but me.

Bob



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