Harley question???

tmbowman · 07-19-2010, 06:47 PM

I am fairly new to this site and mostly am just a lurker but, I have a question. I hope I don't offend anyone. What is the obsession with riding loud Harley's through a campground?? I go camping to relax and enjoy the quiet and go out of my way to keep my family quiet so as not to disturb anyone else. Then a Harley comes by and scares every living thing running to the hills. It's not the motorcycle mind you, its the noise. I just don't understand why people find it necessary to make so much noise, NAPA sells mufflers.

Thanks for any insight

RoyM · 07-19-2010, 07:02 PM

It is the equivalent of the 5 year old's temper tantrum, it gets attention. Better disapproval than none at all.

**RickO** · 07-19-2010, 07:38 PM

Yeah, I can't deny that testosterone plays a major role. We are finding that some parks are taking steps to filter this out. We spent a couple of weeks at The Great Outdoors in Titusville, Fla earlier this year for a Shuttle launch. It was one of the largest, nicest parks we've seen and they had an outright rule against bringing motorcycles into the camp grounds. They had a seperate parking area for them near the entrance to the camping areas and a place for MC groups to gather for organized rides.

It's going to be a challenge for many parks to do much about it IMO, because it seems to be a growing trend among retiring (financially independent) boomers to "get that Harley they've always wanted" so...?

I don't ride any more but can certainly understand the attraction... but don't like being awakend at 7am on Saturday mornings either!

pitcrew18 · 07-19-2010, 08:04 PM

It's all about being considerate of others and their right to a relaxing vacation. I ride a Harley and love the bike and the freedom of the ride. However nothing is more annoying than hearing an loud bike at a red light or in a campground. It all begins with the person who twists the throttle, if they would think of others instead of whatever pleasure they derive from all that noise there would be alot of happy people on the roads and in the campgrounds.

Bill2 · 07-20-2010, 08:53 AM

I ride a harley uc also but have never changed the pipes. They are mellow but not loud. I ride with a lot of sense and don't rev up the engine when I am near campers. The only thing I see that the noise does is makes the person riding and the pasenger have a hearing loss. You certainly can't hear the sterio with all of the loud pipes.
Bill

GENECOP · 07-20-2010, 09:19 AM

The guys with the loud pipes will tell you that the LOUD sound lowers the risk of someone pulling out on them. i dont buy it, G

lucky leo · 07-20-2010, 09:50 AM

Like the comment from Roy M... I do agree it's like an attention getter. My husband just bought his 1st MC since his HS days and has since upgraded it! I do admit it is fun and give you the freedom feeling and of being young again. But those pipes are loud for the passenger! For those of you with bikes... Enjoy!

Nick-B · 07-20-2010, 01:26 PM

I have a bike but the loud pipe thing is NOT for me. My GoldWing and it is quiet and smooth. If I need other motorists to notice me I have an extra loud air horn that will make any soccer mom drop her cell phone!

It is unfortunate that the loud pipe thing has become so common and is now such a universal nuisance. Keep in mind these folks have paid EXTRA money to make their bikes loud. They are ALL built quiet from the factory to meet federal noise standards.

Stillwater · 07-20-2010, 02:43 PM

DW makes this observation on this and other similar circumstances. Big loud bikes, big hi-sprung trucks, and so on. It has to do with the size of a certain male appendage. The smaller the appendage the bigger and louder they are, gotta make up for it somehow.

tmbowman · 07-21-2010, 04:22 PM

Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one bothered by this. I am not anti-bike, I say to each his own. Just muffle the noise, it serves no purpose and is disrespectful to the rest of the population. I agree, the Goldwings are really quiet, the last time I was near one I didn't even know it was running until the guy took off. DW seconds the appendage size comparison.

I hope everyone enjoys whats left of the camping and motorcycle season, it's half over for those of us north of the Mason-Dixon.

damdannyboy · 07-21-2010, 06:54 PM

Wow, I have a big loud Harley, can you guys chip in so I can get some twine and magnifying glass so I can find it ?

TXiceman · 07-21-2010, 07:21 PM

I also question the need for loud pipes on any bike or for that matter, LOUD music. It is a person with a low self esteem and wants to be noticed.

Ken

Ray,IN · 07-21-2010, 08:38 PM

Loud exhaust pipes on anything annoy me now, not so much when I was <30. I do like the sound of a Harley, used to drive/ride a 68 FLCH Sportster. An older Dodge/Cummins with mods annoys me too, even though I used to tow with a 96 Dodge CTD modified with 4" exhaust and re-plated. Moral__, everyone changes with age.