Community Forums

Barrier2 · 07-22-2010, 08:48 AM

Let me first qualify myself. I ride an '03 Anniversary Harley Road King with the stock performance Exhaust. There are a multitude of Exhaust systems available on Harley Davidsons from sewing machine sound to open pipes.
Most riders do not have loud pipes they are just as annoying to them as everyone else. When a group of Bikes go by one with open or loud pipes will drown out all the Normal sounding machines causing people to think they all have the Loud pipes.
Courtesy and common sense should rule. When a fellow Camper leaves a campground at 6:00 AM and chooses to warm his Diesel up or pulls in late and runs his Diesel at 11:00 we all notice and are annoyed. But if they leave or arrive and close the engine off quickly we never notice. How many of us sitting out side enjoying a quiet nite have been disturbed by the 45' Loud diesel and Toad arriving and manoeuvering in the next site?
The few Bad Eggs do spoil it for the rest. We have to be carefull about just jumping on the Bandwagon.
Off the Soap Box!
Robert

Goodturn · 07-22-2010, 08:50 AM

I'm a retired Harley-Davidson dealer and I know that Harley-Davidson is concerned about the "obnoxious noise" that aftermarket exhaust systems produce. Up until about 8 years ago Harley did manufacture loud exhaust for "off road use only". They started preaching to the Dealer network to attempt to educate riders to cut the noise, or the government will. We have enough government intrevention now! The other point that many are not aware of, is the fact that other motorcycle manufacturers build "clone like" bikes that can be easily mistaken for Harleys. These bikes are also provided with an wide choice of aftermarket exhaust that is way over the allowable decible level and annoying to alomost everyone except the appendage deprived rider. The major motorcycle manufacturers cannot control the aftermarket and the desires of the riders to make noise. There is a time and place for performance enhanced bikes, cars, ATVs, etc, but city streets and camp grounds are not the place. What about those loud thumping stereos though, and now, they even have them on motorcycles. I'm afraid that consideration for our fellow man is a disappearing thing.

mountainkowboy · 07-22-2010, 10:50 PM

My EGC has modified pipes for a bit more power, but its pretty quiet. I like to hear my stereo.......not my pipes. I had friends of a friend that run straight pipes with no mufflers, I rode with them once, never again. Besides my bike is beautiful and gets noticed all by itself.

Dont mind the fat guy riddin it.

Sammie · 07-22-2010, 11:29 PM

As long as were on the subject of iritating noise. Why are there so many idiots that find it necessary to leave their cell phones on while in a resturant and hold a full on conversation at the table right next to yours while your trying to enjoy a nice peacefull dinner?

Sammie

Deerhunter · 07-22-2010, 11:43 PM

I tried asking some Harley riders why they like those loud pipes. They just looked at me. I guess they have been riding so long it has made them deaf.LOL

Seriously, I take an annual trip from Florida to the very NE section of Tennessee and travel on all back roads. I usually follow two Harleys and one has an exceptional loud exhaust. The round trip is usually just over 2000 miles.

I usually listen to my MP3 playing songs through the audio system and into my helmet headset. My GPS is tied into the same system as well as my cellphone. This works out real well since I'm on a Honda GL1800 Gold Wing which is pretty quiet on the road.

As far as motorists being aware of motorcycles because of the noise - well the noise goes out the back and your danger is in the front of you. I believe in multiple lights with some oscillating on the front of you MC. The Gold Wing with fog lights will light up your world so you can see them coming.
I believe in riding safe & cautious and most of all "SHARE THE ROAD".

Easyrider · 07-24-2010, 12:15 PM

There are so many things that can be irratating that I've lost count of them. Let's see--- there's loud pipes, people that drive too fast, people that drive too slow, people that litter, people that complain--- well you get the picture. I decided a long time ago I can either get upset about so many things or I can not let it bother me. I choose to not let it bother me.

dajudge · 07-24-2010, 12:22 PM

How about a piano wire and magnifying glass?

mike brez · 07-27-2010, 10:34 AM

Mine is kinda loud.

Lued · 07-27-2010, 02:40 PM

Mine is really loud.

mike brez · 07-27-2010, 02:51 PM

That exhaust on the Fat Boy looks stock or slip on mufflers or are you talking about the plane

Lued · 07-27-2010, 03:09 PM

Hey Mike
That old Cherokee purrs like a kitten,

that fatboy barks like a Big DOG, those are pythons, very little restriction. Leave next week for Sturgis.

a k · 07-27-2010, 03:16 PM

Hey Lued
I have a '01 Dyna Wide Glide and an '03 Heritage Classic.

You wouldn't need a couple of Port-a-Ports would you? Shuttered 3SQ and I own four that they are going to plow under. What a waste.

Also will be in Custer (French Creek RV) next friday

mike brez · 07-27-2010, 03:26 PM

Its been 5 years since my last Sturgis rally. Are you camping there? If so what park. Did you happen to catch that show on tv this year about the Full Throttle Saloon? Have fun be safe.

BlauMax · 07-27-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deerhunter

I tried asking some Harley riders why they like those loud pipes. They just looked at me. I guess they have been riding so long it has made them deaf.LOL

Or.. if you have to ask the question.. you'll never understand

Mine are only "sorta loud" But I don't ride thru neighborhoods or campgrounds in a low gear (loud noise at slow speeds). I just love the sound of the idling Harley.. "potata, potata, potata, potata.......