What is it with Harley riders?

[Tomtint]

I read this several times trying to figure out what you are talking about. I think I got it.

You are saying that loud pipes will save you from the daydreaming driver on a 4 lane, who's about to move into the left lane, just as you get several feet behind him traveling at a faster speed than he, so he doesn't lane change in front of you.

Okay.... How many lives have been saved in this scenario?? So if the motorcyclist had been on a bike with stock exhaust he would have been injured or killed??

Do you consider this your first line of defense against day dreaming drivers?

So to make this more effective do you ride in whatever gear that makes the most noise?? So cruising on a 4 lane at 70 mph do you run in 3rd gear or something like that to make more noise to improve your chances of self preservation?

Or, if you have a riding buddy along do you ride side by side to increase the noise level so you would be detected at a further distance by the day dreaming driver?

I'm truly not trying to be a smart***. I'm trying real hard to understand this logic.

I have been on a bike for the better part of 42 years. A biker on the highway is at the mercy of his /her own ability and experience. Every and I mean every,added advantage or possible advantage that a rider can get in order to be seen or heard is a welcome benefit. So yes, I believe a bike approaching and passing a vehicle is far better off with louder pipes than a bike with a mellow exhaust stealthily passing a 4,000 lb Buick. If someone can not hear a Harley 20 feet behind them on the road, they should get their hearing checked.

 

[Thomas]

jinman
"Okay, I haven't read every post in this thread, but I think Harley riders are afraid to let their machines idle for very long. They shake so much that parts start falling onto the pavement. A few blips keeps the engine revved higher with less self-destructive vibration. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it."
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
OUCH Jim OUCH or maybe they like the thrill between there legs.

 

[Tomtint]

.. If you don't have a Harley, don't blame your wife for having a boyfriend who does.

 

[xtn]

Apparently some disagreement as to whether loud motorcycle exhausts are a safety factor because automobile drivers hear them coming. A lot of car and truck drivers don't even hear the siren on emergency vehicles coming behind them. If they have their radio on in the car, there's good chance they won't hear sirens or loud exhausts. If they don't have the radio on, they might or might not hear a loud motorcycle.

I'm not going to claim loud pipe riders never get killed. But come on people... It's not unreasonable to assume that someone somewhere didn't get run over when he might otherwise have because a cage driver heard him. There are some rare individuals such as myself who still prefer to drive with windows open and radio off. And if there ever was an individual save by loud pipes, he probably doesn't even know it because... well, because he was saved.

Again, I'm not arguing in favor of loud pipes. It's just a little bit surprising that some of you seem to be implying that no loud pipe could ever have possible saved anybody as if it's a law of physics or something.

xtn

 

[timswi]

.. If you don't have a Harley, don't blame your wife for having a boyfriend who does.

The wife wouldn't have a boyfriend with a Harley either..She's seen too many busted up relatives to be in agreement...I still want a Sportster though.

 

[ovrszd]

I have been on a bike for the better part of 42 years. A biker on the highway is at the mercy of his /her own ability and experience. Every and I mean every,added advantage or possible advantage that a rider can get in order to be seen or heard is a welcome benefit. So yes, I believe a bike approaching and passing a vehicle is far better off with louder pipes than a bike with a mellow exhaust stealthily passing a 4,000 lb Buick. If someone can not hear a Harley 20 feet behind them on the road, they should get their hearing checked.

You never answered a single question of mine. That's okay.

 

[Marveltone]

The wife wouldn't have a boyfriend with a Harley either..She's seen too many busted up relatives to be in agreement...I still want a Sportster though.

My sister rides a Sportster. Her hubby rides a Boss Hoss! I still have my ancient rice burner. We give each other grief all the time.

Joe

 

[Tomtint]

I read this several times trying to figure out what you are talking about. I think I got it.

You are saying that loud pipes will save you from the daydreaming driver on a 4 lane, who's about to move into the left lane, just as you get several feet behind him traveling at a faster speed than he, so he doesn't lane change in front of you.

Okay.... How many lives have been saved in this scenario?? So if the motorcyclist had been on a bike with stock exhaust he would have been injured or killed??

Do you consider this your first line of defense against day dreaming drivers?

So to make this more effective do you ride in whatever gear that makes the most noise?? So cruising on a 4 lane at 70 mph do you run in 3rd gear or something like that to make more noise to improve your chances of self preservation?

Or, if you have a riding buddy along do you ride side by side to increase the noise level so you would be detected at a further distance by the day dreaming driver?

I'm truly not trying to be a smart***. I'm trying real hard to understand this logic.

I thought I answered all the questions. My first line of defense is my experience and ability, it is impossible to say how many have been saved because of loud pipes, just like it is impossible to say how many heart attacks have been stopped by taking a aspirin in the morning. When I ride in a group, and I often do. We do not ride side by side on the highway. We stagger, and doing this provides the rider the most options should they need a escape route.

 

[timster2]

I had a neighbor that would push his Harley down to the end of the street to start it. He would leave for work just after 5AM and if he started the bike in his driveway he would wake all the neighbors. He would ride his bike to work all year long and in all weather. He was one of the loud pipe believers. None of the neighbors appreciated his loud pipes or the constant bumping of the throttle to keep it running.

 

[TomSeller]

I had a neighbor that would push his Harley down to the end of the street to start it. He would leave for work just after 5AM and if he started the bike in his driveway he would wake all the neighbors. He would ride his bike to work all year long and in all weather. He was one of the loud pipe believers. None of the neighbors appreciated his loud pipes or the constant bumping of the throttle to keep it running.

Cool, kinda like a rooster crowing in the morning.

 

[PapaPerk]

I rode a Harley as a kid and have always liked the sound. What I don't understand is the habit of gunning the engine when slowing up for a stop sign or whatever. Is this something they teach in "Harley School" or what.

They are doing it for attention! The look at me club!

Cops need to enforce muffler laws. I'm all for freedom and wind in the hair.... But I don't wanna hear it!

 

[Redneck in training]

By all means. Please ticket any airplane owners that modify their STOCK exhaust systems to make them louder.

I am guessing airplanes can't be made any louder. Only quieter. Most have straight pipes only.

 

[Pine Strip]

Half of all the Harleys ever sold are still out on the road....the rest of them made it back home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upuC5ZdyxXI

 

[Clint S]

I am guessing airplanes can't be made any louder. Only quieter. Most have straight pipes only.

And that is what they came with STOCK from the factory. They may be loud, but they are not modified.

 

[AGRIMAN]

Uh-oh.... maybe I should put the muffler back on my Suburban. :laughing:

Haven't any of you every rode or drove a vehicle with a loud exhaust and gone under a bridge or through a tunnel and stomped on it just for fun?

I believe most folks that rev it up when coming to a stop just either enjoy the sound or want to be
noticed, but probably both. :confused3:

Yes sir, I sure have. Over the years, I have had many 4x4 trucks that I have put my touch too. Got to add a lift and build the motor. Throw in a big cam and add some headers. I usually ran 3 inch pipe from the headers straight out the back ( I don't think that I have ever bought a muffler).

LOL, Go under a overpass or cross a bridge and the echo will rattle the windows. As far as hitting the throttle at a red light, that's what a clutch is made for.

 

[Sodo]

I do understand the part about revving when downshifting to get the engine speed to match lower gear. Used to do that on the farm trucks without thinking about it.

I do that too, sometimes just for the challenge of getting it just right. I suspect there are some older harleys (and newer beemers ) that downshift with less clunk if you match the RPMS. My motorcycles are quiet.

I doubt many Harley riders even comprehend matching the rpms, they are doing it just to act like a Harley rider. Same as the guys with the diesel pickup owners who leave them idling or warm up forever and make a lot of racket. They are trying to act like they have a big rig with air brakes.

A built Harley with high compression is a wicked sounding engine. I like to hear them sometimes but it can be embarrassing sometimes when I'm around people that know I'm a motorcycle nut,,,,,, and a guy with loud pipes goes by with the throttle wide open.

If loud pipes save lives then think how much more effective an ambulance could be with open headers.

I've also heard it said that "If loud pipes can save lives try to imagine what a helmet and protective riding gear could do."

 

[RobertN]

Rode Harley's for years. Liked them long before Yuppies.

Funny, cause one of the best sounding bikes, was a ~'82 Suzuki GS1000 that was built, running a Kerker header wide open. Acquaintance used to run one at Sacramento Raceway. At 6-8000 rpm, it sounded awesome.

A built Harley with high compression is a wicked sounding engine. I like to hear them sometimes but it can be embarrassing sometimes when I'm around people that know I'm a motorcycle nut,,,,,, and a guy with loud pipes goes by with the throttle wide open.

 

[RobertN]

We're in an area where they sometimes do maximum enforcement of speed limit on Freeway. CHP airplane circles for hours. A quick call to them, they move up 500', and sound is not so annoying.

Although, if motorcycles should have mufflers, so should planes...

I am guessing airplanes can't be made any louder. Only quieter. Most have straight pipes only.

 

[sd455dan]

Matching engine rpm to the speed of the tranny also allows you to shift without using the clutch, thereby saving your throwout bearing

Can't speak for a Harley but on my KZ-1000 there is No throw out bearing... don't believe it has syncros either..

 

[Redneck in training]

We're in an area where they sometimes do maximum enforcement of speed limit on Freeway. CHP airplane circles for hours. A quick call to them, they move up 500', and sound is not so annoying.

Although, if motorcycles should have mufflers, so should planes...

Originally Posted by Redneck in training View Post
I am guessing airplanes can't be made any louder. Only quieter. Most have straight pipes only.
I should have added that they can be made quieter only if there is certified/approved retrofit muffler.