What is it with Harley riders?

[npalen]

I remember a story from back in the day where a kid was stopped for loud pipes. He asked the HP why semi trucks can get by with loud pipes to which the HP responded something like: "They're pulling a 40,000 lb load, you're not". I had a '54 chevy with split manifold and a cutout on one side. Made a unique noise but the HP didn't have a great appreciation for the "music".
Speaking of semi's, the jake brakes are about as loud as anything out there but they do serve a useful purpose.

 

[DK35vince]

Speaking of semi's, the jake brakes are about as loud as anything out there but they do serve a useful purpose.

The semi's with engine brakes are only loud when the mufflers are removed.
Same with a Harley. They sound good till the owners put on the straight pipes. Then they sound like JUNK.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I don't know, seems like for the price of a Harley, you can get a good used tractor.

 

[CobyRupert]

I believe it Jim, a buddy of mine bought a HD Sportster 1200 at the same time I bought a Kawasaki KZ650. In the first week of owning his HD several things had fallen off in the street, like horn and shift lever. and the tach stopped working and many other problems in the first couple of months of ownership. I never had any problems with the Kaw, of course. And my little 650 would outrun his Harley any way he wanted to run it, despite being almost twice the displacement. But my buddy still loved his Harley. He extended the forks and let me ride it around the block, I could not wait to get off of it and give it back. My little "rice burner" was so much more comfortable, quiet, and powerful, not to mention reliable. I understand that Harleys are much much more reliable now than back when AMF owned it.

But they're a great bike when they're parked! They're so pretty and shiny! And the upper middle class accountant who can afford them gets to play dress-up biker on the weekend. And you know he's a bad-*ss, why just listen to those pipes!

Went and rode the Smokeys this fall and rented a Heritage Softtail to see what the fuss was all about. It drove like a hog that's for sure. Rode the Dragon and a lot of other crazy roads. Scraping the footpegs without even trying, good thing I didn't really need to turn. Mediocre acceleration for 1400cc, poor braking and muscle every turn. My friends Suz 650 V-Strom would whip it in every category. THe H-D would feel like you were doing 100mph when you're doing 65mph compared to my 1984 Magna V65 which is the opposite. But it sounded bad, and it sure was purrty.

 

[BrandonR]

They are doing it to fit in with all the other Harley riders it's part of the "harley" culture.

 

[RobertN]

funny thing is, it started with Marlon Brando, with loud pipes on a Triumph, and no helmet..

They are doing it to fit in with all the other Harley riders it's part of the "harley" culture.

 

[deepNdirt]

But they're a great bike when they're parked! They're so pretty and shiny! And the upper middle class accountant who can afford them gets to play dress-up biker on the weekend. And you know he's a bad-*ss, why just listen to those pipes!

This is so true they even made a movie of it, ( Wild Hogs )
I had a V-65 I know how bad-***** they are, I didn't need to die so young, is why I switch to GL's

 

[CobyRupert]

Ok, ok, ok - All that low end torque was kind of fun.

 

[MossRoad]

I remember a story from back in the day where a kid was stopped for loud pipes. He asked the HP why semi trucks can get by with loud pipes to which the HP responded something like: "They're pulling a 40,000 lb load, you're not". I had a '54 chevy with split manifold and a cutout on one side. Made a unique noise but the HP didn't have a great appreciation for the "music".
Speaking of semi's, the jake brakes are about as loud as anything out there but they do serve a useful purpose.

We have many sound ordinances against jake brakes in our area.

 

[TripleR]

I've owned and ridden Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph and Harley. I liked all of them in one way or the other. My sons, brothers, nephews have ridden and owned everything from cruiser to touring. As I got older, the only thing that fit me was a Harley or imitation Harley, couldn't get my feet tucked up on the pegs, hated leaning over on the sport bikes and my legs were too weak for the touring bikes, so I bought a new Harley in 1989 and no parts fell off, no oil leaks etc. I gave it to my son last year when I had to quit riding.

I really liked my Harley, some do some don't. If you don't like them don't buy one, I really don't understand riders low grading other peoples' choice in what they ride whether it's a sports bike, touring or cruiser. I would really prefer a camaraderie of riders and not all this BS.

 

[BrandonR]

It's not the Harley bikes that are the problem, I've known several owners who kept the noise reasonable and were respectful of other's ears.. But the "Biker Lifestyle" that revolves around them encourages brash "look at me" type behavior, each one is trying to impress the others in the clique and assume that everyone else feels the same.

 

[Egon]

I don't recall details. we do not have them in my area.

A web search brings up "Rumbler Siren" by a couple of companies.

Some Law Enforcement Departments may have some for crowd control/dispersion.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...anzeDj1Si2atp7FLg&sig2=uc52810UzB-VcQGVsa6EXg

 

[Scooby074]

Not sure if this was posted but it is hilarious! *Language Warning* The F Word (Season 13, Episode 12) - Full Episode Player - South Park Studios

I already discussed it earlier as did another fellow. Didnt link because its strongly NSFW. Still darn hilarious!:thumbsup:

 

[hr3]

I think it is for attention.

Yep it's for the attention,,, so the idiots in there cars take notice and not run them over or off the road....

 

[PapaPerk]

Yep it's for the attention,,, so the idiots in there cars take notice and not run them over or off the road....

No its for attention. Just like the handle bar streamers and frilly tassels on the leather coats. Lol. Vroommm Vroomomm look at me... I'm a dentist by day and a motorcycle hooligan by night! Lol

 

[polo1665]

No its for attention. Just like the handle bar streamers and frilly tassels on the leather coats. Lol. Vroommm Vroomomm look at me... I'm a dentist by day and a motorcycle hooligan by night! Lol

...............Born to be Mild................:laughing:

 

[nwltruck]

No its for attention. Just like the handle bar streamers and frilly tassels on the leather coats. Lol. Vroommm Vroomomm look at me... I'm a dentist by day and a motorcycle hooligan by night! Lol

My FIL pokes fun at the wing dingers with there color matching jump suites, full face helmets, and the radio blasting Lawrence Welk.

 

[deepNdirt]

My FIL pokes fun at the wing dingers with there color matching jump suites, full face helmets, and the radio blasting Lawrence Welk.

I would've poke fun as well had I seen that as for my wing-dinger-wear, I prefer polyester slacks Penny Loafer shoes with a cutoff denim jacket so I can air out my arm pits as well as show off the tat of my mother on my arm, as for my music preference: Lawrence Welk is not quite Orchestrated enough for me,
I prefer Beethoven's 5th Symphony,
OK- lets hear the Lowdown on the GL riders? I knew it was coming

 

[murphy1244]

I liked my Harley when I rode. Just liked to putt around. Was fun till the cell phone came. I sold all 3 of my Bikes. Not safe anymore.

 

[CobyRupert]

I really liked my Harley, some do some don't. If you don't like them don't buy one, I really don't understand riders low grading other peoples' choice in what they ride whether it's a sports bike, touring or cruiser. I would really prefer a camaraderie of riders and not all this BS.

You are, of course, right. I hope I didn't offend any Harley riders as I was just having fun yanking their chain. You know, the mandatory one on their "biker outfit' that hangs from their wallet to their belt loop. :laughing: