What is it with Harley riders?

[Gary Fowler]

Yep, over-priced & over-rated. The only under on them is UNDER-POWERED so they put on all the straight pipes, super cams and anything else they can to boost the HP.
A friend of mine who had a couple of Harley's told this one on himself. He had stopped for gas along with a Honda Goldwing. He was riding single on his RoadKing and the Goldwing was doubled up with "he said at least a 300# woman on the back" plus pulling a trailer. He decided he would show them what his Harley would do so he rapped it out full throttle as they both left the service station at the same time. The Goldwing just purred by him like he was setting still even with all the extra weight of the bike, passengers and trailer on it. I had to laugh as I was always a Goldwing rider when I had motorcycles. I always kept the factory exhaust also so I could enjoy the radio while riding.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Yep, over-priced & over-rated. The only under on them is UNDER-POWERED so they put on all the straight pipes, super cams and anything else they can to boost the HP.
A friend of mine who had a couple of Harley's told this one on himself. He had stopped for gas along with a Honda Goldwing. He was riding single on his RoadKing and the Goldwing was doubled up with "he said at least a 300# woman on the back" plus pulling a trailer. He decided he would show them what his Harley would do so he rapped it out full throttle as they both left the service station at the same time. The Goldwing just purred by him like he was setting still even with all the extra weight of the bike, passengers and trailer on it. I had to laugh as I was always a Goldwing rider when I had motorcycles. I always kept the factory exhaust also so I could enjoy the radio while riding.

 

[polo1665]

And even if it WAS, it isn't needed for the entire duration of a three minute traffic light.

My vote is that it is LAM Disorder (Look At Me).

Exactly! I find that downshifting is rarely necessary while stopped in traffic.

 

[zzvyb6]

Potato, potato, potato, potato: The Sound of Music.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Poll Question Which of the following do you find more annoying: (a) the aforementioned "Harley" exhaust noises, or (b) young men sharing their musical tastes with the world via their cars' sound systems? Steve

$500 car with $1500 sound system and $2000 in wheels/tires.

Definitely b.

 

[RobertN]

I've rode Harley's for 30 years or so. I like them, even if they are slower as some posters mention; I did not particularly want a fast bike. Over the years, I have changed out the exhaust a couple of times. Went to a more open header for a while; found that it was not only loud, but open pipes only accentuate top end while losing lower end power. Waste unless you are on a track(found same with Suzuki GS550 I had at one time too).

I give the throttle a little blip when down shifting. A little, just to match gears. Do similar in car.

Been helping with my 101 year old Grandmother a lot lately. She bought her house in 1964, on a country lane. It is now a major thoroughfare. All hours of the day and night, bikes(not limited to Harley's) rev at the stop sign next door. Why do people have to rev their motor next to the 101 year old woman's house? When I ride, I play it cool thru your neighborhood.

Having ridden with a bunch of people over the years, I think it is a little of a few things
- Attention/Look at Me
- Mis-tuned bike
- Loud Pipes save lives theory

I have seen a lot of bikes(inlin-4 imports too...) that stunk when you were riding with the; mismatched cams/carbs/jets/exhaust. Being by them was nautious(sp) with fumes. They had to rev them to keep them running.

Re loud pipes save lives, I dont believe it. The exhaust is directed away from you; most people dont hear you until they are right next to you(Too Late). I've run up on deer even, with my old really loud pipe. Didn't hear me till I almost ran over them/almost crash.

I went back to stock header and a mild pipe. Bike runs better, gets better mileage and is all around nicer to ride.

Oh, I definitely detest loud boomer stereos more than loud bikes/cars...

 

[npalen]

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. As far as Part B of the survey, I wonder what the loud music is doing to the kid's hearing.

 

[MossRoad]

Reduces clutch wear by bumping up engine rpms to match rolling speed when re-engaging clutch during downshifts.

Increases wear on the throwout bearing by overusing the clutch.

 

[MossRoad]

Poll Question

Which of the following do you find more annoying:

(a) the aforementioned "Harley" exhaust noises, or
(b) young men sharing their musical tastes with the world via their cars' sound systems?

Steve

B, I say B, bubububu B bu boom boom B!

 

[MossRoad]

$500 car with $1500 sound system and $2000 in wheels/tires.

Definitely b.

I always enjoy hearing the earth rattling bass accompanied by the brass section, or, in this case, its usually the license plate buzzing horribly to the beat. :laughing: Bolt that sucker down already!