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.