Fifty Plus (50+) - What's the deal with super-loud Harleys on the open road?

On a couple of recent rides -- over the North Cascades Highway, through Mt. Rainier National Park -- I've noticed some *absurdly* loud exhausts on Harley Davidson motorcycles being ridden through some pretty awesome scenery. (Let's be precise here - not other marques; just Harleys).

On a scale of 1 to 10, if a Honda Goldwing is a 3, and a stock Harley is a 5, and a Harley with a standard "loud" aftermarket exhaust is a 10, I'd rate some of these bikes at 15 or 20. I'm talking bone-tingling, ear-splitting, tree-shaking loud.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a motorsports fan, and understand the thrill of loud exhaust at a racetrack (e.g., I've been to the Indy 500 twice, and the noise of the start is big part of the attraction). I rode motorcycles as a kid and -- when I was 16 -- certainly got a macho kick out of ratting around on a friend's two-stroke enduro bike with an all-out racing expansion chamber on it.

But even as a teenager I kept my street bike *street legal.* And then I grew up.

However, the riders I see out on the open road are often our age, or older. So I'm not sure I get the sport of doing long-distance rides through beautiful scenery (like the Cascade Mountains) with awesomely loud aftermarket exhaust systems. I guess I understand the market for highly modified custom street bikes, and an occasional street ride with a super-loud exhaust to impress the kiddies.

But in addition to being rude, probably illegal in any jurisdiction with a noise ordinance, and totally out of character of the scenery encountered, isn't it just plain tiring to ride a motorcycle with that much noise? Does anyone understand what's up with this?

(Normally I would ascribe any such ridiculous behavior to testosterone poisoning, but I see women on these bikes, too).

I don't understand the noise business either, you'd think these people have gone deaf or will be deaf soon. I had a neighbor two doors down with a chopper with straight pipes, no muffler. It rattled my windows when he started it up. Arizona either doesn't have noise ordinances or doesn't enforce them. We have "Arizona Bike Week" every spring, and any excuse will suffice for large groups to zoom up and down the freeway all night on the freeway 2 blocks from my house. The noise is incredible. Open carry of firearms is legal in Arizona, and some of these riders have high power hardware strapped on to boot. It's the big D**k syndrome.

There are a lot of things that I do not understand...this kind of noise is one of them. Maybe it is like all else, it takes all kinds to make a world, and their fun is listening (if you can call it that) to their own noise and thinking that others like it too.

I've written several emails to different NPS offices about the noise pollution from those loud motorcycles. I've been 6 miles in the backcountry of Smoky Mtn NP and the bikes can still be heard. From what I've been told, the issue is being "studied". Hopefully there will be noise restrictions, at least in the National Parks soon. All I know is, if my car was that loud I would get cited. Why should a motorcycle be any different?

When I was a mere youth I rode a lowly Honda 175 cc. motorcycle. It didn't make much noise at all. I knew a guy who owned the same bike and he removed the baffles from the muffler and it sounded like a Hog.

I agree with the above, I think it's meant to be a testosterone surrogate, but I think it's pretty dumb.

I'll admit (with shame) that I got caught up in the Harley mania a few years ago and purchased a Fat Boy. Proceeded to lower it, chrome it, bore it, and put loud pipes on it. One ride of more than an hour and I promptly sold it. I was deaf in my right ear for a couple of days. What was I thinking??? I now ride a very quiet BMW Adventure bike. Love it.

I love the growl of a stock Harley and a nice set of dual pipes rumbling on a V-8 but these aftermarket motorcycle and the loud pipes on these little cars are high on my hate list. The next thing is the chest thumping bass of some of these audio systems in cars that will rattle the spotwelds loose in your car after a while. I generally can't deal with loud noises (ie) slamming doors, television too loud and things of that nature, no I'm really not an old grouch,:) I work in an extremely noisy factory all day and even with ear plugs and ear muffs my head is buzzing after 8 hours.

I didn't see this answer offered up in the previous posts, but I was told once by a Harley-riding co-worker (who kept his exhaust legal, but still loud, IMO) that they're noisy so they're noticed and therefore not run over, into, onto or otherwise maimed by other vehicles that otherwise wouldn't see them.

I'd like to see these guys and gals take their bikes through some of these NPs with deep-V canyons in the dead of winter. :D

I It's the big D**k syndrome.
It's probably more like compensating for the exact opposite.;)

I didn't see this answer offered up in the previous posts, but I was told once by a Harley-riding co-worker (who kept his exhaust legal, but still loud, IMO) that they're noisy so they're noticed and therefore not run over, into, onto or otherwise maimed by other vehicles that otherwise wouldn't see them.

I'd like to see these guys and gals take their bikes through some of these NPs with deep-V canyons in the dead of winter. :D

I've read about that: "Loud pipes save lives."
Idiots.

I didn't see this answer offered up in the previous posts, but I was told once by a Harley-riding co-worker (who kept his exhaust legal, but still loud, IMO) that they're noisy so they're noticed and therefore not run over, into, onto or otherwise maimed by other vehicles that otherwise wouldn't see

Yeah, I've heard that, too. There are t-shirts and bumperstickers that say, "Loud pipes save lives."

If you follow that logic, then bicyclists should all mount noise-makers to our bicycles so we're not run over.

Funny thing is that if you were really interested in safety I would think you would be wearing Kevlar racing-type riding gear, have your headlights and tail-lights on, and take other safety measures as well. Instead I see "loud pipes" riders in regular street clothing.

Forget Harleys. Porsches are the ugliest sounding vehicles on the road.

Funny thing is that if you were really interested in safety I would think you would be wearing Kevlar racing-type riding gear, have your headlights and tail-lights on, and take other safety measures as well. Instead I see "loud pipes" riders in regular street clothing.

Ah, but, see, there's the rub; if you're on a bad-***** hog killing everyone's hearing, you'd look like a dork if you wore protective gear. Seriously, I don't get it either, but it's gotta be a wannabe outlaw/free-spirit thing... Anyone with half a brain is going to be geared for safety to improve odds, not the other way around.

Hmm, where's my copy of Easy Rider?.....:innocent:

And another thing...is it me, or is it my imagination, but, when I'm climbing some hill one of these clowns will invariably come along and not only pass me with ~2 feet to spare, but will also give a rather obnoxious twist of the throttle *while right next to you*?

I've read about that: "Loud pipes save lives."
Idiots.

I think it's more a matter of juvenile personalities saying "look at me, PLEASE look at me!"

I'm an avid motorcyclists; ride an older Moto Guzzi. This thing with loud pipes is simply lemming-like peer pressure. Those same morons that stress loud pipes saving lives won't wear a helmet or leather jacket. They will wear a leather vest, but no shirt. They wear buttless chaps (like that part of the anatomy won't crayola on the pavement!) and fingerless gloves. I've had a bad MC accident (stupid deer) and the helmet and leather jacket saved my hide and life.
I saw a great shirt at a Moto Guzzi rally that said: Loud Pipes Make Noise

I think it's more a matter of juvenile personalities saying "look at me, PLEASE look at me!"

I think that this is the main factor. Immaturity and the silly "desire to look the rebel". I have had more road "issues" with motorcyclists than other vehicles. There appears to be a distinct correlation between age/bike and behavior. The youngsters on their Japanese crotch rockets, fully decked in colorful leathers, seem to be the least bothersome.

I have come to subscribe to the adage:
"What's the difference between a Hoover and a Harley?"....


The location of the dirtbag. :rolleyes:

Of course, YMMV!!!

Geary

They can't go fast, so they make noise! Idiots.

I am an avid motorcyclist, and I can't imagine listening to that racket on 1,000 - 1500 mile days.

But, then again, they are on TT bikes ......(tavern to tavern).......

As near as I can tell, it's part of "Harley Culture". It goes along with having lots of stickers with humorous sayings on your helmet (where they are a legal requirement, such as MA), leather vests worn over no shirt, etc. Some of the more interesting stickers I have seen on helmets read "DILLIGAF" and "Rehab is for quitters".

It is interesting that so many other motorbikes make little noise at all, and their riders seem to like them that way.

t4mv, it's not your imagination. I've got that a few times, but around the Boston area, it is also a trick of the kawasaki ninja, or "rice rocket" crowd. That group always twists the throttle, to produce a RING-RING-RING!!! sound. Perhaps it's some sort of secret language.

Riding by a local golf course last summer, looking at all the folks riding around in golf carts, got passed by a couple of large fellows on HDs. Stuck my finger through a helmet vent and scratched my head and thought "Wow! Look at the strenuous exercise those golfers are engaging in..........compared to those bad boys on their motorbikes."

(Been a little annoyed since I was told by a biker to "Get the ****** off the road" a few weeks ago.)

I am an avid motorcyclist, and I can't imagine listening to that racket on 1,000 - 1500 mile days.

1500 miles in one day. You are quite a motorcyclist! :thumb:

I'm certain I couldn't safely do that in cage.

It's the big D**k syndrome.

I wonder if they realize that it sounds like a bad case of flatulence.

Benge,
I agree that noise pollution is a true irritant. Guess that even faced with the irritation I can't get as worked up as other posters here. This is a big country, with a lot of different folks just trying to get through the day with the activity of their choice. That doesn't make them idiots.
Now, my hearing is not what it used to be by any measure. Therefore, my motorcycle has stock pipes on it and it is quiet. But for all of the posters here who have a hard on for harleys, my guess is that 9 out of 10 of you couldn't tell the difference between a Harley and my Kawasaki if they were parked side by side. For those of you ranting about motorcyclists and their choice of riding apparel, whoa! Did you ever stop and take a second look at us when we are riding our bicycles? How puffed up do you think we look in our colorful finery? When was the last time you saw anyone riding a bicycle in full leathers to preclude a case of road rash?
Carry on.

I spent two days last weekend riding on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. By far the most annoying aspect of the whole ride, including getting caught in thunderstorms both days, was those long trains of loud obnoxious motorcycles. Plus this one group made a habit of passing me, pulling off into an overlook for god knows how long, and then passing me again. I saw and HEARD that same group at least 4 or 5 separate times. Horrible.

You fat old guys on Harleys are NOT Marlon Brando. Seriously, you're not.

Say what you want, but I call it normal human nature. Everybody wants to out-do everybody else, or at least keep up. Loud pipes on Harleys have always been the norm, and almost anyone who rides one will want to sound like a "real Harley". One Beatnick is right, it's usually just peer pressure.

Now, I agree, human nature sucks. But let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Before you get too far gone with the whole "what is wrong with those people" syndrome, consider the fact that many of you would probably do the same thing. I'm consistantly amazed at some of the testosterone charged attitudes and arrogance I encounter at bicycle events. Cyclists don't generally care what most of the rest of the world thinks. People are people, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones at others.

By the way, yes I have a Harley, but it's not one of the godawful loud ones the OP is referring to. Those bikes irritate me just as much as anyone, and probably more so because I am a long time Harley rider. Posers are everywhere.

Harley riders enjoy special status. They're allowed privileges -- to exceed noise standards and to wear non complying helmets -- that other motorcyclists are not. With the exception of the Sportster, they're grossly overweight, overpriced, and very poor handlers. As an experienced motorcyclist -- over 200,000 miles on sport tourers and sport bikes -- I'm always bewidered and amused when I see on the road a Harley rigged so the rider has to reach vertically for the stars to grip the handlebars. I also love to "spank" Harleys in the twisties 'cause they so annoy me.

It doesn't surprise me that a Harley rider would blip the throttle to spook a cyclist. The scary thing is that many many Harley riders -- doctors, lawyers, and other educated owners excepted -- are mentally challenged and have little respect for cyclists. So they are indeed Hogs!

Suzuki SV650S Rider

I also love to "spank" Harleys in the twisties 'cause they so annoy me.



This is exactly what I'm talking about. Under different circumstances, you would be one of the worst of the very people you think you despise.

...probably illegal in any jurisdiction with a noise ordinance...

That jurisdiction would be the United States, where federal EPA noise regulations apply to all road legal vehicles. The loud exhausts are marked "for off road/competition use only" so they are legal to sell, but it is illegal to use them on the street/road/highway.

Stating the obvious: the noise (and air pollution) requirements for motorcycles are not enforced in very many places in America.

In case you're wondering, stock motorcycles that meet EPA noise requirements are almost inaudible.

BTW, I live about a half mile from a major intersection, and I can hear illegally modified bikes accelerating away from the signal light from my back yard at all hours. Some Harleys, many sport bikes as well.

tcs

Don't get me started. I am an avid lifelong motorcyclist, member of the Iron Butt Association and ride thousands of miles a year. This obsession for loud pipes make me ashamed to be a biker. I ride western NC a lot and groups of these loud, macho posturing riders destroy the soul of the beautiful roads and vistas of the area.
I feel for the cyclists. I ride a super quiet BMW GS and I still pull my clutch and coast past groups of cyclists to try and preserve a little of their experience on the Parkway.

The "loud pipes save lives" is total BS and there is research to back it up. It is just selfish people making noise to impress others....well, it impresses me I tell ya.:mad:

Mike

Many parts of the current motorcycle community, I'm a lifetime rider and teach motorcycling, are working to help eliminate one of the biggest problems with our sport, other than safety like bicycling, and that is loud pipes.

The off road community has learned this in a big way with the loss of riding areas and has very strict noise level enforcements in most public riding areas. The street community is slowly learning the same and even the AMA, no not the doctors, are behind the change to quieting the loud bikes. It still has a long way to go. The worst offenders are the hard core sport bike boys and girls and the Harley/cruiser crowd.

As for loud pipes saving lives, of course it does; however, a rider's need for increased safety does not give them the right to annoy all other road users. If it did, we all would put air horns on our bikes and ride around with them blaring all the time.

I have ridden damn near any vehicle with two wheels in the last 40 years, my family has allways had a plethora of mototcycles for racing, motocross, trials, rebuilds and just general fun. Starting on a Honda 50to a twin engine Indian to an Ariel square four. I love to ride anything with two wheels, and put over 60K miles on my Goldwing back in the 70s.

The biggest joke I see with the loud pipes is that most backyard mechanics in Georgia cut the mufflers off to run straight pipes without re-jetting the carburetor. A stock Harley is torquey and fun to ride, but not a rocket in acceleration compared to many lighter bikes. These geniuses cut off the pipes to the tune of a loss of 15-20% power. I was at a restaurant and watched 4 bikes leave, one stock harley, one v-rod, one Big Dog and one loser who had to ride through the parking lot twice revving the engine. It sounded like he was ripping the bricks out of the ground. When he hit the street, the sound was deafening, he hit 3 gears trying to keep up with the Big Dog who had only hit one. I could have dropped him on a Cannondale.:roflmao2::roflmao2:

This is the same character who goes unwashed, unshaven wears the old German style helmet and colors to some non-existent cycle club and only rides from bar to bar to drink and pose. A 30-45 minute ride on said noisemaker will wear you out, it's certainly not much fun. It's really kind of sad.

I like top-flite machines and will allways check out something different. True riders aren't the ones riding sans mufflers, paint, etc. The sound of a well tuned Harley is sweet, it's a patented sound based upon the loping piston setup and it is definitely not deafening. It's heavy and happy, the blatt of the posers with an occasional backfire is allways good for a laugh.

What's really annoying is a loud motorcycle equipped with a radio blasting away at the same time. In my opinion that is dumb and dumber. I think loud bikes and cars are both a symptom of some underlying insecurity of the owner. But it's becoming much more common. Watch American Chopper and that's all they talk about...how to make the bikes louder.

Harley riders enjoy special status. They're allowed privileges -- to exceed noise standards and to wear non complying helmets -- that other motorcyclists are not. With the exception of the Sportster, they're grossly overweight, overpriced, and very poor handlers. As an experienced motorcyclist -- over 200,000 miles on sport tourers and sport bikes -- I'm always bewidered and amused when I see on the road a Harley rigged so the rider has to reach vertically for the stars to grip the handlebars. I also love to "spank" Harleys in the twisties 'cause they so annoy me.

It doesn't surprise me that a Harley rider would blip the throttle to spook a cyclist. The scary thing is that many many Harley riders -- doctors, lawyers, and other educated owners excepted -- are mentally challenged and have little respect for cyclists. So they are indeed Hogs!

Suzuki SV650S Rider
Don't be too sure of those exceptions.

Loud pipes save lives. I get up at 4:00 am to go to work, and my Harley riding neighbor wants to make sure I don't die in my sleep when he returns from the bars about 3 am.

John

Loud pipes are a compensation for limp equipment.

The biggest joke I see with the loud pipes is that most backyard mechanics in Georgia cut the mufflers off to run straight pipes without re-jetting the carburetor...These geniuses cut off the pipes to the tune of a loss of 15-20% power. ... True riders aren't the ones riding sans mufflers, paint, etc. The sound of a well tuned Harley is sweet, it's a patented sound based upon the loping piston setup and it is definitely not deafening. It's heavy and happy, the blatt of the posers with an occasional backfire is allways good for a laugh.

Thanks to the experienced motorcyclists who have added some thoughts to this thread. Since my post, I did a little online research and saw that the AMA has come out against the "loud pipes" movement.

As for the muffler mods that lead to the super-loud noise - if they are really just cutting off the stock exhausts this is loonier than I thought.

I call Harley throttles, "volume control."

I'm in the middle on this one

I think 'two wheels good'

I've ridden motorcycles since age 16, and raced, toured and putzed around on bicycles since a little before that.

I currently have a motorcycle called an 'Africa Twin'. If it was a bicycle it'd be a Surley Long Haul Tourer, if it was a car it'd be a landrover. It has an aftermarket exhaust, a fraction louder than stock and the weight of a passenger lighter than stock. I really like its sound, it's a major part of the whole sensory pleasure of riding.

But, it's legal, and riding at low throttle levels it can toodle through towns unobtrusively.

The problem is one of selfishness, not motorbikes or engineering. People who like to make a lot of noise just to be heard are, I dare say, not the ones you want around your dining table?

But the ones who keep to low throttle through towns but rip a Ducati with Termignonis though the mountains (as I used to have and do) can slurp my Spaghetti Putanesca anyday!

Loud pipes are a compensation for limp equipment.

My experience on "Small" engines is in 2 strokes- and the most efficient engines have very quiet exhaust notes. Induction noise from the carb is a different matter though.

One of my Neighbours races a 4 cylinder Honda. No idea about the class but it is one of the "Club" classes that you must have over there aswell. 600cc and NO exhaust silencers fitted. It is remarkably quiet. Far quieter than the 50cc scooters that go no where very slowly. Just wish they didn't do it up our road.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Under different circumstances, you would be one of the worst of the very people you think you despise.

Wishful thinking from someone with conflict of interest I think.

Rode motorcycles 20K milies a year for many years, never understood how a Harley could be so LOUD and if my bike or car was even a bit noisy, I got a ticket.... Still do not understand it. Several posts ago someone said the highway patrol was "looking in" to it. How tough is it to notice that these clowns are way over the legal limit of noise? If my car was that loud I would get a ticket.... why don't they?

"Loud pipes save lives."

If you follow that logic, then bicyclists should all mount noise-makers to our bicycles so we're not run over.


How about using this? ;)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2426330907_a4801c18ac.jpg

How about using this? ;)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2426330907_a4801c18ac.jpg
or an electronic version.....
http://www.vroombox.com/vroombox/

Most of the loud Harley riders wear ear plugs so they won't go deaf, watch them get off their bikes. As far as "Loud pipes save lives", how about all the other motorcycles that don't have loud pipes. I guess they are the one being hit.

What's really annoying is a loud motorcycle equipped with a radio blasting away at the same time.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one bugged by this.

The one explanation overlooked is that noise gives the impression of power. It tricks most minds into thinking the noise and vibration has increased the power of their bike. As previously stated, straight pipes decrease power over tuned exhaust.

Remember when people put 1 7/8" glass packs on their cars to supposedly increase power. I always asked how can decreasing the size, therefore creating less flow, increase power?

Back when I was a teenage I asked Roger Reiman if they made any performance pipes that were quiet. He asked '"why?", with an attitude. I replied, " I do not need someone across town to know I am going fast!" He did not understand.

I raced loud bikes because that is how the pipes were made. But, I never removed the muffler because I knew it decreased power on most performance pipes.

Most of the loud Harley riders wear ear plugs so they won't go deaf, watch them get off their bikes.

The noise from most bikes isn't a threat to the rider's hearing. The ear plugs protect the ears from wind noise. Over time it can be deafening. Literally.

I think it's a bit like dogs squirting on every tree they pass. It's just another way of letting people know you're here. Sad, but there are folks who have a strong need to do this. (Not unlike some of the things I do.)

Porkies riding loud Harleys in food run races is a regular event here in northern Ohio during summer.

And another thing...is it me, or is it my imagination, but, when I'm climbing some hill one of these clowns will invariably come along and not only pass me with ~2 feet to spare, but will also give a rather obnoxious twist of the throttle *while right next to you*?

I get lots of that on rides in the NC mountains. Pretty annoying.