HD noise makers
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
HD noise makers
OK so you have a manly bike that confirms your manhood...
Does having a 150 db (thats noise level ) bike make you any cooler?
Isn't all that leather, and tattoo bravado get washed out in the croud of others who think screaming by a family with children in a car is the way of
a quality weekend?
I feel better...
Now if you were on top of a raging bull bareback in a stampede, I would have much more respect.
The only noise the HD's are good for is setting off alarms in a parking garage.
....
Frindge leather?.....pa...lease
Does having a 150 db (thats noise level ) bike make you any cooler?
Isn't all that leather, and tattoo bravado get washed out in the croud of others who think screaming by a family with children in a car is the way of
a quality weekend?
I feel better...
Now if you were on top of a raging bull bareback in a stampede, I would have much more respect.
The only noise the HD's are good for is setting off alarms in a parking garage.
....Frindge leather?.....pa...lease
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Northern MD
And many of those mid-life crisis riders who have those brand-new Harleys will wind up selling them in a year or two because: A) They got bored with it; B) They scared the bejeesus out of themselves on it; or C) They sold it so they could buy their new Corvette. And man, do I hate those open pipes. With the right mufflers, the bike sounds great. Unfortunately, those guys are few and far between.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
The AMA magazine goes up in flames every time the "Loud Pipes: a)"save lives" or b) "make everyone mad at all motorcyclists, damage your hearing, jeopardize the sport for all" argument comes up.
There seems no resolution, as the ad pages are full of straight pipes and you can almost hear the clang of stock pipes hitting the floor everywhere.
It's just nuts.
Personally, the V-twin sound I like is the Ducati. Listen to a Duck vs. a HD and tell me which one makes you think BIG power and speed. Not that a loud HD AT THE DRAG STRIP isn't a good thing.
Just a thought.
There seems no resolution, as the ad pages are full of straight pipes and you can almost hear the clang of stock pipes hitting the floor everywhere.
It's just nuts.
Personally, the V-twin sound I like is the Ducati. Listen to a Duck vs. a HD and tell me which one makes you think BIG power and speed. Not that a loud HD AT THE DRAG STRIP isn't a good thing.
Just a thought.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood, Wa
Hmmm... Love Harleys, HATE the attitude..... The "if it aint a Hog it aint crap" moron-i-tality has to go....
I ride a Shadow, it has aftermarket pipes on it. loud? No louder than alot of our trucks.
Had a guy at an intersection comment on having a "nice harley wannabe, and to get a real bike"
I commented on his nice mini-van.. with the H-D sticker- probably the only harley thing he owns..
As far as the loud pipes saves lives crap, you dont even really hear those things untill they have PASSED you, plenty of time to get smacked
My best bud has a Duck... and yeah, it DOES have a nice rumble to it!!
I ride a Shadow, it has aftermarket pipes on it. loud? No louder than alot of our trucks.
Had a guy at an intersection comment on having a "nice harley wannabe, and to get a real bike"
I commented on his nice mini-van.. with the H-D sticker- probably the only harley thing he owns..
As far as the loud pipes saves lives crap, you dont even really hear those things untill they have PASSED you, plenty of time to get smacked
My best bud has a Duck... and yeah, it DOES have a nice rumble to it!!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: NW
I'm sorry Harley Riders, but there are too many that have obnoxiously loud exhausts. I love the sound of a muffled Harley, too, but even then, that is still noisy. But the ones that deliberately run straight pipes and modify their exhaust to be heard 3 miles away, is a really big turn off to most of us. From my point of view, law enforcement types should crack down on these guys.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
DUCATI and the TL1000R and the VTR1000R a.k.a. RC-51 make nice "ka-thunk ka-thunk" sounds but the obnoxiously loud sound of a roaring uncapped v-twin is enough to make a person mad....try being the Honda at bike week in a crowd of harleys....we allways travel in groups but as soon as they see a "rice" bike let the drama begin....untill the race begins then it turns into jealous rage....like i said before a bike is a bike and we should all get along but if you cant then dont be angry when you get your a$$ handed to you by a 900cc "rice" bike that puts out 139 dyno proven hp at the wheel that weighs in at an earth squashing 386lbs when you are on a 96c.i. 86hp 800lb sled with sidepipes 
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
From: mesa, az
Thats funny... similiar things could be said of cage drivers as well....Lifted 4x4's with monster tires kicking rocks and road debris at other vehicles, Steroes blasting from fart can equipt ricers, muscle car wannabes running cherry bombs, volkswagens with rusted out mufflers (come to think on it the VW's sound just like Harleys), rice rocket Duhamel wannabes doing 90mph wheelies during rush hour...
...Maybe its not so much the sound as the fact that some people just have a problem with bikers in general. And yes, loud pipes can and do save lives...most times they work better than horns....they worked for me.
...Maybe its not so much the sound as the fact that some people just have a problem with bikers in general. And yes, loud pipes can and do save lives...most times they work better than horns....they worked for me.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
There are some pipes on some bikes that are a bit loud, but with the right pipe diameter and length that Harley sounds like a champ to me... It take some working to get it right, the problem is when people put the "shot gun" pipes on the bikes, they're too short and not big enough.... They look good but sound like crap.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: NH
it's not the bikes fault it's the moron riding it that doesn't know how to keep it quiet late at night and in town. i own a custom built bike that came from the builders with no mufflers. my neighbors have never complained to me about the noise levels because i keep low when rolling in even the cops don't bother me. it's all in how you run it late at night and in town i don't rev it up out of respect for others but when i hit the highway that's a different story. even on the highway i will shift up a gear and lay off the throttle when passing some one so as to not starttle any one or make their ears bleed. it all comes down to respect.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge
Amen to the knowing how to use the throttle as a volume control ! My truck is a bit on the loud side. I leave out later in the morning than most in my neighborhood but also stay out a bit later. I will usually back out of the throttle when coming back home. The truck is still throaty but not 'wake up the kids' loud.
I also agree with losing the "If it ain't Harley it ain't Nothin'" attitude. I for one like most bikes out there. I would love to have quite a few different bikes - one dream bike is a Harley, another is a Honda (well, maybe two of them are Hondas), and yet another is a Yamaha. And Ducati, and Triumph, and many more.
I also agree with losing the "If it ain't Harley it ain't Nothin'" attitude. I for one like most bikes out there. I would love to have quite a few different bikes - one dream bike is a Harley, another is a Honda (well, maybe two of them are Hondas), and yet another is a Yamaha. And Ducati, and Triumph, and many more.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: woodland ca
i think its all about personal preference!!!! my truck is kinda loud when i lay on the troddle but at idel it pretty quiet so i just dont gas it late at night
the only thing i cant stand is the attitude that they all have i can even live the civics with their fart cans if they would loose the attitude
the only thing i cant stand is the attitude that they all have i can even live the civics with their fart cans if they would loose the attitude
