Just wanted to comment on loud pipes. When motorcycles have excessive noise, ( loud pipes ) it annoys most non motorcyclists. and is annoying to many motorcyclists also. Loud pipes hurt all motorcyclists. One should do whatever they want to their own motorcycle, ride wherever they want, as long as it doesn't hurt others, and loud pipes hurt all motorcyclists
I somewhat agree. There are times when a loud exhaust can alert a cager to your presence, BUT whether its a v-twin or an inline 4, there is no need to wind it to red line through the first 2 or 3 gears while in traffic.
I love the sound of any high-performnce motorcycle but even to me, the exhaust can be annoying at the wrong time.
This subject reminds me of a signature line by a member of a forum long ago...................................................................
"Harley-Davidson................
Turning gasoline into obnoxious noise without the harmful effects of horsepower since 1903."
But, "Loud pipes, save lives"....right??
I ain't buying it!
I think motorcycles should have to follow the same laws as cars as far as noise goes, I also think we have to many guns in this country, I'll be glad to give both up when the laws are passed.
Greg, you should be free to voice your opinion, whether or not others agree. But I wanted to note to all to make sure to keep this discussion civil as it's a bit of a loaded topic and I'm not sure it gets us anywhere.
So, how are you guys defining "loud": 90dB, 95 dB, 100 dB, 105dB? What's loud to one person might not be to another. My wife thinks my Hawk is too loud at times when I'm working on it (stock exhaust) as she's concerned I'll upset the neighbors. So one day I asked the woman who lives behind us if it has ever bothered her (she would have no problem saying so). She said "no, your bike sounds like a purring kitten compared to some I've heard". You just never know.
(03-08-2014, 01:09 PM)HikerToo_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I think motorcycles should have to follow the same laws as cars as far as noise goes, I also think we have to many guns in this country, I'll be glad to give both up when the laws are passed.
This is a dangerous thing to say as passions roll strong on both sides of this.
(03-08-2014, 02:06 PM)Guth_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Greg, you should be free to voice your opinion, whether or not others agree. But I wanted to note to all to make sure to keep this discussion civil as it's a bit of a loaded topic and I'm not sure it gets us anywhere.
So, how are you guys defining "loud": 90dB, 95 dB, 100 dB, 105dB? What's loud to one person might not be to another. My wife thinks my Hawk is too loud at times when I'm working on it (stock exhaust) as she's concerned I'll upset the neighbors. So one day I asked the woman who lives behind us if it has ever bothered her (she would have no problem saying so). She said "no, your bike sounds like a purring kitten compared to some I've heard". You just never know.
I agree with this, but I think with SOME of this we may be straying into territory that you removed the general section for.
My $.02.
Lets leave the gun stuff out. Just trying to give discussion a chance as it is motorcycle related. If people can't stick to the subject at had, we'll just shut this one down.
My return-to-riding bike was a VT750 Shadow that had an OEM exhaust slightly modified to remove a baffle or two. It was noisy, in a V-twin kind of way and lots of bikers and enthusiasts would tell me how good it sounded. Over time I got embarrassed by it as I didn't really like drawing so much attention to myself. I also got sick of riding it as the noise of the exhaust got wearing after a time in the saddle.
I'm much happier with the stock CB1100 muffler (which I mostly can't hear) and have no intention of increasing the noise the bike makes.
I accept the adage that "loud pipes save lives" may have some truth in it, but it may also be a cute rationalisation for people who want their bike (or car for that matter) to make a lot of noise.
To each their own, but it isn't for me.
Loud pipes dont bother me. My Sportster was probably as loud as you could make one and my Nighthawk is probably as quiet as they get. I have been to both extremes. I do think there is something to be said about being heard before you are seen. I rode yesterday with a two guys and both of them had very loud exhausts. Didnt bother me in the least. One guy was on a 650 V star Yamaha and the other guy was on a custom chopper with a S & S 117 Cubic inch monster.
I am sure that the really loud motorcycles are probably illegal but in my area the law wont bother you as long as you are not cutting up or doing something stupid. I am going to leave my Nighthawk alone and leave it stock. My hearing is already starting to go on me and I figure its from riding loud motorcycles too much and from years of shooting too may guns.
To each his own. Its kinda like wearing a helmet. I was the only guy yesterday with a lid on but I like the fact that in Kentucky we have a choice even though I always wear one. I am not going to lecture anybody about it unless it was my kids of something like that.