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hikerjer 
Group: Members
Posts: 9144
Joined: Apr. 2002
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:08 pm |
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Now I realy haven't got anything against motorcycles in general, other than I consider them death machines, but that's an individual's choice I guess. However, this past summer, more than ever before, I've noticed that Harley-Davidson riders almost always have to have their machines be as noisy as possible. They seem to get an inordinate amount of pleasure out of opening up the pipes and making sure that everyone within 3 miles can hear them. I find this extremely annoying, egotistical, inconsiderate, and even painful on occasion. I've encountered numberous riders of BMWs and Hondas as well, but they generally seem to be much quiteter and considerate of others - not nearly as noisey. That may be a generalization, but it's been my expereince. So why do Harley owners think they have to annouce their presence with the god-awful noice that so often accompanies them? Just plain rude and a bit childish, IMO. Any insights? 
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"Too often I have met men who boast only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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| Post Number: 2
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spindle
Group: Members
Posts: 22197
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:13 pm |
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Safety. Even if you can't see them, you can hear them.
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| Post Number: 3
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desert dweller
Greetings
Group: Members
Posts: 8864
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:20 pm |
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Some folks just need attention.
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Seek Higher Ground
Can you feel the silence
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| Post Number: 5
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spindle
Group: Members
Posts: 22197
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:22 pm |
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Where I live it's the 20's somethings on the crotch-rockets who die. Mostly due to their own stupidity and because motorists don't pay enough attention to their surroundings.
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| Post Number: 6
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
Posts: 1728
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:22 pm |
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Hikejer, I've noticed that too. Plus I always get a kick that they have to wear Harley clothing, yet you never see a Honda or BMW rider with their logo all on their clothes or a Jeep or Ford guy having to wear their logos whenever they set foot in a Jeep or Ford.
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| Post Number: 7
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MsDoolittle
Don't mess with a girl and her shovel
Group: Members
Posts: 13316
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:29 pm |
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Jer, I agree. I really dislike the pipes on Harleys. I don't buy the whole safety thing, either, as most of the Harley riders I see aren't even in the appropriate gear (no helmet, jeans, t-shirts). Don't even get me started on their passengers, also not in appropriate gear.
There is nothing between the rider and passenger and the ground. It sucks when that goes wrong with the gear.
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| Post Number: 8
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Marmotstew
Group: Members
Posts: 8703
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 12:54 pm |
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Well, you know what they say about guys with a small exhaust pipe?
I think it is a safety thing to an extent. But I believe from read the Google most fatals in CO for example are a result of one or more of: DWI, excess speed(specially on turns)no helmet, cagers fault. I don't think big fat Harley guy with laud exhaust was in the stats.
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I'd rather be Facebooking watching videos of cats licking themselves
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| Post Number: 9
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RumiDude
Group: Members
Posts: 13650
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 1:08 pm |
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Although I do not own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, I owned a few in my 20s. This was back before Harleys became popular for doctors, lawyers, and others to own. Back then Harleys were considered schooters outlaw riders rode.
Part of the appeal of a Harley is the sound of the engine. I had a '49 panhead that could talk. Even among my fellow hog riders, that scooter was known for its exceptional sound. Of course it had custom pipes on it, *bigobnoxiousharleysoundgrins* On most new Harleys, almost the very first custom modification is to replace the exhaust to something louder. Of course just like in hotrod cars, a wide open exhaust system generally allows for more power/speed.
Anyway, none of this has to make sense except to the owner. I doubt most of the owners are trying to be rude. And as far as childishness goes, well we are all a bit guilty of that in varying degrees.
Rumi
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“This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.”
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| Post Number: 11
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RumiDude
Group: Members
Posts: 13650
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 1:38 pm |
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(hikerjer @ Nov. 12 2012, 10:34 am)
QUOTE
(RumiDude @ Nov. 12 2012, 1:08 pm)
QUOTE I doubt most of the owners are trying to be rude. And as far as childishness goes, well we are all a bit guilty of that in varying degrees.
Rumi That may be well and good, but when their childishness, lack of conderation and rudeness, intended or not, impose on my space, they cross the line of being responsible.
On the scale of rudeness and childishness, Harley noise ranks relatively low, IMO.
Rumi
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“This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.”
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| Post Number: 12
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eyebp
Moderator
Group: Members
Posts: 9628
Joined: Dec. 2007
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 1:40 pm |
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This screams "Get off my lawn"
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Of all the ridiculous things to micromanage. Even for a lunatic megalomaniac.
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| Post Number: 13
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City Man
Group: Members
Posts: 6490
Joined: Dec. 2007
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 1:45 pm |
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I have owned many kinds of motorcycles during my short life so far. I have ridden my motorcycles across the Americas, I do not know, at least ten times so far. I have even had the fun and privilege of ridding across Europe. Yes I hate to admit it but I have owned some loud machines, a couple I even made into loud, rude little machines. The argument of loud pipes for safety is used, but in truth knowing physics and how the Doppler effect works most people know that loud pipes do not save lives, nor does it work in the intended purpose. As RumiDude has mentioned, there is just something about the sound of the V twin engine that touches the inner core of someone’s soul. Then of course it is just an exaggerated inflammation of the inner ego thinking for some reason or another you are just a little more of a man if you have loud pipes.
On the safety, well I did let my motorcycle take a little nap on the road on the way back from PG, luckily no damage to the motorcycle and I was barely bleeding. Sorry I thought about taking a picture after someone stopped and helped me pick the bike up off of the pavement. I think for some of us the inherent risk factor is part of the reason we love to ride our motorcycle so much. When I used to ride with a lot of other people there was not a year that would go by without me attending a friend’s funeral. Not that I have or most people have a death wish, but sad to say some of us fools need that feeling of almost dying in order to truly appreciate that we are alive from time to time.
I no longer have loud pipes, do not care for them, just do not want to offend others and all.
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It never hurts to do good – Eek the Cat
The quest for adventure is a never ending pursuit, an all consuming way to live life, it is a deep feeling that will never go away, embrace that feeling and have fun with your adventures.
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| Post Number: 14
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SnidelyWhiplash
Group: Members
Posts: 522
Joined: Jul. 2012
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 1:49 pm |
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I don't mind an after market exhaust that is reasonable, let's say not louder than an 18 wheeler. I have a problem when a bike with short pipes wakes sleeping babies and sets off car alarms.
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| Post Number: 15
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
Posts: 9874
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 2:20 pm |
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(RumiDude @ Nov. 12 2012, 10:38 am)
QUOTE
(hikerjer @ Nov. 12 2012, 10:34 am)
QUOTE
(RumiDude @ Nov. 12 2012, 1:08 pm)
QUOTE I doubt most of the owners are trying to be rude. And as far as childishness goes, well we are all a bit guilty of that in varying degrees.
Rumi That may be well and good, but when their childishness, lack of conderation and rudeness, intended or not, impose on my space, they cross the line of being responsible. On the scale of rudeness and childishness, Harley noise ranks relatively low, IMO. Rumi
Except--and I suspect after his recent trip that this is where Jer is coming from--that when those loud motos go past a REAL bike, it's seriously damaging to the hearing of the poor soul. I've also been badly startled by loud bikes suddenly coming on me (not sure how they do that--if curves in the roads/mountains muffle it, or if they suddenly accelerate or what). A couple of times it's nearly made me lose control of my bike.
Plus--loud, fast bikers always seem to leave about the same space for a bicycle as, say, an SUV or even (worst offenders in my experience) a very expensive sports car. You'd think they'd have a little empathy for other vulnerable folks, but no.
P.S. in our family, we refer to them as loud, farting motorcycles. Not sure that's the desired image, but maybe?
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
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tarol
Well I never!
Group: Members
Posts: 10300
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 5:01 pm |
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I hate loud vehicles of any kind - especially in the woods or in a campground 
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Got elevation? www.tarol.com
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| Post Number: 20
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theo
Error 420
Group: Members
Posts: 1229
Joined: Feb. 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 5:02 pm |
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It's all part of the aura of a Harley. Same with hot rods and muscle cars.
Besides, if it's too loud, you're too old.  
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WBrim
Group: Members
Posts: 240
Joined: Feb. 2011
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 6:19 pm |
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I hate it the most when your stuck at the light and they need to keep reving the engine "Hey look at me the dinglberry in need of attention, aren't I cool". Around here a lot (most) of them run straight pipes and don't have to worry about getting a ticket because so many cops have Harleys. Don't get me started on when they take over a town on their pilgrimages to Harley factory towns in Wisconsin.
I hear the Harley museum in Miwaukee is pretty cool and thats from a person I know that wants nothing to do with motorcycles but went there anyways with her boyfriend. I used to ride a lot but prefer bicycles now to motorcycles, it must be old age and a preference for quiet.
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| Post Number: 26
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HighGravity
Group: Members
Posts: 2346
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 6:40 pm |
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(smokehiker @ Nov. 12 2012, 6:00 pm)
QUOTE
(desert dweller @ Nov. 12 2012, 12:20 pm)
QUOTE Some folks just need attention. And some folks (Harley Riders) really don't care what others may think.
That's the problem.
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| Post Number: 27
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
Posts: 9874
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 6:42 pm |
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(theo @ Nov. 12 2012, 2:36 pm)
QUOTE
(RebeccaD @ Nov. 12 2012, 4:22 pm)
QUOTE
(theo @ Nov. 12 2012, 2:02 pm)
QUOTE It's all part of the aura of a Harley. Same with hot rods and muscle cars. Besides, if it's too loud, you're too old. Oh, hell, I know I'm old. So turn down the {}#^{} "music," you punk! Sheesh!! What a grump butt. I suppose you want me to get off your lawn, too.
Yeah!
Wait, I forgot. I don't have a lawn.
Get out of my ceanothus!
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
The Ninja Librarian Blog
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Woodswoman
Group: Members
Posts: 6440
Joined: Aug. 2002
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 7:01 pm |
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Yeah, the noise is loud, and like most of you, I don't like the loudness.
I will say about the only time I enjoy it is when I see the Harley folks riding through town doing their Toys for Tots ride. Now that's a fun sight to see, noise and all 
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"Ah, Colorado: the one place in America where people wake up earlier on weekends than workdays."
~Mark Obmascik
"In the high country that we love, trails are steep.
We climb each mile, breath by breath,
and at the threshold of pain, bliss overtakes us.
~Michael Hannon"
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| Post Number: 30
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TDale
Group: Members
Posts: 13156
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 7:54 pm |
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You never heard my trail bikes. 
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"Sure as I know anything, I know this - they will try again...They'll swing back to the belief that they can make people... better. And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave."
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