Harley Davidson noise

[davester]

The reason for those aftermarket exhausts is exactly the same as for those booming bass boxes that rattle the trunks of cars. It's all about "Look at me, look at me, look at me!" (i.e. look at me being obnoxious).

[Seacrest]

The Oakland PD actually deliberated buying aftermarket pipes for their HD-riding cops, because the cops said it would make them safer out on the mean Oaktown streets. I, for one, have never bought the "loud pipes save lives" mantra, but what do I know?

[Robert M]

Rick-O,

Even the most experienced rider in the world can be injured or worse killed by a driver who is unaware of him/her. So, what you consider an unnecessary crutch is actually a useful safety tool when used in a responsible manner. Responsible manner are the operative words. Exhaust systems so loud they rattle items on the wall of a house take useful safety tool and turn it into an unnecessary annoyance.

Robert

[space-time]

Dakota wrote:
I ride. My neighbor's exposure to my bike's noise is fleeting. I do not let it sit there to idle, or gun it in the driveway or go up and down the street full throttle. I do not ride to it work or if I do it is not at 5am. Can you explain your situation?

that's because you are civilized and responsible person, but not everyone is like you. Unfortunately.

[BigGuynRusty]

Robert M wrote:
Rick-O,

Even the most experienced rider in the world can be injured or worse killed by a driver who is unaware of him/her. So, what you consider an unnecessary crutch is actually a useful safety tool when used in a responsible manner].

Robert

I hear this line of BS all the time.
Safety Tool?!?!
LOL!!!

BGnR

[Yoyodyne ArtWorks]

davester wrote:
The reason for those aftermarket exhausts is exactly the same as for those booming bass boxes that rattle the trunks of cars. It's all about "Look at me, look at me, look at me!" (i.e. look at me being obnoxious).

Bingo!

[simonm]

Yoyodyne ArtWorks wrote:
[quote=davester]
The reason for those aftermarket exhausts is exactly the same as for those booming bass boxes that rattle the trunks of cars. It's all about "Look at me, look at me, look at me!" (i.e. look at me being obnoxious).

Bingo!
My wife refers to this type of stuff as a dick extension ...

There has to be some sort of noise regulation that you can use in this case. Here in Germany all vehicles have to go through a road test. If they are modified, they need yet another test which has to be written into the vehicle's documents. That said, I think Harley riders get away with more noise here too than other would be allowed to get away with.

[Wags]

Try talking to them first, maybe there's some sort of accommodation you can reach without bringing in the authorities. Its a drag to have bad blood with the neighbors regardless of who's at fault. If that doesn't work there's probably some agency in the city that will mediate the dispute. Escalate your response a little at a time, but talk to the riders first. Best not to call the police first thing for a relatively minor issue - at least that's probably how the police will see it. You never know when you need the police for something serious.

[Grateful11]

That's one nice thing about winter in my 'hood , there's a 1/4 mile
straight stretch in front of our home and in the summer they really like
open them up. They're just compensating for small personal body pipes.

[Rick-o]

Robert M wrote:
Rick-O,

Even the most experienced rider in the world can be injured or worse killed by a driver who is unaware of him/her. So, what you consider an unnecessary crutch is actually a useful safety tool when used in a responsible manner. Responsible manner are the operative words. Exhaust systems so loud they rattle items on the wall of a house take useful safety tool and turn it into an unnecessary annoyance.

Robert

Robert, I agree with you that it is indeed dangerous riding in heavy traffic, however, the first rule of riding is to maintain your distance from other vehicles if possible. A stock exhaust can be just as effective if you pull in the clutch and rap the throttle if the occasion arises! No real reason to get some of those cool sounding aftermarket racing exhaust pipes.