11-24-2008, 12:41 AM
People who disapprove of SUVs, trucks, motorcycles always trot out that "extension" crap. It's a pinhead generalization.
That notwithstanding, standard HD exhaust is louder than a car and could still be very annoying to a few people, but by and large is fairly innocuous.
My Ducati 750 Sport had some beautiful Conti pipes that were louder than the GT, and had a deep rumble that would resonate all manner of interior glass and Hummels. In the early morning I'd walk it out onto the street, start it up, idle for about 30s, and ride off at just off idle where the offending resonant freqs diminished.
And once on the road, that Duc was one of the finest sounding twins anywhere. Loved it.
OPD is notorious for the loud exhaust. Most of them *know* that the "safety" aspect is BS, particularly at speed.
It is a "look at me" device, but less for individual ego and extensia (new word) and more as a warning.
As far as adding performance, optional pipes (available from HD as OEM police packages) absolutely add HP. Of course there is tuning involved. Just slapping on a set of pipes is not the key.
The HD motors used by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office are good for 85mph out of the box. Optional pipes improve that significantly, along with rejetting/remapping of the fuel system, and increasing the airflow into the bike.
The latter modifications are often invisible, and the general public then assumes that it's all about "extending". If that's the case, does that mean that all women who drive SUVs, trucks, and ride H-Ds are butch? People can jump to some silly-ass conclusions based on bias.
That notwithstanding, standard HD exhaust is louder than a car and could still be very annoying to a few people, but by and large is fairly innocuous.
My Ducati 750 Sport had some beautiful Conti pipes that were louder than the GT, and had a deep rumble that would resonate all manner of interior glass and Hummels. In the early morning I'd walk it out onto the street, start it up, idle for about 30s, and ride off at just off idle where the offending resonant freqs diminished.
And once on the road, that Duc was one of the finest sounding twins anywhere. Loved it.
OPD is notorious for the loud exhaust. Most of them *know* that the "safety" aspect is BS, particularly at speed.
It is a "look at me" device, but less for individual ego and extensia (new word) and more as a warning.
As far as adding performance, optional pipes (available from HD as OEM police packages) absolutely add HP. Of course there is tuning involved. Just slapping on a set of pipes is not the key.
The HD motors used by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office are good for 85mph out of the box. Optional pipes improve that significantly, along with rejetting/remapping of the fuel system, and increasing the airflow into the bike.
The latter modifications are often invisible, and the general public then assumes that it's all about "extending". If that's the case, does that mean that all women who drive SUVs, trucks, and ride H-Ds are butch? People can jump to some silly-ass conclusions based on bias.