Harley Davidson noise

[yeoman]

We live on a quiet cul-de-sac, or was quiet. Now we have two HD owners. Jeez, the noise. One has a modified straight-through exhaust that's so loud it actually makes the mirror in our bathroom vibrate, and if I'm on the phone or watching TV or just chatting inside the house I have to wait for this darn machine to go by. What to do, what to do? Apart from trying to hit back by doing some pressure washing outside their living room late at night, are there known remedies through law (Florida).

[AlphaDog]

Cities usually have some kind of ordinance regarding noise level. First you need to find out what it is, and what the maximum allowable is. Then the Harley noise, as heard from inside your house, needs to be measured. I did a Google search and found a discussion that gives a few pointers and also where to buy a device. The discussion isn't about Harleys, but you'll get the idea.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/arc...11877.html

[Mr645]

Most states have laws that require motorcycles and cars to have approved exhausts, which basically means anything aftermarket is illegal. Now enforcement is another issue. In California, every CHP Harley is illegal under their current laws. I would start by either asking him to do something about the exhaust sound, tell him it rattles your whole house.

Or, just call the police and file a complaint. They will go talk to him without saying why they were called out. Perhaps a few of your neighbors are also sick of the clatter.

[bazookaman]

no potatoes for you!

[ztirffritz]

I never understood the desire to make a $20k motorcycle sound like it is clinging to life.

[space-time]

also see some information in this older thread

http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,320055

it pisses me off when you have a baby that just fell asleep in the car and then a Motorcycle pulls next to you at the red light and wakes up the baby and the trouble starts all over again

[MacArtist]

Now if it was a sport bike; they would have them ticketed by now. For some reason, law enforcement is much more lenient towards Harley riders. Probably because there are judges, lawyers and fellow cops riding Harleys.

I thought it was always better to not be heard. That way you're not drawing all the attention to yourself.

[Mac1337]

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?

[Rick-o]

Stock HD exhaust is not a problem. It's the aftermarket crap that causes all the trouble. I'm "baffled" as to the riders motivation for disturbing the community with the excessive noise.

Better performance? Doubtful. Letting other drivers know where you are? Maybe, but an experienced rider shouldn't need a crutch like that.

Like MacArtist said, it's better to be not heard. I would also extend this idea over to any vehicle out on the road.

[wowzer]

MacArtist wrote:
Now if it was a sport bike; they would have them ticketed by now. For some reason, law enforcement is much more lenient towards Harley riders. Probably because there are judges, lawyers and fellow cops riding Harleys.

I thought it was always better to not be heard. That way you're not drawing all the attention to yourself.

My neighbor, who is a cop, rides a Harley. But his bike doesn't sound like a jackhammer. He's got an anniversary edition HD and it's not loud at all...at least compared with the motorcycles that I've seen.

BTW- I have a harley too...it's a 1971 HD Golf cart...does that count? ;-)