Is Blasting Music on Your Harley Bad Form?

By Brett Foote - July 25, 2018

Does cranking up the tunes on your Harley make you a public nemesis or just a cool rebel? Our members debate this hot topic.

Throughout the course of history, we’ve been taught that loud music is for rebellious teens. And we’ve all done it, cruising down the road with windows down and tunes cranked to 11. Heck, some of us even have a memorable noise violation ticket to show for it. But then we got older, and the volume steadily decreased. Or did it? Apparently, quite a few Harley guys still like to crank it up in public. And in this recent thread, that very topic ignited a hot debate over whether it’s cool or just plain bad form.

“Riding in Southern Wisconsin the past few days and got gas at a local station,” posted F150HD. “Pulled off to the side of the parking lot in some shade, went inside to use the restroom, then returned to my bike. As I left the gas station, I suddenly heard Elton Johns “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” playing. I initially thought it was the gas station playing music. But as I walked to my bike I saw that some guy on an Ultra (older guy, scraggly beard, cargo shorts, kinda had a Jimmy Buffet outfit on) was the one blaring the song from his bike. His bike wasn’t running, it was off as he fueled up.

Wouldn’t have thought much of it, but it was REALLY LOUD. I was 20 yards away and it was loud. It was kinda peculiar as he didn’t turn it off. It got even weirder when he was done fueling and was about to head in to pay, he actually turned it up LOUDER, then went inside to pay for gas. So he is inside the store and his bike is blaring this song. Does this seem peculiar to anyone?”

Clearly, our Margaritaville-loving Harley Ultra rider is a big fan of Sir Elton. But most H-D Forums members that chime in aren’t fans of this type of obnoxious behavior, musical tastes aside.

“Some people are self-centered and inconsiderate,” said RK4ME. “You encountered one of those people. Be thankful that you can just get on your bike and ride away from him.”

“I’m always amazed at the guys that pull in with their radio blaring obnoxiously,” added Jed Clampett. “If it’s not the radio, then they are racking off the pipes.”

Most of us enjoy music, obviously. But when BluesCast is out riding, he prefers his soundtrack to be of the twin-cylinder variety.

“Don’t feel bad OP, I still can’t reconcile why anyone would want a stereo on their motorcycle in the first place. Man I miss the 1970’s.”

Clearly, plenty of folks have strong opinions on the topic of blaring Harley stereo systems. Be sure and check out the entire thread, along with all of the many entertaining and enlightening comments, by heading over here!