Why all the noise?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
You're question had a simple answer, stock mufflers will give you what you want. The problem is you started giving all the negatives with a Harley while touting the fact that you own 3 Beemers and how nimble they are. You did wrong asking a legit question while at the same time being putting down the main bike on this forum. So, even though you got some good thoughtful responses, you deserved to get flamed by those that did. I can be a redneck or a gentleman, depending on what is called for. But, You come off as a arrogant person and no one likes that or probably you right now. I think you'd be much happier and accepted on the BMW forum. JMO.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From:
Well your first problem was your phrasing of the question. Like I said in my previous post you really were coming off as an a-hole. Like I said before. I really don't care what you ride. If you want honest answers to your questions be clear on what you are asking. Ears ringing for 1/2 an hour after you ride could be a good thing to mention. You could also try to back off on the judging of what other people do with their bikes. What is loud to me might not be to you and vice-versa. If you want an honest answer I will give you one. If you would like to hear what different pipes sound like before you purchase a set of pipes you tube is a good place to start. Put in the type of pipe you are thinking of buying and you will find many videos with sound. Might be a good starting point. One other point I want to add is that in your first post you did not ask for any suggestion for a different pipe or for a suggestion of a pipe louder than stock but quieter than screamin eagle. You just made a general statement of why so loud, noise doesn't justify power ect ect.
Last edited by parrothead306; Apr 8, 2009 at 12:35 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Iron Mountain, Michigan, da U.P., eh?
[QUOTE=ezriderpgh;4829929] I live for me and let them live for themselves. Quite frankly, I don't give a sh*t what anyone thinks about me or my bike, it's me and makes me happy and I am all that matters to me.QUOTE]
WOW. I'm a happy rider of an FLHTCUSE not to mention a HOG member but this thread is so ugly I have a hard time believing it. Are we all so thin skinned as this? Sheesh. Get a life boys. Fer' cryin' out loud did it never occur to anyone here that loud pipes are obnoxious to other people? Is it so necessary to have everyone who dares to be outside within a couple of miles of you notice when you ride by? This post from ezriderpgh is so amazing I can't really add to it, and yet it seems to capture the thread in its essence. "I am all that matters to me..." WOW boys. This is one butt-ugly thread. I'm sure you are all going to flame away at me, so have at 'er. Kick my cyber *** from here to Pittsburgh tough guys, but I'm embarrassed by this thread.
WOW. I'm a happy rider of an FLHTCUSE not to mention a HOG member but this thread is so ugly I have a hard time believing it. Are we all so thin skinned as this? Sheesh. Get a life boys. Fer' cryin' out loud did it never occur to anyone here that loud pipes are obnoxious to other people? Is it so necessary to have everyone who dares to be outside within a couple of miles of you notice when you ride by? This post from ezriderpgh is so amazing I can't really add to it, and yet it seems to capture the thread in its essence. "I am all that matters to me..." WOW boys. This is one butt-ugly thread. I'm sure you are all going to flame away at me, so have at 'er. Kick my cyber *** from here to Pittsburgh tough guys, but I'm embarrassed by this thread.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
With all this in mind, I'm very satisfied with my choice of the Screamin' Eagle Street Performance touring slip-on mufflers. They are a bit louder than the stock mufflers, have a deeper, more authoritative tone, aren't TOO loud and are 49-state legal. They do respectably well on the dyno and, in my opinion, they also look great too with their large 4" diameter chrome bodies. Their two-piece design allows you to select from a number of different tips. For the classic look I was after, I chose fishtails.
Last edited by XTrooper3936; Apr 8, 2009 at 05:34 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: U.S.S.A.
I must say that when I read, and then re-read, the original poster's message I was stymied. I tossed and turned all night locked in a tedious argument of insidious intent -- why? WHY? Why all the NOISE?
Through the morass of millions of motorcycle messages, this 2-Harley, 3-Bimmer owning prophet has shown a light -- focused like a laser beam -- on an issue that every Harley owner needs to confront. He has exposed us and there is no turning back. I too am going to contact my trusty dealer and have him pick up my bike (I can't even look at it anymore) and have him swap out the exhaust for stock. Then I'm jumping on my Segway (gosh, I wonder if that's too loud) and jetting over to the Hallmark store to buy a thousand of the most maudlin apology cards they have. I'll deliver those to all the neighbors I've alienated over the years. Already my heart is lighter.
Thank you, anonymous guru from Pittsville. I look forward to your next epiphany -- perhaps, "Why all the chrome?" or "Why all the skulls?" or even "Why all the scantily clad women?".
In the age of Obama, individuality is passé -- celebrate sameness!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
Go Back to Beemer Land
I recently bought an immaculate 1997 FLHTCUI with 18K, thousands in chrome and a good service record.
I love this bike, except for one thing: the exhaust system would raise the dead. It is some aftermarket brand and not a straight-through, baffleless design but still makes - for me - an outrageous amount of noise. I need to wear earplugs whenever I ride it. As I write this, my dealer is swapping those pipes out for stock.
My question is, it appears to be a regular practice of H-D owners to swap out stock pipes for even louder aftermarket, or Screamin' Eagle pipes. My '04 Sprortster was the same way.
My question is "why?" I don't think the answer is a simple "different strokes" or "individuality." Not even getting into the "loud pipes save lives" (for which no evidence exists), these noisemakers alienate non-riding neighbors of mine and yours and seem to do nothing for performance.
I bought my Ultra-Classic for comfort and touring. I ride 25,000 miles a year. I also own 3 late-model BMWs. I am accustomed to power, speed and nimble handling. An FLHTCUI, no matter what year, has none of these. It is what it is, and I like it for what it is, but nothing I'm going to do is going to make an 800 pound bike fast. My R1200S is a 1200cc opposed twin (I love twins, hence the Harley) and it has more torque and hp than an FLHTCUI in a 450 pound body - with 1/3 the noise!
Getting back to my question: why the noise? The power doesn't come close to justifying the racket.
Thanks,
Curt
I love this bike, except for one thing: the exhaust system would raise the dead. It is some aftermarket brand and not a straight-through, baffleless design but still makes - for me - an outrageous amount of noise. I need to wear earplugs whenever I ride it. As I write this, my dealer is swapping those pipes out for stock.
My question is, it appears to be a regular practice of H-D owners to swap out stock pipes for even louder aftermarket, or Screamin' Eagle pipes. My '04 Sprortster was the same way.
My question is "why?" I don't think the answer is a simple "different strokes" or "individuality." Not even getting into the "loud pipes save lives" (for which no evidence exists), these noisemakers alienate non-riding neighbors of mine and yours and seem to do nothing for performance.
I bought my Ultra-Classic for comfort and touring. I ride 25,000 miles a year. I also own 3 late-model BMWs. I am accustomed to power, speed and nimble handling. An FLHTCUI, no matter what year, has none of these. It is what it is, and I like it for what it is, but nothing I'm going to do is going to make an 800 pound bike fast. My R1200S is a 1200cc opposed twin (I love twins, hence the Harley) and it has more torque and hp than an FLHTCUI in a 450 pound body - with 1/3 the noise!
Getting back to my question: why the noise? The power doesn't come close to justifying the racket.
Thanks,
Curt
Now go back to Beemer land where you'll be happy. Don't forget to wear a tie, like this guy at AJ's BMW out in western Ma. He was scary.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
Can we have pics
I must say that when I read, and then re-read, the original poster's message I was stymied. I tossed and turned all night locked in a tedious argument of insidious intent -- why? WHY? Why all the NOISE?
Through the morass of millions of motorcycle messages, this 2-Harley, 3-Bimmer owning prophet has shown a light -- focused like a laser beam -- on an issue that every Harley owner needs to confront. He has exposed us and there is no turning back. I too am going to contact my trusty dealer and have him pick up my bike (I can't even look at it anymore) and have him swap out the exhaust for stock. Then I'm jumping on my Segway (gosh, I wonder if that's too loud) and jetting over to the Hallmark store to buy a thousand of the most maudlin apology cards they have. I'll deliver those to all the neighbors I've alienated over the years. Already my heart is lighter.
Thank you, anonymous guru from Pittsville. I look forward to your next epiphany -- perhaps, "Why all the chrome?" or "Why all the skulls?" or even "Why all the scantily clad women?".
In the age of Obama, individuality is passé -- celebrate sameness!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, MA
Thanks, XTrooper. That's a second for the SE. Beautiful bike, too.
Curt
Curt
Well, I'm damn near deaf already, so I can't afford to lose any more of my diminished ability to hear. I also want to be able to hear my stereo without it being drowned out by exhaust noise, and I want my wife and I to be able to speak to each other while touring without having to scream to be heard.
With all this in mind, I'm very satisfied with my choice of the Screamin' Eagle Street Performance touring slip-on mufflers. They are a bit louder than the stock mufflers, have a deeper, more authoritative tone, aren't TOO loud and are 49-state legal. They do respectably well on the dyno and, in my opinion, they also look great too with their large 4" diameter chrome bodies. Their two-piece design allows you to select from a number of different tips. For the classic look I was after, I chose fishtails.
With all this in mind, I'm very satisfied with my choice of the Screamin' Eagle Street Performance touring slip-on mufflers. They are a bit louder than the stock mufflers, have a deeper, more authoritative tone, aren't TOO loud and are 49-state legal. They do respectably well on the dyno and, in my opinion, they also look great too with their large 4" diameter chrome bodies. Their two-piece design allows you to select from a number of different tips. For the classic look I was after, I chose fishtails.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, MA
That guy scares me, too. I don't wear a tie. I'm happy to have bought a poser bike, because it's like new. I will probably put 10,000 miles on the bike this year and another 15 on my other bikes. I will buy poser bikes any day of the week. Just because they didn't ride doesn't mean I don't...as anyone around me knows.