Why all the noise?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I have owned several metric bikes in the past and am now riding my second Harley. I never in 20 years ever had anyone ask me if I would start my metric bike so they could hear it run before they left.
It has happened countless times on both of my harleys in the last few years.
All that being said, you still did the right thing. It's your bike. Put the pipes on it that you want to hear, even if that is quieter ones. I got nothing against quiet bikes, as long as I don't have to ride them.
Dennis
It has happened countless times on both of my harleys in the last few years.
All that being said, you still did the right thing. It's your bike. Put the pipes on it that you want to hear, even if that is quieter ones. I got nothing against quiet bikes, as long as I don't have to ride them.
Dennis
Last edited by rochkes; Apr 7, 2009 at 12:38 PM. Reason: spelling
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
not EVERY harly is loud...... most folks I know have "quiet" bikes... but then they often ride for long distances. It's all about choice. When you buy a used bike, you get all of the previous owners choices.
YOU bought an ELEVEN year old bike with 18,000 miles on it. That tells you all you need to know about the choices made.
edited to add..... there are MANY reasons for such low miles, multiple bikes, sickness/death employment or the lack there of etc. I mean no disrespect to those who don't ride as often as other
YOU bought an ELEVEN year old bike with 18,000 miles on it. That tells you all you need to know about the choices made.
edited to add..... there are MANY reasons for such low miles, multiple bikes, sickness/death employment or the lack there of etc. I mean no disrespect to those who don't ride as often as other
Last edited by skootchnc; Apr 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, MA
Because I like to take my SO on nice, quiet rides in the country at modest speeds, that's why.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
oh lord....here we go
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
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, MA
May tell you, but it doen't tell me anything. My dealer is a friend and he didn't mention hyroglyphics requiring translation.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, MA
Nope, just too loud.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Melissa, TX
Don't twist throttle so much.
Go back to beemer boards.
Bingo..
Nice and quiet leisurely ride for you. Nice and quiet (beemer-rider-free) forums for us.
/shrug
I normally don't chime in on these types of threads, firmly believing that what a person rides is purely their decision. But coming here posing your question in the manner you did, demeaning the machine these forums are dedicated to all the while seemingly elevating your beloved beemer to some sort of god like status...come on?! What exactly did you expect here?
