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Message started by Keith_T on 05/17/08 at 20:20:55

Title: Compliment or insult?
Post by Keith_T on 05/17/08 at 20:20:55

Today I parked on the street near a hardware store. In front of me there was an older Jaguar sedan parked. A middle aged couple came out and headed toward the car. The man said to me "that is what a bike should sound like". My exhaust is stock. At first I thought he was talking about the thumper idle, but then I realized he was talking about how quiet the bike was! I'll have to go find me a Harley muffler now. ;)

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/17/08 at 20:23:25

I had people comment, positively, on the stock, whispering sewing machine sound. It still backfired some & I liked that. Now, with the supertrapp, it rumbles & spits. I like it more than stock, by far.

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by T Mack 1 on 05/18/08 at 08:24:03

What made me convert was the "it sounds like an old VW bug". Then at the stealership during the annual safety inspection, I heard my bike startup in the shop, from all the way out on the retail floor (the shop door was open). That VW whistle......

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by Cornerstore3000 on 05/18/08 at 09:34:30

I haven't gotten around to putting my screamin eagle pipe on yet, but I did drill 3 decently good sized holes into the end of the muffler and that really changed the sound and let a lot more flow out. Now it sounds awesome on deceleration. My Dad put his screamin eagle pipe on and HOLY crap its so freaking loud that its hard to be around. He jammed a bunch of baffling up in there to make it a little more quiet. It worked but now I doubt he gets much over stock performance out of it. He quieted it WAY down, I'm not going to do that near as much. Loud pipes save lives, and I've seen it first hand do just that.

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by photojoe on 05/18/08 at 10:23:02

Probably not the smartest thing to do, but when I'm in a situation that calls for me to hit the horn, I hit the brakes/clutch and open the throttle. It's kind of a natural reaction. The Trapp get's their attention a lot more than the stock horn does.

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by rpgpgmr on 05/18/08 at 11:21:11

I had mixed comments when my pipes were stock. People appreciated the quietness, but other bikers said it wasn't safe to have a motorcycle so quiet. They said it's bad enough that people can't see us, but at least with a loud pipe they can hear you. I completely agreed with them and that's why I put on an aftermarket pipe. It's not loud in lower gear/rpm, but when I open it up I'll draw attention. I didn't want a REALLY loud pipe because I think that's excessive on a person's hearing ... especially the rider!

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by Jay on 05/18/08 at 17:24:21

I'm not so sure 'bout the "loud pipes save lives" thing anymore. People tend to tune everything out. Besides, with the radio up full blast til their windows vibrate, or an ipod or cell phone in there ear, cagers just don't hear anything. I've seen 'em oblivious (or just not give a care) with an ambulance on their butt, sirens screamin, toting the airhorn, and still not pull over. Eyes and keeping enough distance for adequate reaction time saves lives. Assuming they'll hear you is false security. Ride safe.

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by Robertomoe on 05/18/08 at 19:44:19

I dont know how much they actually save lives, but from a logical standpoint you can't deny the claim that something that makes more noise will get more attention than something that makes less. Look at the Prius controversy...those things are so quiet at certain speeds that the Blind community is pushing for noisemakers and just the other week some kid got injured when he got hit by a Prius he didn't see.

quiet bikes have almost no exhaust sounds when they approach from behind. I've driven cars in LA and been stuck on the freeway. When lanesplitting past you, you can hear a harley a car or two back. You notice crotch rocket abouts a quarter of a second after you hear "vwwoomm" go by your window, ten inches from your head. (Common reaction is usually a :o and some choice words)

PS- low frequency sounds travel farther than high ones.

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by Chopped on 05/19/08 at 05:43:19

I still love my aftermarket homemade straight pipe... all 8" of it! Loud as nuts!

Title: Re: Compliment or insult?
Post by drharveys on 05/19/08 at 08:32:06

"Loud Pipes Annoy Registered Voters"

I'll stick to a viz-vest to get noticed. Then ride like I'm invisible.

I want my bike quiet enough to avoid complaints from the neighbors when I head out (or return) in the wee dark hours.

I want to preserve what is left of my hearing.

But I also want it to sound like a motorcycle when I crank open the throttle! ;D