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[JasonDeezy]

Yesterday (Saturday, May 30th) the San Francisco Police Department started a crackdown on loud motorcycles. So far it's limited to 3 districts in the city (Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach and the Marina District) but it will be citywide by summertime. Any motorcycle that's louder than 95dbs will be cited with a $25.00 fine. Personally, I'm not bothered by loud bikes. I've lived on a main street in the City for all my life and I guess that I'm just used to it. The only time it ever "bothered" me was when my youngest daughter was still a newborn and bikes would go by at 3 in the morning waking her up.

I still find myself running to the window when I hear a Harley rumbling by so I can get a look. I'm one of those that like my bikes loud and I use it to make sure that others know I'm close by. Lane splitting is legal in Cali and I do it often in stalled traffic on the freeways. A rev here and there let's them know that you're coming and to make space.

My 2001 Fat Boy has a Thunderheader on it and it is obnoxiously LOUD! When I ride that bike I turn into a real A$$ with the throttle. Can't help it, that's the sounds that I grew up hearing and loving.

So what's everyone else's take on this subject? Two sides to every coin. Let's hear 'em...

[dartman]

My 2001 Fat Boy has a Thunderheader on it and it is obnoxiously LOUD! When I ride that bike I turn into a real A$$ with the throttle. Can't help it, that's the sounds that I grew up hearing and loving.

Wow JD sounds like you might have single handedly caused the crackdown I was at a coffee shop with outdoor seating,  a shovel head with a Thunder Header was parked at the curb backed in, when the rider cranked it up prior to pulling out he almost blew the table cloths off  the front tables and covered everybody with dust, there were probably 40 people who at that moment would have voted for noise enforcement, I like a good sounding exhaust also, but lack of discretion is what is causing this enforcement epidemic that is spreading.

[Mrs Rooster]

 Terry has barked his more then once when someone was starting to come over. That always gets there attention, and since we have there attention I let them know they are #1, that is my job.

The wide glide has a thunderheader on it. I like it, harley's need to have "the" sound.IMHO

[moscooter]

 
"My 2001 Fat Boy has a Thunderheader on it and it is obnoxiously LOUD! When I ride that bike I turn into a real A$$ with the throttle. Can't help it, that's the sounds that I grew up hearing and loving."

 

Looks to me like you have answered your own question.....      There is the sweet sound of an old BSA or Triumph and of course Harleys too,  but it's ONLY that way when there is some degree of baffling involved that keeps that sound reasonable.  Straight pipes (drag pipes) and those with too little baffle left to do the job,  can lead to a bike being what some might say is.........

Obnoxiously LOUD......and sometimes causing the rider to turn into a real A$$

Gee,  that's exactly what we all need and why I can't ride into Myrtle Beach anymore..........

[CBGUNS]

Just another way for citys to make $$$$
 

[Crusty]

As with most things, "everything in moderation" applies here. Sure your loud pipes may get you attention on the open road... great if you never ride anywhere else... but when you've got windows shaking for 6 square blocks everytime you ride through town, or you are setting off car alarms and waking people up when you roll though a neighborhood at night, you aren't doing anything more than pissing people off and giving ALL riders a bad name.

I'm all for a cool sounding bike... but at some point common sense has to come into play. When laws are passed that restict all our rights... then that probably oughta tell you something.

But them I am just a rookie HD rider, so what do I know... lol

[grc]

I have yet to figure out how we can scientifically determine if loud pipes save lives.  What do we do, equip 1000 folks with quiet bikes and 1000 folks with loud bikes, turn them loose in rush hour traffic, and then count how many make it to the other side of town in one piece?

My opinion is that defensive riding, high visibility, and good safety equipment saves lives.  Excessively loud pipes mostly just piss people off and make new enemies for bikers.  It's possible to ride with reasonably loud pipes and not alienate every non-deaf person and animal in a two mile radius, but all too often folks rev their bikes just to get attention or prove how macho they are (shame that juvenile behavior isn't limited to juveniles).  As for loud pipes keeping folks in cages from moving over into your lane or pulling out in front of you, unless they are driving with their windows open and the stereo off, I don't buy that one at all.  And if you've got time to rev your engine to warn a cager, I bet you also have enough time to hit the horn button.  Folks need to quit using that loud pipes saves lives BS excuse and just admit they like making noise and being the center of attention.  We've all been there at one time or another, but it's time to let the brain rule, not the hormones, before we get legislated out of existence or fined into poverty.

Jerry

[JasonDeezy]

You know the O.P.D. (Oakland, Calif. Police Department) went back to louder pipes last June because they felt that their Harleys were too quiet to be safe around drivers. Just do a google search under "oakland police harley loud" and you'll probably find something related to this...

[FLHRSE3]

Unequivocally yes, I do most of my riding on rural roads where the deer will be right in front of you running full stride quicker than you can blink.  They do not like loud pipes and will usually head for cover when they hear you coming.  I have witnessed this many times when I’m fortunate enough to see them prior to them becoming an obstacle, a quick blip on the throttle will send them scrambling.

Gregg

[FLSTFI Dave]

Folks need to quit using that loud pipes saves lives BS excuse and just admit they like making noise and being the center of attention.  We've all been there at one time or another, but it's time to let the brain rule, not the hormones, before we get legislated out of existence or fined into poverty.

Jerry

Bet that is the same reason many buy CVO bikes

Yep, I like to be center of attention, thats why special paint on my Fatboy, and a lot of why I have a SERG instead of a RG

My fatboy is pretty loud with Big Shot longs on it and 10.5:1 compression.  But I usually short shift it late at night, in town and such.

My SERG is pretty mellow unless you crack it hard

[CVOMOE!!]

For what it's worth GRC hit the nail on the head.  If you think loud pipes will save you, you're gonna be in a whole lotta hurt someday.

Cheers, Moe

[VaEagle]

As someone who has owned both a quiet dark colored bike and a loud brightly colored bike I have a few observations from about 35 years of street riding......
First as others have said, Defensive Driving  and safe riding practices are your best defenses from distracted or bad drivers of all types.
Yet anything you can do to increase your presence on the road can only help increase others awareness of your location.
Years ago I rode a Goldwing that was very dark blue in color and had stock exhaust. It seemed easy to ignore on the road by others and I quickly learned to ride like others didn't know I was there. I did have several incidences where cars came over into my lane but due to defensive driving on my part (and maybe some luck) I avoided wrecking.
I carried this riding style into my Harley riding and just don't assume they can now see and hear me.
I did notice when I started riding my bright red Harley Fatboy with loud exhaust that other drivers seemed to notice my presence and no one has attempted to change lanes into me. I also used a Mini Beast airhorn on my Fatboy and now on my FLHTCUSE to warn drivers at times so there is no doubt that I am on the road.
At highway speeds we have to realize that the noise from our exhausts and even horns are behind us ,especially at over 60mph so the sound isn't a big factor in that case for safety.
I do like the Harley potato-potato rumble but do feel that those who act juvenile by revving just to make people notice them at inappropriate times or places will bring the anti-noise folks against us and in turn many people who may not have an opinion one way or the other about bikes will develop a negative opinion and vote against us since all they remember are"those aggravating noisy bikes."