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? for Harley riders...

fivefivesixfivefivesix Member Posts: 342 ✭✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
The ROT (Republic of Texas) rally is in town right now, so I get to listen to the bikes go down 6th street while I'm at work. I don't ride a bike, I know a few people that do, but I have to ask. When you take off from a stop and go roaring down the street, how loud is it for the person on the bike? Do some riders wear earplugs? A nice Harley exhaust tone is one of the best sounds in the world for my money, but some of these bikes are just super crazy loud! How are these riders not deaf?
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Comments

  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Huh??? I can't hear you[:o)]
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  • GotteskriegerGotteskrieger Member Posts: 3,170 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I rode harleys for years and i absolutly hate the racket!!! I wish the cops would come down hard on them.
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  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They sell ear plugs in every HD shop. Mine is not loud enough that I need plugs.

    I know about the Ear plugs cause one day I pulled the Baffles out of mine just to see what I sounded like on a longer run. After Losing power and Losing the hearing in my right ear for a week. The Baffles went back in.

    Now run what they call big city Thunder baffles Louder than stock but a lot Quiter than open baffles.
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  • fivefivesixfivefivesix Member Posts: 342 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Gotteskrieger
    I rode harleys for years and i absolutly hate the racket!!! I wish the cops would come down hard on them.

    My dad is the same way. Every time one zooms past he talks about how he wishes there was some kind of city noise ordanance. I don't mind so much. I guess if you really love the ride then the noise doesn't cause much concern.
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  • catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
    edited November -1
    I don't have a Harley but both of my Suzukis are plenty loud ('78 GS1000 with Vanes & Hines pipes and '97 TL1000S with D&D pipes). I wear a full face helmet so that helps block some noise. When I'm tooling around town or on short trips I don't wear any hearing protection, but when I go for longer distances I have ear buds in and listen to my MP3 player. It blocks out the excessive noise, gives me some entertainment, but it doesn't block everything out I'm still very able to stay tuned into my surroundings.
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  • dennisjohnsondennisjohnson Member Posts: 471 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a thunder header on my 85 fxrs. not bad while i ride... But you do not want to be behind on the right when i get on it!{ if i wear earplugs it's to avoid bug in the ear problems.. I like to hear/feel the bike run.}[;)]
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    It's an attention grabber. Most bikes the same size are faster than the Harley's, but most riders like the sound and want the attention. And, it does draw everyones attention including those guys with red and blue lights on their cars.

    Police usually let it slide during rallies, but most small town police will ticket individuals if they intentionally crack open the pipes when passing through.

    It's less loud for the rider than someone the bike has passed, but it's still loud. A lot of riders wear ear plugs, a big mistake because it reduces the sounds of traffic around you like honking horns and screaching tires, but other don't. There is a lot of hearing loss found in long term riders with loud pipes, just like in ammature race car drivers who don't wear ear plugs.
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  • TfloggerTflogger Member Posts: 3,399 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Riders that don't look at both ends of an engine are fools! The intake should match the output! And the carb jetting or injector input needs to be adjusted.
    Being loud for safety is silly too, the Doppler effect is real. You can't hear what is behind you very well if at all.
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  • MaaloxMaalox Member Posts: 5,155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I attended the ROT rally a number of times when I lived in Houston. I had a couple Harleys over the years and had some level of aftermarket work done to all of them. The loudest one had a big bore kit, flat top pistons, .610 lift cam, Ness air intake and V&H big shot staggered exhaust. 104 RWHP against 60-65 RWHP for a stock Harley.

    The bike was very loud when I started it in the garage. However on the road the noise is behind you so you don't really hear it. The exception is when you go into a parking deck or a tunnel. Then you start setting off car alarms [:D]

    2003 Softail Deuce with the mods listed above minus the big shot exhaust. I changed to the V&H 2-into-1 pro pipe exhaust to increase back pressure and therefore produce additional torque.
    IMG_1717.jpg
    Regards, MAALOX
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Maalox
    IMG_1717.jpg


    Nice looking bike![;)]
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  • Jacob2008Jacob2008 Member Posts: 19,528 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Might as well get a PA and scream LOOK AT ME!



    I watched a guy get pulled over because his handle bars were way over his shoulders, near his head.
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  • MaaloxMaalox Member Posts: 5,155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dheffley
    quote:Originally posted by Maalox



    Nice looking bike![;)]


    Thanks, wish I still had it. [:(]
    Regards, MAALOX
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,291 ******
    edited November -1
    Go to www.hdforums.com. They're split about 50/50 on loud pipes. The newer Harley's come from the factory so leaned out to meet the EPA regs. they create almost unbearable heat, especially when stopped at a light. A high flow air cleaner and true dual exaust (without the cross-over pipe) along with a programmable fuel management computer helps with the heat and adds horsepower. Unfortunately, they're usually louder. Rinehart true duals is a popular aftermarket exhaust that a lot of touring bikes are going to. They are not that much louder at idle, but will bark when you get on it.
    A couple of friends have this set up, and they say they can hear their radios just fine.
    Back in the '80's I had an FLH and a friend gave me a set of headers that he had torched the baffles out of. It was loud all the time. A state trooper stopped me one day. He broke a sapling off and ran it all the way up to the head. That was the last ticket I got on a bike. I put my stock mufflers back on after that.
    Around here, it is unheard of to get a ticket for loud pipes, but I don't hear too many people doggin' it with Street Sweepers on.
    Like the sportbike crowd, there's always a few azzhats that give the rest a bad rap.
    I don't disagree that for some, it's a "look at me" thing.
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  • Rebel_JamesRebel_James Member Posts: 4,746
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
    Might as well get a PA and scream LOOK AT ME!



    Is that kinda like the Open Carry crowd carrying to say ....?

    HEY I HAVE A GUN! LOOK AT ME!!!

    .
    MissScarlet4006.jpg
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  • Jacob2008Jacob2008 Member Posts: 19,528 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rebel_James
    quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
    Might as well get a PA and scream LOOK AT ME!



    Is that kinda like the Open Carry crowd carrying to say ....?

    HEY I HAVE A GUN! LOOK AT ME!!!

    .
    MissScarlet4006.jpg


    I have NO clue what you just said.

    That your bike? Looks nice.
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