Honest question about motorcycles

[pyrosophy]

All right, I know a lot of you guys drive bikes and can give me a straight answer on this. I'm a little upset, but I like to be rational about things, so I'll ask.

After a hard week of work, I'll go to bed on Friday night, trying to sleep to at least 10am tomorrow, but I won't be able to because I live on a road that's used to get from the highway to a "biker" bar. Most every motorcycle that will go by in the morning will have that 40 million decibel bass shriek as it goes by. I wanna shoot em, I really do, but won't because their lives are more valuable than my right to a quieter morning. And I get over it because I'm that kind of guy. But:

1) Is this noise intentional?
2) If it is intentional, is it more fun to have a bike that does this? Why?
3) Is that fun more valuable than my right to have a morning that doesn't sound like there are bombs dropping outside?
4) Bikes are cool, I agree, but are there any people who enjoy their bikes without this horrible noise?
5) Finally, is there any thought as to whether the bikers I'm talking about would appreciate being waken up by a noise like that (but not necessarily made by a bike)? Is reciprocity considered at all?
6) Why are there laws for cars about this, but not for bikes?

Thanks, I think if I can just get some reason in my head other than the fact that they're trying to torture me I'll be able to stop my violent urges tomorrow morning. I'm really not kidding about this.

 

[j0lly]

Most bikers replace the stock pipes for free flowing power which as a result increases noise.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

1) Yes, the noise is intentional in many cases.
2) Perhaps. To some, noise=power and power=cool, so the more noise the better. Strictly speaking, performance sport bikes like Ninjas and big cruiser bikes like Harleys are a good bit noisier than they need to be. They're "undermuffled" with the sole purpose of making them sound a certain way because the sound is part of the image. The same is true of sports cars as well, but to a far lesser degree.
3) Talk to the police about that one. If the bikes are not breaking any noise statute, then their right to "fun" overrides your right to quiet.
4) Sure, many bikes and bikers behave far more civilly, it's just that you don't hear them, so you don't notice them. But a huge number of bikes fall into either the performance or heavyweight cruiser categories, so there are a huge number of bikes that make a lot of noise.
5) Odds are that if you used a chainsaw outside their bedroom while they were sleeping they'd be pissed. But if you did it at a legal time (usually after 8 or 9 a.m. in most areas) then they'd have to live with it.
6) That's another one for the police. Bikes certainly have noise restrictions, but they seem to be less rigid than the ones for cars. It's likely what you deem to be unacceptable noise is actually a legal amount.

 

[notfred]

Noisy motorcycles are cool for the same reason noisy cars are cool. They sound mean I don't know, have you ever had one? I know it's great fun to rev my car up and drop the clutch... it wouldn't be the same if it was quiet.

 

[wedi42]

your mom sure likes the noise and vibration!

 

[The Stigenator]

as stated, most guys modify it for the sound and the power increase..

On freeways those harely's with their loud pipes are loud enough to let a car know you are around them. Its a good safetly measure but at what cost? I just had a neighbour fire up his hareley, its LOUD. Its 11:30 here and its freaking loud. My Suzuki is quiet. Yesterday I was riding back with some guys after a bike meet. Lets put it this way my bike was the quietest.. some of these bike are freaking loud. Sometimes the loudness is more of a "show" than "go".. but it depends on the case.

If you find it loud, complain to your local PD and tell them of the problem, if they find it too loud they can ask those guys to move off peacefully. I can imaging having 200 harley firing up and heading down the street in the middle of the night.. even I would complain. After seeing last night's spectale with crotchrockets.. I pity you.

talk to the local PD its your best bet.

 

[pyrosophy]

<< your mom sure likes the noise and vibration! >>



Heh... thanks, owned.

Seriously, thanks for the honest answer. I'm not sure if the laws indeed are permissive that they should be -- considerations of restedness should probably outweigh the considerations of fun -- but this has been quite helpful, thanks.

Why do people want to be mean on such beautiful days? Have they read too much Nietzche or something? Is there some kind of "good" mean, since most bikers I meet are actually ok guys.

Btw, I honestly don't mean to say there is anything intrinsically wrong with bikes -- I'd make the same sort of argument if it were in vogue to walk down my streets with a high-volume boom box or car with whatever kind of music coming out of it.

 

[pyrosophy]

<< If you find it loud, complain to your local PD and tell them of the problem, if they find it too loud they can ask those guys to move off peacefully. I can imaging having 200 harley firing up and heading down the street in the middle of the night.. even I would complain. After seeing last night's spectale with crotchrockets.. I pity you. >>



Again, thanks. I really can't stand those crotchrockets, and for some reason, people only drive them at night? Mostly my experience.

It makes me feel better to realize there are probably a number of bikers whose bikes I don't hear coming down the road. And in all honesty, I think in my town it's hopeless to call the police -- they've got more important problems to worry about. Good to know it's not solely done to annoy the piss out of people. I'll just try to adapt and that should render the really mean ones' attempts inert.

 

[Bulldozer]

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that reads "Loud pipes save lives"? I think some people actually believe this. I think it is rediculous. Meanwhile, people can be ticketed and can even have their car impounded for a 'loud' audio system. You cannot even compare the loudness of these two, the bikes are incredibly loud. I love bikes and riding but fully support laws that quiet these Harleys down. Noise has some serious negative affects on things like this. Dirtbike riders are often looked upon as mischevious and troublesome, but for what reason? I don't think they would have this reputation if the bikes were silent.