How to tell your neighbor politely about his Harley Davison?

[Gand1]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

I wouldn't say that loud pipes NEVER saved a cyclist, but the Harley folks seem to recite it as one of their mantras, and overall it is NOT true. It's just them trying to keep from having to run mufflers. It's ridiculous how loud a Harley is....there's no street-legal muffler you can put on a car with a freaking big-block that will make it as loud as a straight-piped Harley is.

Then you have never heard these before.....

Flowmaster - street legal btw

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Gand1

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

I wouldn't say that loud pipes NEVER saved a cyclist, but the Harley folks seem to recite it as one of their mantras, and overall it is NOT true. It's just them trying to keep from having to run mufflers. It's ridiculous how loud a Harley is....there's no street-legal muffler you can put on a car with a freaking big-block that will make it as loud as a straight-piped Harley is.

Then you have never heard these before.....

Flowmaster - street legal btw

Yeah, I've heard them....the sound is close, I'll admit....then again, that's with the Flowmasters behind a V-8, but Harleys only have 2 cylinders.

Honestly, I like loud engines as much as anyone, but Harleys are simply ridiculous. I'd like to see the law enforced about not removing mufflers.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: IGBT
Text


Take Action

Do not approach or attempt to reason with riders. When possible, take down their license plate number and call the police.

Oh for fuck's sake. Have we really become such a nation of passive-aggressive pantywaists that we can't just walk up to the other person like an adult and say, "Hey, I like your bike and I know you really enjoy riding it, but sometimes when you start it up at 11pm it will wake me up when I've just gotten to sleep. Can you maybe wait to really get on the throttle until you're out of the neighborhood?"? Any advice that advocates taking something like this directly to the police instead of just being an adult and talking about it is a bunch of bull. Grow a pair and actually talk with the person.

ZV

agreed........


I can't count how many neighbors I've talked to about their loud music or hey lets rev your vehicle all day with open exhaust trying to fix it's problem.

Originally posted by: lurk3r
The side pipes on my vette are louder than most other vehicles.

Prolly nearly the same setup I ran on my firebird. They sound great, especially when acellerating.

 

[Bulk Beef]

I wouldn't say that loud pipes NEVER saved a cyclist, but the Harley folks seem to recite it as one of their mantras, and overall it is NOT true.

These are the same guys that will tell you that helmets aren't safe b/c they limit peripheral vision, impair your hearing, and will break your neck in a crash, all of which is complete and utter bullshit.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

I wouldn't say that loud pipes NEVER saved a cyclist, but the Harley folks seem to recite it as one of their mantras, and overall it is NOT true. It's just them trying to keep from having to run mufflers. It's ridiculous how loud a Harley is....there's no street-legal muffler you can put on a car with a freaking big-block that will make it as loud as a straight-piped Harley is.

I agree with that, but at the same time one can't dismiss loud exhausts because people are misusing them

People today say:

I have to have a wireless setup because I have too much paperwork...their desks empty.

I have to have a plasma as CRTs give me headaches...they used to brag how their CRT was better than the initial flatscreens.

I have to have an Expedition because I have a large family...they have 2 kids to transport and a dog sometimes.

I have to microbrew beer because everything store bought makes me sick.

Everyone has a freaking excuse today.

 

[lurk3r]

Originally posted by: AdamK47

Originally posted by: lurk3r

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: IGBT
Text


Take Action

Do not approach or attempt to reason with riders. When possible, take down their license plate number and call the police.

Oh for fuck's sake. Have we really become such a nation of passive-aggressive pantywaists that we can't just walk up to the other person like an adult and say, "Hey, I like your bike and I know you really enjoy riding it, but sometimes when you start it up at 11pm it will wake me up when I've just gotten to sleep. Can you maybe wait to really get on the throttle until you're out of the neighborhood?"? Any advice that advocates taking something like this directly to the police instead of just being an adult and talking about it is a bunch of bull. Grow a pair and actually talk with the person.

ZV

Obviously you don't realize the type of douchebag that has a loud bike or car stereo to begin with. These retards know the noise they are making and there is no reasoning with them. I've tried and it just doesn't work.

Not to mention, telling someone I like their bike when I think it's an obnoxious pile of shit is more passive aggressive than sending an anonymous, non threatening letter.

Be persistent, op. You deserve to live in a quiet neghborhood.

The side pipes on my vette are louder than most other vehicles. I'll tell you if I got some pussy note in my mailbox, threatening me with the cops, I'd be pulling into my driveway late with the engine screaming, if someone came to me and said 'look, my kids are trying to sleep, please keep it down', they'd get a much better reaction.

As a rule, do try to keep it reasonable in any residential area, this beast will set off car alarms as I putt thru parking lots.

Do you have pics of said Vette with side pipes?

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/lurk3r/vette.JPG

--edit-- renamed pic, tried to link it somewhere else, had tonnes of fun trying to figure out why it didn't work, turns out bbzzdd only really works if you link from here

And Flash, the pipes are factory, so good luck with fining a street legal car for doing what it was designed to do (especially in the Detroit area). This is the USA, some freedoms are still intact.

PS like I said, in residential areas I do not get on the throttle hard, but on the highway if I open it up on the highway there's no hearing anything but me.

 

[KentState]

Can you talk to this guy?

I know personally that my neighbor came and talked to me about my drumset being loud. We had a reasonable conversation that I would not play past 9pm. I know drums are loud, but really didn't have a reference as to if it was leaking into other homes. Maybe the owner of the bike just doesn't realize that it bothers people because everyone just shrugs it off.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Bulk Beef

I wouldn't say that loud pipes NEVER saved a cyclist, but the Harley folks seem to recite it as one of their mantras, and overall it is NOT true.

These are the same guys that will tell you that helmets aren't safe b/c they limit peripheral vision, impair your hearing, and will break your neck in a crash, all of which is complete and utter bullshit.

You also get the same idiots in Jeeps that think you're safer NOT wearing a seatbelt when you're four-wheeling.....they say "I'd rather be able to jump out if it rolls".....and all the facts say the Jeep is more likely to roll on top of you if you fall/jump out, rather than stay in it.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

I wouldn't say that loud pipes NEVER saved a cyclist, but the Harley folks seem to recite it as one of their mantras, and overall it is NOT true. It's just them trying to keep from having to run mufflers. It's ridiculous how loud a Harley is....there's no street-legal muffler you can put on a car with a freaking big-block that will make it as loud as a straight-piped Harley is.

I agree with that, but at the same time one can't dismiss loud exhausts because people are misusing them

People today say:

I have to have a wireless setup because I have too much paperwork...their desks empty.

I have to have a plasma as CRTs give me headaches...they used to brag how their CRT was better than the initial flatscreens.

I have to have an Expedition because I have a large family...they have 2 kids to transport and a dog sometimes.

I have to microbrew beer because everything store bought makes me sick.

Everyone has a freaking excuse today.

Oh, yeah, those are all true....but with exhausts, my contention is that most states REQUIRE mufflers on motor vehicles.....bikes are not excluded, to my knowledge. So my point is, why can't I drive my Jeep around with open pipes if some dude can with his Harley?
Either enforce the laws or get rid of them.

 

[alkemyst]

for me I just want an exhaust that makes more power and is legal...I have no excuses other than that.

Yes, most find it obnoxious...but at the same time I find a lot of their stuff equally so.

 

[Bulk Beef]

If you want more power on a street Harley, straight pipes are a bad choice.

EDIT: I'm all about a bike that sounds good, be it a HD, Ducati, Honda, or whatever, but open pipes are just obnoxious. Except on MotoGP bikes. 😀

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: IGBT
Text


Take Action

Do not approach or attempt to reason with riders. When possible, take down their license plate number and call the police.

Oh for fuck's sake. Have we really become such a nation of passive-aggressive pantywaists that we can't just walk up to the other person like an adult and say, "Hey, I like your bike and I know you really enjoy riding it, but sometimes when you start it up at 11pm it will wake me up when I've just gotten to sleep. Can you maybe wait to really get on the throttle until you're out of the neighborhood?"? Any advice that advocates taking something like this directly to the police instead of just being an adult and talking about it is a bunch of bull. Grow a pair and actually talk with the person.

ZV

Obviously you don't realize the type of douchebag that has a loud bike or car stereo to begin with. These retards know the noise they are making and there is no reasoning with them. I've tried and it just doesn't work.

Not to mention, telling someone I like their bike when I think it's an obnoxious pile of shit is more passive aggressive than sending an anonymous, non threatening letter.

Be persistent, op. You deserve to live in a quiet neghborhood.

I've had loud exhausts before. The ones I've had only got loud with wide open throttle though and were reasonably subdued otherwise (about the same noise level as a stock diesel pickup unless you _really_ got on it). Having loud exhaust isn't about being a "douchebag". It's just about enjoying that sound. If the sound really bothers you that much, consider moving into a retirement community.

Most of the people are not jerks. Some of them will be, yes. Those people need to have the issue brought up to the police. Most will not have realised how far the sound from the pipes carried and will agree to avoid really opening up the bike or car until they are out of the neighborhood.

Going to the police first or sending an anonymous letter is the coward's way out. It's what people do when they don't have any sense of community and view the government as some sort of benevolent mother figure. A mature adult will address things man-to-man first, and a mature adult will respect your complaints. Take a page out of Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and address the issue respectfully and in person.

ZV

 

[Vic]

I agree with Zen. The passive-aggressive prick factor in this thread is strong. It really is okay to talk with your neighbors. Really. The way I personally would handle this issue is by going out and talking with him at some time when he's getting the bike out. Engage him in conversation about the bike, which should be extremely easy to do, compliment him on the exhaust sound, he'll probably nod approval and give it a little blip, and then say something like "but hey, it sure woke me out of a dead sleep the other morning at 6am." He'll get the point, and you'll have a friend instead of an enemy.

 

[foghorn67]

I don't have a problem with loud exhaust. But why rev it in your neighborhood? Or in places where it doesn't seem appropriate?
Do they really need their own positive reinforcement on the minute?
"Hey, I forgot if I own a Harley with a loud exhaust.....
BLAPP!
"Oh yes, that's right, I do own a loud Harley.

One minute later...
"Engineer to Pilot, I need a diagnostic on the exhaust."
BLAPP!
"The chrome needs more blue, rev it some more!"

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
I don't have a problem with loud exhaust. But why rev it in your neighborhood? Or in places where it doesn't seem appropriate?
Do they really need their own positive reinforcement on the minute?
"Hey, I forgot if I own a Harley with a loud exhaust.....
BLAPP!
"Oh yes, that's right, I do own a loud Harley.

One minute later...
"Engineer to Pilot, I need a diagnostic on the exhaust."
BLAPP!
"The chrome needs more blue, rev it some more!"

There are a couple of options. First is that they simply like the sound and don't realise how far it carries. This is most likely. The second comes into play more if the bike is older and still uses a carburetor and doesn't like cold starts. The old Honda I have does not like cold starts and takes several minutes of idling before it warms up enough to run properly. Giving the throttle a little blip lets me judge whether the engine is warm enough to ride yet or whether it's going to stumble when I give it gas.

ZV

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: foghorn67
I don't have a problem with loud exhaust. But why rev it in your neighborhood? Or in places where it doesn't seem appropriate?
Do they really need their own positive reinforcement on the minute?
"Hey, I forgot if I own a Harley with a loud exhaust.....
BLAPP!
"Oh yes, that's right, I do own a loud Harley.

One minute later...
"Engineer to Pilot, I need a diagnostic on the exhaust."
BLAPP!
"The chrome needs more blue, rev it some more!"

There are a couple of options. First is that they simply like the sound and don't realise how far it carries. This is most likely. The second comes into play more if the bike is older and still uses a carburetor and doesn't like cold starts. The old Honda I have does not like cold starts and takes several minutes of idling before it warms up enough to run properly. Giving the throttle a little blip lets me judge whether the engine is warm enough to ride yet or whether it's going to stumble when I give it gas.

ZV

I know they have to warm up. But they drive away and come back all rev happy. F them.
And they do know how loud it is. That would be ignorance or stupidity.
I mean, do you have to burn the pipes right near a coffee shop patio?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
The first step is cutting the sleeves off all your T-Shirts, so you will appear as a friend.

:laugh:

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
I know they have to warm up. But they drive away and come back all rev happy. F them.
And they do know how loud it is. That would be ignorance or stupidity.
I mean, do you have to burn the pipes right near a coffee shop patio?

"Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity" -- Richard Feynman

I truly think that in 90% of the cases that is what applies. Very honestly, when I hear a loud bike or a loud V8, my first thought, unless it wakes me up in the middle of the night, is, "Wow, I really love that sound". Now, I understand that many people do not share that reaction and that because of this I should not run straight pipes on a street car. Some people, however, just don't stop to think about it and truly don't realise the sound is a bother.

I'm honestly pretty sure that in 90% of the cases they just aren't thinking about the exhaust being "loud" to other people. Selfish? Yes, but not malicious.

ZV

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: IGBT
Text


Take Action

Do not approach or attempt to reason with riders. When possible, take down their license plate number and call the police.

Oh for fuck's sake. Have we really become such a nation of passive-aggressive pantywaists that we can't just walk up to the other person like an adult and say, "Hey, I like your bike and I know you really enjoy riding it, but sometimes when you start it up at 11pm it will wake me up when I've just gotten to sleep. Can you maybe wait to really get on the throttle until you're out of the neighborhood?"? Any advice that advocates taking something like this directly to the police instead of just being an adult and talking about it is a bunch of bull. Grow a pair and actually talk with the person.

ZV

Obviously you don't realize the type of douchebag that has a loud bike or car stereo to begin with. These retards know the noise they are making and there is no reasoning with them. I've tried and it just doesn't work.

Not to mention, telling someone I like their bike when I think it's an obnoxious pile of shit is more passive aggressive than sending an anonymous, non threatening letter.

Be persistent, op. You deserve to live in a quiet neghborhood.

Oh really? Douchebag? I am one of those douchebags...not with bikes but cars. My Shelby is really loud. Not much I can do about it though, nor would I. But you see it is hard for me to be a douchebag but at the same time be considerate of my neighbors yet somehow I amazingly pull it off and always have. Understanding how loud my car is when I come in or leave at night I always just idle down the street and into the garage and kill the engine as soon as possible. I have never had a complaint and I KNOW my car is fucking loud. If I drive normally (slightly aggressively) it can be heard coming from over a mile away.

If someone wouldn't have the balls to confront me I sure as hell wouldn't care what they thought either. Leave me a note? Are you people really that lame and scared of life and other people? Jesus Christ you people are useless wimps.

The ONLY time I really had trouble with my Shelby was when a new neighbor moved in on the corner. He did not realize how the car was built and that just going the hundred yards to his corner I never got out of first gear and having very tall gears it revs real high at low speeds. Being the car is loud he thought I was racing up and down the street. This prick actually screamed at me and when I would not stop he called the cops. They were waiting for me when I returned. Once I explained and demonstrated that I was not racing up and down the street the cops really didn't even want to be there. The guy started out a little belligerent but I quickly defused him by being NICE....hard for a douchebag you know. Once I explained everything to him he was fine. I even told him I would only go 15 mph on the street to make him feel better so he would worry about his two young daughters. Funny thing is....him and I became really good friends and he used to come down and get my help on his cars all the time after that. Being a douchebag is a tough life but someone has to do it.

 

[rip]

I had the same problem. I just used a bazooka. I know that sounds hypocritical because the bazooka and subsequent explosion was REALLY loud but, I never had a problem after that.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
"Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity" -- Richard Feynman

I truly think that in 90% of the cases that is what applies. Very honestly, when I hear a loud bike or a loud V8, my first thought, unless it wakes me up in the middle of the night, is, "Wow, I really love that sound". Now, I understand that many people do not share that reaction and that because of this I should not run straight pipes on a street car. Some people, however, just don't stop to think about it and truly don't realise the sound is a bother.

I'm honestly pretty sure that in 90% of the cases they just aren't thinking about the exhaust being "loud" to other people. Selfish? Yes, but not malicious.

ZV

I think you are giving them way too much credit. Any motorcycle guy knows how loud straight pipes are. I don't care who you are. I can deal with a Harley factory exhaust, they do sound nice, and they are plenty loud if needed.
My old Mustang got to be pretty loud after changing engine, the entire exhaust system, etc. It's a given fact that opening up the exhaust leads to more noise and resonance. If someone doesn't know that, I don't see how they can invest 20k plus into a hand built motorcycle that wasn't even intended to go from point a to b. It was meant for cruising, having fun, socializing. They know how it is. They talk about it all the damn time, it's part of their life.

 

[CZroe]

I am considering getting a motorcycle with a Harley engine that sounds every bit as loud to me. The noise does not appeal to me and I would ditch it if I could (I am hard of hearing already). Anyway, I am a late-night person (I get off work at midnight), and I can guarantee that it would be disturbing people. I would turn it off at the street and push it into the apartment street and parking lot, but where would I find out about time restrictions and such? I don't see any in the state motorcycle driver's manual, but I'm sure it's more local than that anyway. City Hall?

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
"Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity" -- Richard Feynman

I truly think that in 90% of the cases that is what applies. Very honestly, when I hear a loud bike or a loud V8, my first thought, unless it wakes me up in the middle of the night, is, "Wow, I really love that sound". Now, I understand that many people do not share that reaction and that because of this I should not run straight pipes on a street car. Some people, however, just don't stop to think about it and truly don't realise the sound is a bother.

I'm honestly pretty sure that in 90% of the cases they just aren't thinking about the exhaust being "loud" to other people. Selfish? Yes, but not malicious.

ZV

I think you are giving them way too much credit. Any motorcycle guy knows how loud straight pipes are. I don't care who you are.

I don't and I am considering getting a Buell. Expect a lot more of us "non-gear-heads" to be entering the club now that gas prices are so high.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
"Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity" -- Richard Feynman

I truly think that in 90% of the cases that is what applies. Very honestly, when I hear a loud bike or a loud V8, my first thought, unless it wakes me up in the middle of the night, is, "Wow, I really love that sound". Now, I understand that many people do not share that reaction and that because of this I should not run straight pipes on a street car. Some people, however, just don't stop to think about it and truly don't realise the sound is a bother.

I'm honestly pretty sure that in 90% of the cases they just aren't thinking about the exhaust being "loud" to other people. Selfish? Yes, but not malicious.

ZV

I think you are giving them way too much credit. Any motorcycle guy knows how loud straight pipes are. I don't care who you are.

I don't and I am considering getting a Buell. Expect a lot more of us "non-gear-heads" to be entering the club now that gas prices are so high.

okay. You have no clue about this: No Mufflers=stupid high volume.
If you don't know that, you are dumb.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
"Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity" -- Richard Feynman

I truly think that in 90% of the cases that is what applies. Very honestly, when I hear a loud bike or a loud V8, my first thought, unless it wakes me up in the middle of the night, is, "Wow, I really love that sound". Now, I understand that many people do not share that reaction and that because of this I should not run straight pipes on a street car. Some people, however, just don't stop to think about it and truly don't realise the sound is a bother.

I'm honestly pretty sure that in 90% of the cases they just aren't thinking about the exhaust being "loud" to other people. Selfish? Yes, but not malicious.

ZV

I think you are giving them way too much credit. Any motorcycle guy knows how loud straight pipes are. I don't care who you are.

I don't and I am considering getting a Buell. Expect a lot more of us "non-gear-heads" to be entering the club now that gas prices are so high.

okay. You have no clue about this: No Mufflers=stupid high volume.
If you don't know that, you are dumb.

What I don't know is if "straight pipes" means "no mufflers." To me, it means that they aren't curved... whatever the significance of that is. I'm only figuring it out through context, because you certainly didn't directly say so. 😉