(Too) Loud sound systems

[quawk]

Just throwin' this out there to seen what others think about this topic, and that is the guys that roll around with an obnoxiously loud sound system blaring to where others can here it a half a mile away. I like music and I like motorcycles, but music, especially excessively loud on a bike, no. Being mostly Norton owners/riders here I'd expect that no one has or wants a sound system/radio on these bikes, and may be considered sacreligious to do so. My daily rider is an old Gold Wing that does have a radio/cassette player (remember them?), but, although it does work, I NEVER have it on. I peruse the local ads and marketplace regularly for bikes for sale in the area. Although I've never owned a HD or care to, there is one for sale nearby that is truly a beautiful bike and in the ads he says that he had a $3,000 sound system professionally installed. I don't doubt that you can spend that kind of money on a sound system, but to me it would be a total waste. Not to pick on any HD riders here, but quite often, it seems, that's the riders that ride with their sound system blasting, and I suspect that they figure if you spent $27,000+ on a bike and it's got a sound system, they're gonna use it. Anyway, I find it annoying, and even consider it a distraction while riding. To me, you always need to be on your A game when on two wheels and concentrate on riding with as few distractions as possible. What do others think? Any HD riders can now jump on a crucify me.

 

[1973x75]

I wonder if some people do it just to draw attention?

 

[quawk]

I wonder if some people do it just to draw attention?

Although I didn't say that in my post, I'm convinced that's a big part of it.

 

[ashman]

If they want to play music while riding then a set of good quality ear plug speakers are the go, with a bike with loud music blaring while riding with an open sound system is annoying at the best of times, Harley riders like to be heard and with the crack down on loud exhaust systems in Aus the newer Harley riders found another way to be heard, not only Harley riders, seem to be a lot of cruiser bikes with sound systems installed, how loud do they have them up when riding over 60mph the faster they go the more volume they need to be up, but then most Harley riders a suburban riders only riding to work or short runs on the weekends, they like lots of stops when in a group, they like taking to each other and talk about how good their bikes are.
The only music I want to hear when out riding is the sound from my motor and pipes and if anything changes in sound you know straight away something is not right, if playing loud music with a open system they wouldn't know if something was a mis, to be honest they look like fools riding with loud music blaring, well that's my opinion anyway.

 

[Lineslinger]

Loud or blaring tunes out in public, be it bike or car, equate to "look at me".
Like Ash said, the true music is coming out of the exhaust pipes.

 

[quawk]

Harley riders like to be heard and with the crack down on loud exhaust systems in Aus the newer Harley riders found another way to be heard,

I find it interesting that you mention a crackdown on loud exhast systems in Aus. For decades here in the U.S. some of the Harley guys have been able to ride with the loudest exhaust noise of anything on the road, many of them running straight pipes with no mufflers or baffles whatsoever. I've never witnessed or heard of the cops stopping any of them, or any other bikes for that matter, for excessive noise. I find it puzzling as back in the hot rodding 60s and 70s, cops would occasionally cite a hot rodder (like me) for loud exhaust, but it was probably more of a cop wanting to ruin somebody's day thing. Don't want to sound like the crotchety old man, cause in my younger days I liked loud, but admit that in my today world excessive noise is a real annoyance. There's loud and then there's straight pipe "Harley" loud. I'd guess that to them, it's the proverbial "music to their ears".

 

[robs ss]

I find it interesting that you mention a crackdown on loud exhast systems in Aus. For decades here in the U.S. some of the Harley guys have been able to ride with the loudest exhaust noise of anything on the road, many of them running straight pipes with no mufflers or baffles whatsoever. I've never witnessed or heard of the cops stopping any of them, or any other bikes for that matter, for excessive noise. I find it puzzling as back in the hot rodding 60s and 70s, cops would occasionally cite a hot rodder (like me) for loud exhaust, but it was probably more of a cop wanting to ruin somebody's day thing. Don't want to sound like the crotchety old man, cause in my younger days I liked loud, but admit that in my today world excessive noise is a real annoyance. There's loud and then there's straight pipe "Harley" loud. I'd guess that to them, it's the proverbial "music to their ears".

At a charity ride, I asked a Harley rider with very loud pipes how he could stand the noise. His reply "wot?"

 

[trident sam]

I think riders with extra loud pipes are like most Range Rover owners - just there to piss everyone off with no other reason.

 

[SteveBorland]

We have rather a lot of cruiser type bikes who love to ride though the city centre, making as much noise as possible while going slowly. I've also seen a group of 10 or so pull up in a small harbour, making so much noise that it was impossible to talk. It's all part of this "look at me, I'm a bad man" wannabe lifestyle, which unfortunately affects all bikers.
My bikes can be quite loud, but in town or late at night, I ride so as to reduce the noise. I like being on reasonable terms with my neighbours.
It's also interesting that the loud bikes almost always have very wide chicken stripes, indicating a severe lack of cornering ability.

But then, I'm a grumpy old man

 

[grandpaul]

I do not use ANY type of sound/ear device, or even a phone holder while riding.

I'M RIDING.

 

[robs ss]

I watched some of these Harleys in front of me on that charity ride.
When they saw a potential "audience", such as some people on the footpath, they would actually pull their clutches and BLAT, BLAT, BLAT!
Closest to motorcycling's version of public masturbation I've seen.
Cheers

 

[grandpaul]

I watched some of these Harleys in front of me on that charity ride.
When they saw a potential "audience", such as some people on the footpath, they would actually pull their clutches and BLAT, BLAT, BLAT!
Closest to motorcycling's version of public masturbation I've seen.
Cheers

Cheap thrills.

 

[concours]

Cheap thrills.

Search "South Park The F word"

 

[acotrel]

There is a complaint which is known as 'Harley neck'. It is caused by the rider looking at their reflection in shop windows while they are riding. I once road full dresser Harley. It did not go stop or handle, but it made a lovely noise as it lumbered down the road. I found that I had forgotten how to steer a motorcycle. I don't normally steer the motorcycles I ride because they always know where they are going. You need to send a message to a Harley, about a week ahead of where you need to turn.
I rode it out of a driveway, and it went straight across the road, so I took a strong grip of the bars and turned them. Any other motorcycle would know which way to go. - They usually go in the direction we think we want to go.

 

[acotrel]

I have friends who are part of 'The God Squad' - they save kids from sex, drugs and rock and roll. They are OK, but a bit strange. They threatened to beat-up one of their own for laughing at them. That must be a serious offence.

 

[acotrel]

When I was riding street bikes, my friend's neighbours were going to take up a petition against me, for changing down through the gears as I arrived at his house.

 

[ashman]

Seems you haven't ridden a modern Harley Al as some of the new models handle pretty good for their size and weight and even the old Evo's motors steered good and handled good with decent shocks, I am not a Harley man but my old 1991 Sportster was good to ride with the first 5 speed and belt drive and steered well.
Ride with a few of my old mates on their Harley's and they might show you up in some of the things they do on a heavy bike, rider skills and a well set up Harley might surprise you Al and we are not talking about old Shovelhead Harley's.

 

[NPeteN]

I have friends who are part of 'The God Squad' - they save kids from sex, drugs and rock and roll. They are OK, but a bit strange. They threatened to beat-up one of their own for laughing at them. That must be a serious offence.

This made me laugh. Thanks Al.

 

[Richard Tool]

When I had my Honda ST 1300 I tried the earbuds / iPod thing .
When I did manage to keep the ear buds in place after putting the helmet on I soon found it too distracting. I’m with grandpaul on
this - I’m out to ride and enjoying all the sensations that the bike has to offer .

 

[quawk]

I admit that I don't do much long distance riding, but even so, as I've indicated, and as others have responded, I'm focused on the road even if listening to radio/music may help pass the time/miles. As I've mentioned, the additional noise is a unneeded distraction when riding.