http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...v4y0RvLVv1K1yX

Damm P.C. police got to harley



It must be primeval. The way it touches us so deeply, we must have some ancient hardwiring inside us that's a direct feed to our very core. Maybe it's some leftover evolutionary seventh sense that's triggered when we hit the ignition and fire brings our V-twins to life. Or maybe the rhythmic rumble reminds us of some distant thundering herd. The chase is on. And our hearts automatically race not wanting to be left behind. Or our soul goes hungry.

Whatever else it is, this authentic part of the Harley-Davidson experience really is something. And it's something we don't ever want to lose.

Now comes the troubling part. How can the sound that embodies so much of what we love about Harley-Davidson® motorcycles be so offensive to others? And it's even more troubling that those negative feelings are spreading throughout the country and around the world. Some people just don't like motorcycles. Period. We can accept that. But isn't there something we can do to keep their numbers from growing?

Negative news stories regarding motorcycle noise have increased 400 percent over the past 10 years. In the last year, communities across the United States have upped their efforts to curb motorcycle noise. Some communities have instituted outright bans on motorcycles. Even traditional motorcycle rally locations like Laconia, Daytona, and Myrtle Beach have had controversies regarding noise at their events this past year.

Worldwide, motorcycle noise is becoming more heavily restricted. Europe and Japan now require lower than U.S. dB(A) levels for new motorcycles right out of the box. In Australia, for example, a permanent label must be affixed and remain on to signify legal pipes. Annual inspections are also required.

Looking into the science of sound, the perception of sound varies according to multiple factors; volume is the single factor that most often sends hearing from barely noticeable to unbearable. Understandable. That's why many riders are fitting themselves with earplugs for longer rides. But what's really interesting is that the sound impulses we generate ourselves seem less of a nuisance than those generated by others. We're also more indulgent when it comes to a “friendly” sound or noise - music, for example, if you happen to be a musician yourself. So, the "friendly" sounds of our Harleys are not so friendly sounding to those who don't share our passion for riding. We can't change that. But what can we do?

It seems that we, not just the Motor Company, not just the Harley-Davidson dealers, not just a handful of riders, we all, every Hog lovin' one of us, must do everything we can to protect our sport and keep it as strong as it is today. We must take our turn, as more than a century-worth of Harley riders has before us, in guarding our sport.

In those very early days, Harley-Davidson was born as a form of basic transportation. When you added a sidecar or a delivery box to the back, they became utility vehicles. Then the weekend was invented. Well, you were lucky if you got one day off. But you made the most of it and discovered the sheer joy of motorcycling. And you discovered that there were others just like you who carried that dominant riding gene. You were born with it. And proud of it. You owned your own kind of freedom. But even then, there were many who didn't understand.
There were literally hundreds of motorcycle manufacturers in the early days. Far more than there were automakers. As the number of motorized vehicles grew, so did the issue of noise. The confounded machines were upsetting the still-main-means-of-transportation horses. Farmers complained about machines disturbing their livestock. And the general population became very vocal about their right to a good night's sleep. To achieve social acceptability of their new modes of transportation, the manufacturers developed … the muffler! The auto industry had plenty of space to carry all manner of bulky noise suppression devices. For motorcycles, it was an entirely different challenge. The Motor Company put its engineering staff to work and came up with the best mufflers in the motorcycle industry. So successful, in fact, that they built a motorcycle that became affectionately known as The Silent Gray Fellow. That moniker stuck, and during those early years the entire Harley-Davidson model line became known as The Silent Gray Fellows.
Today, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have more power and performance than our predecessors could have ever imagined, but with all due respect, we love to hear them coming. That doesn't mean louder noise equals even more power, however. It's an interesting misconception. Testing has proven that straight pipes do not necessarily outperform pipes with lower noise levels. Pick the wrong pipes and you can severely reduce your horsepower and/or your torque. And while you're doing it, you'll awaken the sleeping giant of social concern that lives next door to all of us.

So what if you've picked the wrong pipes?

Then you have a very important individual decision to make. We all do. No one expects everyone to change out their straight pipes overnight. But we all must consider changing out our thinking. We need to think about the consequences our actions have on others, before others take action against us. As tempting as it is, maybe we resist cranking up the revs at the next stop signal. Maybe we fall in love all over again with the unique and mesmerizing sound "quality" of our own V-twin, not just the volume. Maybe we think about how we can assure that all those riders coming behind us can enjoy the same level of freedom we do today. Maybe we just take a time-out to remember that this is really something. And it's something we never want to lose.

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06 Honda 1000 RR
SCS past prez
SCS Treasurer 05 and 07

I think this is a very good article, with a valid argument.

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+1

There's nothing more irritating than a straight-piped Hog revving unnecessarily and I actually like bikes. The general public probably feels similarly.

I wonder when Suzuki (or any other sportbike manufacturer...but mainly Suzuki ) is going to do a similar press release regarding squidly activity on their sportbikes?

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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
2007 Suzuki GSXR600 - wifebeater and flip-flops optional
2000 Honda CBR600F4 - outfitted with the NRC case cover of invincibility
http://www.gleno.net

That loud noise is probably the only thing keeping them alive, as long as they have been, cus u know when u hear those fuckers you looking all over like crazed mofo trying to find out which side of your head just had airplane exploded into it.

with sport bikes, by the time u hear us, weve already passed you.

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"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

I doubt you'll ever see that. Simply because they can't tell someone how to use their product, whereas harley can give suggestions about how not to modify their product.
I think the two are a bit different, but I see your reasoning.

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http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...CfQJnSrtRJVj1P


lifted from the Kneeslider...

Screamin’ Eagle Exhaust Going Away
March 30th, 2006

A few weeks ago I mentioned Harley Davidson wants Harley riders to tone it down a bit. Straight pipes can lead straight to anti noise ordinances that affect everyone and once you get someone on city council playing to the voters, those restrictions can be pretty harsh for all bikers.

In this morning’s mail, I received my regular newsletter from our local Harley dealer which mentioned something I missed. As of May 31st, 2006, Screamin’ Eagle “Race Use” exhausts that fit street legal motorcycles will no longer be available. Harley Davidson said more customers want performance “Street Compliant” products and the company wants to directly address the motorcycle noise issue. You’ll be able to order those pipes up until May 31st and the orders will be filled as long as supplies last, after which the product becomes obsolete. Final shipping date under any circumstances will be July 31st.

These types of “race only” exhausts are available for all brands of motorcycles and many guys just bolt them on without a care. Harley is taking a real step to address the issue and that’s a good thing. I like the sound of performance as much as anyone but being considerate of others is one of the hallmarks of civilized society. If you act like an inconsiderate fool, people react, and often their reactions are bad for a lot of others far beyond the guy that got their attention.

Harley Davidson is not the only loud pipe market, race pipes are everywhere and they are out of place on the street. Loud does not equal performance, it’s just loud. Let’s all work together on this. My hat is off to Harley Davidson for doing the right thing.