The Hoboken Cafe 

Aren't we SO LUCKY to have those nice considerate straight pipe Harley guys rumbling up and down the street at any time day or night?

I mean, they are SO LOUD that I don't even notice the recycling trucks at 3am.

If they only made their bikes a little louder than maybe the whole town would have to stop what they're doing and "notice" those civic-minded lads on the third or fourth trip down Washington Street in a 20 minute period.

That's funny. I like bikes, but what is the reason they are so loud? Do they make them like that on purpose or do they all need new mufflers? Ninja bikes(I don't know the names of other kinds) are quiet, right? Hmm, I never thought about this before.

used to be the worst part of when i once lived on washington st.

There's a couple reasons they're so loud and it's completely intentional. They put "straight pipes", which are bored out exhaust pipes, on Harleys specifically to amplify that delicious Harley rumble. It's not legal, as far as I know, in most states, but they all do it anyway. The primary reason is image. Harleys are SUPPOSED to be loud and attention-getting bikes. The second reason, most Harley riders will tell you, is safety. A lot of motorcycle accidents (which are often deadly) happen when the driver of a car changes lanes or passes or whatever and hits a bike that he was unaware was near him. With loud bikes, there's much less chance of a driver not knowing your there, even if they cant see you. Plenty of non-loud-bike-riders dispute this theory, by the way.

Ninja type bikes (aka "crotch-rockets") are designed for an entirely different type of ride, and a different type of rider. They can be loud, though, in a high pitched, squealy sort of way.

And, yes, I LOVE the roar of a Harley. It's the sound of summer to me.

christinec said on 7/10/2002 11:02 PM

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>That's funny. I like bikes, but what is the reason they are so loud? Do they make them like that on purpose or do they all need new mufflers? Ninja bikes(I don't know the names of other kinds) are quiet, right? Hmm, I never thought about this before.
>

My tidbit of info.: I believe the unique sound of a Harley is trademarked.

Too bad Harleys are some of the worst bikes on the road--as far as reliability is concerned. You're better off with a steet bike or a "crotch rocket". It's more fun and less annoying to your neighbors

I believe the sound is trademarked.

Also, a coworker was talking about an old friend who was into bikes... he said of all the bikes he owned, his harley was the worst bike, needed the most maintenance... they have some sort of leakage problem that they know about and were never able to fix, or something like that.

Again, it's all about the image.

Well, yes, Harleys are, um, "high maintenance" bikes. But if you've ever rode one, you know it's not just image. Nothing feels like a Harley.

Well put Denisel, being a former HOG owner yo-bad-self.

As a Hoboken Harley rider (not one of those who cruises up and down Washington, I usually scoot out of town up 9W towards Nyack, or out towards the watergap), I've owned Harleys for years and never had a problem. Older Harleys have had their string of problems. And the straight pipes do make a difference in traffic trying to alert other drivers to your presence. Been a lifesaver...

Thanks for the info., Denise.

Now, are there any guys with Bikes out there?

Hi Denise!

You ride! That rocks. I'd love to meet some women around town that ride. I"m taking the riding course next month and have looked into a few women clubs to join. I've been looking at harleys too.. Definetly will be one of the loud babes on Washington Street next summer. ;o)

Hi Naomi,

Unfortunately, I'm no longer a Harley owner. I sold it in 1998 when I moved to NYC. I have been thinking about riding again, though. Maybe next year.

naomib1967 said on 7/12/2002 9:24 AM

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>Hi Denise!
>
>
>You ride! That rocks. I'd love to meet some women around town that ride. I"m taking the riding course next month and have looked into a few women clubs to join. I've been looking at harleys too.. Definetly will be one of the loud babes on Washington Street next summer. ;o)

Hi Bikehack!

<<Hugs!>>

Me

Well, there is Bikehack, who just emerged from Lurkdom for this topic. Nice guy with a nice bike...

christinec said on 7/11/2002 6:10 PM

>Thanks for the info., Denise.
>
>Now, are there any guys with Bikes out there?
>
>

Interesting.

denisel said on 7/12/2002 11:07 AM

>Well, there is Bikehack, who just emerged from Lurkdom for this topic. Nice guy with a nice bike...
>
>
>
>christinec said on 7/11/2002 6:10 PM
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>>Thanks for the info., Denise.
>>
>>Now, are there any guys with Bikes out there?
>>
>>
>
>
>

hi all,

Its me, bikehack. how is everyone?

Hi, Darren/Bikehack

So, why don't you have a photo of your bike on your profile?