Bay City MI Write to Harley Davidson
I recently vacationed in the West with my son in the Black Hills and
Yellowstone areas. We drove our car and camped to visit as many of the natural
wonders of this area as we could in nine days. We generally had a wonderful
time, except for one ever-present annoyance; noise pollution from motorcycles.
During the course of our trip through five National Parks, we stopped at scenic
overlooks, hiked, fly fished, and endeavored to appreciate the natural beauty of
the West, but there was rarely a time when we did not hear the roar of the
Harley Noise. We did not hear the cars. We did not hear the trucks. We heard the
Harley Noise. Now I refer to the Harley Noise as “very loud motorcycle
noise”. The bikes may be one of the other brands that try to emulate the
Harley Davidson Motorcycle, but the thunder culture of the loud Harley has
inspired other manufacturers and bikers to modify the exhaust systems to make
excessive noise. So the “Harley Noise” is justifiably labeled, regardless of
the brand. Especially because the vast majority of the excessive noise makers
are indeed Harleys.
When at Yellowstone we hiked ½ mile off the road to get away from other
fisherman and tourist racket, we heard birds, the wind, the stream, and then
distant Harley Noise about every ten minutes. We could not get away from it
wherever we went. I call that noise pollution. We did not hear cars. We did not
hear trucks. We heard the Harley Noise everywhere in Yellowstone National Park
while trying to enjoy the solitude of such a beautiful place. What is it with
the Harley culture that requires the excessive noise? The rider enjoys the
rumble, but ignores the fact that everybody within a half mile hears it too.
Most people don’t like the noise. We don’t hear any of the Fords or Toyotas
which have bigger engines and better mufflers. Why must we listen the Harley
Noise? On the trip I actually saw guys on Harleys pull out ear plugs at the gas
station when they stopped. The irony of that goes without saying.
There are many other quiet motorcycles that we don’t hear and that is normal
and good. I have two motorcycles, including a big quiet Japanese cruiser. I ride
often and would consider myself a biker. But I don’t make noise pollution. At
home in northern Michigan I live out the country far from town so that I can
have peace and quiet. When I sleep at night with the window open I am disturbed
only by the occasional whippoorwill, my rooster that crows in the morning, and
the periodic Harley Noise out on the country road day and night. I don’t hear
the cars. I don’t hear the trucks. The Harley Noise wake me up. This is noise
pollution.
Now when I see the Bikers in public places with their leather and black t-shirts
and tattoos and Harley Davidson gear, I do not see an American icon, or a rebel,
or any fashion statement. I am not impressed because I see a noise polluter. I
know that these folks with the helmet hair and the chaps are the ones who wake
me up, and disturb my peace at the trout stream and cause me to roll up my
windows on the road. My impression is that these Bikers do not have any respect
for the harmony of people around them. While this may not be fair because some
Bikers ride a Suzuki or BMW that is as quiet as my Pontiac, this remains my
perception of the Bikers now; and I don’t think I am alone with this. We do
not want to hear the Harley Noise. It’s not cool any more. The Harley Noise
pollution has gone too far, and it is my hope that the manufacturers, local
communities , and law enforcement will take steps to reduce the nuisance noise
that the majority of the public has been politely enduring, but wishes would
end.
Bike Responses,
Grow up, you just wish you had a Harley. I would expect this drivel from a
Honda Cruiser.
Do you also complain about the young studs that play their Rap music so loud you
can't hear the Harley next to them?
You cannot hear the RAP music 1/2 mile away
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Loud Pipes Save Lives!!!!!!!!!!
Noise travels behind you genius. You already hit the car before he heard you coming!
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Defensive riding saves lives not loud pipes.
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Double standard, period.
If I want to be extra-safe in my car, then it's ok to remove the muffler?
I rest my case!!