Quote Originally Posted by Caradoc View Post
I know a few really nice guys who just happen to be bikers.

The part I can't figure out is why companies like Harley-Davidson can't come up with a decent muffler. Namely, one that won't wake me up at 3AM when the neighbor decides to come home and rev his engine hard in his driveway across the street.

And I don't buy the "...so drivers can hear me coming in traffic" excuse. Too many cars are soundproofed better than my bedroom window, and with the stereo going they can't even hear a fire truck or ambulance, let alone the Harley rumble.

A stock Harley from the dealer is as quiet as your car and meets EPA-mandated noise levels. Some people want a louder exhaust for it's own sake, or want more power with louder exhaust as a side effect, and undertake those modifications after delivery. Noise is also a by-product of operator input: Some people over-rev the engine and/or use engine braking more than they should. That is an issue with the operator, not the manufacturer. Revving any vehicle at 3AM is inconsiderate, blame your neighbor- not Harley.

The thing is, you need to be aware of "selective validation"- You probably only notice the loud Harleys, because the quiet ones do not register in your awareness, you notice the one loud one and the 5 quiet ones never make an impression. Once someone decides that something is annoying, they can't help but notice it. I'm the same way with car stereos rattlle my windows.

Make a deliberate effort to spot Harleys that are not annoyingly noisy and you will see them everywhere. (Unless you look in my garage- my Harley Softail is a bit louder than normal, but I make sure to keep the noise down in residential areas. Our Harley Sportster has a stock exhaust and is very quiet)