Does anyone else think it's funny how loud motorbikies are really a cry for attention?

Question

Years ago, in Newport, Rhode Island, some guy was riding his loud motorbikey past my girlfriend and I and he was blatantly glaring at my girlfriend's bottom. I stared him down and he asked, 'What are you looking at?', all tough-like.

I responded with, 'Obviously I'm looking at some insecure descendant of apes, jonesing for attention so bad, he needed to defeat the purpose of a "MUFFLER" and modify his ride so people notice him, out of annoyance.'

Note: vrooom vrooom, motorbicycle.. vrooom.. look at me!! I got the loudest rattle around! PLEASE LOOK AT ME!! I'll rev. my engine!!

Also, I realize not all are modified for this reason. I realize that some are loud because it makes flowers bloom and lady bugs glide through the smog.

I did mention that not all bikers fall into this category, although perhaps it wasn't that clear because of the 'flowers' remark.

I also don't want anyone to take this personally, and they shouldn't. Unfortunately, many people do take everything personally.

I do have friends that have bikes, some purr and some hollar like dragons in heat.

I was pulled over a couple of times for loud exhaust on my car, once when I was young and cared none, and once when I borrowed my mother's car, which she had gotten stuck in a snow bank and destroyed her exhaust. However, had I been on a bike with loud, modified exhaust, would I have been pulled over?

It is funny though, how we travel... 'exploding' ourselves around.. a contained explosion...

hahahah.. I'm a sheltered person.. yup... again, nothing personal to riders out there, and I hope all of you do not feel the need to put me down or make derogatory comments because you take it personally when someone asks a question that puts your way of life into turmoil, or whatever..

AGAIN, if you feel the need to lash out at me, please refrain from posting. This is not meant to challenge anyone, so please don't take it personally.

By the way, I am familiar with the motorbikey lifestyle. I am also familiar with people and their desire for attention, however, I don't think it is necessary to divulge my biography in order to ask a question without someone losing sleep over it because they are so self absorbed, they need to post about how I'm sheltered or how ignorant I am, instead of answering the question.

Ignorant.. that's a good word.. everyone is ignorant.. Funny also, how you can ask a question and people call you ignorant. No SH*T, that is why I'm asking the question.

Whew... some people..

Well, from this one question, you have no idea of the opinion I have for bikers. Again, this is a place for questions and answers, not a place to judge others.

So far, though, someone did have a good point about louder exhaust on bikes, in that in a rural area, it could work to keep animals (accident waiting to happen) away. However, up the street from one of my customer's shops, there is a deli I frequent and the owner, great guy, awesome bike, got into a serious accident riding his Harley last year. Cruising along, knowing him, not speeding, but enjoying life, a turkey flew across the road and hit him in the chest. Gladly, he survived and after a short stint in the hospital, he recovered. He does not ride all that much now, especially since he has grandchildren and he thought it was selfish, to be out riding such a dangerous vehicle, while having a large, very loving family. Good move, I think. And I agree, selfish.

hahaha, it cracks me up how people respond to things.. I get someone taking shots at me personally... It is a pattern. Obviously some people are offended by the question and they can't get past their emotions enough to think about it, instead they respond with remarks that are nothing more than personal attacks. I'm sure at some point, I'll receive an email from someone who will want to fight me or something. Course then I could tell them where to meet me and at what time, meanwhile I'll be on the high ground with my potatoe gun to rain down fire from above to help them end their misery.

I hope Yahoo is doing studies on human reaction, emotion, insecurity, etc. and using Yahoo! Answers as their sandbox.

Anyway, finally, if you think this question has anything to do with you, your lifestyle, reputation, whatever, and do not have a serious answer, please don't waste any time posting.

If you personal experience with the subject, please feel free to post your opinions.

Really is difficult here when many of the responses are from people who take offense to a question asked.

In regards to yuppie, if you refer to Dictionary.com's definition of a yuppie, well.. I'm not that young, quit highschool as a freshman (yes, good ammo for all you offended educated bikers), I grew up in the woods, my high school had 500+ kids from 3 towns, grade 9 thru 12, I have no career, and ate powdered milk as a kid (because of money), therefore knocking 'affluent' out of the mix..

In regards to the monologue, it happened. I don't care how big, stupid, tough looking, whatever, I'm still going to say something if someone's out of line. My GF (Xgf of many years) was hot, but she wasn't wearing tight pants or anything. And the guy said crap, and I have no problem defending, as well, I'd run circles around his fat *ss while bonking him on the head..

I love my country.. and my freedom..

Well, this is generating some good answers.. about the girlfriend, I don't really care if someone is staring, that's not the point.. I did see a shirt once on a biker that said, If you can read this, the ***** fell off.. hahaha.. Again, though, it is funny, the responses generated by Yahoo Questions.. Some are great, and some are just moronic, derived from the insecure meatballs that thrive to talk smack, be it on a public board an all. The rest of the world is proud of you folks, glad you could join us, even if it is just to talk trash. We know you're insecure and we know you are really tough, and we know you fit in somewhere. But please, take the time to read before you open your yaps. This isn't about you and your put downs. Try to think 'outside the box' for a change

It has nothing to do with waking me up. Personally I like loud, good to feel alive..

yawn...

ever notice the morons that come on yahoo to blurt crap about other people.. bent on being jerks..

Answer 1

Ever notice how lonely, bored and generally lacking knowledge of any practical use people need to write long winded drafts and social commentary for public viewing are really crying out for the attention they could have got if they had enough money for a real motorcycle with performance exhaust that turns heads and saves lives?

Geese, get off the meds, come back to Earth. I don't need attention, nor do I think attention is the factor for performance exhaust. The loud sound is merely a bi-product of performance upgrades which sounds like thundering heaven to me.

Answer 2

You are apparently a sheltered individual who blatantly very good at stereotyping people. If you had any knowledge of the people who ride motorcycles you would know that the modified exhaust also serves a purpose. I have been riding motorcycles since I was nine years old, a motorcycle is a two wheeled vehicle that can travel at high rates of speed. In the country, the threat of a collision with animals is great, and in most cases deadly to both parties involved.On the other hand, in a urban environment the exhaust acts yes for the most part as an attention getter to announce the presence of the motorcycle which requires an additional degree of respect on the highways, and other roadways present in an urban sprawl.

Answer 3

I would like to respond to this question, and this quote.
"Great response and I agree, but it usually means that they are lacking in other departments as well. What amazes me is that how come other type of motorized transportation is never legally allowed such load noisey exhaust systems but those EasyRider wannabees sure can. I guess it is cheaper to take off the existing factory installed exhaust system and put on some straight thru pipe than to take a bath or shave or go to gym or get some dental work done in order to have others notice you. If all else fails go get a bunch of tatoos all over and prove to the whole world that you are the meanest bad *** and that every woman must be crazy if they don;t fall head over heals for you."

Where yes some people do fit in the catagory that you are trying to pigeon hole all us bikers in, please realize we do not all fit there. I do have modified exhaust on my bike, but it is purely for performance issues, not the "Please look at me!! I'll rev my engine!!" My pipes by the way are not straight through so I also do not fall in that catagory. I would also like to say that in my military career they have been quite happy to provide me with adequate dental care, and I lack any tatoos on my body what-so-ever. I also workout/run a minimum of three times a week, and stay on a healthy diet. I take a shower, and shave daily so I also do not fit in the myopic view that the two of you hold for bikers, and my wife is loving and supportive of all I do so there is no need for me to wish other women to notice me.

Please realize when you generalize you only epitomize yourself as the ignorant fool. As a wise man once said, "It is better to appear a fool, then open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Answer 4

Let's see; the question without all the commentary: Does anyone else think it's funny how loud motorbikies are really a cry for attention?

So you're assuming that any and everyone who has loud pipes on his bike is crying for attention? Moreover, YOUR attention? You flatter yourself. And you also flatter your (probably) mediocre-at-best looking girlfriend to think that all of that behavior is somehow a result of your presence. Do you suck your thumbie and suckie your mommie's tittie whilst psycho-analyzing everybody that intimidates you? Do you even ride? Or have a clue what it's about? I doubt it. Bub, this is the wrong thread for you. You might ask your questions in Sewing or Painting or someplace where there are a lot of liberal, ugly chicks spouting horses'hit about womyn's rights or feminine empowerment and other nonsense. They'd probably buy your sensitive 90's man act.

UPDATE: Jeez, this is getting to be like that haunted house that keeps growing by itself! Get a life, tough guy! Or go write a book somewhere besides here!

Answer 5

Great response and I agree, but it usually means that they are lacking in other departments as well. What amazes me is that how come other type of motorized transportation is never legally allowed such load noisey exhaust systems but those EasyRider wannabees sure can. I guess it is cheaper to take off the existing factory installed exhaust system and put on some straight thru pipe than to take a bath or shave or go to gym or get some dental work done in order to have others notice you. If all else fails go get a bunch of tatoos all over and prove to the whole world that you are the meanest bad *** and that every woman must be crazy if they don;t fall head over heals for you.

Answer 6

Being a biker myself..... I will answer this way. Personally I modified my scoots exhaust because I didn't care for the sound of factory mufflers. Are mine loud??? well that would depend on your definition of loud. Maybe to your yuppie ears they are but to me and the people I ride with.... NOT. I said yuppie because of the location you gave. Sorry for the stereotype.. but if the shoe fits...
Now for your monologue... personally I believe that most of it is in your dreams. I find it hard to believe you talked that crap to him and he just walked away. If he was checking your girlfriends "bottom" he would have done it loud of not. I know if I see a nice female *** put out there on display I'm gonna check it out. Now before you go off on me for checkin out the female form on the street..... if they don't want it checked out then why do they dress to show it off? I'm not saying all women do but when they do I'm lookin. That's whats nice about America... we have the freedom to do things like that as long we aren't molesting, for lack of a better word. Forgive my prose as I'm just another biker enjoying the freedom we all deserve.

Answer 7

Well there is a whole class of bike that is very expensive and good for nothing but bike shows and driving a couple miles at a time. They look good, and sound kind of cool I guess. But if you are really into any kind of riding, they are pretty useless.

Maybe they are for attention. Or maybe they are just what their owners think of as super cool. I would say about 50/50. I appreciate them for what they are, works of art, but I have no desire to own one.

Answer 8

i ride a very loud Harley Davidson...i do not do it to attract attention...but as a matter of performance,i tried to install baffles to quiet it down some, but it would not run properly.if my carb sucks in air and fuel it has to have someplace to go after it is burnt, the baffles only plugged it up.it sounds to me as if you are a little jealous of of a great machine ...as for your girlfriend you should be happy that she has a great eye catching tush,take it as a compliment when other men check it out...that sweet tush would look great on the back of my loud hawg...quit being a cry baby.

Answer 9

quit whining.........p.s. I'm not one of your despised bikers, though I am a motorcycle enthusiast, I can understand being irate if said machines are keeping you awake but other than I see nothing wrong and why should you care if some guy looks at your precious girl, it's a free country.

Answer 10

Loud pipes save lives.