Why do many motorcyclists want their bike to be loud?

Question

Is it a masculinity thing? Do you not feel like a man unless your bike is all loud and annoying? Do you like attracting attention, even if it's mostly negative? Do you think people want to hear your damn bike? It must be an erection thing, that's all I can figure. Your bike goes "VROOM VROOM VROOM" and you get all sexually excited. I can tell you this: Any woman turned on by such a thing has only air between her ears.

I am not saying a little noise is bad. I get it OK. But when I am sleeping on a summer night and I am at least a hundred yards from the nearest main road and I am awkened by sonething that sounds like a gun going off, its too damn loud, OK? And I don't have wooden panties. I enjoy actual sex... I don't need a gunning motor to rev me up.

Answer 1

Take your wooden panties off and ride on one for a few minutes and then let me know if you like the rumble.

Answer 2

I enjoy riding and wish my bike was louder. Having had people pull out in front of you or change lanes into you is no fun! Sound doesn't replace vision, but it at least gives us another chance on the road.

Some people I'm sure also use it as a way of stating who they are. Its nothing sexual, and plenty of female riders have loud bikes also. Also, I don't know of anyone who does it to be annoying. Very rare is the person who is intentially mean.

Since you so vehemently argue that it must be a sexual thing, it seems it turns you on and you're in denial. So enjoy the air in your head and select the answer that agrees with the opinion you decided before asking the question.

Answer 3

I like some noise to my pipes. I like the sound but I don't need it to be obnoxious. I leave fairly early for work on the bike and I take it easy to not wake the neighborhood. I know a few people that love 'em loud, I guess a show off thing. Some people love it, you don't. Get over it. I hate it when a bicyclist is taking up my lane when I'm in my car and I have to slow way down for a while. But I don't go crazy about it. Nothing is perfect.

Answer 4

LMAO... I like how much attention this Q has recieved:-)

My girlfriend asks the exact same thing. I imagine that you are talking about Harleys etc. I ride and my bike makes some noise when I get going, but damn, the Harleys make a sh#t load of noise. You can here them miles away.... literally.

But, for everyday riders or commuters, the increase in noise call help the rider alert drivers around them. Its so easy for cars to change lanes and not see the bike next to them purely because they are looking for another car.

I'll be happy to continue the rivalry between cruiser and sports bikes and say that the cruisers need more noise in an attempt to increase the façade of manhood...JK!!

One thing that I will say is... As much as you hate the sound of motos, as soon as you hop on the back of one you'll be converted.

Answer 5

Some people like it, like the chick from the University of Texas (where she is at the top of her class - on the roof). Changing pipes may increase the horse power. I prefer to stick with the stock pipes. Pay no attention to the idiot in the corner.

Answer 6

i have loud pipes on my bike more for performance and safety.drivers out there don't look out for bikes they would rather talk on their cellphones rather than pay attention to what is in front of them or around them . plus my pipes are completely legal, so your complaint just turned into another opinion, working in law enforcement i know these things. my wife and kids love my bike ,heck even grandma loves it,so if you ever get a chance to jump on the back of one of these so called noise makers,do it and maybe you'll be the one getting excited,just keep a spare pair of panties in your front pocket.see ya'll at americade 2008 upstate NY baby.

Answer 7

A little noise is nice. Like the dual glasspacks on my old pickup were. Noticed, but not complained about. My bike is the same way, noticed. No complaints. I check with my neighbors.

The funny part was his comeback "I hope my 2 year old doesn't bother you." He doesn't. They now have a newborn that I don't wake up. But, if you get danger close, I can wake YOU up.

Answer 8

A variety of reasons, 1st perfomance, usually performance exhaust systems are louder ( not necessarily loud) than stock.
2nd many consider a loud bike safer than a quite one ,drivers have trouble seeing bikers and if they hear you before they see you ,well it can't hurt.
3rd there are the VROOM,VROOM, guys that just like the noise.

Answer 9

I believe it is because most of the loud bikes I see are H-D owners who paid waaay too much for their bikes so they want everyone to know they are coming so people will stare and make then feel better about themselves!

Answer 10

Loud motorcycles saves lives because car drivers do not see or hear us on our bikes and we need to be seen and hear so we don't get hit by some driver that can only hear they music,or on the phoneand trying to drive and they can only hearing from the noise around them.

Answer 11

yes its sometimes is a man thing, but in the last few years i have been having problems with cars not seeing me, having a lil louder bike than the average is almost like being seen, but still is no comparison to stayiong outta peoples blind spots, but for those idiots at 200 in the morn should be cited for too much noise pollution. as for as riding... the true spirit of riding... is no seatbelt and the wind through your helmet.......i hate helmets as much as seatbelts!! PS, please watch out for motorcyclists!