News, Harley Davidson’s EV debut could electrify the motorcycle industry (economy, mileage)
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One question, tho: unless you're old or otherwise decrepit, why bother with the motor? Just pedal a bike.
Hills. I'm in fairly good shape for my age (and my bike is not electric, thankyouverymuch), but I can see the argument for having a bit of assistance and not arriving sweaty.
I am not a "biker", but I do ride, have since, oh - 1996?
And I consider the loud-pipe argument complete BS.
Visibility is what saves you, and if the loud-pipe contingent wore neon-colored riding gear (or just proper safety gear at all), used headlight modulators etc., I'd be inclined to listen to their argument that they regret inconveniencing those on or close to the road, but it's to ensure their own safety. However - they seem to delight in wearing dull colors, street clothes and the smallest helmets they can find. So I don't buy the "It's for my safety" hand-wringing at all.
I am not a "biker", but I do ride, have since, oh - 1996?
And I consider the loud-pipe argument complete BS.
Visibility is what saves you, and if the loud-pipe contingent wore neon-colored riding gear (or just proper safety gear at all), used headlight modulators etc., I'd be inclined to listen to their argument that they regret inconveniencing those on or close to the road, but it's to ensure their own safety. However - they seem to delight in wearing dull colors, street clothes and the smallest helmets they can find. So I don't buy the "It's for my safety" hand-wringing at all.
Sounds good, but completely wrong.
Years ago we were discussing this on a MC forum. One guy gave an excellent argument for why visibility isn't a big factor: "I drive a school bus-- 40 ft long, 10 ft high and painted bright yellow. People see me OK-- and they still pull out in front of me.
One reason (among many) accident rates are higher for crotch rockets than for cruisers is that their pipes are angled upwards-- harder to hear. As I said, I know from countless experiences that a MC's exhaust sound is a positive safety factor.
Years ago we were discussing this on a MC forum. One guy gave an excellent argument for why visibility isn't a big factor: "I drive a school bus-- 40 ft long, 10 ft high and painted bright yellow. People see me OK-- and they still pull out in front of me.
That's scientific. I could argue that people are hit by trains each year - and trains make way more noise than an unmuffled HD.
Last edited by Dane_in_LA; 06-07-2018 at 02:15 PM..
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
68,349 posts, read 54,490,349 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guidoLaMoto
Sounds good, but completely wrong.
Years ago we were discussing this on a MC forum. One guy gave an excellent argument for why visibility isn't a big factor: "I drive a school bus-- 40 ft long, 10 ft high and painted bright yellow. People see me OK-- and they still pull out in front of me.
One reason (among many) accident rates are higher for crotch rockets than for cruisers is that their pipes are angled upwards-- harder to hear. As I said, I know from countless experiences that a MC's exhaust sound is a positive safety factor.
And the same folks who pull out in front of that school bus they see will also pull out in front of a motorcycle they hear!
Absolutely. A stupid-arse behind the handlebars is still a stupid-arse no matter how obnoxious their exhaust system is.
Obnoxiously loud exhaust systems are a cry for attention, little more. (LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!!, etc.) The people who run them are no better than the screaming little brat 3-year old who runs loose around the restaurant while the parent sits there lost in their cell phone, ruining everybody else's quiet night out. (You know the kid.) To deny it is to deny reality.
Obnoxiously loud exhaust systems are a cry for attention, ...
That's probably true, but nobody has said anything about obnoxiously loud exhaust here-- just loud enough, like older Harleys. (How long is a giraffe's neck? Long enough. That's the secret behind survival & evolution.)
Once a pound of time ago, bikes idled at 400 rpm (the classic potato-potato-potato sound) and required an occasional goose of the throttle to keep oil pressure up while stopped at a light. Now, silly EPA regs have pushed idle up to 1000 rpm. No need for the incessant revving by the posers.
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
68,349 posts, read 54,490,349 times
Reputation: 40794
Quote:
Originally Posted by guidoLaMoto
That's probably true, but nobody has said anything about obnoxiously loud exhaust here-- just loud enough, like older Harleys. (How long is a giraffe's neck? Long enough. That's the secret behind survival & evolution.)
Once a pound of time ago, bikes idled at 400 rpm (the classic potato-potato-potato sound) and required an occasional goose of the throttle to keep oil pressure up while stopped at a light. Now, silly EPA regs have pushed idle up to 1000 rpm. No need for the incessant revving by the posers.
Nah, the secret to survival is learning some skills and practicing them often. I used to work with a real weekend warrior who proudly proclaimed he never used the front brake on his HD! How he survived I'll never know but he was one rider I'd never ride in front of!
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
68,349 posts, read 54,490,349 times
Reputation: 40794
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ttark
Absolutely. A stupid-arse behind the handlebars is still a stupid-arse no matter how obnoxious their exhaust system is.
Obnoxiously loud exhaust systems are a cry for attention, little more. (LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!! LOOK AT ME!!!, etc.) The people who run them are no better than the screaming little brat 3-year old who runs loose around the restaurant while the parent sits there lost in their cell phone, ruining everybody else's quiet night out. (You know the kid.) To deny it is to deny reality.
I always found loud exhausts fatiguing as we usually rode all day long. What really baffles me is why anyone puts straight pipes on a low rpm engine that runs noticeably better with a little back pressure in the exhaust. I think you should at least make more HP than decibels.
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How he survived I'll never know but he was one rider I'd never ride in front of!
