"Noise Off" web site

**Lou Girardin** · 15th May 2006, 08:25

Unfortunately this is a fact of life in Merika now. Harley have a campaign going to discourage loud pipes. On the '06 models you can't do a debaffle without fitting a PC3. Earlier models just needed a download to the ECU.
And working at a Harley shop as I do, I know how annoying a Harley with straight pipes is. Imagine what the plebs think of it.

**Paul in NZ** · 15th May 2006, 08:37

We had a thread like this the other day?

As I mentioned then, Vicki and I took doggin's for a trot up the hill the other day and appart from the trum of tyres that you get on shw 1 at any time the most noticed noise was... HD's with big kick arse straight pipes... Now i reckon my Guzzi is loud, loud enough where I would not fire it up after 9pm during the week but it is nothing compared to these things, they are LOUD!

It's just bloody stupid! Most everyone likes a nice note from the ole CO2 drainpipe but there are limits FFS.

When I'm in the mood for a ride, I love letting the Guzzler rip but when I'm not riding I like peace and quiet... Much like all the other people not riding as you ride past.. Just a matter of degrees..

In my opinion....

**jonbuoy** · 15th May 2006, 09:09

Why can't they make some kind of powervalve system in the exhaust to kick in a baffle? either operated by a switch or on a certain throttle setting? If youre in a built up area or you want to sneak outta the house in the wee hours you can have stealth mode on, then when you get out on the road kick in the full noise. Wouldn't be too hard to tell the ECU that its on free flow or baffled exhaust.

**Hitcher** · 15th May 2006, 09:52

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

If youre in a built up area or you want to sneak outta the house in the wee hours you can have stealth mode on, then when you get out on the road kick in the full noise.

Or the other way around. At highway speed I've never been able to hear the exhaust note on what I'm riding -- including my ZRX1200R that had a lovely throaty Neptune can on it. I had the most personal pleasure from a modified exhaust by making it gurgle and pop around town, delinquent that I am...

**Ixion** · 15th May 2006, 10:08

Back when I had my Jawa, the noisiest motorcycle in the history of the planet (until the local snake made me put the original zorst back on

) people (usually old or boring ones) were always coming up and complaining abut the noise. I found an effective response was to look blankly at them , and then say in a very loud voice, while shaking my head from side to side "Eh, what? Sorry, can you speak a bit louder, I can't hear you. This damn thing makes so much noise that I can't hear anything for hours afterward". Repeat until they go away.

What I would like is what old time cars had - an exhaust cut out valve.So normally the bike is very nice and quiet. Enables you to sneak up on people, them unsuspecting. Then open the cutout and it's really noisy. If anyone complains to the plod, just show them your nice quiet bike.

A spud does the same trick, but it's too fiddey taking it in and out.

Harleys aren't that noisey, try a big two stroke on expansion chambers. Very antisocial and environmentally irresponsible are two strokes. I like them .

**Mr. Peanut** · 15th May 2006, 12:34

Just a thought...

What happens when one of these noise activist's kids gets run over by a silent electric car?

**Lou Girardin** · 15th May 2006, 14:10

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

Why can't they make some kind of powervalve system in the exhaust to kick in a baffle? either operated by a switch or on a certain throttle setting? If youre in a built up area or you want to sneak outta the house in the wee hours you can have stealth mode on, then when you get out on the road kick in the full noise. Wouldn't be too hard to tell the ECU that its on free flow or baffled exhaust.

It's illegal here. How you'd get on with vinning a new Aston will be interesting. That's what they've got.

**crash harry** · 15th May 2006, 15:30

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

It's illegal here. How you'd get on with vinning a new Aston will be interesting. That's what they've got.

Well, it's mostly illegal. Basically any circumvention device is illegal, so you can have the valve in your exhaust, but it still has to comply with the noise regulations with the valve open or shut. I was looking at doing a similar thing to my car a while back - it's not that loud, but the exhaust drones a bit and it gets annoying on long trips. Would be nice to have a butterfly valve to open up the full muffler when on power and have a little quiet one for cruising. AFAIK R33 Skylines have exactly that in the standard exhaust...

**bernardf** · 15th May 2006, 16:30

as was said before noise is subjective
i worked with an ex traffic cop a few years ago and he told me that one day back in the 70's one of his brethren was screaming over the radio that this bike was cruising making all sorts of noise ,so when he saw it he duelly pulled it over , turns out it was a CB350 honda 4 with a stock exhaust

**Waylander** · 15th May 2006, 17:36

Originally Posted by renegade master

But who says that loud pipes are right, and people who want quite pipes are right? They are just as entitled to thier opion as you are to yours. Try living next to a gang hq and you will quickly see there POV, Although I like loud bikes I can understand where they are coming from, How ever The western springs saga was a very clear example of the labour government (they have infulenced the way of thinking in mainstreme media, local government and schools) bending over backwards for the minority and ignoring the majoirty. Time for us to follow fiji and have a coo (No idea how to spell that one)

Have no p[roblem with peaple that have thier own opinions. It's when they try to force thier opinions into controling my lifestyle that causes conflict.

**The Pastor** · 15th May 2006, 17:41

Originally Posted by Waylander

Have no p[roblem with peaple that have thier own opinions. It's when they try to force thier opinions into controling my lifestyle that causes conflict.

Ah yes BUT if you are keeping somone awake because of you said "loud" pipe, are you not controlling THERE lifestyle?

I think the valve idea is a marvellous idea, there are just as many times I want my bike quite as I want it loud, I think it would work best on half throtle quite full throttle loud.

**Waylander** · 15th May 2006, 17:44

Originally Posted by renegade master

Ah yes BUT if you are keeping somone awake because of you said "loud" pipe, are you not contoling THERE lifestyle?

I'm polite enough to roll down to the end of the drive (appartment type place) so as not to bother the others in the area since I leave here at 6:30am. But be damned if I'll make my bike quieter. I've compromised a bit so can they.

**Quartida** · 15th May 2006, 23:27

Good call. Compromise goes both ways. No-one should expect you to completely change YOUR lifestyle to fit in with their world view. There's got to be some give and take.

**The Pastor** · 15th May 2006, 23:36

Originally Posted by Waylander

I'm polite enough to roll down to the end of the drive (appartment type place) so as not to bother the others in the area since I leave here at 6:30am. But be damned if I'll make my bike quieter. I've compromised a bit so can they.

Have they complained?