My motorcycle safety instructor is a Harley Basher...?

Question

I am just learning how to ride. I don't own a bike yet. I always thought I wanted a Harley. But this instructor just has so many nasty things to say about Harleys. One thing he said was that they are so loud that it is very fatigueing to ride for any length of time and that they actually damage your hearing. I like the Harley sound. I haven't been on long rides yet. Is this a legitimit concern? In general what bikes are loundest and what bikes are quietest?

Answer 1

Any bike from the factory sold in the US by a major manufacturer has to meet exhaust noise standards  84dB is about the max.  The stock exhaust on most Harley's or any cruiser is pretty quiet actually.    They get loud when you put on aftermarket exhaust systems.    Sport bikes can be just as loud as cruisers.  

So no, a Harley is not loud unless you make it loud.

Answer 2

he is human and has an opinion just like any other. You shouldn't worry about his opinion but more about what type of an instructor he is. There is a basher for pretty much everything out there{so what}.

Answer 3

that Motorcycle Safety Instructor is correct!

HD's are loud, and HD riders wear ear plugs and they are unsafe being loud, suppose a fire truck comes up behind them? they won't hear it!

HD's are heavy and underpowered and are a hard bike to ride and handle

Answer 4

Sounds like you have a great instructor.

Harleys are the McDonalds hamburger of motorcycles.  Heavily advertised and very famous, but really not very good.  They are the bike of choice for people who know nothing about bikes.  They are style over substance and performance, I guess a good reason chicks like them.  

Listen to this guy, he might just teach you something.

Answer 5

Harleys arent that loud until you put a pipe on them. But if you like the VTWIN sound a Harley produces, look at the Suzuki SV650, TL1000R, Honda RC51, or ANY Ducati. Those are actual, reliable VTWINs that sound louder and smoother.

Hes bashing them because they are overweight, top heavy, and expensive as h**l, for what you get.

All the Japanese top 4 produce V-twin cruisers...look em up.

Prolonged exposure to anything over 90 decibels will produce hearing damage, even the sound of the wind passing through your helmet.

Answer 6

Heres the pure unadulterated scoup......

Who cares what you ride. just ride...

See you on the road.

PS....

Ive only ever had a Harley, I LOVE the rumble... Its medicinal.

Its all a matter of opinion. s***w them all and form your own.

Answer 7

"85% of people love Harelys. 85% of people don't know S**t about motorcycles (Americang Angst)"

http://www.goingfaster.com/angst/main.ht...

I noticed the yuppies gave you that "he's jealous cause he can't afford it c**p".  What a load,   That's what we call "buyer's remorse".

Loud pipes don't "save lives" or increase performance.  All they do is get oppressive anti-motorcycle laws passed by irate citizens. And yes, continuous loud noise will damage your hearing and possibly give you tintinitus.

Answer 8

Don't listen to your instructor. Buy what you like.

Answer 9

Is your instructors name Magley Huntsoor?

Seriously though, your instructor has internal issues.  If he was any kind of professional at all, he would leave his personal opinion out of it.  Don't start second guessing yourself, just because you have more class than this guy.

Huntsoor is right about one thing, a ducati with a spark problem and only firing on one cylinder sounds way better than any tuned up sport bike from japan.  I know, i've owned both of them.

You can put an upgraded exhaust on a Harley, which will get you the sound you're after with out being overwhelming.  Some people think my bike is too loud, but I don't.  It's just right for me.  When I start it up next to a j*p bike, the j*p bike pees itself.  I've never had a problem with fatigue either.

Answer 10

A stock Harley is not loud, it's just that many people put very loud pipes on Harley's. That was a pretty ignorant statement for him to make. I would kind of question his knowledge when it comes to bikes in general after that comment. You can put loud pipes on any bike.

Answer 11

Harleys are an inferior road machine.

Noise has nothing to do with it. You can put loud pipes on anything.

There are some that believe loud pipes save livers.

They are correct, the cages amy not see you, but hearing you may save your bacon.

I like quiet. So I left the stock pipes on my machine.

BTW you lose MPG when you change the pipes.

Answer 12

Harleys are only loud if you make them loud. Your instructor isn't making that much money therefore he can't afford one, hence jealousy, hence bashing. He's alot like Joe B and some others on here.

Answer 13

Get your ticket, and pick your ride.

Harleys aren't loud until they get modified, same as any other.

All meet the same noise requirements when new.

Your instructor has some growing up to do.

Answer 14

If this Bozo is a private instructor, find another one. If he works for the state or the Fed, file a complaint against him. What a person rides is no concern of the safety instructor, in fact, a tolerant attitude SHOULD be one of the first prerequisites of the job.

All Harleys aren't loud, no more than all j*p ring-a-dings are squeelers, and loud pipes have NOTHING to do with road fatigue. I've ridden my Pan several thousand miles a week on road trips in years gone by.

It just sounds like your instructor needs to spend some time in the gym! !LOL!

My '63 74 is bored & stroked to 86", but, with the collector exhaust I run, I've never gotten a second look from cops who usually beef loud pipes, even tho 'Loud Pipes Save Lives!'

Answer 15

tell your instructor to stay on the topic of motorcycle safety and not his personal opinions.  If he doesn't like it then report him to the state (he does have a license to teach after all).

Answer 16

yes, that is a legit concern, excessive noise will cause fatigue, and may trigger an incorrect response in an emergency situation...

most bikes are relatively quiet from the factory....

belive me, there is NOTHING special about a harley...

Answer 17

Mine is fairly quiet (completely stock) but I know a lot of guys who have aftermarket exhaust systems that are quite loud. Many of them wear earplugs when they ride. Yes, it can cause hearing damage.

Answer 18

harleys r not loud till the owner makes them loud, and for that fact any bike could be loud, loudest bike would be 1 without pipes at all.

Answer 19

"LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES" You really can't hear the bike much while you are moving, bikes are only loud if you make them loud, riding any bike without a helmet or hearing protection will hurt your hearing because of the wind.....but who cares about that, if you do drive a car...but make sure you keep the window up because that hurts your hearing too. Anybody who bashes a Harley either can't afford one or has never ridden one, they are unlike any other bike. j*p or italian V-twins don't come close too the sound or feel.  Now don't think I'am bashing the rice burners because i ride (and own) those also. Just don't listen to the 18 year old croch rocket owning never rode anything else kids. Get what ever you like that feels right for you.

Answer 20

Everyone will have a different opinion on bikes. If you want a Harley, then get a Harley. Most of the newer Harleys are actually pretty quiet. You can get pipes to make them very loud. The bikes that have the least amount of noise pollution is probably going to be a stock sportbike. Whatever way, get the bike that you are going to be most comfortable with.

Answer 21

He's just another bozo that "knows" Harleys although he's never owned one and probably has never been on one. Just pass your course then get whatever bike you want. Feel free to call him a dickface after you get your certificate.