Question for our two-wheelers

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 01/18/2020 at 17:56 • Filed to: Two wheels loud

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I was sitting next to this guy today while I was out for my bike ride. His engine was so loud at idle I could barely hear anything else. When he hit the throttle, it concussed my ear drums painfully. It was a sweet bike, and I might like the engine note at lower decibels, but this was excessive.

So how much engine noise is good for you? It’s fun to hear, but there must be a balance for everyone.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 17:59

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people who ride bikes without mufflers  like that are douchebags

Chariotoflove > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/18/2020 at 18:02

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I certainly didn’t appreciate the assault on my ears. But what occurred to me simultaneously was that he must be hurting his hearing more than anyone. That led me to wondering how much engine sound is too much for a rider. 

TheJWT > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:07

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The helmet muffles it a bit, and it’s not as loud when you’re ahead of the exhaust, but I couldn’t imagine riding something that loud. My Hawk with equal length headers and a custom muffler is the perfect amount of loud for me.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:09

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I prefer all of my vehicles to be as quite as possible. I know I’m unusual in that.  That being said, it’s common to wear earplugs when riding to cut down on both the engine and wind noise. So, it may not be so loud to the rider. 

Chariotoflove > TheJWT 01/18/2020 at 18:15

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 I heard this guy coming from three or four blocks behind me. 

Chariotoflove > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/18/2020 at 18:17

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That occurred to me and would really piss me off. If you are blocking your hearing, you are a danger to yourself and others.  That’s why I always refused to wear headphones until I got these bone conduction ones I use (which I keep meaning to review here).

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:18

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The helmet muffles a ton. My racecar was “please right me a ticket” loud at absolutely anything beyond idle. With a helmet on, balaclava on and visor closed, it was nothing more than just some noise you heard .  Nothing loud sounding.

MeatSaber > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:22

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Most slip-o ns provide plenty of noise and ful l systems are even louder. I can’t begin to imagine how loud it is to ride a straight piped cruiser. That particular bike looks like a Honda Shadow of some description, often used as platforms for bobber builds like that. Shame about the straight pipes, v-twins are some of the nicest sounding ICE engines. My SV650S is plenty loud with just a slip-on. 

sn4cktimes > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:26

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Please do. Am interested in them. 

PyramidHat > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:35

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It’s a matter of how long you’re listening at a given volume. Generally once you get over 85 dB, you want to have some sort of hearing protection if you’re going to be exposed for a long time (Referencing OSHA, you want the average dB over 8 hours to be no more than 80) . During my later years of riding, I typically wore earplugs if I was going on the freeway, but light to light riding I would go without (‘course, I had a Bonneville with Staintunes; not straight pipes)

Sovande > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:35

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Loud enough that the neighbors to know my comings and goings.

Depends on the car and the engine. My C30 was loud because of how great the engine sounds when it was wound up. My El Camino is loud enough you can hear the cam and that you know things are happening when it's floored , but not so loud that your teeth rattle. My V60 is quiet. Which is good, because generally speaking, engine sounds like shit. Drives nicely, but it doesn’t sound good doing it.

PyramidHat > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/18/2020 at 18:38

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They say loud pipes save lives...but so does not riding like an asshole...

diplodicus forgot his password > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:44

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I agree on headphones since you’re actively adding sounds. But I wear earplugs on the highway in the summer in my car. You’d be surprised how much it reduces fatigue, you can still hear a lot too. The wind noise and 18 wheeler sounds are just muffled.  

pip bip - choose Corrour > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 18:48

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not necessarily as he would be moving forward mostly, and the noise will be behind him

Chariotoflove > sn4cktimes 01/18/2020 at 18:59

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K. Spoiler alert:  I like them a lot. 

Chariotoflove > diplodicus forgot his password 01/18/2020 at 19:04

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I won’t contradict you, as I have not tried it. But please allow me my skepticism, al least on a bike. I feel like muffling any sounds is reducing your ability to sense and respond to the environment. My context is that I was paralyzed by a car on  the road, and I didn’t even have something blocking my hearing. I often wonder if I had been more acutely aware of the surroundings would these last 31 years have been different.

jimz > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 19:06

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a little more than stock. just like when I had my Mustangs I put on Flowmaster axle-backs, I put slip-ons on my Street Glide. a bit more snort but since the factory header+cat is still in place it’s not obnoxious.

haven’t done anything to the FZ. 

Chariotoflove > PyramidHat 01/18/2020 at 19:06

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Maybe this guy only uses this bike infrequently. I hope so for his sake. 

Chariotoflove > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 01/18/2020 at 19:07

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Wow, that’s substantial protection. And a very loud race car. Best for all to keep it on  the track, I’d guess.

jimz > MeatSaber 01/18/2020 at 19:08

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it ain’t just Harley people. When I had my Mustangs I’d hang around a couple of Mustang forums, and I’d cringe any time I saw some (usually 19-22 year old) douche ask or talk about cat and muffler deletes.

and the last time I’ve had someone on a bike actually piss me off with their noise was some (again, 19-22 year old) douche on a Gixxer who sat there constantly revving while waiting for the light to turn green. 

Chariotoflove > Sovande 01/18/2020 at 19:10

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If you do have a good engine sound, it’s nice to hear it. My Kia V8 has a wonderful aggressive growl when you really mash it, but never crass. I love that it’s quite and civilized most of the time, but I can wake it up when I want. 

Chariotoflove > MeatSaber 01/18/2020 at 19:12

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Thanks for that. I don’t know bikes well at all, but I like the look of this one , and I could tell I’d like listening to it  if it were muffled properly.

Chariotoflove > jimz 01/18/2020 at 19:13

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I can see how a little extra when you give it the beans would be fun. 

McMike > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 19:19

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That’s a Honda VLX 600. While it has a different V angle to Harley (52 vs 45 degrees) is still has a single pin crank so it has a hint of the uneven timing for that potato-potato-potato idle.

Those also look like stock headers that he just took the mufflers off of. The heat shields are still on there, you can see they are longer than the pipes.

Can’t stand loud exhausts, no matter how sweet the engine might sound. I like healthy, barky, rumbl y notes, but at a appropriate levels.

Chariotoflove > McMike 01/18/2020 at 19:27

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Thanks Mike.  I could hear the idle you’re talking about. Agree on the volume, no matter how good the noise. 

Maxima Speed > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 19:52

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I prefer my bikes to be quiet, however i say that and my ‘ 73 Honda CB350 is currently straight piped (previous owner did it) and I dont have the money yet for mufflers. Its just loud enough when im riding that any prolonged riding is irritating to the ears and probably damaging even with helmet. The real problem lies in who ever happens to be behind me. Those straight pipes absolutely blast the noise straight back. The weird thing is, the bike isn’t bad at higher RPM’s is when I’m chugging down the road in top gear with the RPM’s below where it starts to make any power that is really, REALLY annoying. It’s this all encompassing thrum. Anyways in comparison to the local harley riders, and the one dude out the road  with a straight piped triumph cafe racer, mines relatively quiet. Sounds sweet, but I really need mufflers.  

diplodicus forgot his password > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 20:24

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Well I agree with you there I wouldn’t wear ear plugs riding my bicycle. Sorry, I was just trying to say that I think there are times where earplugs are beneficial. In a car with no a/c on the highway is really the only time.

66P1800inpieces > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/18/2020 at 20:44

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Doppler effect

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 21:03

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While I agree with you about the loud pipes (loud pipes don’t save lives!), I disagree with you about earplugs. I can guarantee that I could  hear more through my helmet and foam earplugs than the average driver can with their windows up and the radio on.

XJDano > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 21:35

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Again with the full helmet muffles the sound. My pipes are behind me, and I took the baffles out, so it’s a little louder than stock.

I’ve seen Gus riding with brain buckets and ear plugs. Kinda dumb. If it damages their ears it’ll be hurting others. It’s selfish.

Loud pipes =/= saves lives.

People are still going to be stupid.

Chariotoflove > Maxima Speed 01/18/2020 at 22:19

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Wishing you the money before your hearing suffers!

Chariotoflove > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/18/2020 at 22:22

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Okay. If you say so. My only experience is in a bicycle (or now trike I guess). I’m exceptionally wary of anything that blocks sound in that context. 

Chariotoflove > diplodicus forgot his password 01/18/2020 at 22:30

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No worries. I don’t know what earplugs are like on the highway. I am glad I don’t have to drive something loud enough to make me need them. 

Chariotoflove > XJDano 01/18/2020 at 22:31

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Yup

oldmxer > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 23:19

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don’t most states have an exhaust decibel law?

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Chariotoflove 01/18/2020 at 23:32

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Ive ridden my SV with no muff and my ears rang for like a hour after . And that was with noise cancelling headphones in under my helmet. Its cool for about 5 mins then its just annoying

Chariotoflove > oldmxer 01/18/2020 at 23:55

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I don’t know. It would make sense. 

Chariotoflove > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 01/18/2020 at 23:56

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I wonder what this guy thought of it. Maybe he went home and thought “that was a bad idea”.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chariotoflove 01/19/2020 at 00:08

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As  others have said, there’s a big difference between headphones and earplugs. I never wear either when I’m on my bicycle. I still occasionally had cars sneak up on me, especially on new blacktop.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chariotoflove 01/19/2020 at 00:44

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Personally I prefer exhaust to be on the quieter side. My stock Ducati exhaust is as loud as I would want something, and frankly I find it a touch too loud sometimes. Love the way it sounds, wouldn’t mind it being deeper and throatier, but don’t want to increase volume to achieve that. It’s mostly only cold morning starts and coming home late at night that I think it’s too loud, because I’m afraid I’ll bother the neighbors.

My Africa Twin is a pretty good volume. Doesn’t hurt the ears, doesn’t piss off the neighbors. It doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but that’s the nature of that engine. It also doesn’t sound like most Hondas, which is a good thing in my opinion.

People that have crazy loud exhausts, on any engine in any type of vehicle, are obnoxious as hell. They actively make life worse for people around them. 

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chariotoflove 01/19/2020 at 00:57

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I wear these on the motorcycles. They reduce white noise significantly, and cut all noise by a bit. But I can still easily hear what’s going on around me, listen to music or talk on the phone with my helmet Bluetooth setup. They are a game changer and completely safe. I've logged many thousands of miles with them and can tell you that after about 30 minutes, I can hear better with these than I could after 30 minutes without. Even more impressive, if riding all day, I still have energy towards the end rather than being exhausted two or three hours in.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nonoise-motorsport-noise-filter-ear-protection

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > McMike 01/19/2020 at 01:06

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“Potato-potato."

bob and john > Chariotoflove 01/19/2020 at 01:32

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my daytona has an after market muffler.

I like a bit louder. but I also need it to be quiet enough to sneak around neighborhoods at night.

DipodomysDeserti > Maxima Speed 01/19/2020 at 18:17

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Measure the ID and order some baffles off Amazon. They’re like $15 for a set. Still loud, but not deafening, and will give you some back pressure.

Chariotoflove > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/19/2020 at 18:33

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I feel similarly about people who rattle my windows with their car sound system.

If I had a bike, I’m certain I would leave the exhaust stock myself. I think engines sounds best the way they were designed to be.

Chariotoflove > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/19/2020 at 18:39

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That’s intriguing. While I would brook no interference of sound while on a bicycle, people here are telling me how a motorcycle is a different beast. It kinda makes sense how blocking out background noise might be beneficial for hearing the important sounds. 

Chariotoflove > bob and john 01/19/2020 at 18:40

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If you can ride through a neighborhood without waking any babies, then I figure you’re doing it right. 

Maxima Speed > DipodomysDeserti 01/19/2020 at 20:46

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I have $2 dollars to my name, no joke. Also i need to get the bike running again first lol.

DipodomysDeserti > Maxima Speed 01/19/2020 at 20:48

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I hear you. Good option once you get a bit of coin and the bike back up.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chariotoflove 01/20/2020 at 03:38

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Admittedly, that was my dumb ass I’m good school 

Some some like crap, but they're usually the quiet ones anyways! So yeah, pet much agreed there.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chariotoflove 01/20/2020 at 03:41

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Yeah I would never wear earplugs on a bicycle. But there is just too much noise not to on a motorcycle. Even the quietest foamies let enough sound through to be safe to an observant rider. Also consider that deaf and hearing impaired people can drive just fine.

Pickup_man > Chariotoflove 01/20/2020 at 09:43

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Honestly I’ve always loved riding loud bikes, however I do live in the middle of nowhere and I’ve always* been conscious of how I ride in town so that I bother other people as little as possible. I’m quickly approaching the age though where the noise is getting old. My XJ750 is still running straight piped, and while that bike makes glorious noises at 9k rpm, I’m over it, it’s time for mufflers which will likely happen this year. My Warrior has an aftermarket set of pipes with baffles and those are right on the edge. Loud enough to be fun when you open it up, quiet enough to not be a nuisance in town, I honestly wouldn’t mind if they were tamed down even a little more, but not enough to spend the kind of money it would take on a new system.

Offroad riding I’m a little torn, my 3 wheeler has a loud and raspy pipe and I love the way it sounds, but the idea of riding through the woods in silence sounds really nice as well. Guess it depends on the kind of mood I’m in that day. 

*We’re just gonna ignore my college years because all college kids on bikes are assholes.

Chariotoflove > sn4cktimes 01/28/2020 at 00:39

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Done.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/trekz-air-headphones-reviewed-1841283928