I’m new to your board – do not own a Harley, but am posting here because I'm intersted on your perspective on the following.
There are some things that are undeniable about the “lifestyle”. You folks are probably the most brand loyal people on the planet. I’m told the camaraderie within the HOG’s is very strong, and good luck to you.

I’m posting because I want to put over one outsiders view of some of the things we experience courtesy of some of your number.
First off – quiet weekends in some of the more popular meeting places (anywhere in N.America) are a thing of the past. I cite two of our local haunts, Fort Langley, and Harrison Hot Springs (BC). On a sunny summer weekend the peace is always shattered by the constant roar of unsilenced V twins. This is fact. It’s not necessary, even with a bike fitted with loud [illegal – you know it] pipes. You can cruise thru’ a built up area on just a whiff of throttle. You don’t need to blast 1st to 3rd from block to block. Trying to defend your loud pipes as saving lives is both misguided and hypocritical. There is no empirical evidence to support that claim, and if you really cared about your well being you’d wear proper helmets.

Possibly your perspective on sportbikers is that the often cut you up with passing maneuvers, and ride too fast.
Their perspective could be that in order to pass groups of four or more slow moving bikes they have to indulge in some spirited overtaking. Riding in side by side formation you take up more space than a Semi! A big group is extremely difficult to pass, and cutting in often becomes a necessity.

Riding abreast is not safe. I don’t need anyone to quote Police practice to me - CHiP’s type riding is for the Cops if they think it’s OK and escort/parade duty. Truth is that particularly on a bike you should always be aware of your changing surroundings and split the distance between hazards [101]. With a machine immediately to one side you’ve lost one avenue of escape/avoidance. You can’t ride in the optimum lane position.

I don’t expect this post to be received too well, but the less considerate riders amongst your number would do well to be a little more thoughtful and courteous to others. Your noisy pride and joy is an annoyance to many others - it needn't be.

 

This should be fun...

 

I couldn't agree with you more. But, a lot of folks here are going to start calling you names real quick and probably even ban you.

 

I got my popcorn, let the games begin........

 

You're probably right, but that would just prove their insecurity.
Forums are for opinions, whether one agree's or not. It's clean and within the rules.

 

Maybe your first post should have been to introduce yourself in the "New Members Area". Folks here might be a tad less agressive toward you if you at least follow the rules of the forum.

 

It's a child with a key board

 

There are always bad apples that spoil the bunch, I have been past by sport bikes so loud that my bike sounded like it was off not to mention the little rice burning popping loud cars, and, lets not forget the thumping cars on 24" wagon wheels.

Different things annoy different people, a barking dog will drive me out of my skin at 3am but the planes flying over don't even bother me, same with the distant rumble of a fat hog.

 

I was going to, but instead the first line of my post was an introduction.
Hi y'all.

 

I respect your opinion regarding the loud pipes. I run standard baffles and try to stay off the throttle in certain areas. Lately, I've been kicking around the idea of putting in quiet baffles out of courtesy (and my own ringing ears). But dude, you lost me on the reasons why many sportbikers feel the need to cut in out of traffic and ride like idiots. I think you would have been better off just sticking to the noise issue. You will, and should, get flamed for that...