Let's say there was a national law that was enforced, and there were no more aftermarket pipes. Do you think HD's would still be cool if they were sewing maching sounding?

 

I like my stock pipes.

 

Ditto.

 

Personally, I like the deeper rumble and more air flow that I get with my Vance and Hines True Duals w/ Oval slip-ons, but if I couldn't have the pipes, I'd still own and ride the bike.

 

Don't really care about being or looking cool, but a Harley ain't a Harley without a nice bark.

 

Bought a Harley because it was a Harley, not because of the pipes on it.

 

Mine's got stock pipes and sounds just fine. I don't care if it's "cool" or not.It shakes, thumps and rattles like a Harley should! lol

 

Harley is all about image, so I don't think it would matter. Of the over 273,000 bikes Harley shipped last year in the US alone, how many actually get ridden much beyond the weekend trip to the shop, to a local bike night, or the occasional rally? For many new owners, they are a status symbol, like that fancy ski boat or jet ski that spends most of its life on a trailer next to the garage. As long as the 'bad boy' image retains its appeal, that machine with the Harley logo on the tank will command a premium dollar and there are those who will pay the price, no matter what it sounds like.

 

Well, then the question becomes - how much of the image is portrayed by the sound of the bike? You know, potato potato potato. Could you imagine having to rename Thunder in the Valley . .. Whispering Wind in the Hills? lol

 

I would have to drill the exhaust to get a louder exhaust note though. Although law enforcement will eventually become tighter, I don't think we will see the day that aftermarket pipe manufactures quit making them. Or the day that people quit putting them on their bikes.