Why are motorcycles allowed to be so loud?

Motorcycle mufflers are much smaller, usually no longer than several inches long. That is the biggest reason why motorcycles can be a lot louder than other vehicles. Motorcycles just don’t have the room for a bigger muffler. The second reason why motorcycles can be so loud is due to the length of the exhaust pipes.

What is the decibel level of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle?

80 decibels
A Harley out of the factory is 80 decibels. A Harley with straight pipes (no muffler) gives off 100 decibels, the same as a car horn at three feet according Purdue University. By comparison, an idling car emits 35-to-45 decibels and about 70 decibles at freeway speeds. But remember the decibel stem is logarithmic.

Are Harley engines noisy?

Harley-Davidson (HD) motorcycles come equipped with these types of engines, and sometimes, riders report engine noise. These sounds can result from several possible causes.

Can I make my motorcycle quieter?

If your bike has a dual exhaust system, we suggest that you install cross pipes. These tend to do a great job of suppressing the noise by simply mixing the exhaust plus sound coming from the two systems. You can choose other pipe options such as the y-pipe and h-pipe designs.

How loud is a straight piped Harley-Davidson?

A Harley with straight pipes (no muffler) gives off 100 decibels, the same as a car horn at three feet, according to Purdue University. But remember the decibel system is logarithmic. A difference of 10 decibels represents a sound level 10 times as loud.

How would you describe the sound of a Harley-Davidson?

It has been described as a “low, guttural growl,” “two long vrooms followed by four shorter vrooms,” like saying “potato-potato-potato during idling,” or other descriptions. Regardless of the difficulty of describing the sound verbally, Harleys are said to have a distinctive design and exhaust note.

What is so special about Harley-Davidson?

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are made to last. With their durable assembly matched with their revolutionary engines, these bikes are incredibly durable. Plus, most of their parts are easily replaceable; meaning that you can purchase new parts when they become damaged or well-worn instead of buying an entirely new bike.

Can a motorcycle be too loud?

Any motorcycle driven in California and manufactured after 1985 may not emit a noise over 80 decibels. That said, bikers can still receive a violation under this law for violating noise restrictions, rather than a fix-it ticket.

Does a Harley Davidson motorcycle have to be loud?

No, it doesn’t. Factory-produced Harleys are loud, yes, but not louder than is permitted under the law. Federal law stipulates an 80-decibel limit for all motorcycles. Harley-Davidson has to comply with this law, and every bike coming out of an H-D factory is not louder than 80db.

How far away can you hear a motorcycle exhaust noise?

If we can hear it from a distance of 50 feet, at freeway speeds, with our windows rolled up, and it is still uncomfortably loud, that is enough for us to stop that motorcycle for excessive exhaust noise. ASK A COP: Why Deafeningly Loud Motorcycles Not Cited? Be respectful. This is a space for friendly local discussions.

What is the problem with loud motorcycles in America?

Loud Harleys are just a symptom of a larger issue – the loss of sense of community in America. At some point the police decided that loud motorcycles are a low priority. They didn’t understand that for everyone to live together successfully in a community there has to be shared values.

Are All Harleys Louder Than 80db?

Harley-Davidson has to comply with this law, and every bike coming out of an H-D factory is not louder than 80db. Those ultra-noisy Harleys you hear exist because their owners deliberately increased their sound level, not because Harley-Davidson made them like that.