Re:Orange County Choppers Builds an EV. Seriously
by jnorthrop on Thursday August 13, 2009 @10:32AM
(#760837)
Loud motorcycles are one of my pet peeves. I have never been able to figure out why someone would want to make their motorcycle as loud as possible. Don't they realize how rude it is to every single house, pedestrian, etc. they pass? When I see one I immediately project a complete a-hole personallity onto that person, because I assume he really doesn't care about anyone but himself.
Re:Orange County Choppers Builds an EV. Seriously
by bfinch on Thursday August 13, 2009 @12:05PM
(#761053)
I find them annoying too, but the safety advantage while riding on highways is clear. The safety of the rider is, in my opinion, of more importance than any mild annoyance a loud bike might cause. That said, I suspect, like you, that safety was not the reason a lot of riders picked a loud bike.
Re:Orange County Choppers Builds an EV. Seriously
by smokinn on Thursday August 13, 2009 @08:34AM
(#760599)
I've always been slightly on the fence about getting a motorcycle. One of the things I don't like is the noise so getting rid of that puts me a little close to actually getting myself in motion. (The other is the long regulatory period where you have to get your learner's, then the classes, then ride with a partner, etc)
Silence wouldn't be valued by the bikies I've seen. Also, pedestrian accidents will probably increase for a while, until we stop trusting our ears for traffic. On my bicycle, I've noticed people not looking for traffic because can't hear any traffic.
I wonder if there is a segment of motorbike riders for whom silence is a crucial benefit? That could be a good niche to start. Teenagers, sneaking home late? Shy people? Hunters? Burglars? Spies? Ninjas?