No Warm Welcome For Motorcycles In National Parks

[Xdriver]

Thought of this thread this afternoon as I made an attempt at some quiet hiking across the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, CO. Seems no matter how far I went down the trail I could not escape the sound of HD bikes with what I can only assume are aftermarket exhaust. It's was very irritating. While not a national park, still a motorcycle need not be heard 4 miles away.

[FJRMike]

loud pipes is the reason I WILL NOT stay in a motel that is "biker friendly" or a campsite that is "biker friendly" cause that means "we like your noise and welcome it'.

B.S.

[MPS]

I've ridden through Yellowstone in the summer and some of the bikes were incredibly loud and very annoying. They have really cracked down on snow mobiles in the winter and they should certainly put the "kabash" on loud bikes in the summer. It destroys all serenity.
I was recently at a party in Highland Park with some of the "upper crust" in the metroplex when, danged if there weren't two gents arguing over who had the loudest Harley. These weren't "bikers" but I think biker-wannabe's. I just don't get it......

[Desert Skies]

The wife and I were on Signal Mountain in the Tetons, beautiful view. Below us, you could hear the parade of safety pipes that seemed to go forever before going out of ear shot. We notice how you couldn't hear them all that much until they went under us and rode away.

It flat out spoiled the peace and serenity of that place.

[Meriden]

I was thinking about this thread over the weekend. The wife was watching a program about Banff in Canada. Two presenters were stanging on the side of the road talking about the wildlife when two guys passed on what looked like Goldwings, music from their stereos blaring. One presenter looked at the camera and said something like "That was unnecessary." They spend a few more moments on how rude the two motorcyclists were before returning to the original topic.

[Desert Skies]

My wing has a radio but it never gets turned on. When I'm on a bike, I find it unnecessary and even annoying to cloud my riding experience with chitter-chatter and some song I don't like.

I actually gave away my headsets that came with the bike some time ago knowing I would never use them.

But I know I am a small minority that would rather hear the wind and singing of the valve train as I slip quietly through the forest.

[Scorch]

Originally Posted by Xdriver

Thought of this thread this afternoon as I made an attempt at some quiet hiking across the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, CO. Seems no matter how far I went down the trail I could not escape the sound of HD bikes with what I can only assume are aftermarket exhaust. It's was very irritating. While not a national park, still a motorcycle need not be heard 4 miles away.

Agreed. It's the same reason people avoid buying a house right next to an airport or train crossing.

We live in a country where the majority gets to make the rules. Most people do not want loud motorcycles (be it H-Ds, sport bikes, whatever) in parks, natural settings, and places where you want to relax. All motorcycles come from the factory with a good exhaust system that makes a level of sound that people can live with. I just hope when the parks crack down on this it is aimed at those who need it--loud machines, not all motorcycles.

[Desert Skies]

It would take extra training and equipment so your average gate keeper could fairly discriminate if a bike was too loud to enter a park. Not to mention the delay it would create at the gate to test a bike. Places like Yellowstone, this would be a big thing due to the number of visitor going through the gate per day.

If they were to pass a noise regulation, you can bet it would include ALL motorcycles for simplicity sake. Some private communities in CA have gone this way not even allowing Goldwings in.

Then, they will also have to include noise testing on vehicles too. Some diesels in my neck of the woods are just as loud as straight piped bikes.

Making something louder serves benefit no one other than boost the ego of the one making it.

[Xdriver]

Originally Posted by Desert Skies

Making something louder serves benefit no one other than boost the ego of the one making it.

This is a very true statement. Riding or for that matter driving something purposely built to be loud is just that. An Ego/fun thing. Only the good for the rider/driver.