4 ms·

A bit off topic, but I've especially wondered this about large motorcycles (both superbikes and choppers). Many of those models are so incredibly loud in everyd

A bit off topic, but I've especially wondered this about large motorcycles (both superbikes and choppers). Many of those models are so incredibly loud in everyday traffic, I can't believe they passed those tests. I mean, supercars are rare enough and usually not that loud unless you push them (I guess this could be a way to stay within regulations), but some of those bikes can drown out other noise even when accelerating normally from a stop.

cm2187 9y ago
They may be rare but I live close to a place with many owners of these supercars, and it's a big nuisance. My flat has a very good sound insulation and I can't hear a large truck going through the street, but I hear these supercars (and large bikes) very well.
- Neliquat 9y ago
  That is the most 1st world problem I have heard in ages. Thanks for the laugh. I know it may not always be funny to you, but step back and consider 'having to hear too many ferraris' in the grand scheme of QOL. Buck up man.
- grkvlt 9y ago
  To be honest, that sounds awesome! I'd love to be able to see and hear supercars without even having to leave my house...
jdietrich 9y ago
New motorcycles are subject to noise regulations, but there's very little to stop the owner from fitting a noisier aftermarket exhaust system. Many dealers will happily fit a non-road-legal exhaust system, under the pretence that it's for track use only. Changing a motorcycle exhaust or muffler is quick and simple, so it's easy to switch back to the factory exhaust for a mandatory annual inspection.
- Reason077 9y ago
  We need some kind of camera technology with acoustic localisation/triangulation that can be installed on main roads to detect vehicles that are operating at excessive/illegal noise levels. I guess it would be difficult, legally speaking, to issue fines directly from such cameras. But the registration plates could be flagged for inspection, and fines issued if they are found to have a non-road-legal exhaust fitted.
  - dsfyu404ed 9y ago
    The big reason to have a loud exhaust is to keep people in cars from changing lanes into the space you're occupying. Loud exhausts on bikes basically a natural reaction to the improved sound deadening and deeper seating position over time. Vehicle changes have caused a reduction in situational awareness for what's going on beside you and bikers toss on loud exhausts because they notice a correlation between a window thumping exhaust not and not getting merged on top of. While I prefer a quiet exhaust (because stupid people think loud = driving too fast) I wholly understand why motorcyclists want people to know if they are in their blind spots. Your big brother camera idea sounds like a great way to screw over everyone who's muffler rusts off and has to drive it like that for a week (who vastly outnumber people with loud exhausts in terms of vehicle miles). They like the noise even less than you do (they have to spend more time with it) and piling on doesn't help that. Vehicle noise isn't really a big enough problem to warrant more government involvement than already exists. The best way to avoid listening to loud exhausts in residential neighborhoods is to not have unnecessary stops/speed bumps to "control traffic speed" (or whatever other justification the HOA cooks up). They just make people accelerate between them.
    - freehunter 9y ago
      >The big reason to have a loud exhaust is to keep people in cars from changing lanes into the space you're occupying. That's what bikers tell people so that those people stop calling them names. Doesn't mean it's true. The real reason bikes or cars or trucks are modified to have loud exhausts is because the driver wants to draw more attention to themselves for purely cosmetic reasons. If safety was a priority, they would leave the exhaust stock and just not ride in blind spots, not weave in and out of traffic, keep to the speed limit, and generally drive in a predictable fashion. >has to drive it like that for a week (who vastly outnumber people with loud exhausts) This is also not true. How would the amount of rusted cars without a muffler for one week outnumber the people who drive like that permanently? The people who either drive without a muffler or who have a modified muffler? For the entire life of the car? The best way to avoid listening to loud exhausts is for insecure assholes to stop modifying their muffler.

cm2187 9y ago

They may be rare but I live close to a place with many owners of these supercars, and it's a big nuisance. My flat has a very good sound insulation and I can't hear a large truck going through the street, but I hear these supercars (and large bikes) very well.

Neliquat 9y ago
That is the most 1st world problem I have heard in ages. Thanks for the laugh. I know it may not always be funny to you, but step back and consider 'having to hear too many ferraris' in the grand scheme of QOL. Buck up man.
grkvlt 9y ago
To be honest, that sounds awesome! I'd love to be able to see and hear supercars without even having to leave my house...

jdietrich 9y ago

New motorcycles are subject to noise regulations, but there's very little to stop the owner from fitting a noisier aftermarket exhaust system. Many dealers will happily fit a non-road-legal exhaust system, under the pretence that it's for track use only. Changing a motorcycle exhaust or muffler is quick and simple, so it's easy to switch back to the factory exhaust for a mandatory annual inspection.

Reason077 9y ago
We need some kind of camera technology with acoustic localisation/triangulation that can be installed on main roads to detect vehicles that are operating at excessive/illegal noise levels. I guess it would be difficult, legally speaking, to issue fines directly from such cameras. But the registration plates could be flagged for inspection, and fines issued if they are found to have a non-road-legal exhaust fitted.
- dsfyu404ed 9y ago
  The big reason to have a loud exhaust is to keep people in cars from changing lanes into the space you're occupying. Loud exhausts on bikes basically a natural reaction to the improved sound deadening and deeper seating position over time. Vehicle changes have caused a reduction in situational awareness for what's going on beside you and bikers toss on loud exhausts because they notice a correlation between a window thumping exhaust not and not getting merged on top of. While I prefer a quiet exhaust (because stupid people think loud = driving too fast) I wholly understand why motorcyclists want people to know if they are in their blind spots. Your big brother camera idea sounds like a great way to screw over everyone who's muffler rusts off and has to drive it like that for a week (who vastly outnumber people with loud exhausts in terms of vehicle miles). They like the noise even less than you do (they have to spend more time with it) and piling on doesn't help that. Vehicle noise isn't really a big enough problem to warrant more government involvement than already exists. The best way to avoid listening to loud exhausts in residential neighborhoods is to not have unnecessary stops/speed bumps to "control traffic speed" (or whatever other justification the HOA cooks up). They just make people accelerate between them.
  - freehunter 9y ago
    >The big reason to have a loud exhaust is to keep people in cars from changing lanes into the space you're occupying. That's what bikers tell people so that those people stop calling them names. Doesn't mean it's true. The real reason bikes or cars or trucks are modified to have loud exhausts is because the driver wants to draw more attention to themselves for purely cosmetic reasons. If safety was a priority, they would leave the exhaust stock and just not ride in blind spots, not weave in and out of traffic, keep to the speed limit, and generally drive in a predictable fashion. >has to drive it like that for a week (who vastly outnumber people with loud exhausts) This is also not true. How would the amount of rusted cars without a muffler for one week outnumber the people who drive like that permanently? The people who either drive without a muffler or who have a modified muffler? For the entire life of the car? The best way to avoid listening to loud exhausts is for insecure assholes to stop modifying their muffler.