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My response to the flame war against Motorcycles on r/askreddit (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob

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[–]da1hobo2011-KLR650E |1979-KZ650B |1981-CB750C 64 points65 points ago

Link to the thread for the lazy.

Honestly that conversation over there is really serving to highlight the image we project. You remember how we are invisible? The bad/annoying riders stand out because the good riders are invisible.

[–]bushel1988 HawkGT & 2003 VFR 30 points31 points ago

The bad/annoying riders stand out because the good riders are invisible.

Truth.

[–]dub121686'08 Graffiti CBR600RR 6 points7 points ago

Yeah...Pretty much my feelings. Loud pipes are irrelevant. I like my exhaust, it sounds good. Makes me feel happy. I don't act all crazy and ignant and be annoying on purpose. Not sure why that guy is so mad about it

[–]theglassishalf2000 Suzuki Hayabusa 6 points7 points ago

Eh, to be fair, it depends on how loud. I have slightly-louder-than-stock pipes and they're alright. Super-loud pipes can wake people who are trying to sleep, interrupt conversations, etc...

[–]Brakamow2006 Ninja 650r 3 points4 points ago

Agreed. You can have aftermarket exhausts all you want, just don't try to find 11,000 RPM in the driveway at your friend's house at 3 in the morning in a residential neighborhood. Absurdly loud pipes probably has to do with the same mindset that has people remove the cats and put a straight pipe on their cars - 'look at me' syndrome.

[–]noburdennycHonda Fanboy 1 point2 points ago

on a 4 stroke engine the less there is in the way of exiting exhaust gases the more you can work the motor. Not a 'look at me' syndrome so much as a 'how fast can i get this thing to go' addiction.

also it's one of the few things you can do to add power and fuel economy.

[–]re-run 2 points3 points ago

Without tuning work, exhausts by themselves add little if any power or mileage. Even after tuning, the amount of power gained rarely tops 10% and mileage in many cases goes down.

Besides, when most bikes sold today will break almost any speed limit, and most people do not live near a track, what is the point?

[–]anonacct1234 -1 points0 points ago

Loud pipes save lives.

[–]re-run -1 points0 points ago

Are you defending yourself against someone with a pipe? That's about the only way they might save a life. It's like a chrome plated stick.

[–]da1hobo2011-KLR650E |1979-KZ650B |1981-CB750C 0 points1 point ago

For a select few that is the case. However the vast majority of the people sticking loud pipes on their bikes are not trying to make it go faster.

[–]xShamrocker2012 Honda Goldwing 1 point2 points ago

I don't know about that. I have 3 friends that I ride with all the time, and they are the only ones I know the reasoning behind their exhaust purchase, so it is all I have to go on, but 3 of us purchased our exhaust to increase power. Did intake, PCIII and dyno's etc. The 4th just wanted loud.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 3 points4 points ago

U.S. Veteran here, If I can learn to sleep through this than god knows you can sleep through a bike driving by. I bought my bike as a present to myself for getting home and I'm not about to let some white collar business fucks tell me how to live my life

[–]Cwesterfield2011 Vstar 950 Tourer 0 points1 point ago

good on you

no one ever complains about loud ass muscle cars, I think both sound pretty good

[–]LookInTheDog750 Shadow Aero 0 points1 point ago

I complain about both, when they're excessively loud.

[–]LookInTheDog750 Shadow Aero 1 point2 points ago

I'm having trouble understanding your logic. You slept through guns, therefore everyone else should have to put up with excessive noise whenever you feel like making it?

People tell you how to live your life all the time - don't steal from other people, don't kill other people, etc. When the way you're living your life has a negative effect on the lives of people around you... then yes, people have business telling you how to live your life.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 0 points1 point ago

Nope don't care, unlike murder loud exhaust is legal so suck it light sleepers, I could care less about your first world problem

[–]LookInTheDog750 Shadow Aero 1 point2 points ago

So... you're exactly the kind of inconsiderate asshole they were talking about in the original thread. Got it.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] -2 points-1 points ago

Yup to me you are the inconsiderate asshole so all is right in the world

[–]broken_cogwheelOregon ~ '09 Suzuki SVS 3 points4 points ago

Because haters gonna hate. Seriously. If someone paints all motorcyclists with the same brush (or all sport car owners, lifted truck owners, hybrid owners, etc) -- it is because they're either extremely ignorant, plain stupid, or have some strange prejudice against their perceived stereotypes of riders.

Or they're from California and just jelly their 350lb fatass (that can't even ride a bicycle) can't SPLIT DEM LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANES.

(I have, recently, owned a rust bucket 1990 Nissan Sentra. A 1987 supercharged MR2. Now I drive a 04 Jetta. Also a GS500 and SV650S. Each of those vehicles gets a stark response from others when noticed or when you put yourself in the spotlight. I find it all hilarious. I miss that MR2, it was a goddamned demon from hell on 4 wheels.)

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 3 points4 points ago

It's basically become an excuse for all the cagers to get all of their hate on bikes out. Half the posts are jokes about how they want to purposely commit vehicular manslaughter on riders

[–]thatwolfieguy82 Suzuki GS550 2 points3 points ago

I noticed that most of the top posts were griping about loud pipes, and not motorcycles in general. It stands to reason that if a certain segment of our community is determined to behave in a rude and obnoxious way, people will respond with irritation.

I do agree however, that it is unfortunate that some people who become irritated at the rude and obnoxious behavior of some motorcyclists form a poor opinion of all motorcyclists as a result.

Loud pipes hurt the public image of the motorcycling community.

edit: the same can be said for squidliness.

[–]SpinkickFollySpeed Four -1 points0 points ago

And that shit gets upvoted to the top. Its a big circlejerk at this point between lets kill riders and i ride a quiet bike.

[–]heroftoday 0 points1 point ago

Thanks for the link!

[–]TheMeatball 32 points33 points ago

I just subbed this place because of that post.

I've always wanted to ride and this is one of many baby steps towards getting my license and a starter bike.

[–]noiplah2004 Yamaha R1 7 points8 points ago

Welcome!

[–]werferofflammen 2 points3 points ago

Same here brother!

[–]Andeepanda1980 Honda CX500 2 points3 points ago

Were here to help.

[–]SpinkickFollySpeed Four 1 point2 points ago

Hello, takes a bit of research but you will get there.

[–]Ingenium21United States 0 points1 point ago

take a riding course. That's the first step.

When I took mine I realized that bikes aren't that scary and you can be safe on them if you are careful and defensive.

[–]ms_emerika 9 points10 points ago

Alright, I actually went outside today and I have no idea what's going on. What happened?

[–]meta_stable2007 ZX-6R 2 points3 points ago

Someone posted asking why some motorcyclist think it's okay to have loud pipes. Turned into a huge cluster fuck. You can read more if you dare here, http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/xcfzy/unmuffled_motorcycle_owners_why_do_you_think_it/

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 1 point2 points ago

No, they asked why some people think it's okay to have no pipes.

Loud pipes are great. A good sounding engine is very nice. But not one without a muffler entirely. That just sounds like shit and is excessive.

[–]meta_stable2007 ZX-6R 0 points1 point ago

Well technically OP asked about non muffled pipes.

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 1 point2 points ago

I'm sure he genuinely cares about the difference.

[–]meta_stable2007 ZX-6R 0 points1 point ago

Probably as much as you cared about no pipes.

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 0 points1 point ago

This doesn't even make sense. My comment was about pipes and how they relate to noise (in response to the original post). You made an irrelevant point about how the resulting lack of noise came about, which nobody here cares about but you. Then you told me that I don't care about the topic which I quite clearly began a thread on? Uh...

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 35 points36 points ago

I, as a motorcycle rider, also hate people who have obnoxiously loud bikes.

It is not a flame war against motorcycles, just against people who are inconsiderate.

[–]Brakamow2006 Ninja 650r 4 points5 points ago

I agree. As I just replied, it's the same thing as people taking the cats off their cars and putting a straight pipe on it - 'Look at me' syndrome. Except nobody in a car is going to pay special attention nowadays to a rider because of the amount of noise coming from them. If they weren't going to look before, they wouldn't anyway.

[–]Slaird -1 points0 points ago

There's a big difference between the dick on his 125 with a tin can attached and the Ducati 1098 rider with Termignonis. It's very little to do with the volume.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 1 point2 points ago

While I agree that a loud 125 carries a level of "face palm" that a nice ducati with termignonis pipes does not, it does not change the fact that a loud bike is intrusive.

If I drove by your house on a regular basis blasting music loud enough it echoed in your house, would you be okay with it if you liked the song?

[–]Slaird 0 points1 point ago

That's not what I'm saying at all, the Termignonis are louder and sound good because they're built to work well, the loud 125 cans serve no purpose other than noise.

They're loud because they serve a purpose, they're legal because they aren't loud enough to cause intrusion.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 0 points1 point ago

Once again just because something is legal does not stop it from being rude. Just because it "serves a purpose" does not stop it from being rude.

[–]Slaird 0 points1 point ago

I'm saying, there's a difference between an exhaust that's loud because it's attached to one of the most powerful bikes in the world and a loud exhaust that's just there to be dickish. It's like a Fiat punto with a custom exhuast versus a Mustang.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 0 points1 point ago

Regardless of vehicle there is an amount of noise that is no longer acceptable.

I am NOT talking about every bike that is a bit louder than stock, I am talking about people who put drag pipes on their harley and sit at stop lights revving the piss out of it. I am talking about my neighbor who bought a brand new harley and put straight pipes on it then would sit in his driveway for hours just revving the bike. He did this so much that the engine actually seized.

I could care less about cars/bikes that are a tad more "throaty" than stock, what bothers me is people who just open the exhaust up and be dicks.

[–]Slaird 0 points1 point ago

I know, I agree, that's what I'm saying. I'm just saying a loud bike isn't necessarily a dick move, it's the unneccessarily loud bikes that are crap.

[–]snailwithmonocleMRX Pro '06 41 points42 points ago

It's really sad, actually. Especially since people actually trying to answer the question got downvoted to hell. It just turned in a bad circlejerk complaining about bikes and downvoting bikers. Real classy.

[–]whanDucati Monster 750 15 points16 points ago

This, Redditquette means jack-shit in the main subreddits. A biker who has loud pipes comments? DOWNVOTE

[–]liontamarin 38 points39 points ago

Redditquette means jack-shit in /r/motorcycles as well. Let's not pretend like this subreddit is any better than the rest.

[–]deweyfinnGarage Built Sportster Powered Deathtrap 25 points26 points ago

No shit. As a dude who doesn't ride a sport bike, this sub is just a smaller version of the bullshit going on in that thread. The Harley/cruiser bashing and constant ATGATT posts make me rage.

[–]da1hobo2011-KLR650E |1979-KZ650B |1981-CB750C 29 points30 points ago

As a dual sport rider I don't feel the hate.

[–]Aero_2010 Ural Patrol T, 2009 KLX250SF, 2006 DR650 32 points33 points ago

Because no one gives us any attention and we all upvote each other. :P

[–]kibekibe 11 points12 points ago

hahaha, I upvoted the other dual sport rider while reading this comment.

[–]Basbhat06 DRZ400SM 10 points11 points ago

Truest shit I've ever read

[–]RiseAgainst826Rockin' a YZ125r 4 points5 points ago

barely heard in the background

mx represeent!!

[–]youknow99'02 Suzuki Savage LS650 9 points10 points ago

because as a cruiser rider, I really just can't find anything to be mad at you about.

[–]da1hobo2011-KLR650E |1979-KZ650B |1981-CB750C 10 points11 points ago

People who ride dual sports and metric cruisers all seem to have a "I don't give a fuck" attitude. As in the real one where they honestly just don't get mad about anything and not the fake one where you feel the need to tell everyone how much you don't care about everything.

[–]syntheticcodon 1 point2 points ago

This.

Am I allowed to do that on this forum without being an average redditor dickwad?

But I think this really does describe most of the dual sport and metric cruiser/standard bike riders I know.

[–]cr0ftTriumph Rocket III 0 points1 point ago

Maybe it's just that we don't labor under the heavy burden of trying to reconcile the actual experience of riding a Harley with the notion that Harleys are the best, which lets us chill out and enjoy the ride? ;)

Just kidding, of course. In my view, anyone who gets out there and rides is fine by me. Right up until the time they become douches who violate the law, anyway, be it douches who ride at murderous speeds or other douches who feel the need to flagrantly violate noise ordinances.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 3 points4 points ago

Cruiser rider here and I agree. I respect any rider on any bike, as long as they aren't doing ridiculous speed off a track, but I can't think any reason anyone could hate a dual sport. If I ever get a second bike it will be a dual sport of some sort

[–]barlistervtr1000 superhawk 4 points5 points ago

Everyone thinks dual sports are cool. There's nothing not cool about them as a motorcycle rider. They are exactly what they claim to be. I don't ride one but I really should own one.

[–]polidox1 6 points7 points ago

The bisexuals of /r/motorcycles .

[–]pcopley 13 points14 points ago

I can understand being upset at the Harley/cruiser bashing, but what's wrong with ATGATT? I always thought that was more about safety than anything else.

Disclaimer: I don't actually own a motorcycle yet, I'm a fraud.

[–]Jspiral(CRT) Gridlock Gladiator 22 points23 points ago

ATGATT is fine. It's the attitude that because you think ATGATT is the way to go, everone who doesn't ATGATT is stupid and deserves to get hurt. You can see the same attitude in that anti-rider circlejerk except it's cagers calling anyone who rides stupid simply because riding is dangerous.

[–]LtDanHasLegs'98 Suzuki Katana 750 2 points3 points ago

Exactly. What gets me too is when people act like ATGATT is a license to then be an idiot.

[–]syntheticcodon 0 points1 point ago

I think the only time when someone has any justification for asking others to gear up is when they live in a country with a socialized healthcare system. So in 'merica, yeah do whatever the fuck you want. Elsewhere, you probably have justification to ask someone to put on some gear to minimize roadrash (politely and not be a dick about it.) It really is your tax dollars that are paying for healthcare tending to an injury that could have easily been avoided in a minor crash. ATGATT doesn't make you invincible, but it does minimize injuries in low speed crashes.

But really, no one deserves to get hurt because they aren't ATGATT. That's just malicious and stupid. What the fuck is wrong with people?

[–]da1hobo2011-KLR650E |1979-KZ650B |1981-CB750C 6 points7 points ago

In the US if you don't have health insurance then the tax payers do get to cover you if you get injured. If you have insurance then ride with as little gear as you want, but if you are not insured ATGATT the fuck up.

[–]syntheticcodon 1 point2 points ago

Eh?

Sorry, I don't want to pull this in to an /r/politics sort of bullshit thing, but would it be possible to explain why that is in something like six sentences or less? I think this highlights some ignorance I have of how things work with American Healthcare.

[–]da1hobo2011-KLR650E |1979-KZ650B |1981-CB750C 6 points7 points ago

These days most hospitals in the US mark 40% of what they bill as bad debt that is sold to collectors for almost nothing. A lot of this is from providing medical care to the uninsured. Because so much of the hospitals profits cannot be collected they must increase the cost of procedures and treatments which passes the cost onto people who actually pay for insurance in the form of higher premiums, but more importantly it also passes the cost onto the medicare and medicaid which is payed for by all tax payers.

Simply put the uninsured drive up the cost of health care which means the social programs designed to help those who can't help themselves, that are payed for by tax payers, cost more.

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 1 point2 points ago

Emergency rooms can't turn anybody away until they're stable

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 2 points3 points ago

So in 'merica, yeah do whatever the fuck you want.

You obviously don't understand how our health care system works. We all still pay for most of it.

[–]deweyfinnGarage Built Sportster Powered Deathtrap 7 points8 points ago

It's just beating a dead horse at this point. People will either wear gear or not, and I'm betting none of them base the decision on what's posted here.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 5 points6 points ago

Exactly, I will be honest that I'm not always ATGATT. If its over 90 I will not wear my jacket, it just gets too hot; and I've seen people drop a bike wearing a light textile summer jacket and it just tore to shreds like it wasn't even there. Plus I NEVER wear riding pants, I know its bad but they are just to uncomfortable. I accept the risk and so does everyone else who's not ATGATT and their minds won't change. More power to anyone who is ATGATT but preaching to everyone doesn't help.

[–]GummyGummerson 1 point2 points ago

More power to anyone who is ATGATT but preaching to everyone doesn't help.

I just bought pants this weekend, mostly because the constant ATGATT posts convinced me that I should either wear the gear, or stay off the bike. Prior to subscribing to /r/motorcycles, I didn't really give it a lot of thought.

[–]pcbeats2008 Suzuki GSX-R600 2 points3 points ago

Encouraging safety is one thing, it's the straight up hostility that they use against those who don't share the same values. Something Reddit is really good at. Demanding moral and ethical uniformity while simultaneously self proclaiming individuality. I love (most of) Reddit, I just hate (most of) the people using it.

[–]broken_cogwheelOregon ~ '09 Suzuki SVS 4 points5 points ago

I like all motorcycles and motorcyclists. I make jokes because nothing is safe from comedy...but there is SOME of those things here.

Just remember, as a cruiser rider you're supposed to be too badass to give a fuck what those silly crotch rocket kiddies be crying about.

I, personally, find Harleys to be a bit silly from a mechanical standpoint...but I also say that you should ride whatever makes you happy and those pesky metal bits inside be damned. I love my SV650S (japanese v-twin badassery, don't pretend like you're not jealous of the engine. 90-degree, DOHC, dual spark!) even though it's suspension feels like it's been stuffed with moist cake. It's not as fast as a CBR600RR or as responsive. But I love it anyways because she's mah baby and anyone who says they're girls bikes (people have told me that before.) needs to get outta my face.

[–]deweyfinnGarage Built Sportster Powered Deathtrap 3 points4 points ago

Here's my mechanically silly cruiser. I also appreciate different bikes, but this is what I chose to ride. Someday I'd love to have a Ducati Monster though. Something about those really speak to me.

[–]broken_cogwheelOregon ~ '09 Suzuki SVS 0 points1 point ago

That is quite a stark sight. Chain driven...me likey.

[–]liontamarin 3 points4 points ago

I agree.

[–]Jspiral(CRT) Gridlock Gladiator 10 points11 points ago

Someone asked me if I had a rideit sticker and my first thought was yeah I don't think I'd ever want to associate myself with this subreddit

[–]dub121686'08 Graffiti CBR600RR 2 points3 points ago

I ride a sport bike but I think cruisers are cool. I just want a small one, sportser or softail sized. Anything bigger than that I feel uncomfortable with. I think as motorcyclists we should all be friends no matter what.

I don't know how many people know of the Illinois freedom run, but I participate in that and I am like, 1 out of thousonds of motorcycles running my sportbike within a heard of vtwins. they accept me and i think that's great that at least in real life everyone is decent.

[–]cessage 0 points1 point ago

I'm with you man, I almost hate this place.

[–]noburdennycHonda Fanboy 0 points1 point ago

but don't you like to look at pictures that say things?

[–]nappynate 0 points1 point ago

I SURE DO!

[–]SpinkickFollySpeed Four 0 points1 point ago

Baby steps, we have really been acknowledging this a lot now.

[–]pcbeats2008 Suzuki GSX-R600 0 points1 point ago

As a dude who does ride a sport bike, it pisses me off too. Redditquette doesn't mean shit on Reddit in general. Bullshit term that gets thrown around and rarely observed.

[–]antonfire2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 2 points3 points ago

I agree, so I upvoted you and downvoted everyone else.

[–]liontamarin 0 points1 point ago

I upvoted you for making me laugh.

[–]PACitizen 0 points1 point ago

Redditquette means jack-shit

FTFY.

This place has gone seriously down hill the last few years.

[–]liontamarin 0 points1 point ago

I had friends telling me for years how awesome of a community reddit was. I joined a month or so ago. Still giving it the benefit of the doubt.

[–]PACitizen 0 points1 point ago

It has its days. And its douchebags.

[–]jeffesaurusrex03 Honda 954RR 1 point2 points ago

Actually it is just "user's opinion differs from mine? downvote".

[–]TheB1ade'92 Bandit 400 '96 GPZ500S -1 points0 points ago

Because bikes aren't electric. On that note, where do eco mentalists think electricity comes from?

[–]GummyGummerson 2 points3 points ago

Depends on where you live. I spent a bit of time in northern Quebec and there all the electricity came from hydroelectric. I also lived in southern Ontario and electricity there came from a mix of hydroelectric and nuclear.

Now I'm in Texas and it's a mix of sources, some cleaner than others. I've recently been looking into solar panels for my house and with the current incentives, I can get an array that would give me 100% of my electricity for 8 months of the year for less than $4000. The hot summer months when I'm running AC all the time would have me spending around $100 / month.

[–]TheB1ade'92 Bandit 400 '96 GPZ500S -1 points0 points ago

The thing I don't get about environmentalists is they oppose nuclear power. Now I realise a meltdown causes a huge ecological disaster. But look at Britain for example. We experience very few natural disasters bar flooding. Would it not be better for the environment to move to nuclear while we work on having more green sources.

I see the evolution of power as being this fossil-nuclear-green.

But as it stands we buy most of our power from fossil burning companies because it's cheaper.

Then they rave we should all use electric cars. I simply do not understand the logic.

[–]GummyGummerson 0 points1 point ago

Not all fossils are the same. Burning natural gas vs burning coal are two entirely different things.

I agree with you about nuclear though. I'd like to see some modern design tested. Maybe ask the US Navy how to build and run a reactor. They seem to know what they are doing.

[–]TheB1ade'92 Bandit 400 '96 GPZ500S -1 points0 points ago

We can agree neither is good for environment tho. With all the money going into nuclear research (according to something i saw on reddit about how much cpu time is used on super computers) I would have expected a move to nuclear fuel while we worked on perfecting solar/wind/wave generating.

[–]bushel1988 HawkGT & 2003 VFR 65 points66 points ago

Doesn't matter. We ride motorcycles. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to hop back on my ride and just like the cages, leave it behind.

The opinion of those who do not ride, do not matter.

Peace.

[–]PorkShakeGrand Rapids, MI 17 points18 points ago

Yes, but their "opinions" can have a huge influence on their actions. I'd like more people to consider those signs I see up in Michigan that say: 'Look twice for motorcycles'. They won't if they don't care and think we are mostly douche bags.

[–]bushel1988 HawkGT & 2003 VFR 8 points9 points ago

Everybody thinks somebody is a douche bag. There is nothing we can do that will change peoples pre-made opinions of us other than ride well.

I just ride where the cars aren't. (And I include traffic in that - find the gaps, pace the lights, change lanes around the flow, just don't be where the cars are, and when it opens up...leave them behind.)

[–]antonfire2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 10 points11 points ago

There's plenty we can do to change people's minds, including participate in public conversations about motorcycling.

[–]broken_cogwheelOregon ~ '09 Suzuki SVS 15 points16 points ago

Motorcycling is a very strange hobby. To the people that truly love it and connect with their motorcycle...it changes their life. The way they view the world, the way they view other drivers/riders...it's something very special.

You just can't explain that to most people. Even if you could, they don't want to hear it...they've already made up their mind and won't agree with anything unless it already conforms to their limited view.

It is very difficult to open a closed mind...and everyone is like that in some ways. I really wish I could give someone a few memories of those rides that you never forget; They could see what you see, smell what you smell, feel what you feel...and it would change them to the core. (I love driving too--but it has never been as close to my heart. I don't know why.)

[–]son-of-fire1993 Vulcan 750 | 1980 KZ750 LTD 5 points6 points ago

We should all just kidnap one and throw them on the back of the bike for an hour! Its perfect!

[–]broken_cogwheelOregon ~ '09 Suzuki SVS 6 points7 points ago

I wish...but I'd have to seriously restrain myself from tearing up a scenic highway at 3x the posted limit. }=] muahahahah

[–]BrawlStrogg88 1 point2 points ago

I've always opted for the "Two hours of bike riding in a car test" - i.e. any car driver without a bike licence can sit on a rev and go for two hours and see what we have to deal with.

Instant change in opinions.

[–]superphotonerd 2 points3 points ago

that would be a great idea... i feel that being a rider made me a better driver, in terms of looking out for motorcycles, and moving my car a little in a traffic jam so they can get through.. everyone should experience what it is like to be on 2 wheels

[–]ManWithFriendlyPenis'05 CG125, '97 F650 1 point2 points ago

Man, I love it when drivers do that. I always nod and give them a thumbs up when I pass.

[–]fireinthesky71998 Honda VFR800Fi 0 points1 point ago

Learning to ride on the street made me a better driver in every respect as well. I look around more, I try to be as aware of my surroundings as humanly possible, I drive much more defensively than I used to, and I absolutely don't text and drive.

[–]antonfire2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 2 points3 points ago

I'm not saying we can try to get everyone to understand what motorcycling is all about. I'm saying we can have an effect on public opinion about motorcyclists by having public conversations about it.

Motorcycling doesn't happen in a vacuum, so it's not good for the motorcycling community to isolate itself from everything else. At the very least, I think we more or less agree that raising people's awareness of motorcycles with "share the road" type signs is a good thing. That is a bunch of motorcyclists getting together and saying "I'm not just going to ride my motorcycle today, I'm going to reach outside the community to try to make the world a place that's slightly better for motorcyclists." I don't think it's your duty to do this, but I don't like the suggestion that all such attempts are futile either.

[–]bushel1988 HawkGT & 2003 VFR 2 points3 points ago

Not interested, going riding.

No offense.

[–]antonfire2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 2 points3 points ago

None taken, enjoy your ride.

[–]bushel1988 HawkGT & 2003 VFR -4 points-3 points ago

That was more of, not interested in participating in public conversations. Trying to reach understanding without shared experience is very difficult. Riders and drivers exist in different universes. Best to just leave each to their own and try not to be a dick about it.

I'm not actually going riding right now. Although..maybe I should, it's a lovely evening.

[–]dub121686'08 Graffiti CBR600RR 4 points5 points ago

I had my boss once tell me that on the way home from a concert, someone on a sport-bike passed him so he ran him off the road...If I wanted that to be my last day I probably would have quit and called him every name i could think of and spit on his shoes or something really offensive. I don't work there anymore

[–]chingchonghat'08 Hyosung GT250 6 points7 points ago

What the fuck is wrong with people? This makes me so sad. I'm sorry your ex-boss is a complete fucking psychopath.

[–]dub121686'08 Graffiti CBR600RR 1 point2 points ago

The worst part was he was really smug and proud of himself.

[–]Basbhat06 DRZ400SM 5 points6 points ago

Thinking someone is a douche is no reason to murder them.

[–]DangH1999 Triumph Speed Triple 7 points8 points ago

This I can agree with. Enough said.

[–]haxcessStar 950 and Ninja 250 0 points1 point ago

If only their opinion didn't matter. In Edmonton they managed to make loud bike pipes a ticketable offence, but loud trucks or cars aren't a problem. And those are FAR more common in Alberta than bikes with pipes.

[–]liontamarin 17 points18 points ago

This is irony, considering South Park has an entire episode dedicated to loud-pipes, calling the people who have them "fags."

[–]weaverousSuzuki GSX 4 points5 points ago

where was this flamewar?

[–]SpinkickFollySpeed Four 0 points1 point ago

Just a circlejerk now, the actual war was downvoted.

[–]rogueman999'01 Transalp 650, '90 GS500E 3 points4 points ago

What? Wait? Where? I've skimmed that thread yesterday, and I did it again just now. It's squarely against riders with overly loud pipes, and half the top comments are from riders who agree. As do many here on /r/motorcycles.

[–]VikingSlayer 20 points21 points ago

It's a flamewar against the fags who ride without mufflers.

EDIT: apparently a lot of people don't check image links/downvote references they don't get.

[–]justadude27 1 point2 points ago

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3qab9a/

[–]VikingSlayer 0 points1 point ago

I didn't, i bashed assholes who don't have mufflers.

[–]justadude27 0 points1 point ago

That whole episode is explicitly set against Harley riders. Way to miss the reference yourself.

[–]VikingSlayer 0 points1 point ago

I missed my own reference to a South Park episode? My reference was to the way the go around yelling "BRRRUMMBRUMBRUM" when they aren't on their bikes.

[–]xcondeBMW F650GS -1 points0 points ago

I'm happy to see the term is catching-on. I tried it here a few months ago and got a bit of a bashing.

[–]Gyroscopic_effectHonda: 75' CB550F-83' CB1000c 0 points1 point ago

I found that a good reference for this thread have an up vote. Don't really understand the down votes.

[–]jeezzus 6 points7 points ago

IKR... i already have shitty karma, and now because i made the mistake of telling reddit i ride ill never get a word in edgewise again.

You really shouldnt be allowed to downvote something until you upvote. 1=1 ratio would really help us all.

[–]youknow99'02 Suzuki Savage LS650 3 points4 points ago

you have my sympathy and upvote

[–]jeezzus 3 points4 points ago

i thank you sir, and returned the favor. And thx everyone for the upvotes. You guy have actually boosted my karma to almost neutral. hope this keeps up the way its going.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C -1 points0 points ago

Redditor for less than a month? Check

Already talking about posting on reddit on facebook? Check

Replied to nothing but top posts? Check

Bitching about Karma? Check

Also

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

You're.

[–]jeezzus -1 points0 points ago

Thank you for the correcting. You're the best!

[–]DoubleDickDave2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250R -4 points-3 points ago

your the best

[–]jeezzus -2 points-1 points ago

no this is a you are usage, therefore you use the conjunction you're.

-1 for posting wrong grammar info

[–]osd775Triumph Daytona 675 0 points1 point ago

Saying you downvoted I.e -1 blah blah blah is against reddiquette

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 0 points1 point ago

If pointing out your bullshit is what makes you not what an account maybe you should delete it right now. Redditors tend to call people out on their bullshit a lot.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 0 points1 point ago

ok, since you want a response and I can tell you are sitting at your computer pressing F5 waiting for that little envelop to turn red.

wth do you mean only replying to top posts

If you want to actually get karma and have your opinion seen you need to comment on posts BEFORE they hit the front page. No one is going to see you add one more comment to the post that already has 3000 comments.

Whatever happened to reddiquette.

First, I highly doubt you have been using this site long enough to remember when people actually adhered to reddiquette...the reason I say that is because I don't remember that time.

Second, If you actually read reddiquette then you should know

Please don't Complain about downvotes on your posts. Millions of people use reddit; every story and comment gets at least a few downvotes.

Finally, I have glanced at your history. Everything you have contributed has either not added any content or just restated what someone else has said before you.

[–]jeezzus -2 points-1 points ago

ok i see your point on the top post things, although i do put my 2 cents into posts on libertarian which never makes front page. I just scroll down my subs, nuff said.

Im not saying i was the 3rd guy to use reddit, but when i started using reddit i hadnt even seen a flamewar, entirely new concept to me.

third, i know i have a majority that is not new content, but a majority is over 50% and im pretty sure i had some insightful things on there. Beside i just made this account and i dont have time to be on here all day every day. and thank you for teaching me the f5 thing. Not a shortcut kinda guy.

Now to attack you, i read a little bit of your stuff. Most of what you said apply right back to you sir, and at least im not posting other peoples images and not giving credit. At least i dont post anything that not straight out my brain.

And yes i realize i have horid spelling.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 1 point2 points ago

when I say you are not posting anything original I mean you are not posting anything original in that specific post. I mean your comments are almost carbon copies of comments that have already been made.

at least im not posting other peoples images and not giving credit

Please, give an example

And yes i realize i have horid spelling

Install google chrome. It will let you know what words you have misspelled.

[–]jeezzus -2 points-1 points ago

aif you actually read my posts you would see that i have my own twists on everything, and like to include personal stuff as well. Every single picture you have posted has no credit given to original poster. Trust me i checked before pulling that out. And i do use google chrome, but i have a broken right mouse button which makes spell checking really hard.

btw since you're apparently the lord of reddit, awnser this question. Does your karma have anything to do with how often you can post? Im tired of this one post every 8 min shit.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 0 points1 point ago

I created every picture I have posted. Am I supposed to give credit to myself?

Time as a redditor and Karma in specific subreddits influence how often you can post.

but i have a broken right mouse button which makes spell checking really hard.

So you see that words are spelled incorrectly but are too lazy to figure out how they are correctly spelled.

[–]jeezzus -2 points-1 points ago

ok i find it hard to believe you made every single picture you posted. Thank you for that tidbit of info, i had my suspicions but now that i know ill work on it so i can bother people like you more. And yes i am too lazy to correct my spellings, we live in america and i obviously know what im talking about with a wide vocabulary. So i spell shit wrong, at least all my posts make sense. Which is a lot more than we can say about other redditors on here.

[–]Stole_My_Banana2000 Victory V92C 0 points1 point ago

Please cite a specific example, obviously excluding memes as their original source should be quite obvious.

As for the spelling, I was once told "Our spelling and grammar are like the clothes for our ideas. If we want to be taken seriously we shouldn't dress like hobos"

But then, I guess you are at a point in your life where if your writings are not being graded by your high school English teacher then why should you be asked to go through the extra effort of "spell checking" and "proof reading"

[–]capitano32 1 point2 points ago

actually its the internet, not america

[–]ExplodingUnicorns2012 Honda CBR600RR/A 1 point2 points ago

Why was the flame war brought up against motorcycles?

edit: If it's the Unmuffled thread, I can understand him being annoyed at that. Was thinking it was a general hate for motorcyclists.

[–]alexactoSuzuki SV650 "Suzi" 1 point2 points ago

Yesterday I was riding up La Brea near Olympic and a guy in a pickup truck changed lanes into me. I slammed the breaks and thought I was toast, everything happened so fast. I fell behind just in time (sunny weather here makes for good grip, my tires are fresh). I blew my horn and watched him laugh at me in his mirror. I was too freaked out to talk to the fucker.

[–]xRamzzRepsol 600rr 1 point2 points ago

People can be so fucking stupid and ignorant. And that is a prime example.

[–]GummyGummerson 1 point2 points ago

There was plenty of stupid and ignorant on both sides of that discussion.

[–]n0nps07 gsxr 600 3 points4 points ago

They are stereotyping to all bikers cause each of them have one asshole in there million dollar housings plan. I live on a main road i hear everything from load bikes "crotch rockets" to big trucks and load systems. However it is something i realized i would have to live with when i moved in. However if i were to be in yard i would just wave high as they pass while i am watering my garden because everyone has their own taste and I'm sure as hell that there is something out there that i do that might make someone a little angry.......like my loud bike.

[–]SpinkickFollySpeed Four 0 points1 point ago

Same deal with where i live. I just hate one single biker. He bike is motherfucking loud but thats not a huge issue with me. Its just that he leaves it in first and rides up and down the block. BRRAAAAAMMM bRRRRrrrr BRRAAAAAMMMM brrrrrrrr BRRAMMMM.

Motherfucker, shift fucking up.

Other than that, yeah, i think they can be annoying, but its whatever.

[–]NeoTranshuman 2 points3 points ago

It's not against motorcycles, it's against attention whores.

[–]likhiondovYamaha R6 0 points1 point ago

Reddit encourages circlejerking. Don't bring a controversial opinion anywhere in it. You'll be hated. And the little (-) in front of your vote count inspires even more downvoting.

[–]Wodeath2007 KLR 650 dual sport MODDED 0 points1 point ago

Few people give everyone else a bad name.

[–]BlackFalloutStreet fightered 2003 GSX-R750 0 points1 point ago

At least half the posts in that threat are people joking about running down motorcyclists on purpose. Bunch of assholes.

[–]thescrapplekid1981 XLH1000 0 points1 point ago

I'm very glad I stayed away from that post.

[–]Uncle_Erik 0 points1 point ago

Who cares?

I unsubscribed from r/askreddit a long time ago.

[–]cr0ftTriumph Rocket III 1 point2 points ago

Sounds like America to me, the land that locks up more of its own citizens per capita than anyplace else... ;) Also, Reddit isn't America, Reddit is available all over the world.

[–]simpledifferencesSoCal | 2002 Ninja 250 1 point2 points ago

I'm really annoyed with that thread. The general consensus of comments say that non-riders would prefer to not be annoyed and have someone die instead of being slightly inconvenienced and having someone else improving their chances of survival.

I myself feel that some bikes are just too loud, but who freaking cares? They have the money and ability to do whatever they want, and if they feel that loud pipes save lives, then who are you to condone it so harshly?

Seriously, how ignorant can people get? It's like telling your parents that your grandma's breathing apparatus is too annoying for you because you can't sleep at night and thus you want her to be taken off of it.

[–]dmsuperman07 FJR 1300, 98 GSXR 600 0 points1 point ago

The question is clearly about people that don't have mufflers. That doesn't even apply to most of us. Obviously the question is directed at people who grumble through town ripping open the throttle for no reason whatsoever. Why are we even paying them a modicum of attention?

[–]wookmaster2007 HD Nightster 1200 1 point2 points ago

That post was scary...and owning a Harley Nightster it left me wondering if Im an asshole out on the street. Its just stock pipes with slips ons that are black but man what a hate fest that was. Don't get me wrong..there are some assholes out there. But man was that scary to read all the hating. I'm already scared to death out there of someone hitting me because they could care less about other lives..I don't want to worry about people purposely trying to hurt me because my pipes are too loud and I didnt even realize it.

I HOPE they are talking about this type of person: So I pull out onto a 4 lane road and reach a stop light. I hear another bike coming up behind me and my usual thought it "Sweet another rider". He pulls up right next to me which was weird, never had anyone do that before usually there is a grace space . This guy just started revving the living shit out of his bike..I mean this thing is LOUD and he is just cranking away on it. I'm just like wtf. He takes off crazy as shit fast and I just start going in total awe that it just happened.

[–]rebuilt2011 Versys, 1982 Honda CM450c 1 point2 points ago

Loud pipes are like hate speech. I don't like it or agree with it but it should be allowed because freedom of speech also protects people you disagree with.

[–]Mirrory2012 Street Triple R 0 points1 point ago

Someone needs to link them the butthurt report form.

[–]Markymark36 0 points1 point ago

Best reason: "fuck you that's why"

I go by the code of "While I don't approve of what you're doing, I accept that you have the right to whatever you want with your property"

[–]Neverreadsreplies 0 points1 point ago

I live on the busiest road in my city, it's popular for (loud) motorcyclists and they're usually still going past at 2 - 3 AM. I have never had a negative thought about those guys while I'm drifting off to sleep.

The loud drunks yelling and singing? They piss me off. Chances are they drive cars as well.. huh.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 3 points4 points ago

I used to live on a busy street too, as a rider I would get excited when I heard some loud exhaust thinking it was a cool bike. Then as I look out the window 9 times out of 10 it was a old rusted out pick up truck and get disappointed. The flame war on askreddit doesn't seem to get that bikes aren't the only thing on the road that are loud

[–]OZ-00MS2B2005 CBR600F4i -2 points-1 points ago

The flame war on askreddit doesn't seem to get that bikes aren't the only thing on the road that are loud

Because it doesn't matter. The fact that there are other loud vehicles on the road doesn't make unmuffled motorcycles any less annoying.

[–]hougs1992012 HD Fat Bob[S] 0 points1 point ago

I was just saying that when I lived on a busy street the super loud rumble late at night was almost never a bike, it would be a shitty rusted out pick up truck, or some dude in an old Corolla, who's muffler rusted off. It was almost never a motorcycle

[–]OZ-00MS2B2005 CBR600F4i 0 points1 point ago

Oh I agree. More often than not on my street it's a shitty diesel truck making a racket at all hours. But when it is a motorcycle I dislike it even more, because on at least a dozen occasions over the years I've had to explain to cranky neighbors that it wasn't me out there waking their kids and scaring their pets. The inconsiderate assholes make the rest of us look bad by association.

[–]MycroftPwns'11 Suzuki TU-250 0 points1 point ago

This got a rare meme upvote from me.

[–]Aries22032005 CBR 125 -1 points0 points ago

http://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/xd734/bikers_with_unmuffled_motorcycles/ this latest post just continues to show how scarily much car drivers seem to hate bikers. having said that there are a couple of bikers on there not helping the issue, examples below. "well I don't know about you guys. But my motorcycle (BMW) has this thing called a horn. I can use it to beep at people. I've been riding for years without annoying loud pipes, and I'm perfectly safe. people probably WANT to merge into you with those obnoxiously loud pipes. I'm 23, and not an old man either! I guess I never really understood Harley guys. You like to be loud as fuck, while your bike vibrates so hard that it tickles your touch-hole."

"South Park handled this issue beautifully with their Fags episode. Really the only people advocating loud pipes are immature children who don't care about anyone but themselves. I've been riding for over 10 years and I've never heard of any credible safety source that was able to establish louder pipes reduce the chance of accidental collision or improve your chances of being seen. If people want to ride around with chopped off pipes, go ahead, they're perfectly legal. But don't try to justify your douche baggery by saying it's for safety when it's 100% bullshit."

"Go fuck yourself. I've been riding for 40 years, some of them as an AMA Pro racer (80's) and I've always been on quiet bikes. You want a loud bike, you're a squid and a poser and an idiot. All three. Get some skills, you'll be fine."

i have been on my fiance's bike when a good loud rev has made a car driver about to pull out on us actually turn their head, see us and stop. He takes all the precautions, if he sees a car driver not paying attention as he's coming up to passing a side street he slows down, yet the car driver still doesn't see us. it is honestly scary though just how many car drivers out there seem to have a pure murderous hatred of bikers and to say things like ' you chose to ride the bike therefore this gives me the right to mow you down cos i didn't see you' is disgraceful. and to think i will soon be joining that out on the road on just a little 125... :S

edit just to clarify, his exhaust isn't illegally loud, but it's loud enough for when he revs it. and he doesn't use his horn because it is some shitty little squeeky toy that you can barely hear. also in all fairness he loves the sound of his exhaust, i hate loud pipes and want my bike nice and quiet but he has told me it needs to be at least a bit loud so that car drivers will notice me, and i trust his judgement. having loud pipes is not about paying less attention, it's about paying attention while making others do the same

[–]kroatia04'06 ninja 250 0 points1 point ago

I have loud mufflers but I don't go over 5k rpm when around people.

And I HATE those people who ride really loud in cities.

[–]Danleyson -3 points-2 points ago

I just made a Scumbag Driver meme in response as well.

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