Living in a motorcycle tourist destination I deal with this issue first hand. While there are those who welcome the motorcycle tourist and recognize the benefit of them, there are those who despise them for disrupting their solitude. I’m at the Chamber of Commerce meetings as events are opposed and cancelled. I see the “noise ordinance enforced” signs with motorcycle icons on them going up in the small towns. Loud pipes close doors and windows as well as minds.

I realize this rant will followed by others from the “loud pipes save lives crowd”. It always is with all the examples and instances of prior escapes from catastrophe. Your bike already has an audible warning device – it’s the button with the little horn icon on it. If it’s not loud enough, upgrade. It’s cheaper than straight pipes. How long do you think you’d tolerate or be tolerated riding around holding down your horn button? To many, it would be just as annoying as your thumping or screaming exhaust notes.

You want respect? You gotta show respect. Freedom comes with the burden of responsibility. Act irresponsibly and suffer the consequences. We’re faced with a choice – we can either address this problem ourselves or others will impose their solutions on us. At this point the opposition has the upper hand. Choose wisely – your choice is affecting my freedom and impacting my wallet as well as yours.

How far are they from banning motorcycle traffic in the city when this fails? They do it with trucks, no “jake brakes”, routing them around towns, etc. now in many locations. People don’t want to hear them. You may be next.