Although there are some good answers to each of these questions, it all comes down to subjectivity at the end of the day. Loud to you may not be loud to someone else. Some states, counties and municipalities can tell you what they think is loud based on "noise pollution" laws that are measured in decibles and rewarded with citations.

Here is what I can tell you about pipes from my own subjective point of view...

Pipe sounds will vary greatly based upon several conditions:

1). Neutral or idle position
2). Aggressive or non-aggressive throttle use
3). Open road cruising
4). Tight surroundings, (small street/alley/garage/etc.)
5). Other competing sounds, (other bikes, cars emergency vehicles, etc)
6). Altitude, sea level versus crossing the Rockies
7). Baffles in or baffles out
8). Full or 3/4 helmet on or off
9). Earplugs in or out
10). Past experience with loud pipes, (new riders riding with new aftermarket pipes will hear them differently than those of us who have had louder pipes over the years)

The only thing I believe we can all agree upon when it comes to pipe sounds is this...

Imagine the weather is nice on a day that you're not in a position to ride. You are outside at "Aunt Agnes' summer Bar-B-Que." Off in the distance you hear the unmistakeable sound of a V-Twin rumbling down the road. Like a dog hearing a dog whistle, it seems like only you or another V-Twin rider can hear that sound.

Instantly you ask yourself...

I wonder what kind of bike that was?
I wonder where they are headed?
Is there a ride today that I forgot about?
How can I get on the road without Aunt Agnes kicking my ass?

If you have ever been in this position, then congratulations, you've got some biker blood in you!

If you have any thoughts or opinions on this subject, send 'em to me at bob@metricthunder.com and I'll post 'em.

MTB

January 4, 2006 02:53 PM