Whats up with Harley Riders

[dale55]

First off this is not a bash Harley post, just an observation on people who ride them. I was just in my backyard watering and I heard a motorcycle go by. So as I do most of the time I took a look to see what it was. It was a guy on a Harley and he had the clutch pulled in and was just "twisting the throttle". He did the same when he came to a stop at the four way.

To my question. Why do so many Harley owners do this? I have never seen anyone else on any other make do that. Is it some kind of weird ritual thing or is it just to "hear that potatoe potatoe" sound?

Thoughts?

Dale

[cactusjack]

Beats me. I don't do it, none of the guys I ride with do it either.

[VulcanE]

The only time I twist my throttle with the clutch pulled in is to get the RPMs up when I'm down shifting. I don't over rev the engine, just get the RPMs up to where they will be when I let the clutch out to make the down shift smooth. Several HD riders I ride with will whoop the engine while sitting at a red light, or in traffic, and I asked why they did it, and their reply was, that idle, there isn't enough RPMs to keep the oil circulating on the upper end (between 5~7 psi) http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif, and by goosing the engine periodically, will keep the oil flowing. ??? I said...........OK, and at idle my bike has between 15~17 psi of pressure. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Sin City Stan]

First off this is not a bash Harley post, just an observation on people who ride them. I was just in my backyard watering and I heard a motorcycle go by. So as I do most of the time I took a look to see what it was. It was a guy on a Harley and he had the clutch pulled in and was just "twisting the throttle". He did the same when he came to a stop at the four way.

To my question. Why do so many Harley owners do this? I have never seen anyone else on any other make do that. Is it some kind of weird ritual thing or is it just to "hear that potatoe potatoe" sound?

Thoughts?

Dale

I have a neighbor with a HD that feels he has to rev the engine at every opportunity. Start it up, shut it down, a stop sign, whatever, he's gotta rev it. Don't get it either.

BTW it makes me look like the motorcycle good guy to the rest of the neighborhood. ;)

[ponch]

It's kind of like the old saying, if you shake it more than once it's for pleasure. The guy just likes the potato sound of the loud and slow. Kind like a mid 80's Monte SS with the air filter top flipped. All sound and no go. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[deacon]

I have heard about the pressure thing. I doubt most harley riders know about it. It seems to me the louder the pipes the more throttle twisting.

[aldridgekennedy]

I ride often with 2 buddies with ultra classics (one is an 07 model with 50K miles) these guys ride a lot. They don't wear the H-D logo from head to foot and i've never heard them revving for the heck of it.

My conclusion is the ones that do it have some sort of need to be noticed. Maybe they never got enough attention as kids!!!

I'm like you those folks irk me as well.

While we're on that kick, 2 idiots a couple of doors down from me ride suzuki crotch rockets and insist on trying to redline them from the house to the stop light (every bit of 100 yards). what gives???

[MarkG]

Went looking on the web to see if there was a reason. It seems to be a myth about the oil pressure. Several sites cautioned revving the engine while stopped is a bad idea. All it does is cause excess heat for air cooled engines and breaks down the oil faster. Like anything else, somebody, who knew somebody said something was true and it somehow became fact. None of the modern motorcycles require anything special for normal operation.

[foztex]

He may like the sound of his pipes or want others to notice; ::)or, perhaps he never learned or was able to play a musical instrument and this is his instrument (watch out for those high notes). :) Who knows...

The guy who lives across the street from me has a beautiful Dyna Glide; he rides it to work almost every day: no excess revs from him.

[racinfan101]

Just the way some of them are, and there are metric guys the same way. Was with a group today and met up with them late for lunch. Parked next to a Shadow somebody had done up nice. When we all left the guy who had the Shadow was getting on his bike as I walked up to mine. I mentioned I had a Shadow before I got my Nomad and his reply was start his bike and let everyone know that he had un-baffled pipes and then cranked on the stereo he had on it. Never said one word just let his wrist and bike let me know he was an A**

[schoeney]

I have a neighbor that has a metric that does the same thing. Annoyance is not brand specific.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

They like the sound and want everyone else to hear it also.

[ringadingh]

My pals never got into that habit on their HD's, must be mainly an american habit.

[Loafer]

Had a couple on a turn key chopper pull up next to me at a red light, revRevREVREVREV light turns green REVREVBLAAAAH to bad she wasn't hanging on... split her head wide open. No helmet.

[wiz]

I do see the revving while stopped thing with people on all brands, usually those who have installed loud pipes. Cruisers and sportbikes. Dr. Phill says that these load revvers did not receive enough attention as a child.... ;) Some of the loudest and most annoying bikes I have heard have been Japanese cruisers with pretty much plain straight pipes. The tortured chainsaw sound has little appeal for me and I notice that the people with the loudest bikes tend to ride fewer and shorter rides. Just my grumpy old impression of things around here.

[jims]

My first bike in the early sixties was a 2-cycle 175cc . I thought it was sooo coool when I removed the muffler and it sounded like an F14 taking off an aircraft carrier with flames shooting out the exhaust pipe sans muffler. I hope I didn't damage too much of the publics appreciation of motorcycles back then. I like to think I grew out of that stage, not everybody has.

[cactusjack]

Hey, if somebody goes and spends $800 on a set of Rineharts, they want to share them with the world.

[deacon]

Got to love the "redliners" :( I hear them going by my house every morning about 5 30 am :/

[bobhamlin]

My first bike in the early sixties was a 2-cycle 175cc . I thought it was sooo coool when I removed the muffler and it sounded like an F14 taking off an aircraft carrier with flames shooting out the exhaust pipe sans muffler. I hope I didn't damage too much of the publics appreciation of motorcycles back then. I like to think I grew out of that stage, not everybody has.
Later 60s, my first street bike was a Honda S-90. I also took out the baffle to make it sound more authoritative.

I remember reducing my rpm at idle to "almost stalling out." Part of my revving was to keep it from actually doing so. I've always been fascinated by the bikes that just barely have enough oomph to turn over the next cycle.

[wompus]

It's called the "Look-at-me syndrome.

HEY, LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! I'M ON A MOTORCYCLE!!

LOOK, I'M A BAD ASS, LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!

Also called the "Dumb ass syndrome...... ::) ::)

.

[skeeter]

It's called the "Look-at-me syndrome.

HEY, LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! I'M ON A MOTORCYCLE!!

LOOK, I'M A BAD ASS, LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!

Also called the "Dumb ass syndrome...... ::) ::)

.

.. look at me, my car looks like crap but, you can hear my base from three miles away.

[cactusjack]

It applies to many things. Hondas with fart cans, low riders pumping 1000 watts of bass, and many motorcycles, not just Harleys.

[blowndodge]

Beats me. I don't do it, none of the guys I ride with do it either.

That's because it wastes gas and we all know your a Che.....!!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[blowndodge]

Hey, if somebody goes and spends $800 on a set of Rineharts, they want to share them with the world.

So that's why you got that loud "look at me" San Francisco gay flaming purple color??? Now we understand!

Thanks for sharing!!! ;)

[dank]

So that's why you got that loud "look at me" San Francisco gay flaming purple color??? Now we understand!

Thanks for sharing!!! ;)

A surprisingly odd taunt from a guy who irons his T-shirts and prances around in chaps........ ::) ::) ::)

[blowndodge]

Hey Dan,,,,,,, your not done ironing my shirts and mowing my lawn!! Get back to work! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[skeeter]

lol

[Top Cat]

Hey Brad, let's not be bashing purple, there is nothing wrong with purple bikes or the guys who ride purple bikes.
Purple is the royal color. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[skeeter]

royalty in on the one hand refering to kings and kingdoms with the inherent honor and respect...

on the other we're looking at someone that has reached or mastered the upper echelon in their field of endeavor or situational escalation.

example;
royally screwed
royal pain in the ass
royal bitch
etc...

although some aspects herein are not altogether deserving of honor, you must bedrudgingly bestow some level respect to someone having attained such a high mark.

fly your colors proudly

[rolfe]

Ive seen this several times and its mostly younger folks. Once at a Super Shell Station the rider was trying to select the right pump and was giving the ole bike the throttle weaving in and around the pumps. Could be a signal at the light to let drivers know that a bike is on the road also. And then just the general I am a cool person , and I have a really cool sounding motorcycle. I would not stereo type just HD riders cause I've seen all types of bikes and riders doing this.

In fact if you go to Sound Dogs.com do a search and listen to motorcycle sounds. =r=

Harley guys are a different breed for sure. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[Dave]

Harley guys are a different breed for sure. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif


Are you saying I'm not normal?

[blowndodge]

::) ah.... no?? ::)

[glwilson]

Lot's of impressions here. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I was going to ask the same question also Dave. Thanks for asking. Geez...

The only ones that I have seen rev the motor are those with older carbed bikes where their idle set so low the bike barely stays running, and would stall on roll-out if they didn't rev it some.

However, having said that, even those guys seem to have gotten into a habit where they are constantly throttling it even when not needed. ::) Drives me nuts also. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[Loafer]

Boys with toys will play.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

Dave, your not normal... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[skeeter]

you have to be Ab or Sub to stay here. Therefore normal to this forum

[rflnomad]

I see this with many riders of all makes. Sportbikes, Metrics and Harleys. I feel it is people looking for attention.
We have a old 1980 H-D Wide Glide with turn out mufflers. A neighbor asked how I made it so quiet. I said "it is called mufflers."

[skeeter]

lol. simple eh.?

[Cajunrider]

Sorry guys....not just Harley riders have to rev at every traffic light or Stop sign. Attend a KawaNOW rally and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[Loafer]

Sorry guys....not just Harley riders have to rev at every traffic light or Stop sign. Attend a KawaNOW rally and you'll see what I'm talking about.

What? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[b1rider]

I have a neighbor that has a metric that does the same thing. Annoyance is not brand specific.

I agree, not brand specific.

[dank]

I see this with many riders of all makes."


After reading this about people reving with all makes, I decided to try reving my ST1300 at a stoplight this morning. I saw the tach needle spike, which is no big thrill (unless it is in gear with the clutch engaged). Is something else supposed to happen?

[blowndodge]

Common belief is that your testicles get bigger and woman throw themselves at you??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Kawhead]

Sorry guys....not just Harley riders have to rev at every traffic light or Stop sign. Attend a KawaNOW rally and you'll see what I'm talking about.Hate to say it, but it's true. :-/

[blowndodge]

Same at the Redwoods Mitch... :-[

[ponch]

Same at the Redwoods Mitch... :-[

can you say UB?

[Kawhead]

Hime juss sayin' ::)

[Loafer]

OK, TC wants a full report on his desk of who the culprets are, first thing in the morning!!!

[Top Cat]

OK, TC wants a full report on his desk of who the culprets are, first thing in the morning!!!

Thank You for relaying the memo Gerry.
We will weed out these noise makers and once again make the streets of America quiet and peaceful. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[glwilson]

It will be rumbling pipes they'll get rid of first... then it will be "grumbling" old-men next!! Where will it ever stop?? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Top Cat]

It will be rumbling pipes they'll get rid of first... then it will be "grumbling" old-men next!! Where will it ever stop?? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

"grumbling" old-men http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
I'm glad I'm not one of those.
Any one who knows me says I am one of the quietest, most polite, humble people they ever ment. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[blowndodge]

And that's why nobody knows you Tim!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Dave]

I'm glad I'm not one of those.
Any one who knows me says I am one of the quietest, most polite, humble people they ever ment. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Here I go again. :)

http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp80/Dave9945/ThrowUp.jpg