A Nice Set Of Pipes (1840 hits)
Category: RomanceRating: 1.22 on 14 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <Crudite> (View user info) at 2005-05-25 13:57:16 EDT
Yesterday, as I was doing my usual work routine, namely, hanging around the Ubersite reading the posts, berating the nitwits and praising the entertaining posters, when I suddenly came across this piece of crap: http://www.ubersite.com/m/66975.
Seems this little fella has a problem with loud motorcycles. My first thought was "What's this geriatric prick doing on this site?" then I realized that this person was probably younger than myself. I think it was when he wrote something to the effect of "drilled out muffler plates" that made me realize this kid had no fucking clue as to what he was talking about. But I went ahead and read on, mainly because I am a motorcycle enthusiast, rider, biker, call it as you wish. So, this guy is going on about loud pipes, and how he has to roll up his car windows because of the noise, and how everyone who buys a Harley Davidson immediately disables the mufflers, and blah blah blah. Now I'm getting a little pissed because I begin to see that this is one of those assholes who are a danger to all bikers because they hate anyone on two wheels, and actually go out of their way to abuse us on the road. Oh, the stories I could tell you about these jerkoffs, but, I digress.
This morning as I'm getting for work, my Wife was watching the Today show on NBC. In passing, I saw that they were doing a segment called "Live For Today" in which they go out and do something which the viewers have suggested. Something exciting, and unusual. This morning's suggestion was to ride a Harley on the open road. Of course, I had to see this, and was expecting it to be quite lame. It wasn't bad. They started off by asking a bunch of bikers why they ride. Some answers given were:
"The wind in my face gives me a feeling of freedom, of soaring like a bird."
"I feel as if I am a part of the scenery, not just watching it go by."
"The power is exhilarating."
The segment continued with the host, Matt Lauer, dressed up in leathers and a do-rag, which was pretty funny, seeing this talking head dressed like that, and then they rode. It was taped, on a beautiful sunny day, a dozen or so Harleys riding around the pine forest roads of south Jersey. Of course the background music began with the obligatory Steppenwolf (Born To Be Wild), and continued with Canned Heat (Goin Up The Country), and the Shangri-Las golden oldie (Leader of The Pack). To end the segment they drove in a pack right onto the live set, in the rain, on the street in New York. Upon dismounting, Matt walked up to his co-host and said, "I've gotta get one of those."
I'm sure that by this time you, gentle reader, are asking, "What's the point?" Well this is the point: I ride because I love the feeling of freedom, the speed and the power. The fresh wind in my face and the promise of the open road ahead. Not because I think it makes me tough, or some kind of outlaw. That "outlaw biker" stereotype went out with Ducktail haircuts and pink High-Boys. Yes, my pipes are loud but that's for two good reasons. One, because it sounds cool. Two, because you can hear me (or us) coming. If you're blaring the radio, or talking on the cell phone, or just plain oblivious (read: stupid), you'll be aware of me and that could save my life. Especially if you're an asshole like the author of the aforementioned post, you can't say you didn't know I was there as you ran me off the road. As they say, loud pipes save lives.
In closing, I'll re-post my offer to the asshole, and any others among you who hate motorcyclists for whatever reason you've cooked up in that tiny little mind of yours.
*********
Submitted by Crudite (user info) at 2005-05-24 13:30:43 (#)
Ranking: -2
I suggest that we discuss this further. The next time you see me on the road, please be sure to sound your horn and give me the finger. Then I'll know it's you and we can pull over and "talk".
*********
Here's a piece of David Mann art entitled: Ghost Rider.
Ride on.
User Reviews
Submitted by gonefiguring (user info) at 2007-01-11 13:50:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Loud pipes do save lives.
Helmet laws suck, but helmets don't.
Testify.
Submitted by Crudite (user info) at 2005-05-26 11:41:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-05-25 18:25:24 (#)
Ranking: 1
Darn - I thought this was going to be about American Idol....
Hehehehehehe
anyhow - regardless of how you feel about the people who ride bikes, you should be aware of them - and the loud pipes do the job, thank you.
Myself, I prefer the quieter pretty little sports bikes - Honda's are cute as anything! mmmmmm - biker boys!
*************
Crystle, you'd look good on the back of my Harley, plus there's that vibration factor. Always a big hit with the ladies.
Submitted by PokeyPecker (user info) at 2005-05-25 20:22:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Who gives a fuck either way?
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-05-25 18:25:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Darn - I thought this was going to be about American Idol....
Hehehehehehe
anyhow - regardless of how you feel about the people who ride bikes, you should be aware of them - and the loud pipes do the job, thank you.
Myself, I prefer the quieter pretty little sports bikes - Honda's are cute as anything! mmmmmm - biker boys!
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-05-25 16:23:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Crudite (user info) at 2005-05-24 13:30:43 (#)
Ranking: -2
I suggest that we discuss this further. The next time you see me on the road, please be sure to sound your horn and give me the finger. Then I'll know it's you and we can pull over and "talk".
__________
I already did, and I kicked your fucking ass, you pansy faggot! And then I pushed your Vespa into the street!
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-05-25 16:22:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2005-05-25 15:50:12 (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't like the noise, but I can understand the safety part of it, so I don't complain much.
And Indo, you hear the pipes, right?
So you know they're there.
That's all it is.
Turjn up your radio, roll up your window or whatever, but you are aware of their presence, and you're more likely to looks in your mirrors when changning lanes.
I've personally seen two accidents where a car changed lanes without looking, and hit a bike.
It's not pretty.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I am sure safety is the number one concern of people who love their bikes. I have seen tons of bike accidents(granted most were in South east asia, but I see the same stuff here), and most of them have been bikers fault. I almost never see a biker pass a car safely (ie not speed up right behind them then swerve around only a foot away). How often have you seen cycles weaving in and out of traffic? This guy just said he loved his bike because of the rush, what is more of a rush driving responsibly or racing around like an idiot.
I do see how you can make an argument that they are there for safety, but to say that is the reason people do it I still think is BS.
Submitted by Vulva (user info) at 2005-05-25 15:51:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Leader of the pack....vrooom....vrooom
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2005-05-25 15:50:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't like the noise, but I can understand the safety part of it, so I don't complain much.
And Indo, you hear the pipes, right?
So you know they're there.
That's all it is.
Turjn up your radio, roll up your window or whatever, but you are aware of their presence, and you're more likely to looks in your mirrors when changning lanes.
I've personally seen two accidents where a car changed lanes without looking, and hit a bike.
It's not pretty.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-05-25 15:38:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
"One, because it sounds cool."
No it doesn't. It sounds stupid.
I am sure gangsta wanna be's think blairing their base at ear bleeding levels is cool also. The only difference is that you probably have a huge potbelly, and they are probably aids skinny.
Your second reason of safety was also BS. If you need to alert somone of your pesence it is called a horn. They hear your "pipes" and they roll up their window, turn up their music, and then it is impossible to hear a honk.
Oh yeah, how does that obnoxiously loud noise make you feel like part of the scenery? What kind of scenery sounds like that? Unless you are cruising through a drilling oil rig or something all it does is take from the scenery.
Submitted by Rocktsrgn (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:41:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Have a +2 b/c there are some crazy mother fuckers out there. Be careful on the bike. My dad went down hard a few years ago.
Submitted by AwesomeJohnson (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:22:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
David Mann +2
Submitted by jumpinjellyfish (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:20:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My sister and brother-in-law ride their Harley every weekend and they claim it is the most joyful investment they've ever made.
Submitted by swamp_donkey (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:13:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Rock on, Easy Rider.
Submitted by Crudite (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:12:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Damn! Getting READY for work.