Rolling Thunder

[MarkF]

I was in Washington DC this weekend for Memorial Day. I went with the family down to the mall and saw the WWII Memorial. It is very impressive. Then I got to see the big Rolling Thunder mc parade. The bikes went up and down the same street most of the afternoon. I know this because I saw the same bikes repeating. It was both a wonderful show of support and a blatent show of disrespect for the law. The LOUD pipes on some of the HDs and most of the custom V-twin clones made me sick. A little loud might be OK but these were to the extreme. I guess those riders could say they earned the freedom to modify their rides but I say their freedom ends at my eardrums. Something like Rolling Thunder could earn a lot of respect for motorcyclists but instead families with their children in our nation's capital were presented with a negative image that stirs the "not in my back yard" attitude many have towards motorcyclists. My $0.02!

MarkF

[Cliffy777]

Freedom for loud ends at my eardrums. Zackly right.

One thing I gotta say for the Harley folks is that they pack 'em in for charity rides and what not. Hard to bitch at loud bikes that are riding in support of the troops, USA, etc. etc.

Gosh, I feel so patriotic I think I'm gonna see if Screamin' Eagle has some kinda two thousand dollar chromium pipes to make my bike sound like a REAL motorcycle.....

[edge51]

Rolling Thunder is not about motorcycles. It is about vets - mostly Viet Nam era calling attention to the issues that continue to impact our lives. Everything from lack of recognition to lousy care in VA hospitals. If it takes loud pipes rattling politicians office windows to get some care and attention then I will be there with the loudest dang motorcycle I can find.

[MarkF]

Originally posted by edge51
Rolling Thunder is not about motorcycles. It is about vets - mostly Viet Nam era calling attention to the issues that continue to impact our lives. Everything from lack of recognition to lousy care in VA hospitals. If it takes loud pipes rattling politicians office windows to get some care and attention then I will be there with the loudest dang motorcycle I can find.

OK, anything it takes. How about some random gunfire or a little arson? Of course not that would be illegal or would have a negative impact on society. My point exactly.

Besides if you want to rattle some windows don't do it on the Sunday of a long holiday weekend. None of the politicians were in DC anyway!

I'm all for veteran benefits, recognition and respect. But, I don't see how this cause justifies so much noise polution in our nation's capital on such a respectful holiday.

MarkF

P.S. I'm sure all of those loud bike owners put the stock pipes back on when they got home, it was just to get the politician's attention.

[85138]

The following appeared in my local village newsletter:

QUESTIONS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

To The Nyack Villager--

This is directed to any motorcyclists out there who might give me some insight into your thought processes.

Dear Cyclist: When you drive down a village street and you see people cover their ears because your engines are too loud for them, what are you thinking? When you roar up a street of houses late at night, when one can safely assume the occupants are trying to sleep, what goes through your mind? I am trying not to judge you. I know you have your rights as a motorist. Naturally, I'd like to silence you, but since I can't I'd at least like to understand you. When you waken and disturb people with your engines, which of the following goes through your mind:

--Look at how powerful I am!
--Oops, I didn't think it was that loud. My bad!
--I'll be gone soon, so it's no big deal.
--I know it disturbs them but I just don't care!
--@%*!!-- them!

Or is there something else entirely that I'm just not getting? Any insights would be appreciated.
--name withheld at writer's request

[1flyer]

I think for some of the riders at Rolling Thunder it could be about the POW/MIA’s and maybe the veterans but for most of them it’s just a BIG event to say they went to with a bunch of motorcycles. I fail to understand all the loud noise and chest pounding when I’m thinking about the purpose of Memorial Day. There is nothing about remembering the casualties of war and the sacrifices veterans have made that would cause me to want to ride around in circles and make a lot of noise.

Unfortunately, Memorial Day is known by most of the kids these days as the day the pool opens or the day they have great sales at the Mall. For a lot of the Rolling Thunder riders it’s the day they get to play around in Washington.

[rocketman]

I've been twice in the past 5 years and talked to a number of other riders there, as for the folks I rode with they went because of the cause, as for the rest, who's to say, some are there for the cause, others just out for a ride. Trying to put a percentage as to posers versus those who are legitimately concerned would prob. be impossible and the merits of the event could be endlessly debated without resolution.

As for the loud pipe aspect, a number of months ago I wrote an article on the subject for VirginiaWind.com called Loud Pipes Save Lives (http://www.roadrunes.com/loud_pipes.htm) when my neighbor, who had just started riding made the statement that he was going to put loud pipes on his machine to be safer by insuring other would hear him coming. I fully expected to get a flood of hate mail since my article basically concluded that the myth that “Loud Pipes Save Lives” was just that, a myth and that they caused far more detrimental effects to the motorcycling community as a whole. To my surprise most mail I received was positive, with only a few arguing for, and those mostly claiming that loud pipes had helped avoid a possible collision because they had “revved” their engines in time to warn the on coming driver, something, as I pointed out in my response, a good loud horn would do equally well, if not better. So I had to conclude that either A: the readers of the e-zine I write for are especially intelligent, :D or B: those that run loud pipes just don’t read that particular magazine. I’d be tempted to state that they’re (the LPSL crowd) are most likely reading “Biker” magazines, instead of a middle of the road e-zine, reading them, that is, in context some folks “read” Playboy or Hustler, but that would be stereotyping, wouldn’t it? :bliss

RM stepping down....

[gambrinus]

Hmmm maybe another T-Shirt idea to sell at the local BMW rally

"Loud Pipes, Small D*ck"


Cheers
RW

Who rides his quiet bike around with a big smile...

[Weasel]

'Sure would be stereotyping...Haven't read Playboy in a few years, but back in the 60's an dearly 70's it was a good read, with all the latest technology and daring articles. Skip the pics...don't know if it's that way any longer.

I ride every day to work. Up till now, it's been 29 yrs on a R60/6. Sometimes I even ran straight pipes. If I use my horn next to someone they're liable to panic and do a sudden move. I don't want any sudden moves in a tunnel, for instance. Generally, if you have "fairly loud" (not obnoxiously loud) pipes, your presence as you come up alongside and pass is more of a gradual thing - "Oh, what's this, why it's a motorcycle...my, what a nice sounding engine...hmmm...a BMW? I thought those were all whisper bikes.."

My R1200CLC has a nice tone, but they ought to offer a bit louder pipes for rush hour guys like me.

Today it was pouring rain and I happened to be riding in my car (new bike is in for 600 mi. Service, old bike has charging problem). What's this I hear coming up from behind and approaching by blind spot? What a sweet sounding motor, it's a Harley blasting though the rain, putting me to shame for being in a cage.

[R75_7]

I read this topic a little while back and was thinking "yeah, those guys and their loud pipes are gonna screw it up for everyone eventually". But, I did not post any thoughts because I got wrangled into this no win, never-ending, and sometimes bringing out the worst in people topic once before. So I just hoped it would die a quick death. But tonight I saw a story on T.V. Speed Channels 2 Wheel Tuesday about The Rolling Thunder. And, to be perfectly honest, I was touched. Those riders were dedicated in remembering our Soldiers and treating Memorial Day with respect. It seemed to me that it had a noble beginning and they have tried hard to keep it that way(respectful). Maybe I'm just biased because I'm a Vet. But, that's a lot of effort and time dedicated to others. Not sitting around drinking beer and not remembering why we have the day off. It's just too bad that the thunder rolls through our public streets and private homes all year 'round.
Thanks,
Michael

[gambrinus]

I agree with the cause 100%, but I'm just as opposed to having my fillings rattled out of my head by a motorcycle that I'm not even riding!

RW

[R75_7]

Gambrinus,
I know you've probably heard this a million times. But, you're avatar ROCKS! I wish I could do something that creative and funny. I'm techno-challenged. Not enough cool gear to bring it all together.
Thanks,
Michael

[lorazepam]

It makes me run to look for the bite stick. Before I have a seizure myself from looking at it:p :eek :D

[Grey Matter]

"Loud shifts save lives!"

[Cliffy777]

There ended up being about 2,000 bikes in a run to the capital. I saw some pictures in the Grand Rapids Press yesterday of some of the folks riding in support of the troops - past, present, and future.
One of the pics was of a guy in one of the Nazi-looking helmets.
Wondered how the WWII folks feel about being honored by a guy in a Nazi hat??? Am I overthinking this?

[MarkF]

Originally posted by Cliffy777
Wondered how the WWII folks feel about being honored by a guy in a Nazi hat??? Am I overthinking this?

No, you're not.

MarkF

[Ironhorsecowboy]

At least those bikers were supporting our troops. So it was a Nazi helmet. WTF were all riding a Nazi motorcycle. Maybe we should destroy them and buy American. I dont see any BMW folks doing much of anything in the way of support for Vets and/or poker runs and other charitable events. Could it be that BMW has no interest in selling motorcycles here in the South. I am one of only 3 beemer owners in my area, so if I ride with anyone I'm 99% sure it will not be a fellow bmw owner and most of the time it's my Harley riding buddies. To each his own, loud pipes, t-shirts and all.

[Cliffy777]

"WTF we are all riding Nazi bikes."

Here, let me get my foot out of my mouth. As I stated before, the Harley crowd does show up for the charitable events. That is why I am trying to assemble a group of Non-Harleys (well, I do have one harley gonna ride with us so far) to ride in a March of Dimes fund raiser in October.

Anybody interested? Lemme know and i will send info.

I return you to the original thread.

[docb]

[QUOTE][i] ......I dont see any BMW folks doing much of anything in the way of support for Vets and/or poker runs and other charitable events.

Amen to that! Been a MOA member since '82, been to more MOA rallies than I can remember and have seen precious little in the way of charity runs, etc., done or run by Beemer groups. What was H-D contribution to MDA during the centennial celebration? 3.5 million?

And I do remember that in WWII, both the Ju88 and the Fw190 were BMW powered and flown by men who wore (or could wear) Nazi helmets. What should I think about THAT?

And, would someone please define "loud" for me? Was the Luftmeister exhaust systems on two of my K-RS's loud?? Would I have been castigated by the members if I wound the bike out? (And I did, OFTEN!) I wonder.

Rolling Thunder is about remembering those who have fallen and those who are MIA and not about Loud Pipes, for crying out ---loud.

[kbasa]

Personally, I'm surprised that there's not much done for prostate cancer, which will strike a goodly portion of us.

[docb]

Well, it's off the subject a bit but a large part of the problem is not the funding of research but education.

Men don't want to see the urologist, get their PSA level drawn and submit to a digital exam. It's a no brainer. Women are used to breast exams and pap smears. So we see earlier detection and treatment and better survival for them now. We are not used to seeing the doctors on a regular basis so we fall through the cracks. Diseases such as MD require a lot more research. They are relentlessly progressive. And, I guess, since children are involved we are more sensitive to their plight.

[Ironhorsecowboy]

Great idea Cliffy for organizing a ride for bmw and non harleys. We need to show a greator presence in this area of charity. excuse this momentary thread hijack

[Fang]

Originally posted by Cliffy777
There ended up being about 2,000 bikes in a run to the capital. I saw some pictures in the Grand Rapids Press yesterday of some of the folks riding in support of the troops - past, present, and future.
One of the pics was of a guy in one of the Nazi-looking helmets.
Wondered how the WWII folks feel about being honored by a guy in a Nazi hat??? Am I overthinking this?

Yes, you are. You're also "historically challenged"! The ubiquitous
German "coal scuttle" helmet to which you refer actually pre-dates WW1, was worn by German forces all through WW1, and is still in use in slightly modified form today, Germans being the tradition-sensitive (and otherwise oblivious) cats they are. So those helmets are not remotely "Nazi" in origin. Not to worry.
:) :brow

[Gnome]

Loud pipes suck
Loud pipes suck
Loud pipes suck .

If you need attention and didn't get any as a child,I guess you buy Loud Pipes? I dunno? But ...
Loud Pipes suck,and it has never been proven they save lives, they just anoy the hell out of people.

[boxercup2004]

You made a great point, the rally is ruined by idiots acting like children on there wana be hells angel poor excuses for motorcycles!