Bright Orange Leather Jackets Save Lives!

I have a beef about hawgs.

To be more specific, I can't stand the deafening sound of Harley Davidsons. Why aren't these "Hawgs" subjected to the same noise laws as everything else in America?


I understand that many of my friends, business associates, and neighbors are Harley riders, and may be offended by the following opinion. But there is an 800 lb. gorilla in the room that needs to be acknowledged. The noise level emitted by the typical Harley is just amazingly ridiculous!


My wife and I happen to have a state road running behind our house. On a typical Sunday, the loud and rude roar of these machines is truly deafening. It is even worse if we have our windows open or happen to be working in the lawn enjoying the outdoors. And this is from 200 feet away or more. This noise is so loud and all-encompassing that all conversation must stop, while the Harleys pass by, their riders seemingly unaware (or uncaring) of the decibels they emit.

I am not sure how it got so bad that these (otherwise well mannered) folks can steal our peace and serenity every time they pass nearby. Automobiles are carefully tested and regulated to prevent unnecessary noise. Boats are carefully monitored everywhere I've been. And a thoughtless teenager with loud rap music emitting from his apartment, bedroom, or auto is subject to fines or other punishment for the encroaching noise level (and are usually not nearly as loud as the typical hawg). It seems that everywhere we turn, abnormally loud noises are frowned upon and controlled by the law. But not Harleys!? What the heck is that about!?

Isn't it ironic that Hawg riders seem to team up in packs of 10 or more and take a nice pleasant ride out to a nice state park or out to "Amish Country" to enjoy the scenery, peace and quiet. Well it's ruined as soon as they arrive! The peace and quiet dissappears the moment these packs of riders roar onto the scene. But they don't notice the difference because I guess it was already noisy for them the whole day!

While we're at it, why is it that motorcycle riders do not have to wear helmets in PA (and many other states) anymore? I thought that laws were in place to protect us from ourselves? Look at the seatbelt laws, smoke detectors, all kinds of safety devices mandated in every area of modern life. But with the motorcyclists, we say "Let those who ride decide"? Maybe it's really an IQ test in disguise. If you wear a helmet, you passed!

Now back to the Hawg noise problem, I do have a solution, in case you were wondering. We can stop their noise while still satisfying the apparent "reason" for the rumble.

As you may know, many noise supporting Hawg riders don stickers and T-shirts that say things like "Loud pipes save lives". I guess that this is supposed to be the justification for the unbearable roar to which they subject any innocent bystanders in their paths. I guess the implication is that folks in nearby cars will take notice (and who wouldn't take notice when assaulted by that noise) and therefore will not run into the safety-minded HD riders. Following that logic, maybe I should drive down their street on a pleasant Sunday afternoon blowing my horn at full blast the whole way.

But seriously, I am puzzled. If the HD'ers are so concerned with safety why do they wear mostly black clothing (blending in very nicely with the pavement by the way)? Can't they wear nice bright orange leather jackets, which most certainly will increase visibility and therefore their safety, would it not? Come on, this is a no brainer for sure. And while we're at it, bring the helmets back (we're saving lives remember) and make them high visibility orange too.

Can we start a movement for this? I am serious, why not contact your local state legislator and ask the question: "Why are certain motorcycles allowed to invade the peace and privacy of every unfortunate man, woman, and child in their path?" It just doesn't make sense. At the very least, we deserve an explanation. To take it a step further, how about demanding that lawmakers call on our local and state police forces to enforce the existing noise laws. And just so no unnecessary lives are lost in the process, let's suggest providing state money to help buy the riders some orange outfits. I think it's money well spent.

Maybe the Harley Davidson marketers will even change their official color to "highway safety orange".