Miles Zarathustra complains about the sounds of loud motorcycles in the valley and expresses a desire that the California Highway Patrol issue more citations to quiet things down (“Rethink ticketing priorities,” Letters, May 4). Two things that he apparently doesn't understand: One is that one man’s noise is another man’s symphony. The second is that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and motorcyclists wouldn't feel the need for sound nearly as much if the drivers of vehicles would pay more attention. I'm always much more aware of motorcycles that are around me when I'm driving if I can actually hear them, and they are easier to hear than they are to see. Zarathustra mentions excessive tickets for speeding grannies and seat belt violations. The CHP understands that both can cause accidents and injuries. I've never seen loudness cause an accident or injure anyone. And a note to cyclists — keep it within reason, hold it down and respect others.
Elwin Haddix, Ben Lomond
No but it wakes people up.
I too love the sound of a rumbling Harley but the ones with straight pipes with no baffles do get annoyingly loud. As long as it's not too early in the morning I can live with it mid-day.
There is loud and there is obnoxious. unfortunately a majority of the "harleys" out there have no exhaust noise stifling at all, which is technically illegal and should be enforced. As a homeowner here in the valley I am disappointed when I hear a loud bike's note echoing thru the valley, ruining the beautiful quite of our surroundings. I just don't understand the need for it, other than its the "Big truck" mentality of many motorcycle owners. I have out grown this fad and think the CHP could do a better job enforcing it.