You are on the highway driving your car, then you hear a loud sound, and before you check where it is from, a speed bike passes at a very high speed. By the time you try to check the brand or model of the bike, it has already disappeared in traffic. Has this ever happened to you? I think you can relate. While we are left worried about the safety of the biker, one question often remains unanswered, why are motorcycles so loud? Well, several factors make motorcycles so loud, which include but are not limited to:
The Size of the muffler
Motorcycles have a muffler, just like cars. A muffler, also called a silencer, is a device fitted in the exhaust system that reduces the noise produced by an engine’s exhaust, such as a motorcycle engine. The bigger the muffler, the more effective it is in reducing the noise and vice versa. A motorcycle has a small structure that can only allow a small muffler.
Length of the exhaust system
The longer the exhaust pipe, the more effective it is in reducing the engine noise. A long exhaust pipe creates resistance to the sounds and consequently reduces its velocity and energy. As noted above, a motorcycle has a small structure that limits the length of the exhaust pipe.
Lack of Engine Cover
An engine cover or shield blocks or reduces the sound emanating from the engine. A motorcycle engine has no shield, and it is always open to the air. Much of the sound produced by the engine is expelled to the environment making the motorcycle sound loud.
The engine technology and maintenance
A new motorcycle may produce less noise compared to an old one because of advancements in engine technology. Wear and tear might affect an old motorcycle’s muffler, making it less effective than a new one.
Conclusion
There is very little you can do to control the loudness of the motorcycle. The good thing is that the sound will disappear as fast as it came. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you probably like the loud noise; enjoy it while it lasts.
