Suggestions needed for a proper reply.

[GypsyRR]

I was stopped at a light today and a truck pulls up beside me with 3-4 men inside. The driver rolls down the window and shouts at me. I turned to look and he said, "You need to get some pipes on that bike! You can't even hear it. Get yourself some real pipes!" Having my mind on other things, I came up short with a good reply to him and instead all I could say was, "No. It's fine the way it is."

I'd like to be armed with a good reply for the next time something like that happens. Any suggestions?

[machew01]

"We have to let the straightpipe riders be better at something."
or
"I don't need to impress little boys."

mac

[Shaman]

"I suspect the pipes on this bike are a bit more impressive than your own."

[JCsman]

The way to tell a real bike is running is how quickly you disappear behind me.

[sjbmw]

That happened to me once.

All I said was:

"But then I can't hear the music"

[wncbmw]

I have a reply but will not post it on a family board.

Loud pipes cover defincencies elsewhere!

I think you answer is fine, BTW! I usually say something similar.

[Capt. Blackadder]

"Loud pipes are gay!"

[joe bar]

Best one I saw on the license plate of a girl's bike said it all -

No balls - nothing to prove!

[TonyT607]

I was stopped at a light today and a truck pulls up beside me with 3-4 men inside. The driver rolls down the window and shouts at me. I turned to look and he said, "You need to get some pipes on that bike! You can't even hear it. Get yourself some real pipes!" Having my mind on other things, I came up short with a good reply to him and instead all I could say was, "No. It's fine the way it is."

I'd like to be armed with a good reply for the next time something like that happens. Any suggestions?

When confronted with stupidity in everyday situations I usually remain silent and give people that condescending look I'm so good at (even better on the bike when using my dark visor)... Sometimes, however, I have a few seconds to kill and if I'm in a wiseguy mood I'll engage.

But, assuming your interlocutor(s) is not total mouth breather and can actually speak you might try:

"Oh really ? Well this bike can do zero to sixty in under 3.9; how much do you think I could shave off if it made a bigger racket? Will I still be able to scrape the pegs ?"

OR (if he's in a cage):

"Hey, you must have a Harley; I see there is a trailer hitch on that truck"


Or of course you could simply say "What kind of bike do you have?" When the knuckledragger stares at you with his mouth open you just laugh.

And pull away with a wave.

Or just shoot the bastard. You know, culling the herd and all that....

[GypsyRR]

Or just shoot the bastard. You know, culling the herd and all that....

Okay, Tony. You win with this one. And we all know I carry a weapon, right? I'm still laughing, everytime I read that last line.

Actually, I said that I like my bike this way, but when the light turned green.............well, you know. I was embarrassed for him and his Ford F250 Deisel all jacked up, and beat up, hauling 3 dirt bikes in the back and with a set of these hanging from the hitch.

Do ya'll see trucks with these on them in other states, or is this just a local embarrassment? I hope they don't start making them for motorcycles!!! OH NO! They do - http://www.bullsballs.com/bike/accessories.html Can we ban anyone who puts these on their bike?

(edited to remove image)

[R4R&R]

"Hey, you must have a Harley; I see there is a trailer hitch on that truck"

Or you could look for the sticker in the window.

Do ya'll see trucks with these on them in other states, or is this just a local embarrassment?

Yep, I've seen them around. The first time my son noticed them, he kind of knew what they were (he was about 10).

[sjbmw]

BWAH!

Just the other night my son spotted them on a 18 wheeler at a stop sign.

Is that...? Doesn't that look like...? ..... yo! It Is!

[wncbmw]

Oh my! I guess the jokes about small 'equipment' and loud pipes could be extended to big trucks also!

I figure such displays are like a lot of things; if you have to brag about it, you probably don't really have it!

[rdsmith3]

Lots of good ideas here ...

My experience has been that when people make an effort to converse with me while on my bike -- and I am very unapproachable looking with a full face helmet, visor down, sunglasses on, and all dressed in black -- it is all about them. I live in NJ, the most densely populated state, which means that we also have more unstable people per square mile, statistically speaking. Therefore, because the person in the truck (and, yes, it is almost always a truck) may be somewhat unstable, or just generally angry at the world, and because they are trying to tell me something about them (which might be interesting in another situation, but not while sitting in traffic), I generally just smile, give a brief answer, and move on as quickly as possible.

The other day, while I was waiting at a light, this lady in a large SUV rolled down her window and said "nice bike". I said "thanks". She then proceeded to tell me that she has a custom chopper, but my bike is nice too. Now keep in mind that it was evening rush hour, dark and cold. Why would someone initiate a conversation in a situation like that? It is not really conducive to small talk. It's not like we were waiting in line at Wal-Mart.

[GypsyRR]

She then proceeded to tell me that she has a custom chopper, but my bike is nice too. Now keep in mind that it was evening rush hour, dark and cold. Why would someone initiate a conversation in a situation like that? It is not really conducive to small talk. It's not like we were waiting in line at Wal-Mart.

Silly, Bob! She was flirting with you. Mentioning the chopper was suppose to make you interested in her. Sheeeeesh, sometimes you guys are so blind!

[rdsmith3]

She then proceeded to tell me that she has a custom chopper, but my bike is nice too. Now keep in mind that it was evening rush hour, dark and cold. Why would someone initiate a conversation in a situation like that? It is not really conducive to small talk. It's not like we were waiting in line at Wal-Mart.

Silly, Bob! She was flirting with you. Mentioning the chopper was suppose to make you interested in her. Sheeeeesh, sometimes you guys are so blind!

I thought about that, but I don't think so at all, as much as it crushes my ego to admit it. First, she could not see me at all. Second, her SUV suggested "busy mother". Third, we were stuck in traffic. So I think she was daydreaming about freedom and riding, etc. She then felt compelled to tell me about her bike. Or maybe she was wondering why some nut was riding when temps were in the high 30's.

But, yes, you are correct, I am often quite clueless when it comes to women. My wife will confirm that.

[chris]

She then proceeded to tell me that she has a custom chopper, but my bike is nice too. Now keep in mind that it was evening rush hour, dark and cold. Why would someone initiate a conversation in a situation like that? It is not really conducive to small talk. It's not like we were waiting in line at Wal-Mart.

Silly, Bob! She was flirting with you. Mentioning the chopper was suppose to make you interested in her. Sheeeeesh, sometimes you guys are so blind!

Blind, us guys? Never. I have to have things in triplicate before it gets through...I always seem to miss those little signals.

[DJ Downunder]

I was stopped at a light today and a truck pulls up beside me with 3-4 men inside. The driver rolls down the window and shouts at me. I turned to look and he said, "You need to get some pipes on that bike! You can't even hear it. Get yourself some real pipes!" Having my mind on other things, I came up short with a good reply to him and instead all I could say was, "No. It's fine the way it is."

I think you said exactly the right thing..sometimes I think trying to be funny or smart is asking for trouble.

DJ

[TonyT607]

I don't know guys....no one flirts with me when I'm on the bike....



Wonder why......

(and yes that is a BMW System V)

[DJ Downunder]

Nice helmet Tony...I have a black one.

DJ