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It scared the hell out of us...we never saw them approach and they were nearly silent.

I love all motorcycles, always have. I've written often about Harleys. One of the main things in their favor, according to riders, is that they're LOUD and BIG so automobiles can both hear and see them. The true Harley guys I know, the ones who seem to enjoy tinkering on the bikes as much as riding them, are usually very cautious drivers, perhaps in part because they completetly understand the physical workings of the machines they drive and respect them all that much more.

As a long-time city driver, I can attest to how dangerous the quiet rice-rockets are. They're on you before you know it and God help both of you if you've chosen the split-second to change lanes at the same moment some small, quiet, hard-to-spot rice-rocketer who's riding at high speed between lanes of sluggish traffic has caught up to you. I know it's legal for them to do this, but it's also ridiculously dangerous at the speeds so many of them take.

Have never owned a motorcycle myself (someday, maybe!!), but have a brother who is a true Harley guy (has built countless ones from scratch) and an uncle and a cousin who are also both Harley guys -- uncle is one of those genius mechanics with an IQ way, way up there. The guy can fix anything with two or more wheels.

"They're on you before you know it and God help both of you if you've chosen the split-second to change lanes at the same moment some small, quiet, hard-to-spot rice-rocketer who's riding at high speed between lanes of sluggish traffic has caught up to you."

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You've raised an excellent point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A point I will make to car drivers out there. If you do happen to see some squid coming up on you at triple the speed limit.....he obviously has plans on passing you. Do yourself and him a favor and just stay in the same lane that you are currently driving in. You will *not* be considered a "road hog", ok? He (hopefully) has done the math in his head and will initiate his turn (or weave) a hundred or so more feet behind you in order to pass you. If you decide at this point to change lanes he will center punch the rear of your auto. I'm not saying what he is doing is "right" ok? I'm just telling you what to do to avoid litigation and an accident. STAY WHERE YOU ARE~!

Obviously if you are in the left lane doing 65 and someone (any one, car or bike) wants to come up behind you doing 75...just put your turn signal on and let them pass.

You know...it's bad enough when I'm in my truck, at the speed limit, and a sport bike whips around me, as his speed cancels out my ability to make reasonably safe lane changes. They can appear out of nowhere and overtake you at the instant you've decided to change lanes and already checked to be certain that it's clear.

However, when I'm on my bike, either alone or riding with others and this happens it flat out pi$$es me off. In my truck I have the safety against their stupidity, but on my bike, they jeopardize my life along with theirs. I am extremely careful riding and as defensive as I can possibly be, but here is another rider, who certainly must know of the inherent danger of riding to begin with, who is KNOWINGLY putting my life, the life of my passenger and the guys I'm riding with in peril.

And these speed demons are the first to boast about their stoopidity and badmouth the bikers that actually try to ride safely on our HDs. Go figger.

Ride safe