No one buys a stock motorcycle and rides it slowly around town. When you give someone a bike that goes 200mph, they are going to use that power and want to make it go faster and sound louder. A ducati is a RACE BIKE, what do racers want.... faster faster faster, and louder louder louder. Another note, the Dyno requires running the bike at redline rpm which would put the decibal level at double the maximum level. I am not against bikes, but I am against the way Ducati is lying to get this store approved... it clearly violates all noise regulations of the city of Birmingham.

Hey, Betty, Dyno rooms are desigend and built with exceptional sound abatement technology soley for the purpose of meeting strict regulations. And, can you share with us the scientific calculations you used to determine that running a Ducati at redline produces over 160 DB's?

It is unclear to me why this is such a "wonderful addition to our our city" as our City Commissioner attests; other than a new tax paying business. Any minimal amount of effort reveals that this is primarily a racing bike, designed to go very very fast. As is is an expensive Italian toy the market is the rich guy with lots of disposable income. As already noted above they are noisy and dangerous when ridden fast. BMW or even Indian would have been a better fit as they are both cruisers and city bikes in their primary guise. Don't expect this to go well or for that matter last long.

Ah, good old crusty and curmudgeony B'ham. Some highly intelligent commentary here I see. Dyno rooms can be soundproofed to have almost no noticeable noise outside the room so that is a moot point. As for BMW, really? It's clear you don't have any idea about their model line which includes "noisy and dangerous when ridden fast bikes" namely, the S1000RR. As for your typical cruiser bikes, they tend to be some of the worst noise polluters when coupled with the obligatory "straight" pipes.

Dennis T, can you elaborate on what you don't expect to go well or last long? Ducati is one top brands in the industry and have been successful in a tough economic climate, unlike many other manufacturers. They attract a higher end clientele than almost any other brand so rather than be scared of "those motorcycle people", perhaps you should applaud the addition of a high end business and culture to your rather stale community.

I'm a Ducati owner, along with several other bikes, so I welcome the dealership to Bham. Much closer for me. I'm a sane and sensible rider and I don't think Bham residents have anything to worry about.

As a law abiding Ducati owner, who frequently rides through Birmingham and patronizes Birmingham businesses, I am appalled at the unfounded paranoia surrounding this issue. Where was the public debate and outcry when four tobacco dealers opened in Birmingham mere blocks away from the location of this proposed motorcycle store? Guaranteed the Dream Cruise creates more noise pollution than this store will. (For those people who are going to argue the Dream Cruise is only "one weekend per year", I say remember people can only ride motorcycles four to six months out of every year due to the weather.)

I am embarrassed to be neighbors with such ignorant people.

I'm also a Ducati rider. I regularly ride through Birmingham and the Woodward strip. I'm not any louder than the classic cars going by. I'm MUCH quieter than the Harleys on the road. I'm looking forward to a place closer than Clinton Township or Kalamazoo for Ducati sales and service.