Do Loud Pipes Save Lives????

I am voting with the "don't really help" camp. When I am in traffic, I spend lots of time watching the rear-views of the people in front of me. I can usually tell if they know I am around or not. Since I am usually going at least a few kph's faster than them, this is an important technique. I concede that when stuck in steady flows of traffic, where you don't have the option of wiggling around so people keep noticing you, loudness might be an advantage. But, I am an avid user of the horn (not to mention the one-finger-wave) when people start stupid maneuvers in front of me, and I have watched many more close calls with bikes in front of me than I have ever experienced myself. It's like driving a semi: you have to be on the ball steadily because some fool is bound to pull a bone head move in front of you. And I like a reasonably quiet bike. I would and will likely put up with some more noise for a noticeable increase in kick, but definitely not for the sake of just being loud.

John,

I agree that the V-Mods aren't excessive but they are borderline. The whole point of the article is that exercising your "right" to loud pipes can and will, at some point, cause the police to start enforcing existing noise ordinances. Take a look at Daytona Beach. As of bikeweek 2001 the police were instructed to begin enforcing their "loud pipes" ordinance. Because of that, thousands of people with excessively loud pipes (drag pipes, etc.) were ticketed. Added to the mix were people like you and me with modified pipes that are still far quieter than open pipes getting tickets because we were in the wrong place at the wrong time (I got off with a warning on my V-Mods).

Remember, even though you might not agree with what is excessive the letter of the law states that you cannot modify your pipes to emit more noise than the EPA mandated stock pipes. If they pull you over and you have anything other than the factory pipes they can write you a noise ticket. They don't have to break out a sound meter in most jurisdictions.

Non factory pipes + officer thinks their louder = ticket

Don't get me wrong, the first thing I changed was the pipes. What I don't want to see happen is the few who run open pipes ruin it for those of us looking for a bit more noise and a lot more performance.

I know, a little slow to respond. Was still enjoying the holiday.

My opinion - I think loud pipes are helpful, especially in keeping people attentive to your presence. Note, I did not say that I believe they necessarily save lives but they may. I find that to be difficult to prove either way because of other factors, including type of traffic you drive in, where you drive, etc. Also, I would think it is difficult to determine if the cause of a crash and subsequent fatality is related to the loudness of pipes. If someone with loud pipes dies in a motorcyle accident, does that mean the loud pipes did not help. Not necessarily. Also, if someone with quite pipes dies in a motorcycle accident does that mean if they had louder pipes they would be alive. No.

Reason I prefer loud pipes now - I rode my V-Rod with the stock pipes for a year, including about a 50 mile each way commute in Atlanta traffic. I had several cars pull over on me at 80 mph or so on GA400. I got out of the way each time because I am aware of Atlanta drivers and don't trust a single one of them. Because of this and the additional hp, I bought louder pipes (D&D 2 into 1 system). I have done the same commute more in the past 3 months then I did the entire first year and have yet to have anyone pull over on me. Additionally, all vehicles have maintained additional space between them and me, especially if they are on the phone, etc. Lastly, if I am gaining on someone they now tend to pull over out of the fast lane (an amazing thing in Atlanta) to let me pass because they DO hear me approaching. Note, that the D&D 2 into 1 system is very loud at rpm. Finally, the accidents such as someone pulling out in front of you will only be reduced by vigilance of the motorcycle rider. They ain't gonna see you, hear you, or care if they do sometimes. Don't trust any vehicle at a crossroads or similar situation.

Lastly - a comment about the AMA - I read the article related to loud pipes and their general position statement when they first put it out earlier this year. I was considering joining because I wanted someone that would protect the rights of all motorcyclists. That position statement helped me to decide that I would not join thier organization. I do realize that some people have an arrogant attitude about what they can and can't do; and somehow it is thier right to annoy the crap out of people around them. These people have the same attitude on many facets of life and ruin many things for everyone. However, I leave my house at 3:30 AM in the mornings so I can go to the gym. I have asked every neighbor if they have heard me leave. The answer for all is "no". I ride with the rpms as low as possible until I get out of my neighborhood and onto a major roadway. In other words, what I'm saying is that those with loud pipes - including me - can be respectful when in low noise areas but use the pipes to our advantage when surrounded by jerks like on Atlanta highways. To me it's the best of both worlds.

Y'all have a good day and remember this is just my opinion, do with it what you will. :2cents

Sasquatch I meant that in the nicest way, I'm not in a habit of trying to upset people that if they stand still long enough this time of year that people try to hang Christmas lights on them.



Here you go Kaz

Well my 2 cents on this: Yes they are very helpful if you route the pipes over your shoulders and point them in front of you. I have yet to see anyone do this, but since most exhaust pipe are pointed towards the back of the bike, most everyone won't here you until you pass them. Best way to see this is to watch a police car come up on you at highway speed you'll see him a lot sooner than you’ll hear his siren. At highway speed, noise doesn't usually proceed the vehicle more than, a half of a car length - at best. Just ask on of the guys who work in law enforcement here on the board. Bottom line, if you like it good, but don't think at speed it's any real safety issue.

I think Albert someone discussed this in one of his theories. And of course the closer you get to the speed of sound the less you hear sound in front of you. As a matter of fact, at the speed of sound you can scream all you want and you'll never here yourself. So remember that when you have a talkative passenger.

But in order to check this out have a buddy in a car follow you and have them blow their horn at progressively higher speeds and you will find that the higher the speed the closer the car has to be in order for you to hear the horn. Or you can go to a railroad track and listen to a train pass, the horn will be very soft until it's almost on top of you. In addition trains make a heck of a lot of noise but yet that is not readily apparent until it is next to you or past you.

Sorry to say the same theory applies to your motorcycles, whether you like it or not. Plus there has been some studies done as to the hearing loss inflected due to prolonged exposure to noise. And that is the reason you are so tired after an airline flight is because the db levels are so high in an airliner, and your exposure over a long period of time. Try ear plugs the next time you fly and you find it does make a difference. So in the end your hearing will suffer and no one will really notice, if you like it good for you but don’t expect that it’s going to add safety, you still have to watch out.

Dave