All good points, however nothing takes the place of being aware of our surroundings and anticipating the moves of others.
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BINGO!!!

 

Agreed 100%. Loud pipes are just another tool in the box.

Cheers!
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He's a dick. Not very professional of me, but absolutely accurate as I see it. If I have to ride so that "everyone else" is happy (including those here whom agree with this guy) then I'd rather drive a car. My pipes were not put on to aggrevate others. Anyone that claims that we do it for the "attention" of others is delusional. Frankly, I'd prefer that ALL others (the whiney little bitches) went ahead and fcked themselves and left me alone.

That is my input on it.

 

I also think pipes are just a tool aswell. Ive had few wrecks involving cars in my day and weather they heard me or not was not the point. Them not caring to see me is what what just about got me killed.

 

I can tell you that I have experienced the cage driver drifting over into my lane as I was slowly approaching his blind spot. I had 100% situational awareness, and I could have either gotten on the brakes, or gas to avoid what was clearly going to happen next. Instead I cracked the throttle a bit, and the cage politely moved back into his lane and also said he was sorry when we got to the next light.
Also....I dont know why many people here assume that non-bikers all hate loud pipes. I know quite a few people who dont know a primary drive from a Sunday drive, yet when they hear a nice sounding HD rowing through the gears from a block away, that say wow that HARLEY sounds sweet. They know the sound ofa HD (at least one with aftermarket pipes on it) and they like it. Just like they know the sound of a jap bike....and some like that to...as I do.So its not all non-bikers that hate the sound of bikes.
Me.....on the other hand I like the way well tuned engines of all types sound when pulling load. I love the way my 14 year old Ford Bronco's V8 sounds with headers and Flowmasters, when I punch it and it downshifts.....dam thing sounds sweet. It translates to "get the hell out of the way" just like the pipes on my bikes say something......it may not translate to the same thing to everyone....but in most cases its saying "look out I will be passing through" or when I am off the gas and slowing....they could be saying I will be stopping or turning....even people who know nothing about engines or bikes can understand this language....its intuitive.

Other than that....I dont give a rats *** what anyone else thinks, says, or what asinine laws they get passed. I will continue to do what I know in my heart is not wrong in any way at all....I am hurting no one....nor would I, so I will still be running the Big Rads with the Thunder Monster Baffles...and enjoying hearing the HD's pulling out of the biker bar thats a half block from my house....no mater what brand exhaust they are using.

 

Am I the only one that's gonna be honest here? Loud pipes, in rare situations, may help avoid accidents, but they are just as likely to cause accidents in rare situations. Not riding in people's blind spot has saved my *** numerous times. Reflective riding gear? Maybe, if your lights aren't working or your alternator's dying. I've been back on two wheels now for just over a month, and I have very loud pipes (v&h BSS with jokes for baffles,) and twice already, I've had to hit the median on US 27 anddive into the emergency laneon I-20 at about 75mph. Loud pipes won't do jack for somebody with a blue tooth in their ear, GPS on the dash, and a portable mp3 in their hand with the stereo thumping full blast and the driver's seat leaned back into the back seat. And you know what else? I still love my loud pipes. Why? They enhance the performance and the riding experience, and they just sound damn good. I even had a cop at the QT asking about them last night - why? He was interested in a new set for his low rider. Not a single question about the driveout tag, not a hint whatsoever that he had a problem with them, just compliments on the bike and "shop talk." Well, then again, he was on a CCPD police bike. If and when pipe laws are enacted, I'll stick some slightly quieter baffles in, and won't go out of my way to make noise in the middle of the night with them or in quiet neighborhoods, and hope that's enough.

 

Many great points made here... I too have had more than a few near misses. Fortunately for me, some were a result of cracking the throttle to make my presence known. Others were the ability to maneuver around the idiots on the phone, etc., etc.

I agree that pipes are one tool used for surviving the roads. Also, I'm glad to see that some agree that the comments made in the mag were the result of a tool, as well...

 

So you're calling those of us that have PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED loud pipes preventing us being run over by cagers (for me, 3 or 4 times this summer alone) liars? I doubt that anyone buys loud pipes as a "safety item". However, to say they don't help in certain situations is just dumb. Also, how would loud pipes CAUSE a wreck?

Like I said, they're a tool in the box. Nothing is better than being totally aware of what's going on around you.

Cheers!
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Nope. Never said anyone was lying. I simply call BS on anyone claiming they buy loud pipes to save their lives or avoid wrecks. That's a BS excuse for people who don't wanna be honest about their real reasons for running them. Yes, they can help. No, that's not why you or I like them, and you know that's true. Just an added advantage (occasionally) to having them.Be honest.

How can they cause a wreck? Distracting the attention of other drivers from the main goal at hand: watching where the hell they're going. And yes, I see it very regularly, especially when I'm riding with other Harleys.

Don't get me wrong, I still agree for the most part that the editor and the letter writer are toolbags, but I can survive on a bike without loud pipes or reflective clothing. I have a very loud horn, and I have ridden long enough that just about any situation in which loud pipes can help is averted just as easily by paying attention and being ready for what's gonna happen anyway, loud pipes or not. I still love 'em though.