Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
Loud pipes lets them know your coming, period.
Tell me when your riding in a car you hear a loud noise you don't pay attention.
Whether you ride in shorts, flip flops, etc is a differrent issue.
Before going with load pipes I was run off the road, cut off more times then I can remember.
With loud pipes, cars pull over or change lanes. They know I'm there.
With 24 years in the sadle I can see the difference.
With people reading the paper, talking on a cell phone while eating lunch at the same time,we need every advantage we can get.
Fix the idiots in the cages and I'll remove the load pipes.
Tell me when your riding in a car you hear a loud noise you don't pay attention.
Whether you ride in shorts, flip flops, etc is a differrent issue.
Before going with load pipes I was run off the road, cut off more times then I can remember.
With loud pipes, cars pull over or change lanes. They know I'm there.
With 24 years in the sadle I can see the difference.
With people reading the paper, talking on a cell phone while eating lunch at the same time,we need every advantage we can get.
Fix the idiots in the cages and I'll remove the load pipes.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
Even blind folks are having issues with quiet cars / motorcycles.
Noise makes a difference.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=7555520
Hybrid vehicles may pose a deadly threat to people who rely on their hearing to navigate streets and crosswalks. The National Federation of the Blind is calling for hybrid manufacturers to make their cars sound like traditional car engines, so that blind people can hear them coming.
Robert Siegel talks to Dr. Fredric Schroeder, first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind.
We confirmed the comparative noise levels of hybrid and gas-powered cars, using a Toyota Prius — one of the more popular models. Toyota officials say they are studying the issue; they also note that on the opposite side of the issue are advocates of reduced noise pollution.
The Toyota officials say that the quieter cars has led them to advise drivers and pedestrians to exercise increased caution
Noise makes a difference.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=7555520
Hybrid vehicles may pose a deadly threat to people who rely on their hearing to navigate streets and crosswalks. The National Federation of the Blind is calling for hybrid manufacturers to make their cars sound like traditional car engines, so that blind people can hear them coming.
Robert Siegel talks to Dr. Fredric Schroeder, first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind.
We confirmed the comparative noise levels of hybrid and gas-powered cars, using a Toyota Prius — one of the more popular models. Toyota officials say they are studying the issue; they also note that on the opposite side of the issue are advocates of reduced noise pollution.
The Toyota officials say that the quieter cars has led them to advise drivers and pedestrians to exercise increased caution
Stage I
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: East Tn
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
ORIGINAL: Tony P
Classic T!
ORIGINAL: Geoff
Thanks for posting it up!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, England.
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
Truth hurts...
I have and like loud pipes...I also where a helmet, leathers, gloves and boots...
Those that dont would be guilty as accused I think!
[8D]
I have and like loud pipes...I also where a helmet, leathers, gloves and boots...
Those that dont would be guilty as accused I think!
[8D]
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
[:@] yes, loud pipes are safer- revs at a stop light/sign are not safe just stupid. The gun in my pocket is safe- if I pull it out it is .................?Each to there own, but don't infringe on my freedom of being responsible, muffle the next guy
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
What did you expect form a BMW forum? Obviously they are not fans of HD or they would own one. I have loud pipes, I know whyI have themand frankly I don't care who they annoy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
Sound regulations exist for a reason. I'm the first to say that, today, they are too restrictive in name preposterous claims by ecologist groups. But there's a difference between enjoying the roar of the engine and ear-shattering mayehm, which is totally futile.
Even the performance argument seems pointless to me. If I wanted performance, I'd buy an MV-Agusta or such "crotch rocket", not a cruiser. The whole point in a cruiser is riding comfortably for long miles enjoying the ride, instead of the adrenaline rush.
After a few minutes, ear-shattering exhausts spoil the ride instead of enhancing it.
Too quiet is dangerous, and that's granted. Quiet vehicles, such as many electric service vehicles, have beepers to warn unwary bystanders of their approach. As a cager, I must say that I use my ears to give me better 360° perception of what's around me. But I don't need a flak-gun-like fracas to hear a bike. Standard HD exhausts are ok, even if I keep my stereo quite loud.
AND the same reasoning works the other way round:
A noisy exhaust could prevent you hearing the noise of another bike or a cage coming up behind you... (yes, I hear them even with a full face helmet)
So, I like being able to enjoy engine sound without Politically Correct mufflers (f..ck them!), but IMHO that's enough.
As in everything, balance is the key.
Even the performance argument seems pointless to me. If I wanted performance, I'd buy an MV-Agusta or such "crotch rocket", not a cruiser. The whole point in a cruiser is riding comfortably for long miles enjoying the ride, instead of the adrenaline rush.
After a few minutes, ear-shattering exhausts spoil the ride instead of enhancing it.
Too quiet is dangerous, and that's granted. Quiet vehicles, such as many electric service vehicles, have beepers to warn unwary bystanders of their approach. As a cager, I must say that I use my ears to give me better 360° perception of what's around me. But I don't need a flak-gun-like fracas to hear a bike. Standard HD exhausts are ok, even if I keep my stereo quite loud.
AND the same reasoning works the other way round:
A noisy exhaust could prevent you hearing the noise of another bike or a cage coming up behind you... (yes, I hear them even with a full face helmet)
So, I like being able to enjoy engine sound without Politically Correct mufflers (f..ck them!), but IMHO that's enough.
As in everything, balance is the key.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 0
From: Crown Point, IN
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
ORIGINAL: Geoff
You're kidding, right?
ORIGINAL: Speedkingnick
I would challenge a BMW rider to ride with me next to a truck - in it's blind spot. They'll never take the challenge.
I would challenge a BMW rider to ride with me next to a truck - in it's blind spot. They'll never take the challenge.
It is so simple, yet would put to bed this "myth" people are spouting about loud pipes save lives....
If a cager cannot see you (your in his blind spot) the only thing you have going for you is sound. The above scenario negates all of the other factors - i.e. visual senses.
If the car starts to move over - both the BMW and Harley riders have their horn, they also have the brake and throttle.
The real issue here is whether sound from an exhaust system will get drivers to notice you. Obviously, if there is no noise or very little - you have no other method of warning drivers.
Oh and for the folks that say use the horn - Your right that the horn MAY warn drivers but here's the issue - the horn is only on one side of the scoot - typically the left side and blocked by the engine. The cager on the right may not hear the horn. Oh - one more thing - the horn dB output is about the same as a typical aftermarket exhaust system. Drag pipes are louder than the stock Harley horn.
By the way, isn't this land of the free? We have more laws here for stupid stuff than what really needs to be. Where did common sense go? (That is a totally different topic.....)
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