Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
I can go along with the point of view that it's another tool in the tool box, along with riding ability, and one's aptitude for anticipating the moves of others. That makes sense to me as there are rare occassions where the sound of your bike may alert someone to your presence before they're able to do something absolutely stupid.
But one can not build an entire methodology on what amounts to a t-shirt slogan and expect it to stand up to reason and logic. Going around using this as the reason for having obnoxiously loud pipes isn't fooling anyone...
Loud pipes are just plain cool - sound great, feel good...etc. By and large, that's all they're good for. I've got'em, but I don't kid myself into thinking they save my life.
A large percentage of your safety is attributed to all of the other tools in your tool box. Some of us ride around with a mere tool belt, while others drag around a 30 drawer Snap-On tool chest. The more tools you carry, the easier it will be to recognize how insignificant the pipes actually are when it comes to your safety.
But one can not build an entire methodology on what amounts to a t-shirt slogan and expect it to stand up to reason and logic. Going around using this as the reason for having obnoxiously loud pipes isn't fooling anyone...
Loud pipes are just plain cool - sound great, feel good...etc. By and large, that's all they're good for. I've got'em, but I don't kid myself into thinking they save my life.
A large percentage of your safety is attributed to all of the other tools in your tool box. Some of us ride around with a mere tool belt, while others drag around a 30 drawer Snap-On tool chest. The more tools you carry, the easier it will be to recognize how insignificant the pipes actually are when it comes to your safety.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
ORIGINAL: Bill G
So in my opinion, YES Louder Pipes than stockcan help save lives in certain situations.......... but with that being said,RIDING SKILLSis still your best defense period, along with no ALCOHOL....
So in my opinion, YES Louder Pipes than stockcan help save lives in certain situations.......... but with that being said,RIDING SKILLSis still your best defense period, along with no ALCOHOL....
Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 956
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
ORIGINAL: Wyde Glyde Bry
I can go along with the point of view that it's another tool in the tool box, along with riding ability, and one's aptitude for anticipating the moves of others. That makes sense to me as there are rare occassions where the sound of your bike may alert someone to your presence before they're able to do something absolutely stupid.
But one can not build an entire methodology on what amounts to a t-shirt slogan and expect it to stand up to reason and logic. Going around using this as the reason for having obnoxiously loud pipes isn't fooling anyone...
Loud pipes are just plain cool - sound great, feel good...etc. By and large, that's all they're good for. I've got'em, but I don't kid myself into thinking they save my life.
A large percentage of your safety is attributed to all of the other tools in your tool box. Some of us ride around with a mere tool belt, while others drag around a 30 drawer Snap-On tool chest. The more tools you carry, the easier it will be to recognize how insignificant the pipes actually are when it comes to your safety.
I can go along with the point of view that it's another tool in the tool box, along with riding ability, and one's aptitude for anticipating the moves of others. That makes sense to me as there are rare occassions where the sound of your bike may alert someone to your presence before they're able to do something absolutely stupid.
But one can not build an entire methodology on what amounts to a t-shirt slogan and expect it to stand up to reason and logic. Going around using this as the reason for having obnoxiously loud pipes isn't fooling anyone...
Loud pipes are just plain cool - sound great, feel good...etc. By and large, that's all they're good for. I've got'em, but I don't kid myself into thinking they save my life.
A large percentage of your safety is attributed to all of the other tools in your tool box. Some of us ride around with a mere tool belt, while others drag around a 30 drawer Snap-On tool chest. The more tools you carry, the easier it will be to recognize how insignificant the pipes actually are when it comes to your safety.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
ORIGINAL: kingk9
Who exactly is building an "entire methodology" around loud pipes. I have not seen that. Everyone seems to say it is just another tool to help you stay safe.
Who exactly is building an "entire methodology" around loud pipes. I have not seen that. Everyone seems to say it is just another tool to help you stay safe.
Come on man... you know the type and don't jerk my chain by pretending you don't.
ORIGINAL: kingk9
It's pretty sophomoric to say that the reason for using other tools for your safety is simply the avenue for you to "realize" how insignificant loud pipes are to your safety. I mean what the hell kind of an argument is that?
It's pretty sophomoric to say that the reason for using other tools for your safety is simply the avenue for you to "realize" how insignificant loud pipes are to your safety. I mean what the hell kind of an argument is that?
You're more intelligent than that. Stop trying to start ****.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 2
From: Northeast Wisconsin
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
I would like to hear from former Goldwing pilots. Wings are the quietest bikes I've ever heard. Some of them almost sound electric they are so quiet. If you've gone from a Wing to a HD do you notice a difference in number of close calls? I believe in driving defensive and that's the best you can do.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 956
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
The more tools you carry, the easier it will be to recognize how insignificant the pipes actually are when it comes to your safety.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 13
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
If it is in fact true that loud pipes save lives, then Goldwings must be the most dangerous bike out there.
Do loud pipes have the propensity to ward off a vehicle incursion into your lane? Sure they do. But, as the operator of a bike, it is incumbent upon YOU to not only drive YOUR vehicle, but be thinking about what the other drivers might do.
I dont' have stock mufflers, but they aren't obnoxious either. I have never rapped the throttle to alert a cager to my presence either. The way I figure it, if a car is moving into your lane, and you are in it's blind spot, you have already made a mistake in your positioning of yourself, as relates to other traffic.
So you crack the throttle.....the cager has his windows up, a/c on , and radio going. He doesn't hear you. Now WHAT? The time you had to brake, or take some OTHER form of active avoidance is Gone. My point is this: When you only have a very few seconds to avoid being hit, you do NOT waste those seconds by twisting the throttle. You DO something to AVOID the wreck.
Do loud pipes have the propensity to ward off a vehicle incursion into your lane? Sure they do. But, as the operator of a bike, it is incumbent upon YOU to not only drive YOUR vehicle, but be thinking about what the other drivers might do.
I dont' have stock mufflers, but they aren't obnoxious either. I have never rapped the throttle to alert a cager to my presence either. The way I figure it, if a car is moving into your lane, and you are in it's blind spot, you have already made a mistake in your positioning of yourself, as relates to other traffic.
So you crack the throttle.....the cager has his windows up, a/c on , and radio going. He doesn't hear you. Now WHAT? The time you had to brake, or take some OTHER form of active avoidance is Gone. My point is this: When you only have a very few seconds to avoid being hit, you do NOT waste those seconds by twisting the throttle. You DO something to AVOID the wreck.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 956
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
I
They are. For many reasons, they are.
f it is in fact true that loud pipes save lives, then Goldwings must be the most dangerous bike out there
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 3
From: Austell, GA
RE: Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
ORIGINAL: CSI Topeka
If it is in fact true that loud pipes save lives, then Goldwings must be the most dangerous bike out there.
Do loud pipes have the propensity to ward off a vehicle incursion into your lane? Sure they do. But, as the operator of a bike, it is incumbent upon YOU to not only drive YOUR vehicle, but be thinking about what the other drivers might do.
I dont' have stock mufflers, but they aren't obnoxious either. I have never rapped the throttle to alert a cager to my presence either. The way I figure it, if a car is moving into your lane, and you are in it's blind spot, you have already made a mistake in your positioning of yourself, as relates to other traffic.
So you crack the throttle.....the cager has his windows up, a/c on , and radio going. He doesn't hear you. Now WHAT? The time you had to brake, or take some OTHER form of active avoidance is Gone. My point is this: When you only have a very few seconds to avoid being hit, you do NOT waste those seconds by twisting the throttle. You DO something to AVOID the wreck.
If it is in fact true that loud pipes save lives, then Goldwings must be the most dangerous bike out there.
Do loud pipes have the propensity to ward off a vehicle incursion into your lane? Sure they do. But, as the operator of a bike, it is incumbent upon YOU to not only drive YOUR vehicle, but be thinking about what the other drivers might do.
I dont' have stock mufflers, but they aren't obnoxious either. I have never rapped the throttle to alert a cager to my presence either. The way I figure it, if a car is moving into your lane, and you are in it's blind spot, you have already made a mistake in your positioning of yourself, as relates to other traffic.
So you crack the throttle.....the cager has his windows up, a/c on , and radio going. He doesn't hear you. Now WHAT? The time you had to brake, or take some OTHER form of active avoidance is Gone. My point is this: When you only have a very few seconds to avoid being hit, you do NOT waste those seconds by twisting the throttle. You DO something to AVOID the wreck.
