Loud Pipes Research Study
6th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Bremen, GA
Loud Pipes
I'm just sharing my own experiences. I ride the interstate I-285 on the way to work. Maybe it's the concrete median reflecting some of the sound back into traffic that gets folks attention? Anyway, the sirens aren't being paid attention to because of selfish a-holes wanting to get where there going 2 seconds before someone else or just being to busy doing anything but driving.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Well, IF firetrucks and ambulances were to leave the sirens on ALL the time...even when not on a call...and travelling at the same speed as the other cars??? Or even when stopped at a traffic light??? They'd be demanding that the sirens be removed.
Trying to compare a bike with and emergency vehicle is like comparing cherries with watermelons, isn't it?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Unfortunately!
Stage I
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From:
When the cagers hang up and drive,I'll consider quiet.
Used to be,the worst part of riding to me was intersections and drunk drivers.Now with cells,too many cagers would rather chat or text than pay attention. My pipes are all I have to let the babbling moron in the next lane know I'm there.Social Responsibility???
OK, I'm bothered by all the boring opinions people have about how loud pipes should be and whether they actually provide any safety benefit for motorcyclists. To that end, I have decided to conduct a research study to investigate this issue.
I am a PhD student in human factors and ergonomics and one of the areas of research in this field is safety and warning systems. I had a colleague recently conduct a study to investigate the safety of quite hybrid cars. He found that these cars are too quiet and can be a safety hazard for pedestrians. Other research has supported this. So, we can start with the idea that at least some amount of noise is important for vehicles.
My study will investigate just how much noise is important, and whether there are safety benefits to louder pipes. I haven't developed the formal research questions or hypotheses yet, and I'd love to hear some good input for the design of this type of study. This will be a side-project as my specific area of research is in human-computer interaction.
Anyway, it could be fun and hopefully actually provide some real data for once. I'm not proposing that the study will be the final word on the subject but hopefully it can direct us in the right path. I'm also not proposing that people's opinions should be heavily be influenced or changed by the results, but I do think knowledge is power.
I am a PhD student in human factors and ergonomics and one of the areas of research in this field is safety and warning systems. I had a colleague recently conduct a study to investigate the safety of quite hybrid cars. He found that these cars are too quiet and can be a safety hazard for pedestrians. Other research has supported this. So, we can start with the idea that at least some amount of noise is important for vehicles.
My study will investigate just how much noise is important, and whether there are safety benefits to louder pipes. I haven't developed the formal research questions or hypotheses yet, and I'd love to hear some good input for the design of this type of study. This will be a side-project as my specific area of research is in human-computer interaction.
Anyway, it could be fun and hopefully actually provide some real data for once. I'm not proposing that the study will be the final word on the subject but hopefully it can direct us in the right path. I'm also not proposing that people's opinions should be heavily be influenced or changed by the results, but I do think knowledge is power.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: Temecula, CA
Since adding my Short Shots about 2 years ago I have not had anyone cut me off. Prior to this I was cut of 3-5x a week. I did not change my driving style or route I commute, I guess the people that say noise doesn't help to alert other drivers don't ride motorcycles.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
hoped in a chicago cab yesterday. needed to get to the train station quicker than the bus would allow.
was talking to the cabby and metioned that i going for a ride when i got home.
he asked 'is yours a harley' - to which i replied 'is there any other kind'
he said he really liked harleys and one of the things he liked best whas the sound they made. he said that the sound allowed him to know that they were there and made it safer for him and the rider. he contined to say that the quiet bikes were just not easy enough to see and be aware of and that had made for some dangerous situations.
these statements were offered. interesting from one who drives for a living.
was talking to the cabby and metioned that i going for a ride when i got home.
he asked 'is yours a harley' - to which i replied 'is there any other kind'
he said he really liked harleys and one of the things he liked best whas the sound they made. he said that the sound allowed him to know that they were there and made it safer for him and the rider. he contined to say that the quiet bikes were just not easy enough to see and be aware of and that had made for some dangerous situations.
these statements were offered. interesting from one who drives for a living.
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 425
From: Pennsylvania
I'll tell you this much, I'm riding a new 09 right now with the factory exhaust. V&H bigshots coming in a week or so.
I feel very vulnerable. I'm used to my old Fat Boy which had Screamin Eagle 16 guage double barrel. Similar in look and sound to BSS.
I'm also having a harder time knowing what gear I'm in or how many rpm I'm turning because I cant hear the motor over the wind when I'm goin more than 35 mph.
Vibration helps, but the sound is better.
Cant wait to get my pipes.
I feel very vulnerable. I'm used to my old Fat Boy which had Screamin Eagle 16 guage double barrel. Similar in look and sound to BSS.
I'm also having a harder time knowing what gear I'm in or how many rpm I'm turning because I cant hear the motor over the wind when I'm goin more than 35 mph.
Vibration helps, but the sound is better.
Cant wait to get my pipes.