Loud Pipes Research Study
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!
...loud pipes ... 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 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.
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.
Quiet hybrids are a hazard for blind pedestrians. Are sighted people really so clueless that we don't remember our mothers taught us to look both ways before crossing the street?
I've been looking for evidence to support the LPSL theory for a LONG time. I collect motorcycle crash data (in English) from around the world, and so far nobody has thought to actually study the effect of noise on crash rates. (Yes, I'm odd, too. Not quite PhD odd, just Master's odd.)
I think the original question in your study should be whether motorcycles with loud exhaust are underrepresented in crash statistics. That would seem to support the LPSL theory.
Then, if it's supported, you can worry about how much noise is right, and the problem of reducing crashes vs. preserving the goodwill of the (majority) nonriding voters.
Personally, I'll stick with things that have been proven to reduce my chances of being involved in a crash. Evidence, not anecdotes.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
That's probably true but I'd think that, in general, blind pedestrians have more to worry about than hybrid cars.
Yes, unfortunately.
I'm not sure how they'd figure that out after the fact. Was the motorcycle speeding? Did the auto driver fail to yield right of way? If the auto driver is spouting the ever popular, "I didn't see him," they're not likely to admit that they heard the bike!
Underrepresented? I'd be curious to see if they're represented at all. I could be wrong but I don't think it's information they gather at all!
No arguments there! 
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
I've been looking for evidence to support the LPSL theory for a LONG time. I collect motorcycle crash data (in English) from around the world, and so far nobody has thought to actually study the effect of noise on crash rates. (Yes, I'm odd, too. Not quite PhD odd, just Master's odd.)
Then, if it's supported, you can worry about how much noise is right, and the problem of reducing crashes vs. preserving the goodwill of the (majority) non riding voters.
Personally, I'll stick with things that have been proven to reduce my chances of being involved in a crash. Evidence, not anecdotes.
Personally, I'll stick with things that have been proven to reduce my chances of being involved in a crash. Evidence, not anecdotes.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
The Schlong Man
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 4
From: Nantucket
Be sure to inlcude in your investigations the drawbacks, if any, loud pipes have with respect to potentially preventing the rider of said loud motorcycle from adequately hearing his surroundings.
FWIW I doubt there is much correlation between noise level and the liklihood of having an accident. Just going by the local news paper 50% of motorcycle accidents are some cage turning left at an intersection. The point at which the collision become inevitable there is usually still enough distance between the two vehicles that even loud pipes cannot be heard from inside a cage especially when facing head-on.
The other 50% of motorcycle accidents are the motorcycle's fault plain and simple. Noise not a factor here either.
JMO
FWIW I doubt there is much correlation between noise level and the liklihood of having an accident. Just going by the local news paper 50% of motorcycle accidents are some cage turning left at an intersection. The point at which the collision become inevitable there is usually still enough distance between the two vehicles that even loud pipes cannot be heard from inside a cage especially when facing head-on.
The other 50% of motorcycle accidents are the motorcycle's fault plain and simple. Noise not a factor here either.
JMO
Last edited by ken thompson; Jul 15, 2009 at 01:51 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Loud and visible
The only problem I have with the theroy that loud pipes save lives is that the riders that I have met-(poor souls) thought that they were gonna beat the odds by making a lot of noise and wearing bright colors etc.
What that did to their riding style was lessen their defensive instincts and made them rely on the noise and wild colors. (R.I.P.)
If ya let your guard down just for a second it might be your last.
COncentrate on awareness and your ability to handle the bike in an emergency. Imagine that everyone else on the road is out to kill you!!
What that did to their riding style was lessen their defensive instincts and made them rely on the noise and wild colors. (R.I.P.)
If ya let your guard down just for a second it might be your last.
COncentrate on awareness and your ability to handle the bike in an emergency. Imagine that everyone else on the road is out to kill you!!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 3
From: Southern Oregon
The only problem I have with the theroy that loud pipes save lives is that the riders that I have met-(poor souls) thought that they were gonna beat the odds by making a lot of noise and wearing bright colors etc.
What that did to their riding style was lessen their defensive instincts and made them rely on the noise and wild colors. (R.I.P.)
If ya let your guard down just for a second it might be your last.
COncentrate on awareness and your ability to handle the bike in an emergency. Imagine that everyone else on the road is out to kill you!!
What that did to their riding style was lessen their defensive instincts and made them rely on the noise and wild colors. (R.I.P.)
If ya let your guard down just for a second it might be your last.
COncentrate on awareness and your ability to handle the bike in an emergency. Imagine that everyone else on the road is out to kill you!!
It doesn't really matter if someone were to prove that loud pipes DON'T save lives, about 1/2 the peole wouldn't beleive it anyway. No mater what, there is always going to be 2 sides.
When I see a biker with "loud pipes save lives" plastered across his jacket or shirt, I try and stay far away from that rider. I realize he's relying on his pipes for safety and probably doesn't have very good riding skills.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,665
Likes: 714
From: DFW
I didn't read all of the responses so this may have been said previously.
Sometimes if it appears that drivers are not going to see us, myself or a number in our group will pull in the clutch and rev the engine to get the exhaust louder - it has gotten drivers attention.
Sometimes if it appears that drivers are not going to see us, myself or a number in our group will pull in the clutch and rev the engine to get the exhaust louder - it has gotten drivers attention.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 1
From: Saint George, Utah
Totally agree.
It doesn't really matter if someone were to prove that loud pipes DON'T save lives, about 1/2 the peole wouldn't beleive it anyway. No mater what, there is always going to be 2 sides.
When I see a biker with "loud pipes save lives" plastered across his jacket or shirt, I try and stay far away from that rider. I realize he's relying on his pipes for safety and probably doesn't have very good riding skills.
It doesn't really matter if someone were to prove that loud pipes DON'T save lives, about 1/2 the peole wouldn't beleive it anyway. No mater what, there is always going to be 2 sides.
When I see a biker with "loud pipes save lives" plastered across his jacket or shirt, I try and stay far away from that rider. I realize he's relying on his pipes for safety and probably doesn't have very good riding skills.
That may be one of the most retarded things I've ever read on this forum.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Just a guess, based on what I see, hear of and read around here... it seems metrics outnumber Harleys (on the road - makes sense - more manufacturers), but, when I hear about crashes, it seems Harleys are *overrepresented*. Not sure if either is true - it just seems that way to me.