Loud Pipes save lives...
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: home
Exactly the way I try to ride. Don't buy that loud "look at me" saves lives crap at all. How many times are you on the freeway in your car, (Mazda3 in our families case), and a loud bike goes by and it's not until it's past your front fender that you even barely hear it? All the time. We were down in LA and they have lane splitting there and lots went by us and we didn't know it until they were by.
Loud pipes are, well LOUD. I purchased a used Heritage with very loud pipes. Tried to out run it. No luck.
Had a guy tell me once that he put the long pipes on so the noise was more behind him as to not bother him (the rider) as shorter pipes do. With this thinking, perhaps he is safer from getting rear ended (LOL).
Got to give the after market pipe companies props for the slogan. A lot bikers buy into it.
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Last edited by curtis myers; Sep 24, 2013 at 04:04 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Behind you
Never bought into the "loud pipes saves lives." I would probably work well if every cage was an electric convertible but if I'm in my car the windows are always up a radio usually playing. I don't hear a bike til they are right aside of me.
I follow my Rule #1- never, never, never assume a cage can see you (or knows you're there). Never!
I follow my Rule #1- never, never, never assume a cage can see you (or knows you're there). Never!
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Ok ok the better performance, but driving defensively will keep you alive. Use your extra performance to get around them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
when passing, try to position yourself so you can see the driver in their rear view - if you can see them, they can see you. Too many drivers just glance in the mirror when changing lanes instead of turning their head to look.
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
Well, there's your problem right there.
Some basic defensive rider training would most likely have kept you from getting into either situation.
And you're only fooling yourself as well as endangering your passenger buying into the old myth about loud pipes. As mentioned above, modern vehicles are much better insulated from sound and the fact your exhaust faces to the rear means the driver probably only noticed you as they began the lane change.
As for setting off car alarms...that went out of style about 20 years ago.
But hey, we were all newbies once too...you'll either learn quick enough or...well, never mind.
Some basic defensive rider training would most likely have kept you from getting into either situation.
And you're only fooling yourself as well as endangering your passenger buying into the old myth about loud pipes. As mentioned above, modern vehicles are much better insulated from sound and the fact your exhaust faces to the rear means the driver probably only noticed you as they began the lane change.
As for setting off car alarms...that went out of style about 20 years ago.
But hey, we were all newbies once too...you'll either learn quick enough or...well, never mind.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Exactly the way I try to ride. Don't buy that loud "look at me" saves lives crap at all. How many times are you on the freeway in your car, (Mazda3 in our families case), and a loud bike goes by and it's not until it's past your front fender that you even barely hear it? All the time. We were down in LA and they have lane splitting there and lots went by us and we didn't know it until they were by.
If someone likes the sound, fill your boots but don't lie to yourself or others that it is about safety. If safety was a concern we would all be wearing Hi-Vis gear which has actually been found to reduce car/motorcycle collisions by about 31%. No study of motorcycle safety has ever found loud pipes have an effect, probably because collisions come from things you drive into and noise from loud pipes comes out the back end of a motorcycle.
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