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So here's the deal, the neighbor's kid came around selling magazines for a fundraiser a couple months ago. As they buy from our kid and we buy from theirs, it was our turn. On the blind, I got a subscription to Rider Magazine, without knowing much about it. So I got my first issue today and here's the gist--
"Is Louder Safer" -December 2007 Issue pp. 13-14
First two paragraphs, the writer is questioning the validity of the "Loud Pipes Save Lives" argument and mentioning that some of his friends have claimed that as their reason for changing pipes. He then states that his "limited internet research" failed to support the "loud pipes" argument.
Para 3- "There also seems to be a contradiction regarding their safety concerns. Many of these same riders who tout their right to have loud pipes in the name of safety are the same ones who think nothing of riding around town without a helmet, wearing flip-flops, tank tops and shorts. These very same riders are the ones who complain about mandatory helmet laws, while at the same time complaining about laws that make loud pipes illegal.
It seems to me that the real reason many install loud pipes is to create a certain image, not for safety. I understand swapping pipes for performance reasons, but for safety? Is there any evidence to show that loud pipes actually do help save lives?" Editor's reply--
"Your first instincts are correct, and we advise you to heed them. The "Loud Pipes Save Lives" argument is a red herring, created to excuse what is simply inconsiderate and generally illegal behavior meant to attract attention. The damage loud pipes on any kind of motorcycle do to our image and riding freedom (not to mention hearing) is irreparable, while motorcycling can be made safer by voluntarily increasing conspicuity (e.g.- reflective, brightly colored apparel), rider training and licensing, and wearing adequately protective apparel. If proponents of the "Loud Pipes Save Lives" argument were genuinely worried about safety, they wouldn't tend to wear dark colored, inadequate apparel and lack training, and would know better than to rely upon loud pipes to save their lives."
I'm interested in hearing some opinions about the text above, as it's got me pretty wound up right now.
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Comparing something that makes one more noticeable to cage drivers to safety gear meant to protect you in a fall is comparing apples to oranges. The first one helps to prevent the need for the second one. Safety gear is reactive, whereas being more noticeable is proactive. Wearing a lid doesn't stop a mindless cager from runnig you over.
I think the letter and the editor's response are absolute bullsh*t. It tells you alot about the mindset of the modern motorcycle owner. It sure ain't like it used to be. Many now think they have to save you from yourself, wheather it tramples on your rights or not, as long as they can feel wise and superior and tell the people in their circles they are doing something to help things get better. It's lunacy. Not much of a Motorcycle magazine is it?
My pipe is loud but not offensive.I don`t wear flip-flops,sneakers.Wear a helmet!If one moron heears me coming and gives me the right of way (if it is mine to have)then I just protected myself from same moron.Loud pipes are no worse than import cars with garbage can sized mufflers or the tractor trailers with th the 6 or8 in. straight pipes.Of course you wouldn`t pull out in front of them!I don`t play the "hey,look at me,look at me".My bike makes noise and ALWAYS will.As I hope everyone elses who`s on here will.I guess I don`t fit their demographic ,but who gives a rat $ss!T
Over the years, I have heard both sides of this debate many times. I personally have foundpipes that arelouder than stock have a smalladvantage in slower town traffic. Also I like the sound of any Harley with a good sounding set of pipes, not straight through drag pipes as they are to loud and obnoxious and play into the bad name given to loud Harleys by non bikers and bikers that just plain like quiet bikes. There are some Harleys out there that are just plain obnoxious and this kind of sound should probably be mellowed for all our own good in the long run. There is a diffrence between nice sounding and obnoxious pipes. People reving there bikes next to car windows on purpose does not help thesituation either, so be curtious you will be better off in the long run. (we all will be better off in the long run)
Example
Me and the wife were leaving a restaurant in our car, we made a right turn at the inersection just before it turned green in the other direction. A nice sounding Harley that had a nice mellow rumble took off from that light and caught up with us and passed in the outside lane in slower town traffic. We heard him coming as it caused me to look in the mirror for him to see where he was at and to see what kind of Harley he was on. So you can hear a nice sounding Harley in town traffic coming up on you and this has to be a lot safer for the rider than not hearing the bike at all. I hear Harleys all the time coming up on me or beside mein slower traffic and I hope cagers hear me on mine the same way.
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....
Take care all & ride safe.
Bill G
__________________
2009 Street Glide, ABS, Light Candy, Dark Candy Root Beer,
K&N RK-3930 A/C Unit, V&H Oval Mufflers,
V&H Fuel Pack.
Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life. Serenity isn’t freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm.
If I'm in someones blindspot, they may not see me, but they do hear me. Loud pipes won't prevent someone turning left in front of me because they can't "see me" but they do prevent someone changing lanes into me, guaranteed!
I am not about to cast aside over 100 years of Motorcycle heritage to satistfy the namby-pamby ideals of those who would not leave the house without the latest sliderule designed safety gear.
Any protective gear I use is of my own choosing and is more than adequate for normal riding.
As far as exhaust noise, I do agree that abnoxiously loud pipes will bring down anti noise legislation on us all. So if we don't want this to happen we have to police ourselves, or some self righteous bureaucrat with the backing of people who just plain hate motorcycles certainly will. But then again, some people just cannot be satisfied and will want us banned from the road anyway. Any excuse at all, wether it be noise or perceived danger, will be all the motivation they need. So screw em!
I will wear my black leather because it is functional and traditional. I wear a helmet because I am used to it and it just seems to go hand in hand with bikes. I do not need the most expensive or technologically advanced. I'm not competing in Moto GP.
My SE mufflers are louder than stock, but nowhere near as loud as strait pipes. I LIKE THE SOUND.
I'll get off my soap box now.
Anyone that was around when God passed out common sense knows that loud pipes can get the attention of cagers in some situations. Anything that raises awareness is a good thing.
That's the entire point summed up in two sentences.
Is Louder Safer? - Letter to the Editor
85 FXST Belts are for Pants...If it said custom when you bought it..it ain't.
