I was riding down a winding 4 lane divided street. A car pulled out to get into my lane. I came around the hill. Didn't pull into my lane but almost did. I truly think if it wasn't for my loud pipes, he would have nailed me. The car was at the angle that it was imposible to spot me coming at him. It must have been the sound of my bike that stopped him.

 

Glad it did!

Rather partial to mine as well, 'just in case'...!!!

 

Riders moan and groan that loud pipes are inconciterate of others, I find it a way to stay alive.

 

You were lucky, as a large percentage of the drivers out there couldn't hear a bike (no matter how loud) because of their car stereo systems blaring away, or a cell phone stuck in their ear.

 

I know what you mean Fender. As long as I ride, I'll have loud pipes. I need all the help I can get!

 

Not a big believer in the "loud pipes save lives" theory (although my Screaming Eagles seem more than loud enough to me...but they were on the bike when I bought it...not sure I'd have changed from the stock pipes had I bought new...), but on the other hand I am not really sure deer whistles work either, but have them on my bike. I've never hit a deer (at least on my bike), so I figure better safe than sorry. Same with the loud pipes. Sometimes the gods and luck are just on our side. Glad nothing nasty happened, whatever the reason.

 

I like my LOUD pipes, it would have been MY luck an old blue hair, deaf would have been in the cage, we know the outcome of that don't we.

 

Riding all kinds of bikes, all kinds of makes, many miles, many years, some quiet some loud, can tell no difference in driver awareness.

Training, road/driver awareness, skills for different conditions,eye-hand coordination, being in shape physically, wearing protection, experience, no drinking/riding, ABS brakes, tires, etc. and etc. are the safety factors noted by the industry.

 

Pipes are about cool, not safe... if you want safe, get into a cage... ya got airbags there...

 

Exactly!