I didn't want to hijack the current "loud Pipe" thread so here is a different twist.
Last summer in Laconia my buddy left our place (about 2 miles from Weir's) wearing flip flops on his feet and a Teeshirt, yes he was wearing pants LOL
My buddy is one of the most vocal persons I ever met for "loud pipes save lives".
I am a fan of loud pipes I have V&H true duals and big ovals.
My question is How do you Defend the Save lives part but ignore every other Save Lives part of riding.
I don't remember ever seeing a HD with loud pipes rolling down the road with a rider wearing Fullface, leather grear, reflective vest etc.
Once again to each his own and you have the right to do what you want. This is just an observation and I would like to hear your thought.
QUESTION- Can you justify the pipes arguement without justifying all the other safety gear.

 

I just spoke with my wife tonight on the phone who is in Western Australia visiting family. While it is snowing and freezing here, she said their temps are in the 37 to 40 degrees C (around 100F).
She told me she hasn't seen one biker wearing anything leather yet, they are all wearing T-shirts, shorts and flip flops.

 

The irony is they will all say their loud pipes are for safety.
I love the sound of them but they serve no safety purpose.

I am starting a new slogan

LOUD PIPES SOOTHE LIVES

 

i think that while they do serve to get us noticed in certain situations, which may have some safety effect on the road, you are right that the sound is what seems to draw most of us to get them. I agree that it is interesting to use the safety argument when other safety measures are not taken, but I don't think that invalidates the fact that they can draw attention to us which may help.

 

I don't know weather loud pipes save lives . Mine are loud because I have a stage one on my bike for performance . But I always wear my boots , jeans and 1/2 helmet . If it's hot I do ride with just a t shirt though .

 

Some of you folks must really have it in for the saves lives debate. Just finished reading an identical thread yesterday.

 

loud pipes are for avoiding accidents, the other gear is for when you are in an accident. air bags would be a nice option for all brands of motorcycles...at a reasonable price. feds will make them mandatory some day.

 

It's called free choice.

and there was once a time when people didn't have to justify their free choices.

 

A lot of people use the "loud pipes save lives" stuff just to justify the loud pipes on their bikes.

The simple truth is that most of these folks just like their bikes to be loud and also jump up and down in glee and post threads about 'setting off car alarms'.

If you like your bike loud it's your choice.

If you like your bike quiet it's your choice.

But the majority of people in cars have their windows up, stereo blasting or some electronic whatever plugged into their ears. Probably many of them wouldn't hear your 'loud pipes' unless you were sitting on their hood.

 

Loud pipes save lives.....flip flops save boots.