However, I made a mistake: I decided to research the matter. And in the process, my opinion has been somewhat modified.

The Search for Evidence: “Loud Pipes Save Lives”

As you, too, might be inclined to do when seeking more info on a subject, I did an Internet search for “Loud Pipes Save Lives” and read through numerous articles at the top of the search results and much lower in the results.

What I came away with was less certainty on the subject than when I started. And more so than any time before, I recognized that truth can be illusive.

Now I don’t know if my personal experience is typical, or atypical, but I did ride for years with high-performance (and loud), exhaust pipes – when I was much younger. To this day, I don’t know how my ears survived. (Well, the fact is, now that I’m considerably more mature, the question of how well they survived is just as murky as my research on the matter of whether loud pipes save lives, or not.)

Although it appears my hearing is not as good as it used to be, how much of that is due to loud pipes or lots and lots of very loud concerts and very loud music blasting through headphones is difficult to discern. I’m sure it’s safe to say that neither supported long-term optimal hearing. (I only started wearing ear plugs while riding several years ago).

Loud Pipes Are Impractical For Long-Distance Touring

My first coast-to-coast motorcycle trip was on a motorbike with a high-performance, non-stock exhaust system that did not endear the neighbors to my notion of a spirited form of transportation. Although I’ve ridden coast-to-coast across North America a number of times since, I recall that first trip as a highlight of my life. And although I could discourse about the virtues of that summer adventure, in the early 80′s, for hours on end, one thing that I realized without any advice, feedback or suggestions from anyone else, was that loud pipes made for uncomfortable long-distance riding (and also that I would be switching from chain-drive to shaft-drive motorbikes for touring).

Personally, I don’t like loud pipes. As much as I love each and every kind of motorcycle, the only ones that diminish my enthusiasm for the brotherhood are those that disrupt the neighborhood harmony by announcing their every breath coming and going.

So, here I am, a long-distance, mature rider, with hundreds of thousands of miles of motorbike experience, who “used” to ride with loud pipes, and who has not liked them for years, and who is philosophically opposed to them due to their inherent and ongoing damage to the motorsport in the way they impinge on the lives of those non-riders whom are adversely effected by the noise pollution of their very existence. Hence, wouldn’t you think I’d be a vociferous opponent of the same?

Which brings me to the point of the first paragraph. I was already aware of the lack of real evidence that supports the concept that “loud pipes save lives.”

But lo and behold, my research did find anecdotal reports that extol the virtues of loud pipes.

The Truth, or Not?

So, what is the truth?

Are those riders who state that loud pipes “have” saved their lives just plain wrong?

What my research did “not” do is change my perspective on whether I, personally, will integrate loud pipes back into my riding: I won’t. In fact, in the future, I will likely include an electric motorcycle (which are practically silent), within a stable of riding choices.

However, what has resulted from my research regarding loud pipes is a softening of my perspective. Even though scientifically unproven, if riders’ lives have been saved because of loud pipes, or if riders believe they are safer with loud pipes, those are some compelling factors – at least for those individuals.

Even so, such does not address the rights of others to “not” be subjected to the noise of loud motorcycle exhaust systems.

In conclusion, although I am not an advocate for loud pipes, and even though I disagree with the use of the most obnoxious ones, and even though there is no hard evidence in support of their use as a safety catalyst, and even though the loudest pipes do damage to the overall public perception of motorcycling, I respect that there have been “some” quantity of riders (however large or small), who are still riding, purportedly as a result of loud pipes. Which has caused me to re-evaluate their application.

Better yet, what do YOU consider is the truth? Do loud motorcycle pipes save lives?

Buell has offered innovative technology to the motorcycle world since 1993, as a small, American, sportbike manufacturer. Buell even won its first AMA Pro racing championship in September of this year.

Click here for the official word from the Buell website: BUELL CUSTOMER FAQ.

And click the video for a statement from the man whom the company is named after: Erik Buell.

In related news, Harley-Davidson also announced they are selling off their high-end, high-performance, Italian brand, MV Agusta, which Harley acquired just over two year ago, in August of 2008. At least MV Agusta will not likely be going away.

Today, October 15, 2009, is not a good day for the history of motorcycle development.

Regardless of whether speaking with a somber biker the size of large refrigerator with every tattoo imaginable; or a petite and mature woman well versed in the practice of professional safe-riding techniques; or hot-shot kids; easy going middle-agers; dirt bikers; cruisers; sport-bike riders; retro bikers; sport-tourers; adventure tourers; Gold Wing riders; European riders; custom riders; highly experienced tourers; brand-new riders; vintage aficionados; and every other rider imaginable, I have found one thing in common: the love of motorcycle riding.

Secondarily, I have found that “most” (but not all) riders that I have encountered are genuinely friendly. That might seem odd to note. At least I consider it so, because my experience in the real world of meeting motorcyclists is different than what may be found in some online motorcycle forums. I have found it remarkable over the years to observe that in spite of their universal passion for riding, a certain number of online motorcyclists are so ready and willing to express vitriol to other riders over divergent sub-categories of passion or motorbike preferences.

You know the tired old arguments: individuals who assert that certain continents produce better motorcycles and/or that certain owners of certain brands are superior to others and all others are valueless.

Of course, at any given time any specific brand may boast a particular motorcycle that reflects the current state-of-the-art performance engineering. However, even though such a bike may be deemed “best” based upon certain qualitative parameters, there will likely be a much larger percentage of riders who will vote for their “best” motorcycle by purchasing a different one. What is a “best” motorcycle for any rider is as variable as what any specific individual considers is the “best” music, the “best” movie, the “best” ice cream or the “best” beer.

I consider those riders who espouse “My bike is better than yours” are simply not experienced enough to appreciate what motorcycle riding is all about: enjoyment of the ride. And that can be realized on any motorbike.

The good news is that such a malady can be resolved by more riding….

What attitude do you like (or dislike) most among riders?

THE RACE IS ON, THE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE REVOLUTION IS HAPPENING

April 2009 has been an milestone month for electric motorcycles, and the two biggest news items are from the same company: Zero Motorcycles in Santa Cruz, California.

To begin wtih, Zero Motorcycles staged the first 24-hour endurance event for electric, off-road motorcycles. The “24 Hours of Electricross” competition started on Saturday, April 4, at 10:00AM, and, true to the name, ran all day, through the night, and ended 24 hours later, on Sunday, April 5. The event was held at the 408MX Motocross Track in San Jose, California. The competition featured ten teams of riders each riding the Zero X electric motocross bike. Team Hotchalk took first place after completing 1015 laps.

Center stage at event was the Zero X, a high-performance, electric motorcycle. Check out the videos and you can see this is a real, off-road motorcycle with the entertainment value of a traditional gasoline motorcycle, without using gas. The bike is oddly quiet and exceptionally light with a total weight of 151 pounds. The Zero X can run up to 2 hours or 40 miles before needing to be recharged. Charging takes less than 2 hours at a claimed cost of less than $.01 per mile.

The bike costs $7450.00 for the standard model and they also have an “Extreme” version for $9300.00, which includes a more powerful motor and a stronger/smoother front fork.

The folks at Zero Motorcycles must have given up sleeping, because if that was not enough to keep them busy, they shortly thereafter introduced a new electric motorcycle.

ZERO S: STREET-LEGAL SUPERMOTARD

Two days after the race, Zero Motorcycles announced they were taking orders for their street-legal electric motorcycle, the Zero S (pictured above).

Like their established dirt bike, the new Zero S is a clutchless, one-speed motorbike. As an electric motorcycle, the torque is available like a light switch: turn it on, and the power is all there. In this case, just dial the throttle to the speed you want. (Sort of like a dimmer switch on a lamp).

This bike weighs in at 225 pounds and can hit a top speed of 60mph. It can travel up to 60 miles in between charges and recharging takes less than 4 hours. The company claims the charging cost to be less than $.01 per mile.

At $9950.00, this is not the least expensive motorcycle to purchase for the performance, but it certainly is the least expensive to operate and the cleanest, most quiet and most eco-friendly bike.

The bikes are purchased online from Zero Motorcycles and delivered for $500.00 to your door.

THE BATTERY

Although electric vehicles in general, and electric motorcycles in particular, are generating more and more interest in recent years, they’re not a new idea.

The earliest references to electric motorcycles can be found in patents going back to the 19th century. And about a century ago, in 1911, an article in Popular Mechanics made reference to an electric motorcycle. But as technology has continued to open more opportunities in so many other ways, it also seems as if there has been a real lag in the advancement of battery technology which has limited the operating range and top speeds of any vehicle attempting to power transportation along this line. Motorcycle batteries, heck “all batteries,” have also had the distinction of being filled with very unfriendly and highly corrosive chemicals that are not conducive to a green-friendly package.

Zero claims that their lithium-ion battery technology is the “only non-toxic power pack,” and that it does not use toxic metals such as cobalt, nickel, lead or mercury, further complementing their bikes as eco-friendly. Their batters are also completely recyclable so this is a substantial step forward in making a truly useful vehicle, on a larger scale, for the world at large.

THE INDUSTRY RACE TO LEAD THE REVOLUTION

With Zero Motorcycles making such a strong statement in the electric vehicle markets with their Zero X featured in their “24 Hours of Electricross,” as well as the launch of their street-legal Zero S, the big race is on to be the worldwide industry leader for electric motorcycles.

Although there are a number of electric scooters available (Vectrix is a big player), the competition to produce electric motorcycles with the greatest speed, longest running time, the fastest recharging time and lowest cost, is only going to become more charged.

Quantya is a Swiss company that has also been making an electric motocross bike.

In Ashland Oregon, Brammo is the company behind the Enertia, an electric motorcycle that was selected as 1 of Wired Magazine’s “Top 10″ Product launches of 2008. A unique marketing angle about this street-legal bike is that it will be sold through Best Buy stores starting in May of 2009.

San Francisco company, Mission Motor, is working on the high-end of the electric motorcycle market with their Mission One motorcycle (pictured)  that promises to be the world’s fastest production motorcycle at 150mph for $68,995.

Not to be outdone, Honda, Yamaha and KTM have made announcements that they, too, will be coming out with their own electric motorcycles in two years.  (Hold on as the speed of change is starting to get traction).

Make no mistake about it, the motorcycle world is changing, and rechargeable motorbikes may be the biggest revolution to occur in our industry in the past 100 years.