THE DEBATE GOES ON. I’ve never struggled so much to write a motorcycle article as I have with this one. A reader challenged me to enter the discussion about loud pipes earlier this year. At the time, I thought it an easy endeavor because I had my own years of experience and opinion on the matter.
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?
Louder then stock pipes can save lives.They saved the rider who was behind the rider I saw in the lane next to me.I wanted to move to the right lane but I let the bike go.With mydirectional on I started to move over.But I heard a rumble and waited.There in my blind spot was another bike.If I did not hear him he might be dead.I’m not saying loud pipes save all lives under all conditions.And I don’t like open pipes.My pipes on my Harley are just a little louder than stock.The pipes on my Kawasaki Concours are stock and as quiet as a sewing machine.I can tell you as a fact that drivers in front of me know im there sooner on my Harley then on my Kawi.And I’ll state this fact:LOUD PIPES NEVER KILLED ANYONE..PERIOD!
to ken f – harley envy ya right. lets see over priced bikes that do not go-stop-handle. riders that are old fat bald-dress in black- with long gray beards with 200 pins-50 patches-no head gear -wait the durag sorry-not loud pipes but no pipes, flags, stuffed dolls, worship a sonny barger [ a killer, drug dealer] who now writes how to ride a motorcycle for 8 year olds. and last a big fat super ugly tatto women cow perched on the back, flashing her sagging breast so the other old riders get a big thrill.going 45 mph in 60 mph speed zone’s. ya man thats something anyone in there right mind would envy. sign me up
It has been noted in numerous comments already but when a bike is coming up from behind on the highway, even with loud pipes you pretty much can’t hear them until they are beside you and then you hear them for the next several minutes. Even on a bike I have found it difficult to hear a bike coming up from behind until they are very close.
I believe that the loudest pipes are used by the biggest jerks to prove to everybody what big jerks they are. Anybody who says they save lives is just trying to justify the unnecessary noise they are making. Being visible with lights or clothing will provide better safety than noise. As a motorcyclist I expect every vehicle on the road is out to get me, including other bikes, and drive accordingly.
Everytime I read one of these discussions on this subject it always pisses me off. I was recently at a coffee shop and there was a couple in their car next to me. They and I both heard a motorcycle with loud exhaust and I heard them say “Theres another one of thosr loud Harley Davidsns ,the police should run him in”. I turned and looked to see the bike which turned out to be a Honda Shadow with straight pipes, not a Harley. So why don’t all of you that are so eaten up with Harley envy take a break and actually look at the subject fairly. Do loud pipes save lives? Sometimes yes sometimes no. Helmets save lives but a great number of us know someone that died in spite of the fact that they were wearing a helmet.. Nothing is going to save everybody everytime. I ask all of you that posted that only defensive driving can save you to tell me why an article came out stating that the city of Oakland was replacing all of their motorcycle exhaust systems with Vance and Hines pipes.Are you going to tell all of us that their motorcycle cops don’t know how to ride safely. Give your heads a shake!! When any of you has had a close call and manage to escape disaster Who did you report the close call to? Since close calls do not get reported how can you self appointed know it alls say with such certainty that loud pipes do not save lives.
If someone is blasting through a quiet neighborhood late at night then yes he or she should get busted. Some cities are starting to pass bylaws concerning loud motorcycles and ignore the loud cars and trucks that use the same street and alot of you support them. Once the loud motorcycles are gone what are you going to go after next because it offends you for a few seconds.
If loud pipes save even one biker from being injured or killed then I think a few seconds of noise while he or she passes my house is well worth the inconvenience..
I don’t like overly loud bikes, but I do appreciate hearing a biker come my way when on the highway… particularly when they’re splittling lanes (in California). And now as a biker with a stock exhaust pipe, I often feel invisible to motorists who are often on their cel phones (illegally in CA) or otherwise predisposed or unaware of my presence as I ride in the lane next to theirs. There’s no other way to get their attention, unless I get an airhorn loud enough to penetrate their “quite interior” cars. Yes, loud pipes can be annoying, but i’d rather be annoyed in my vehicle than to cause injury or worse to an unsuspecting biker.
Only keen and cultivated road sense saves lives together with anticipating other drivers actions and giving yourself somewhere to go if they do something stupid, i had loud pipes once they are inconsiderate, anti social, and yes i was that ASSHOLE but no longer, should have known better as an instructor and examiner.
I had very loud pipes on my Harley and have to agree with most of you, they are inconsiderate, anti social, and only a keen sense of road awareness, and other driver anticipation saves lives, i was that “ASSHOLE” but no longer.
mo my daughter lives in bray, was in dublin says you all have the same h.d. jokes there to. sorry old man. not all american riders are h.d. types its there brain cells.
Living and working in a busy European city (Dublin), it is the PEDESTRIAN that benefits most from our loud pipes.
If you’re at the point where you’re having to rely on someone else to hear you in order to stay safe, you’re already screwed. If riders of bikes with unreasonably loud exhausts really believe that the noise is saving lives, why don’t they (a) modify their cars in the same way and (b) lobby their legislature to require loud exhausts on all vehicles? Think of all the lives they could save!
right on chuck 7-19-11. we all think it ,know it , but few say it . its time the other 90% riders speak out. 10% are screwing it up for the rest. hell i could even say loud is ok if it ment fast but really packs of 45 mph loud pipes, over weight dressed in black old balding men with gray beards, head rags that all look alike with some real ugly women on the back is down right embaressing. blocking the road for the cars is not good. makes all riders look bad .. i live in fla. and speed limit on side roads are 55 -65 and i-4/ i-95 is 70 mph and dam sure all cars are going 80-85 mph so packs of 45mph harleys trying to look bad ass is bringing all of us down..hell do they really think they are scareing anyone… 20 year old in a 4 cyl; honda thats on blue tooth with bass turned up and is going 85 mpg even cares who they are, but they are in his way. [ move over old man ]. maybe we should feel sorry for them…. naaa in fla they ARE the jokes on the road…..
Bikers with loud pipes are ASSHOLES.
That includes the majority of Harlee Davidson riders. A bunch of pseudo-posers. They are SO outlaw they all have to all wear the SAME UNIFORM. Bandanas, black leather, and chains are signs of stunted mental developement.
IDIOTS. They are LEMMINGS.
The use of loud pipes is just another way to say “LOOK “. I’m a dumbass. I paid twice what this bike is worth, but I now belong to this great club of Brother Assholes.
Better to drive defensively, wear a helmet, gear, and obey the traffic laws. If you drive like you are invisible to all drivers, you may live a little longer.
I do not object to loud pipes, they do not offend me. i kind of like the sound, and when i am in a pack of a dozen or two bikes revving their engines I have to smile. All that being said, I have to ask, do loud pipes save us from hazards in front of us or behind us? Generally speaking It is the cager at the intersection ahead of us that will meekly say, “Oh I didn’t see the 300 lb guy on a bright orange Gold Wing coming at me.” Unfortunately, sound travels backward, and that guy isn’t going to hear you no matter how loud you are.
bottom line in all this is harley riders did this to them selves…calif laws ..now maine has get ticket go to station pay – get sound tested if ok ticket dropped. till next time get ticket go get tested .more $ — more states will do if $ can be had. SO THANKS H.D. RIDERS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR MOTORCYCLING…keep up all the good work..
The folks that say “loud pipes save lives” are just perpetuating a myth in order to justify the use of loud pipes. Folks get hit by trains. (they are pretty loud) Ever had an F-16 sneak up on you at subsonic speeds? They are loud too. The only time loud pipes are heard (traffic situation) is when you pass. (Doppler effect) Other than that, they are just annoying. Also, training the cage drivers to ‘listen’ for us is just plain stupid and dangerous. Deaf people can drive, blind people cannot.
Point your exhaust forward and I’ll believe you.
FACT: Loud Pipes Risk Rights!
Lots of good comments. I have two sets of pipes. Stock and Loud! My V4 Royal Star sounds like a small block Chevy with the straight pipes on and I love it!!! Just like any hot rodder and motorhead I love the motor and exhaust note and sound. Yes loud, but it makes my heart sing! When I go on long rides I stick the stock set on and relax. If you want to argue about the tight or wrong you’ll soon see my back walking away. I’m in it for the fun of it! Stay safe and don’t drink and ride!!
Quiet pipes have put me and my father in danger more times than we can count. I am 31, been riding since 22, as safe and alert as my father who has 40 years riding experience; we ride standards: an SV650 and a CB750 respectively. We both have quiet stock pipes… And I have had no less than 8 people swerve directly into my lane while Beside me. No, i’m not in their bind-spot, I’m directly to their left or right, and they think there is no car beside them… They put on their directional signal… And merge into me. I’m not joking or exaggerating… it has required evasive riding many times, and horns work only half the time. This a danger we live with. And one I believe is due to our small visual footprint and audible profiles. I’m getting a louder pipe, and hopefully I won’t have to continue to rely on my reflexes. My dad has survived three accidents… Mostly due to the way he dresses and has experience sliding… And I’m terrified of the first day I don’t catch a cage moving my way.
I can tell you that quiet is dangerous, from personal experience. I had a teenager not looking in my direction, walk right in front of my GoldWing. I expected the move on his part and was prepared to swerve around him, but having only a visual cue when riding is…in my opinion…not enough. I have spoken with owners of hybrid cars who relay horror stories of close encounters of the scary kind with people who are not watching and step right in front of them. You can wear the ‘loudest’ reflective colours and put every bright light on your bike, but if they are not looking in your direction…it is of no value.
Does one need loud pipes? No. You do not have to remove the baffles and tick off the neighbors, but having an auditory cue that you are coming is beneficial. I put Cobra pipes on the GoldWing after that incident. They are not loud, but give enough noise to let people know I am coming. On the other hand, the V&H pipes on my Harley are, in some peoples minds a bit too much. Just firing up the beast in the garage, rattles the dishes in the kitchen and gets the shaking of angry fists from some neighbors even when I go by them on idle. But there is no doubt that it gets the attention of people, even before I reach the crest of a hill. At an intersection, cagers are looking around to try to find out what is shaking the ground around them, which means they are actually paying attention. I put every bright light and high-end signaling system, as well as loud horns on both bikes, but I found that the V-twin with the deep rumble seemed to attract attention before anything else.
Does this add to the noise pollution? Yes, most definitely. It does not help my hearing either, even though the sound is behind me. I leave in the early hours for work, so usually take the GoldWing, more as a courtesy to my neighbors who really do not wish to have the windows shaking at four in the morning. And admittedly, it is a more comfortable ride for the hour long trek to work.
But loud, may soon be a legal issue as more and more communities are passing bylaws limiting decibel levels of motor vehicles. I still have the original pipes for my HD, should I ever need to switch back, but I will have to admit that the visceral, heart pumping thrill of the ride will be dampened somewhat, as the growl of the beast has always been part of the thrill of riders…at least for me…
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I to find It really helpful & it helped me out much. I’m hoping to offer one thing again and aid others such as you helped me.
Motorcyclists who feel they need noisemakers to “make them safe” are announcing that they have not yet developed the knowledge or skill to read traffic and avoid hazards.
Since most people receive input visually, perhaps those with “lout pipes” should be required to wear a huge “L” (learner) on their bikes and gear to caution other motorists about their impairment.
Or, let’s just get down to basics: if you can’t obey the laws, get off the public roads.
Whether “loup pipes save lives” is true or not, boils down to a “belief system” there is NO amount of facts, and data, that will change a deeply held quasi-religious view.
Ask any EMT/Fireman/Police officer… dischordant sirens, flashing lights, and folks still pull out.
the usual story I hear is “A cager pulled out, and I reved up my engine, and scared the driver”…… well if the rider had the time to do that… they could have easily avoided NEEDING to do thay.
Then I have to ask… “if loud pipes are so safe?? then why are all these drivers cutting you off?
I believe this whole loud pipes debate, is part of an over all victim mentality of many riders
The problem with loud pipes saves lives is really just in the basics of how sound works. Until it’s really really close to you, are almost on top of you, you can’t hear all but the loudest motorcycle if it’s coming towards you, especially true in a quiet, insulated car. The wind, and the direction the sound is moving, muffles it out. The vast majority of fatal motorcycle accidents involve a driver hitting a bike head on, on turning abruptly in front of it, standing to reason that the majority of fatal accidents would not have their outcome changed by loud pipes, the cager wouldn’t have heard them anyway.
In any other situation, I have a hard time seeing how it would work, with the sole exception of highway lane changing, in which if a motorcycle is in your blind spot, you can hear them. The problem with THAT is, a.) a safety conscious motorcyclist would not be in a drivers blind spot for any period of time, only passing through while passing the driver, and passing quickly, if they can’t pass quickly, they will stay behind, that’s safety 101. b.) The other day I had a stock goldwing riding in my blind spot, hovering there, like an idiot. I heard his silent stock pipes, which is how I knew to keep looking back at him, and finally lower my speed a bit to force him to pass me because he was making me nervous riding right there! I just can’t see any real world situation where loud pipes would make much of a difference. Riding with brights on during the day, wearing bright reflective safety gear, and keeping a “he’s out to get me” attitude while riding will keep you safe.
The irony is, most guys who say loud pipes save lives ride in their sleevless shirts, skid-lid helmets (if at all), and wear all black on their black-on-black motorcycles. Safety is not a concern for them, it’s an excuse.
I understand your dilemma on this topic and agree with your preference. I have one of each (stock pipes on my cruiser and race pipes on my sport). It’s good to have the presence on the road and to make people aware of us, which in turn would be something that saves lives. IMHO, however, the reality is that most pipes are facing towards our back (where sound is most directed) and to make enough noise to affect people means they have to be made louder. In the end, I think the damage to our ears, the annoyance caused in situations like slow traffic, and that many cagers are driving with their windows up in sound proofed vehicles (not to mention how loud they are playing their stereos), the balance does not seem to fall in favor of loud pipes. Instead of depending on making noise, I focus my energy more on my defensive moves and proactive thinking as described by other articles on this website.
20 something do not have runs to raise$ for the dead brain no helmet bro support our cops fallen dogs we are american on american bikes bull shit. and cops that are not bought off on that know that some of the we are bad look at me, feel me,hear me, smell me, in black with fake tats, i am bad over weight slobs ,are suck ass lawyers who try for a fix to be something that can help them get it up. so the cops know if they screw with the people that buy them off they can get sued..big time… but that 20 something hes screwed for a ticket for high levels, and will not say shit or the cop will just plant something and bust him or beat the crap out of him so he can get it up…..so really the two are the same mind want abees who will never rock the boat…
Yes but that (saving lifes) is not why 90% of motorcyclists have them…they want to be “cool”…they just hide under the saves lives point as it’s highly debatable. my dad lost his leg to a harley accident at an intersection and he was a loud jerk on a harley for 20 years. he agrees they do it to be conformists and live out a fantasy…
you are illegal in your noise level and your epa smog…stop it. I live in a mild small midwest city but when summer comes all the wannabees on their bikes (old men and tools on harleys mostly) roll up and down side streets and the noise goes on all day on the weekends…then at night they are leaving the bars and I can hear them from 5 blocks over…
the worst part is the cops turn a blind eye but they are fine to pull over a 20 year punk with a base system in his honda civil. it’s unamerican to pull over a harley guy for being a inconsiderate douchebag, right?
This reminds me of the helmet debate – the riders who don’t like to wear helmets argued on one side of it, citing certain facts, and riders (like me) who simply do not feel safe without helmets argued on the other. Fortunately, this was something that large-scale statistical analysis could be applied to. The debate about loud pipes will be based on nothing but anecdotal evidence until someone can put together a proper scientific study.
In my opinion there are far better ways to improve safety than loud pipes, anyway.
My pipes are louder than stock ,performance pipes. Better performance ( horsepower / torque) allows the ability to get out of they way of accidents in progress. People with straight pipes are not after performance. They want to be heard and noticed. They are and we all pay.
Wrist snapping at lites and stop signs / driving down residential in 1st gear at 30 mph gets noticed, by police and so called concerned citizens.
However, the stock pipes (DOT) on bikes today make many bikes sound like electric singer sewing machines. Motorist always use the excuse that they didnt see the motorcycle. Hearing is 360 degrees compared to vision. Whether today or yesterday prevented a motorist from nearly causing a mistake and hitting me because he heard the low rumble I will never know. With todays motorists (cell phones, texting ,eating, lipstick, ect.) I will play every advantage I have.
Loudness is in people’s perspective, all right. What’s loud to one may be music to another, I guess ! This’s not to justify breaking law or disturbing fellow roadies by creating raucous loud noises, to attract attention, to feel above all; whatever might be the purpose. That’s not the real purpose of motorcycling.
And no amount of sound is an alternative to safe riding in any civilized world.
Yet I guess it isn’t absolute for peace lovers to be so snooty & irritated with just a little sound out from someone else’s exhaust ( & I mean just a little, not a trumpet ). Geographical boundaries do create different preferences among motorcyclist’s; also choices of vehicles available are sometimes ruled by economy. A guy with the most silent high performance machine should also leave some room for another, who’s been riding all his life in his old technology machine, equally capable, equally law abiding, equally at peace with riders around him, only possessing a little thumpy exhaust beat that’s nowhere near annoying limits.
But for the original discussion “Do loud pipes save lives?” I guess “No” !!
catch -22 oh you stated it so fine— i live in/near daytona fl and for 2 weeks a year all i hear is the drone of unmuffled h.d. going 45 mph blocking traffic with the look at me look.. the cops do nothing because of the $. and the token stops are a joke. the same as the ape hangers 18″ off top of tank is the fl law but its never enforced… and the crap story of descebles reading for muffler ticket is bullshit cause there are no mufflers so give the ticket for no mufflers,screw the sound, take pix and tag for court with the rider standing or sitting on the bike. case closed.. ok high per pipes on a high per bike ,you can debate it but still loud. but no mufflers on a h.d. is the joke of the last 40 years. loud pipes save lives no it pisses off people who then on purpose road rage, will cut off motorcycles for the pay back not knowing one from the other. 80% all bikes pay for the 20% h.d. bikes who make the noise. and i can’t blame them. the car drivers for trying to kill/maim us. we need to in lighten drivers who to run off the road/ run over…
Seriously…
This debate will never end.
Peace and quiet is a RIGHT. Driving is a PRIVILEGE. In order to preserve the privilege to operate a motor vehicle, certain requirements must be observed and mantained. Obeying the LAW is one of them.
Until “bikers” grow-up [which will never happen] and begin to respect the rights of others, then the world will continue to be inundated with unwanted, unnecessary and illegal noise.
Show-me that you can ride your hog in reverse at 60 mph and I’ll give you the banana that you have earned. Time to drop the neanderthal mentality that your noise will save your life.
Ask ANYONE in Law Enforcement, the Fire Service or EMS how effective 200 watts of electronic siren, 110+ db of air horns, or the piercing scream of a Federal Q siren, blasting from the FRONT of an emergency vehicle is at moving traffic out of their way. People are oblivious to the equipment emergency vehicles utilize to alert traffic, yet “bikers” think a loud pipe from the REAR of their vehicle will be heard, thus, save their lives. Total crap!
First question is: “Save their life from what?” Answer: “Speeding, poor rider ergonomics, the classic BLACK and orange halloween costume and the mentality that, ‘you have to look-out for me’” …fools!
Whether a pedestrian, bicycle rider, skate-boarder or motorcyclist, it is YOUR responsibility to be attentive to the 4+ wheeled vehicles that out-weigh you and your machine. You will LOSE every time!
…and for anyone who claims that riding helmetless is a “freedom of choice”, well, please don’t bother indicating that you are a DONOR on your DL, ‘cuz no one would want your smashed, deformed and useless “parts”…
And please stop hiding behind the American Flag and your lame charitable “rides” . You are not Americans, yet only disrespectful Noise Terrorists -and- I promise to donate every penny from any of many illegal behaviors, provided that Law Enforcement will turn their backs and allow-me to do whatever I want at whatever cost to everyone elses quality of life.
The sadest part about the whole debate, is the negative image you portray for motorcyclists at large. For those of us who ride SAFE an Quiet, YOU do nothing but give the rest of us a bad reputation.
It’s really sad that the laws, many of which have been around since the 1920s, are not enforced. I really wish someone in the Law Enforcement Community could give a good explaination as to why this is(?)
Please stop infringing our America’s RIGHT to peace and quiet with your selfish, arrogant, egotistical, narcissistic behavior.
Loud bikes are best heard when followed, therefore cars ahead of you won’t hear you coming until you’re about to overtake them. Loud pipes definitely make you more visible especially when you rev the engine beyond 3000 rpm, quite useful if you’re “sweeping” in a formation.
Beware however that some motorists are irritated by loud pipes and could pull nasty stunts on the road, others (usually youngsters) might just get excited and tailgate you for the sheer pleasure of listening to them.
To answer the question whether loud pipes save lives,,,,ask me in a couple of years,,if I’m still up and kickin’ then I’ll have my Rineharts to thank
Ride Safe!!
God saves lives!
Loud pipes (yes, I have had them) make you hard of hearing and unable to hear other things that may be important, like the siren of the ambulance coming up behind you, you can’t yet see, due to traffic.
A riders ability and how much you are paying attention to every detail of your surroundings give you a fighting chance. Inevitably, the only one completely in control of everything including your survival is God.
My crash in April ’10, a lady in an SUV on the cell phone not paying attention, ran into me with her windows closed and air conditioning blasting away. Pipes wouldn’t have made it possible to walk away without a broken bone! Thanks be to God!
I am not a fan of riding with or behind loud pipes.
If a rider is so unaware of what is happening around him that he needs to make noise to create a safe riding environment then he has no business riding a motorcycle. He should give up the sport and get back in a cage/car.
To “each”, his “own” ! I ride an old Royal Enfield Bullet, 1970′s model & to give credibility to it’s present performance, the motorcycle can still ride me to Ladakh & the highest passes on the Himalayas. I have offcourse seen 1000cc modern bikes that shoot past me on the highways, while I coast at 90kmph (60mph), but somehow, I feel a greater inclination to relaxed & long distance endurance riding throughout my nation in every terrain & climatic condition that my motorcycle is very capable of, rather than shooting past small towns on top speeds in shortest time.
And in India, the Bullet’s are the Harley’s !! The thump of the shortbottle exhaust is the addiction that pulls bulletier’s to their seats & accompanies them in their innumerable solo rides crisscrossing their landscapes. And here, it’s reverred by people, rich or poor, modern or old, police or politician, fast or slow, in truck or in a rickshaw alike. I grew up hearing my dad riding his 1950′s army bullet to work & back from work. We could hear him returning when he entered the bazaar some 5 minutes walk from our house. That nostalgia has somehow dissolved in my blood.
And the thump does give you a good presence in slow roadways, on mountainous terrains, where the approaching vehicle can hear you & leave you your space on the road before he can see you on the turn. Ironically, the thump also keeps brushes with the law away, where petty policemen won’t stop you for a quick buck & keep on looking admiringly or indifferently, but certainly not being hostile; while they would search for the rich guy on the foreign bike:)
However, I too find, very loud exhaust notes to be annoying. Some guys who represent the showy creed of motorcyclists convert the thump to a thunder, so that what seems soothing to the ears like a heartbeat hears like a loudspeaker !! That’s an annoying trend, no doubt !!
But again I guess, To “each”, his “own” !!
theres harley loud- lots of noise = 45mph. theres sport bike loud lots of noise =145mph me i want just enough to hear and shift. new bikes are to quiet you watch the tac. to shift instead of the road.
This “loud pipes save lives” argument has been on every forum I know of. I have read many of the antidotal so called proof of their saving a life, usually having to do with critters like deer. If that is the problem get a deer whistle put on your bike they are about as effective. A loud air horn works much better than loud pipes because the sound is projected in front of you not behind you as it is with yor loud pipes. Most of the riders with loud pipes did not get enough attention from their parents so now they want to make sure they get it from the rest of the world, it is the “hey look at me” syndrome, I am a bad @ss biker! As has been stated several times, if you want to be noticed for safety reasons while you’re on a ride, get a modulating headlight, an air horn and wear bright colors! Of course the bright clothing would go against the bad @ss biker creed!
Why is it, that most of the bikes parked in front of bars have loud pipes “for safety”?
I have owned quite a few motorcycles, and all were relatively quiet. I did have a Honda Shadow 1100, and the mechanic told me that the bike was too quiet. For whatever reason, I changed the pipes. Maybe I’ll like this I said to myself. The bike was faster(a little) and considerably louder. Truth be told, it was the biggest mistake I made. I didn’t like the way the bike felt, and if I did leave early in the morning, it was obvious to my neighbors. It was not really like some bikes, but I knew it wasn’t me. I sold the bike. I went to the other extreme. I bought a BMW touring bike. My focus is visibility and I much prefer the quiet creamy smooth ride the bike offers. I’ve done 600 mile days, and my ears were just fine. There was also no residual physical tingling or vibration. I don/t doubt that loud bikes make drivers aware of whose around them. Some really loud Harley’s that do pass me are so loud, they scare the hell out of me, even when I’m driving my car. If they are really loud, yes, they are annoying and unhealthy. If there not too bad, maybe that would be more acceptable. This would have to be left to personal interpretation and definition of what is “too loud”. However, unless the law changes, I don’t want to tell anybody else how loud their bike should be. If my car lost its muffler, would the police pull me over? I have seen this happen.
One last thing: Does the Hurt report mention the safety statistics of loud bikes? I’m really curious about this. Visibility is addressed quite often. Either way, ride safe and get back home refreshed and relaxed.
I’ve had a bike of some type since 1973, with and without loud pipes. I can safely say the pipes were for me and not safety. Nothing irks me more now that on a poker run I have to run out in front of the group, if I don’t by the time we get where we are going I can’t hear the conversation. I always wondered in my youthful days why the older guys were always saying “huh”, it’s because the noise beats you down, it’s no different than the “kids” who ride around in their cars with their “thumper” boom boxes….
What was terrifying to me recently was crossing a residential street on foot, hearing a slight faint whirring sound…it was an electric scooter! Christ! You can barely hear the dang thing! If electric motorcycles become mainstream (and if you have been reading CycleWorld you know they are available now) and attract newbies to motorcycling there are going to be alot of accidents & deaths. By completely silencing the engine/exhaust sound from a motorcycle it could lead to catastrophy. I ride a quiet GTR1400, but the Muzzy pipe rumbles nicely in close quarters while splitting lanes of dead stopped traffic. Cagers could (if they are not preoccupied) rely on their ears as well as their eyes. With electric motorcycles, you only can rely on sight. I’ll argue loud pipes do not necessarily “save lives” but no pipes could lead to losing lives.
In the Era of Stealth, why do you want loud pipes? Initially they were there to imitate the
loudness of WWI and WWII Aircraft. Today, they are making jets that haul 1,000,000 lbs more quiet than a family van.
Besides, do you really want the neighbors to know when you’re leaving for a ride, or coming back?
For starters, I, personally, don’t like loud pipes, I ride a relatively quite bike, a Suzuki C50T, a road bike. I think the statement that the `loud pipes’ are for the rider is true; on the road the muffler sound comes out behind the bike; not to the front or the sides where most of your dangerous situations occur, loud or quite, is exhaust noise really a safety issue? BUT, As with most things `bike’ its up to the rider if its within the law; or if you can stand the noise and badge harassment, do what you damn well please…………….Ride On!
Hi-Vis saves lives much more than loud pipes will ever hope to. Being seen, and seeing others (and anticipating problems), is much more important than being heard. And Hi-Vis won’t make your neighbors hate you when you leave at 5 in the morning.
Loud pipes suck.I like some noise but some of the strait pipes are just to much.Being seen is where its at.I put amber spots on my street bike and cars spot them rite away.It is wild how many less cars pull out in front of me now.People are not used to seeing the amber lites so they catch there eye quick.Been riding over 35 years and i wish i would have known this amber lite thing years ago.
I think those loud pipes are really for the rider, not the other driver. If you have to make your presents known then you may be riding in the blind spot. How many of us actually wear that fluorescent vest?
Having owned three different Harleys in the past 22 years, all with loud pipes, I can say that I never really realized how dumb that was and I’m glad to be out of that stage. I’ve moved on to “quiet” bikes and I’m never going to look back at my stupidity. As a police officer having investigated countless motorcycle crashes in the past 20+ years involving cars vs. motorcycles there is one common denominator…..VISIBILITY. Never have I investigated an crash where loud pipes would have made a difference.
Having ridden since te ’60′s on both loud & quiet motorcycles, I have come to the conclusion that defensive driving is what makes the difference. As a young man, I did not know what defensive riding was so the loud pipes did seem to keep me alive. By now, I think I’ve developed a 2nd sight helping me to read the foggy minded and distracted car drivers. At least so far that is but with the advent of the cell phone it is getting more difficult. Now that I am in my 60′s I enjoy the quiet of stock pipes and do not like the pain from the open exhausts so I wear ear plugs. If loud pipes help until the rider becomes proficient at defensive driving, I say go for it.
I have a 2000 Vulcan Classic, had a 1998 and traded that in for the 2000. I rode with the stock pipes for two weeks and proceeded to get a set of Vance and Hines straight shots right away which I had transfered to the 2000 and now 13 years later I still love my load pipes because of the numerous times that it has helped to wake people up that are driving in a fog. The ones that will come over into your lane, not so worried about the people pulling out of someplace ahead of me. Loud pipes can be riden in a way that they are not obnoxious and can be if you want them to be, its all on the rider!!
Having riidden for many years, I find loud pipes are more of a “life-style” than a life saver.
I recently retired my old Goldwing for a new one. I had repainted the old one in a new color.
I also purchased the new one in the same color.
The color was the Pearl Hot Rod Metallic Yellow.
I have experienced people starting to pull out in front of me at a distance where I am sure they could NOT have heard a set of loud pipes.
They actually started and stopped, waiting for me to go by.
I am a true believer that VISIBILITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR US.
hOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU HEARD “i DIDN’T SEE HIM”??
In my opinion, being SEEN is the most important part of safty.
Why do you put more lights on your ride???
You put them there to be SEEN!!!
My 03 Ultra Classic had Sreaming Eagle pipes. Fun then but I tired of hearing them. My 2010 Ultra Classic is stock. I’m happy with it.