There have been a good number of articles recently debating the phrase "Loud Pipes Save Lives" and the apparent crack down on motorcycle noise around the country. Since the human ear isn't the best detector of on-coming traffic, and the noise of loud pipes is mostly behind a motorcycle, this phrase may be quite false. However, have there been any studies to determine if louder-than-stock pipes may alert animals and reduce animal-motorcycle incidents in country riding?
And what is your point? There are some bikes that are too loud - I can't ride behind them. The problem is getting serious - in Delray, FL - they are thinking of banning bikes on a certain street because of the excessive noise - people have to run straight pipes and twist the throttle when they are sitting still to make sure everyone see's their $60,000 bar hopper. It is going to cost us all for the few but that is the way it has always been.
__________________ FREEDOM is NEVER FREE - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
2007 Ultra Classic
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Today I saw 4 elk vs. truck aftermath's. All 4 elk were dead and the trucks near totaled. I live in the mountains and during hunting season the elk are very unpredictable. I have said this before, many times elk or dear have heard me coming and run the other way. I do not live in or ride in the city much, but when I do, I ride with respect. I'm sure that I've been saved by my louder than stock pipes. If I lived in a congested urban area I would not run a Thunderheader, I would go with a SuperTrapp or some thing more urban friendly. It's just common sense to me. But I do not need a study to show the obvious, animals can hear much better than us. Forward and backwards. If you live in an urban environment, show respect to all or I'm sure you will get pulled over sooner or later. I do not think it will effect people everywhere, only where there are alot of people, it's the price you pay to live in the city. I know this subject is getting old to some but I'm sure I have been saved from an elk encounter cause they heard me coming then looked up and ran the other-way. If they were running from hunters and darted across the road in front of me, it would be a different story I think. That's why I ride slower this time of year when alone on the road. Do not ride at night and be real careful at dawn and dusk.
And what is your point? There are some bikes that are too loud - I can't ride behind them. The problem is getting serious - in Delray, FL - they are thinking of banning bikes on a certain street because of the excessive noise - people have to run straight pipes and twist the throttle when they are sitting still to make sure everyone see's their $60,000 bar hopper. It is going to cost us all for the few but that is the way it has always been.
Riders behind me don't hear their engines either, and it works on elks here too. I were damn close to hit an elk (=moose) here for a couple of years ago which i missed with lesser than some meters, that were with quiet bike, since then I give notice there I am.
__________________ Live fast- live long and rides like hell- that's me
I live in the exurbs, so I experience both rural and city riding. I no longer run straight pipes, and I feel that they are too loud. Period. The mufflers on all three bikes are plenty loud when I get on the throttle, though. My practical experience is why I run louder than stock mufflers. The loud pipes keep the deer and other 4 legged varmits out of my way, and are much more effective than a simple horn. While driving a car on my daily commute in traffic, I have found that I can hear the pipes on a bike before I see the bike, in most cases. Its a no brainer to me. Be respectful of others and stay off the throttle where loud pipes may offend, and giver her hell when you need to be heard.
I live in the exurbs, so I experience both rural and city riding. I no longer run straight pipes, and I feel that they are too loud. Period. The mufflers on all three bikes are plenty loud when I get on the throttle, though. My practical experience is why I run louder than stock mufflers. The loud pipes keep the deer and other 4 legged varmits out of my way, and are much more effective than a simple horn. While driving a car on my daily commute in traffic, I have found that I can hear the pipes on a bike before I see the bike, in most cases. Its a no brainer to me. Be respectful of others and stay off the throttle where loud pipes may offend, and giver her hell when you need to be heard.
Rick
I never revs over 3K in town if I can avoid it. It cracks really hard on shut off on throttle, but it's no need to rev up engines "just for fun". I have an muffler insert in but 2" straight thru gives an sound which certainly is noticed by by passers
__________________ Live fast- live long and rides like hell- that's me
There seems to be alot of what I consider experts on this forum. Why not post a list of manufacturers and their products that give good but not offensive sound? When I started riding HD's (shovelheads & Ironheads, I was told to stay away from EVO's) the only options I had were to run stock mufflers or cheap drag pipes. I went from respectable to " There goes the neighborhood " in about 45 minutes and $80 bucks. My point being there are so many options out there that a novice like myself has no idea what to run. When I purchased my Fatboy it had the factory header pipe with car extensions on it. Actually looked kind of cool but it quickly fell apart because of no support bracket. I decided to replace the exhaust. Called HD and found out my header pipes were on the soon to be obsolete list. At about $160.00 bucks per side plus heat sheilds plus mufflers it was cheaper to go aftermarket (Didn't think about E-bay Myt Evo). Was I surprised when I opened the catalog. Pages of options! I eventually settled for Vance & Hines Longshots. They actually had a pic of a Fatboy with them installed. My mechanic installed them along with the other neccesary upgrades. To my surprise these awesome looking pipes were just as loud as cheap drag pipes. All those options and not one mention of noise levels. Sure wish I had known before I purchased.
There seems to be alot of what I consider experts on this forum. Why not post a list of manufacturers and their products that give good but not offensive sound? When I started riding HD's (shovelheads & Ironheads, I was told to stay away from EVO's) the only options I had were to run stock mufflers or cheap drag pipes. I went from respectable to " There goes the neighborhood " in about 45 minutes and $80 bucks. My point being there are so many options out there that a novice like myself has no idea what to run. When I purchased my Fatboy it had the factory header pipe with car extensions on it. Actually looked kind of cool but it quickly fell apart because of no support bracket. I decided to replace the exhaust. Called HD and found out my header pipes were on the soon to be obsolete list. At about $160.00 bucks per side plus heat sheilds plus mufflers it was cheaper to go aftermarket (Didn't think about E-bay Myt Evo). Was I surprised when I opened the catalog. Pages of options! I eventually settled for Vance & Hines Longshots. They actually had a pic of a Fatboy with them installed. My mechanic installed them along with the other neccesary upgrades. To my surprise these awesome looking pipes were just as loud as cheap drag pipes. All those options and not one mention of noise levels. Sure wish I had known before I purchased.
I have always liked the sound of straight pipes, always have, always will. My Dad is the same way. I do however keep off the throttle in town and near suburban developments and other places where I know I should. They still sound good just idling along or going up a hill at a normal speed. Here in the Commie state, I mean ,the Commonwealth of PA there is legislation on the House floor that will ban all aftermarket exhaust for motorcycles regardless of how it sounds. This sounds like something they would do on the left coast. These elected officials also made it law that if someone sells on ebay for someone else and they get a commission from the sale they must now have an auctioneers license. Whatever it is, if you are required to have a license for it, is not longer a right but a privledge, which they can take from you.
"Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tryants"-William Penn
Ha ha, haugster,, sounds like I may have found a fellow Conservative, that's like finding gold..!!
Pipes//exhaust,, I like em quiet and powerful..
In my experiments with diff pipe combos, home-made, catalog, swap-meet, or dumpster, I have always found, on my sickles, the quieter the stronger..
Unfortunately the Pinkos have found a new enemy and it is us..
Loud pipes are likely to be another cartridge in their anti-motorsickle arsenal..
__________________ "Fill your hands you son of a bitch"
Rooster Cogburn
Loud Pipes Save Lives 
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