Loud pipes do save lives!

I have held off posting this but it happened again today on my morning ride. I live in the mountains and today as I rounded a corner and pulling on to a straight away there in front of me was a fox on the shoulder of the road about 100 yards ahead. He just stood there and you can never tell which way a wild animal will dart. I pulled in the clutch a gave a rev and the fox took off away from me and the road. This has happened many other times with deer or elk, they hear me coming, look up and I either give a rev or down shift and they run the other way. I have a Thunderheader, not as loud as straight pipes but still to loud for some. When I do go into town, I short shift and try to act P.C. But when I'm away from people I love the sound of my bike and don't like anyone telling me to change. I think this issue has more to do with incressing population and the whinners that go with such growth. If people would show more respect for others, we might be able to make a stand and not be forced to loose another freedom to big brother. Just venting, I'm sick of the loss of to many freedoms over the years. rember when all bikes only had kick starters, or fires on the beech were okay. When lifegaurds didn't carry guns and the rule of the day was "live and let live". Any way, I have to speak up for the other side and say yes, loud pipes do save lifes.

I agree with you Deepdiver. The deer in my area are like rats there are so many of them. At least once a week I have an encounter with an animal, and the pipes do the trick each time, while the horn does NOT have the same affect. Wild turkeys , fox, and woodchucks are another problem that the loud pipes take care of. They don't seem to have much affect on the turtle (Not Teutel) population, though. I, too, do not run straight pipes, but when I get on it, my pipes bark! I also short shift in town to appease the citizens...

Rick

[evilmikehoo]

Lol! Ya beat me to this post! I live in a very rural area - actually a li'l cottage in the woods - and deer are probably my biggest traffic concern. It's actually even become a phobia! Every time I see the quote "Loud pipes save Lives" I wonder how many riders think about the animals that don't cross their paths as a result of the noise. I, too, pull in the clutch and give her a few revs on dark straight-aways and rounding curves. The ones that really scare me are the ones that I can reach out and slap as I go by, never seeing them until that point! Extend the darn hunting season!!! lol!!

Originally Posted by Trigger87

I agree with you Deepdiver. The deer in my area are like rats there are so many of them. At least once a week I have an encounter with an animal, and the pipes do the trick each time, while the horn does NOT have the same affect. Wild turkeys , fox, and woodchucks are another problem that the loud pipes take care of. They don't seem to have much affect on the turtle (Not Teutel) population, though. I, too, do not run straight pipes, but when I get on it, my pipes bark! I also short shift in town to appease the citizens...

Rick

I live in an area where most of the land is State or Federal forests. Wild critters are everywhere. I agree with the above including short shifting in town.

[jmk713]

I agree; loud pipes do save your a-- from time to time.
Here in Central Ill. deer are like rats with antlers; and now with the hunters scouting and mating season coming on; they're on the move at some unusual times of the day. I've found the pipes do repel them some and in addition; I have deer alerts on the bike.
I have run them for quite a few years on the car and bike. The only time I ever hit a deer was with a car we had just bought and didn't have the alerts on it yet.
The pipes also help on rural roads surrounded by cornfields in that vehicular cross traffic ca n also hear you coming and stop for a sign they would normally roll through.
In my mind; anything that can give you a little edge is worth it.

[soulman13]

I agree about the deer. I have V&H slip ons on my 07 FLHX and it is not abnoxious but it does tend to shy the deer away. Groundhogs on the other hand tend to come out and take a look or stand up and look as I ride by. These things are crazy!

The Wild Turkeys Hear ya but still seem to take their Sweet @$$ time getting of the road. They think they own it!

[myt evo]

Moose anyone? What about the animals on four wheels? They've saved my ass more than once!

The latest issue of Hog Tales has ANOTHER editorial against loud pipes. Looks like they are trying to brainwash the membership into believing all our bikes should be
whisper-jets".

Rick

[1996Fatboy]

My son and I pulled out of the bank yesterday headed for our all day ride when we came upon a flock of geese walking to their watering hole. They weren't moving along very well so I cracked the throttle to liven em up a little. Instead of quickening their pace they decided to get airborne and all hell broke loose. Our motorcycle safety class never educated us on above the road obstacles. We made it through without contact and thank goodness they didn't open the bomb hatch.