Noise or Safety

[GOMO]

Things have been a little hectic for the past few weeks (work, home, life in general) and I haven't been on the boards much, but I'm back and maybe the timing worked out. I recently read Chris M's response/reputable to my column regarding exhaust noise.

Now I know that what I wrote may be little bias, I did try to keep the information "level" across the board. I also know that Chris is a supports louder pipe’s (within a respectable level) and I respect his opinion as well as those that feel the same on the topic. I did state that all my bikes do have aftermarket pipes (none drag, unbaffled style) and that there may be times that the sound (don't want to use the term noise) could benefit a rider to car/truck drivers that a bike is in the area. But Chris did bring out a point.

Stating that he heard a bike before he saw it made him aware that one was in the area is a good point, but he is a rider. As riders we probably see and/or hear almost every bike we pass, or passes us; that's because we are in tune to it, it's in our heart and soul. Being in tune with something develops more of a sense of awareness. Such as folks that recently quit smoking notice everyone around them that smokes, when you buy a new car suddenly you notice the same car all over the place, you put a new piece of chrome dodad on your bike and out of nowhere there's tons of bikes with the same piece, etc - you get the picture.

Now what about those that aren't riders, which are a large population, or could give a crap about motorcycles? There is a poor public general awareness of motorcycles. It's obvious that most are not aware of us visually by looking at the stat’s and being constantly reminded by driver’s statements after an accident that “I never saw him/her.” Would the effects of sound make any difference to their awareness? Maybe, but I think most likely not. If noise showed a true benefit, we could maybe see a high number of Goldwing and BMW riders involved in car crashes.

So does a higher level of sound from our exhaust help protect us? Perhaps in some situations, but I feel that being more proficient with your riding skills is a better protective measure. And though sound could help us, I wouldn’t rely on it to keep my butt safe.

So what do you think?

[Whopper]

GOMO, I think that exhaust sound is one of the defensive weapons we have in our arsenal. Lights and bright and/or reflective clothing are there as well.

I had an occasion where, while driving on an interstate highway, I observed a pair of Big Dogs on an on ramp and they joined the traffic flow about 50 yards behind me. A few miles later I came upon a slow moving vehicle, checked all mirrors and signaled to move to the left lane. I noticed a single Big Dog about 15 yards behind me but heard a motorcycle exhaust and hesitated just long enough for the other Big Dog to pull out of my blind spot and into view. Had I not hesitated it could have been ugly.

One additional note: due to NHTSA's regulations regarding occupant protection, roll-over protection etc. I have noticed reduced rearward visibility in newer vehicles. Looking over your shoulder in your cage doesn't always help either.

[PeterV]

Could it be the addictive "sound" biases opinions?
I'll speak for myself..

The Kerkers on my ride have Minton's Mikuni baffles. Took a while to figure out how to quieten them down, for my neighbor's sake, yet keep'em loud enough for my liking.
Sport endcaps were loud, 6 inch slashdowns..louder. Then came the fishtails..the right SPL on light throttle, big bark when I pull the wick. So, I'm mindful with my throttle in town.
What has any of this have to do with my safety?
In the city...it would take just as long (maybe even longer) to rev up the motor as it would to hit the horn button for anyone pulling a brainfart in my immediate vicinity.
But lots of boneheads are too happy to pull that throttle so they can be heard in neighborhoods, like the one I live in. Why do they do it? Cause they can.
It pisses me off when some clown whaps the throttle going down my street...cause THERE'S NO NEED! Irritation level's right up there with the sound little 4bangers with a BIG honker of a bottle for exhaust make...they sound like pterodactyl sized hornets.
Now, the highway is different. Noone to piss off (or warn) but animals...and hell, that don't even work for some of us (buddy had megaphones on his Glide. Didn't matter, elk took him out anyways..)
Sharpening up awareness, anticipation and other skills of the road would go a long ways for our safety, much the same as what Gomo states.

What I'm getting at is...loud pipes are just....loud pipes. More addictive by design. Tagging safety as a byproduct is a claim that's wearing kinda thin

(It's 60F, nothing but blue up above, so...I'm outta here. Getting it while I can )

My .02

[Gas Man]

What abotu the responseability of the rider to keep himself out of stupid or crazy situations. Riding in someones blind spot is a bad idea. Along side semi trucks another bad idea.

When I was 19 and in a MSF corse the instructor told me something that has always stuck with me.

Regardless if the rider is at fault by the law. Its the rider that ends up dead. Do you want to be that rider with "The law says it wasn't his fault" on your headstone??

Keep your eyes moving
Always leave yourself an out
Aim high in steering
Get the big picture
MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU

[Micheal]

Most new cars on the roads today are so quite inside that you can not hear the noise from out side. Look at how many emergency vehicles are not heard when comming up on some drivers. I do not believe that loud pipes will help when most drivers are in there own little world when driving there cars with the music turned up and the windows closed so the air conditioning will keep them cool. I believe that it is up to each on of us to be better drivers when riding than cagers are on there best day. My pipes are not the quitest, however all I seem to get is dumb stares when they try to take me out.

[harold]

i dont like loud pipes but its made a difference in traffic for me