What loud pipes really say...

[NFG]

First off, I agree with you in that the loud exhaust saves lives logic is flawed.  Not saying that it hasn't worked for someone, somewhere before, but not something I would ever consider a safety feature.

I'm quite surprised at the denialist point of view in this thread (not this quote in particular, but several similar ones as well).  Honestly, I cannot see that the 'loud pipes get you noticed' fact can be debated.  No matter how valuable you think the effect is, I dunno how anyone can argue against the position that being louder makes you more noticable.  

Ignore for a moment that loud is bad, loud is rude, loud is just inconsiderate to everyone who isn't you.  Ignore for a moment also that loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time.  How can you say, while being totally honest, that louder pipes don't increase your noticability to other people?

I can't help but believe there's a mental disconnect going on here.  It seems pretty factual that being loud increases your chances of being noticed.  The people arguing against that are making a different point: that being loud doesn't work every time.  

Two different points, both inarguably true, as far as I can tell.

[dennisd]

I'm quite surprised at the denialist point of view in this thread (not this quote in particular, but several similar ones as well).  Honestly, I cannot see that the 'loud pipes get you noticed' fact can be debated.  No matter how valuable you think the effect is, I dunno how anyone can argue against the position that being louder makes you more noticable.  

Ignore for a moment that loud is bad, loud is rude, loud is just inconsiderate to everyone who isn't you.  Ignore for a moment also that loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time.  How can you say, while being totally honest, that louder pipes don't increase your noticability to other people?

I can't help but believe there's a mental disconnect going on here.  It seems pretty factual that being loud increases your chances of being noticed.  The people arguing against that are making a different point: that being loud doesn't work every time.  

Two different points, both inarguably true, as far as I can tell.

Now don't go trying to add any kind of logic to the argument; you'll take all the fun out of it.

[ducpainter]

I'm quite surprised at the denialist point of view in this thread (not this quote in particular, but several similar ones as well).  Honestly, I cannot see that the 'loud pipes get you noticed' fact can be debated.  No matter how valuable you think the effect is, I dunno how anyone can argue against the position that being louder makes you more noticable.  

Ignore for a moment that loud is bad, loud is rude, loud is just inconsiderate to everyone who isn't you.  Ignore for a moment also that loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time.  How can you say, while being totally honest, that louder pipes don't increase your noticability to other people?

I can't help but believe there's a mental disconnect going on here.  It seems pretty factual that being loud increases your chances of being noticed.  The people arguing against that are making a different point: that being loud doesn't work every time.  

Two different points, both inarguably true, as far as I can tell.

The only people that notice that you're being loud aren't the ones that you're trying to 'impress'....ie the LEOs.

The people on their phones/texting, shaving, or putting on makeup while driving never notice anything...

get used to it.

That said, my bike was last tested at 100 db...well within the legal limit where I live.

[NAKID]

The only people that notice that you're being loud aren't the ones that you're trying to 'impress'....ie the LEOs.

The people on their phones/texting, shaving, or putting on makeup while driving never notice anything...

get used to it.

That said, my bike was last tested at 100 db...well within the legal limit where I live.

The cop who lives across the street from you didn't seem to mind the "noise" from DIMBY...

[ducpainter]

The cop who lives across the street from you didn't seem to mind the "noise" from DIMBY...

I paid him....

[NAKID]

I paid him....

Good idea. Otherwise I'm sure mine would've drawn a little unwanted attention.

Although, the guards at the Sub Base never seem to give it a second thought....

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'm quite surprised at the denialist point of view in this thread (not this quote in particular, but several similar ones as well).  Honestly, I cannot see that the 'loud pipes get you noticed' fact can be debated.  No matter how valuable you think the effect is, I dunno how anyone can argue against the position that being louder makes you more noticable.  

Ignore for a moment that loud is bad, loud is rude, loud is just inconsiderate to everyone who isn't you.  Ignore for a moment also that loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time.  How can you say, while being totally honest, that louder pipes don't increase your noticability to other people?

I can't help but believe there's a mental disconnect going on here.  It seems pretty factual that being loud increases your chances of being noticed.  The people arguing against that are making a different point: that being loud doesn't work every time.  

Two different points, both inarguably true, as far as I can tell.

I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last three years. Arguably the motorcycle capital of the US.  Bikes lane split here, and there are a lot of them-they pass the cars regularly when I sit in traffic.

Not once, while in a cage, have I ever noticed a motorcycle based on it's noise.

Know why? My two daily drivers are a '62 Falcon with an aftermarket, modified V8-noisy inside. All you can hear is exhaust and vibrating electric fuel pump.

The other would be an 07 BMW-opposite-quiet as make the beast with two backs inside, killer sound system, which, if I'm driving, is probably fairly cranked. I can't hear shit outside of the car, unless it's a siren.

And of course I'm not listening for motorcycles. I'm looking for them, especially before I change lanes. When bikes lane split, they sneak up on you real easy. The only thing that has ever, EVER made me notice a bike earlier than I would normally, was the strobe headlight. When I notice the exhaust note of a bike, it's already gone past me. Real good.

The noise? that could be anything-there's three major airports here, all flying overhead. No end of big trucks, aftermarket car exhausts (see Falcon^) etc etc etc. That roar? All it equates to is something nearby is loud. Nothing screams "motorcycle!" to me. The noise just warns me that the stereo isn't loud enough.


All of my bikes have had a stock exhaust. All were quiet. I've never had a problem getting noticed. This would be because I don't put myself in a position where someone needs to notice me. It's the only way to stay safe.

[NFG]

Not once, while in a cage, have I ever noticed a motorcycle based on it's noise.

While a fascinating description of the reasons the rule doesn't apply to you, I'm not sure what your point is.  Nothing you said reinforces or repudiates the facts I laid out. 

If you're just backing me up when I say "loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time" then hey, thanks for that.  We're on the same page.  =)

[Popeye the Sailor]

While a fascinating description of the reasons the rule doesn't apply to you, I'm not sure what your point is.  Nothing you said reinforces or repudiates the facts I laid out. 

If you're just backing me up when I say "loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time" then hey, thanks for that.  We're on the same page.  =)

Let me clarify.


Loud pipes have done nothing for safety for anyone, ever.


If you find yourself in a situation where someone noticed you because of your exhaust/horn/etc, that's just another way of saying "I put myself in an unsafe situation and blind luck saved my ass".

[psycledelic]

I'm quite surprised at the denialist point of view in this thread (not this quote in particular, but several similar ones as well).  Honestly, I cannot see that the 'loud pipes get you noticed' fact can be debated.  No matter how valuable you think the effect is, I dunno how anyone can argue against the position that being louder makes you more noticable. 

Ignore for a moment that loud is bad, loud is rude, loud is just inconsiderate to everyone who isn't you.  Ignore for a moment also that loud pipes aren't a cure-all that works every single time.  How can you say, while being totally honest, that louder pipes don't increase your noticability to other people?

I can't help but believe there's a mental disconnect going on here.  It seems pretty factual that being loud increases your chances of being noticed.  The people arguing against that are making a different point: that being loud doesn't work every time. 

Two different points, both inarguably true, as far as I can tell.

Not denying that they can make you more noticable.  Just more so after you pass.  Not denying that they might help.  Just saying that I don't consider them as a means to keep me safe. 

I can see what you're saying but I don't think waving your inspection sticker around (metaphorically! ) is going to stop you getting a ticket or stop your loud pipes from annoying people (if in fact they are).

This is one of my other frustrations on the creation of new laws relating to noisy bikes. There are already laws in place and there are already methods to enforce these laws but because the system is broken and because people keep whining about noise, politicians are feeling pressured to come up with a band aid. In reality the solution should be that noise is checked at inspection and enforced there. Doesn't stop people from pulling that exhaust after inspection however.

Honestly, I feel like the argument I'm putting forward is pretty simple. I've yet to see a counter argument which isn't based on people's rights or semantically arguing about what's loud or what's not. It's not your right and too loud is defined in EPA laws.

Here's a very simple example: try running your stock exhaust, if you really can't deal with it, instead of putting on open or race pipes @ 102db, put the baffles in & run them @ 90db. The decibel scale is exponential remember, there's a big difference there.

I know my posts here are getting annoying to some so I'm going to stop now.

Not waving anything man.  I might get a ticket tomorrow.  I probably won't.  I might fail the next inspection.  I probably won't.  I understand and don't disagree with your thinking.  Illegal is illegal.  I am just saying that it is what it is.  I offer up the powers that be my bike once a year.  They inspect it to the states criteria.  They tell me it's OK.  I pass a local police station and a county police station every night and every morning on my way to and from work.  If they are out at the cars, I wave, they wave.  They sometimes shake their heads when I go by on the really cold mornings.  Good enough for me.  If either ever tell me different.  I will change it. 

We can agree that this thread isn't producing anything positive for anyone.  I am not here to make enemies.  I think this is one post shy of the end for me also. 

[nicrosato]

I thought loud pipes were a male sexual enhancement.

I like visibility as a safety modality. Noise is usually not specific enough in direction so that another driver can make a quick decision on where it's coming from. Sound reflects off hard surfaces.

[NFG]

If you find yourself in a situation where someone noticed you because of your exhaust/horn/etc, that's just another way of saying "I put myself in an unsafe situation and blind luck saved my ass".

This doesn't make sense at all. That someone notices me 'cause of the noise I make does not mean I was in an unsafe place before.  One thing does not logically lead to the other.

For example: another driver with no intention of doing anything but driving a straight line.  He wasn't looking as I crept up behind him, but he heard the noise.  Now he knows I'm there, but I wasn't in an unsafe place before or after this awareness crept up on him.

[psycledelic]

And that final post would be to motolocopat.  I am not sure why, but the "Your damaging the future of My Sport" message that you have been preaching has bugged the shit out of me.  As I said earlier, I am not here make enemies and/or argue with anyone.  We were on opposite sides of the fence on this topic.  You were not gonna change my mind and I've had no desire to try and change yours.  I understand that you are passionate (as you worded it) earlier about the topic of loud exhaust.  I understand that you would like to have your message heard and convince others to follow your lead.  What I don't understand is how you present your case in the manor that you do (or you have in this thread) and justify it as protecting the future of YOUR SPORT. 

I run a loud exhaust.

You make comments like this to new riders:

.....I'd take out a life insurance policy on you if I could as sort of a sad wager. If I cashed in on it I could use the proceeds to educate other ignorant Newbys to the damage people like you are doing TO MY SPORT...it's not yours until you live for several years and it is in your blood...lots of newbys give up the first time they leave a little blood on the street

Brother, you are the one Damaging the Future of Your Sport!

[EvilSteve]

I am not here to make enemies.  I think this is one post shy of the end for me also.

Any time after the first paragraph, I wasn't actually directing anything at you, sorry for my poor writing skills.

NFG - I'm sorry but you don't get it.

[muskrat]

when drivers start treating motorcycles with respect I'll tone my pipes down.  Until then they can kiss my arse!  My Duc is just right and so is my Harley but I still installed a 138 decible horn to scare the shit out of idiot drivers.