While sound does radiate in all directions, it does not raditate equally in all directions. It is greatly influenced by the directional output. Not that I know anything about it, I just looked it up from a site on applied physics. So can it be heard from behind? Probably, but not like when the bike is ahead of you. Again all this is subjective to ones own view point. I personally find super loud pipes obnoxious, but I also hate super quiet ones. I guess i am in the middle somewhere.

VikingWarhorse wrote:
Not trying to start a brawl here, but I already knew what some of the responses would be. I will beg to differ with you that you cannot be heard while you are behind the car.I know for a fact that my bike is heard by the cars in front of me. I have been told that. AND sound radiates out in a semitrical circle not just in one direction. So unless you are moving faster than the speed of sound...which I promise you that you are not, you will not outrun the sound wave. And I didnt say that pipes alone would save your butt, I said pipes, defensive driving, road tricks like not riding in the "kill zone" and positioning yourself to be seen. My question was....if you have the pipes as part of your "defense" system, are you prepared for some of the BS you have to go thru with Johnny Law? IMHO...to say that pipes in no way improve your chances for being seen and or recognized by other motorists is just silly. If you actually think that a "quiet" bike has a better chance of being seen, maybe you shouldn't be riding. Please dont get all offended...its just my opinion.Opinions are like what??????????? LOL

I agree with VW on this one . When I was running my HK3" straights I saw a guy dump coke or whatever he was drinking all over himself when he started to pull out in front of me and I cracked the throttle on him, and he was a good 50 feet in front of me.I have also used it when someone was changing lanes and they changed their minds real quick when I hit the throttle and I have done that with both pipes..I also say if you feel safer doing something or wearing a particular color go for it..whatever makes you feel better should make you a little better rider.I now have a Stebil horn as well and it is an attention getter as well ..Coug

I'm NOT doggin on anyone for wearing the safety color of their choice... after all, it is their choice... All I'm saying is "to each his own" and that personally I would never wear anything yellow when riding. That's all... I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Hey I wear a bright yellow jacket everyday when I ride to work. But I ride to work in the dark here in the Burgh. I also have a red riding suit that I wear when its cold.
I would like to get some of that reflective cloth sown to it. The more the better.

I want to be seen at all times if I can. I don't depend on being heard, hell I can't hear very well myself, deaf in one ear and cant hear out of the other.
All the blue hairs around here can't hear either, but some can still see...

So I'm in the parking garage at work the other day and getting on my bike. I look over and theres a guy wearing a NEON green/yellow jacket with a bright orange stripe around it and a matching full face helmet with a bright orange stripe around it too. First of all the guy looked not just any traffic cone but a really FAT one. Maybe a highway barrel. I myself could never ride a scooter because I'd need to lose about 77lbs at least. And nobody wants to be "the fat guy on the scooter." Much less a rolling traffic barrel.





DrumDon wrote:
I'm NOT doggin on anyone for wearing the safety color of their choice... after all, it is their choice... All I'm saying is "to each his own" and that personally I would never wear anything yellow when riding. That's all... I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Are you saying I look like a fat cone going down the road??





Just kidding....lol

DrumDon
You did not offend me I never cared what people think I wear what I want and don't give a second thought. I like to stack the deck in my favor and I believe visablility is a big plus. I will say when I road out to Sturgis I rode without a lid.I did not like it to vuneralbe. This was a topic about pipes saving lives and I just made the point that I believe being seen is more important. Like I said before everyone has choices and I take no offense.

Ron

This is my thoughts. Since I changed my pipes I do not have near the issues of people on the cell, puttin on MU, pluckin nose hairs ect., and pulling over on me when I can clearly see them in their mirrors. I will never rely on my louder pipes to protect my hide but they have definatley increased my pressonce. I went over and apoligized to my next door neighbors the day I did it just so they would not confront me first. I try to be as respectful as possible.
I find myself in a tractor trailer ocasiaonaly and my worst fear is running over someone in a blind spot espescialy on a MC. When I hear pipes over that diesel engine, and I can't see'm, I start slowing down and looking. Just like when I am on the bike, my sences are so hightened and the more a rider can make his/herself known to me is worth the cost of a fine. I would testify for someone as a professional driver in that regard if they got into trouble over something that was a sensecible issue for louder pipes. I like to hear a good sounding motor, but there is a time to make it well known and a time to keep that throttle leveled out. Law folks differ, towns differ. I try to mind my p's and q's when I am where I think I will upset someone else. One cop want mind the additional noise and one will make his quota off of ya if you handle it wrong. If I get a fine and honestly feel I was being as respectful as possible, then I will go to court and hope I get the right MC friendly judge.

VikingWarhorse wrote:
OK heres the question. Are you willing to take a possible ticket for noise violations and be heard on the road when passing thru a drivers blind spots or while making your way thru a parking lot. You hear the proverbial "loud pipes save lives" quote all the time, hell, I even got it on the front page of my site. I am of the belief that along with "defensive" riding and other streetwise practices that a good set of pipes will definately save your bacon. Mine have on several occasions. At the very least they will alert people to your presence. But are you willing to battle that in court? I sure as hell am.

Following the logic that "loud pipes save lives" the ultimate solution would be that all vehicles on the road should have loud pipes. I doubt that such a situation would contribute to the saving of lives. All we would have is a very loud world.

While I find the logic erroneous I like my pipes as loud as practical simply because I like it. I offer no excuses.

While I personally don't believe it's an absolute truth that "loud pipes save lives" I am will consed that there are instances where accidents have been prevented due to cagers being shocked awake by a quick twist of the throttle. I've actually pulled the clutch and given the throttle a yank to herd wandering cars back into their lanes.

I also think that an obnoxiously loud or distinctive horn will serve the same purpose. Since I have a horn that few can ignore I'll hit my horn before using exhaust noise now.

I think the OEM exhaust does not do justice to the Big Twin motor. The "puff-puff-puff" of the OEM is almost laughable. (No offense to those who like a really quiet bike).

My feeling is that those who want the super loud pipes need to be responsible on the throttle. If they aren't then every one of us who has a set of aftermarket pipes installed will bear the wrath of the public who is tired of having their main street sound like a drag strip.

This is a classic example of a time when we need to police ourselves before other less informed folks do. As represented in this thread it's already happening in areas. About all we can do now is prevent the spread all over.


Respectfully submitted,

M7