The helmet thread has just about ran its course it looks like and we need another topic that goes to the roots of motorcycle beliefs.

Do loud pipes really safe lives? Loud pipes let other drivers know there is a motorcycle nearby. Does it help keep the cages in their place or does it annoy them and make them more aggressive?

One of the first things replaced on a new bike is the exhaust. It is the stamp of ownership. Are they just an excuse for motorcycle riders to impose their culture on other people? People who are not bikers do not usually enjoy their peace and quiet disturbed by a loud motorcycle. How many neighbors are upset every time a straight exhaust bike is started up, revved up and takes off down the street?

I asked my neighbor one day if she had heard the exhaust of a custom bike I have. She replied, "Oh yes, we have heard them all." And I was trying to be considerate. Who knows who else I have annoyed by working on and riding my passion? You can't work on a bike for hours and then not start it up afterwards, can you?

Of course it doesn't help that I 'sometimes' keep hours that are a 'little' later than most people. I seem to do my best work after 11:00 PM, and I enjoy puttering around in the garage. Starting up the bike after an evening of work is only normal, isn't it? I closed the doors to my garage because it was so late and started the bobber after I put the V&H short shots on. After about 15 seconds I turned the bobber off. My ears rang for 5 minutes. I had to put some baffles in those babies.

So the questions are: Do loud pipes save lives? Do they annoy non-motorcycle people? How much anti-motorcycle feelings are caused by them and should we care? How many of us have been denied access to someplace because we were on motorcycles?

newroadie wrote:
The helmet thread has just about ran its course it looks like and we need another topic that goes to the roots of motorcycle beliefs...............

So the questions are: Do loud pipes save lives? Do they annoy non-motorcycle people? How much anti-motorcycle feelings are caused by them and should we care? How many of us have been denied access to someplace because we were on motorcycles?


Not sure the Clinic is ready for another fire and brimstone topic so quickly.........

Let's value one another's opinions guys.

1 Yes.....in certain instances

2 yes.....in certain instances

3 We should care......laws will be enforced some day (just ask Jesse James)

4 yes.

BB

actually straight pipes are illegal in many places. Many places have sound ordinances too.

I like loud pipes, but understand its a nuisance. If you were rolling the throttle in the garage at 11PM, I'd be calling the cops on you myself and I'm a biker. I try to be considerate of my neighbors in the morning till about 6AM and after 10AM, not between those hours; I don't care, I annoy away. It makes me feel better, I know you can't hear me coming from far. From the side passing a cager in their blind spot, I know they can hear me unless they are deaf, which is possible; though you'd think they'd feel it. Anyway, it makes me feel better even if its a bunch of crap. Talk to a bunch of goldwing riders and most will flame loud pipes. Of course many of them hate chrome too . They have an acronym for their odd secret society. Don't believe me: http://www.gl1800riders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=118376&p=1181526
. We should start a fund for them, so they can get the help they need.

Hope you weren't trying to start a riot like with the helmet thread. I don't think that will happen with one. 'Course I could be wrong and you did. After all, not everyone thinks like me, though it'd be a better (but more boring) world if they did. I did much convincing on the helmet thread and changed many opinions

Ya maybe 30 years ago they did. Today I doubt it. Lets face it todays cars are more sound proof. Couple that with radio cranked up,cell phone plugged into head and playing with the gps while eating a big mac they would not hear an M60 letting loose beside them.
You can have all the safety devices or percieved safety devices you want but, if you lack awareness you will pay.
Besides pissing folks off on the highway is never a good deal.
That being said; they do sound cool and that's what is about really. Isn't it?

Just got some yami drag pipes on my 08.. Coming home today from the VA and a hwy patrol officer cruised right next to me.. I was like uh o lol we got closer and I looked at him and pointed at my pipes and said "im louder than you" lol He through his head back and smiled and said "I can hear that" He said nice patch and marine tat and said have a good one and keep it safe.. I gave him the hang loose sign and he sped off as I cruised back up to 70mph.. I think my pipes are really loud and I was shocked he didnt do anything but imo it is a big safety issue.. People can def hear me coming up the side of them now. just my opinion. Im respectful to my neighbors tho I dont go revving the bike up at midnight.

I think you can have loud pipes to a degree but still ride in a respectfull manner where it counts, ie: through neighborhoods, by churches and convolescent homes. Revving and hard accelleration there will draw disgust from many. On the road it is riding like you own the road that will PO car drivers more than your pipes. Again it's riding respectfull of the others on the road that makes the difference. Now don't forget to brush your teeth and say your prayers.

Of course..... they keep me awake

Bicycles and pedestrians are aware of you comin...especially in large shopping malls and downtown traffic ..had many almost step or pull out in front of me but I would crack the throttle a bit and they would stop and look and smile almost a knowing.... thanks I see you...

Well of course... a lot dont hear you..if they are driving big rigs and or have their brains glued to a cell phone


Common sense will tell you they annoy people at 3am in the morning but those same people may love the sound while doing the barbe in the evening....

I do not expect you to change my opinion.. just respect it..I will respect and not try to change yours...

I have to admit I have cobra long shots with the baffles removed on mine, is it loud? To a point... But I didn't do it for others to hear me. I love the sound. That's just me. I love the way that bike sounds. And the cool thing is that when I'm riding through the neighborhood I can be really easy on the throttle and it just kind of purrs.

I have heard some straight pipe bikes go by the house and the AS***le
cracks the throttle and I about jump out of my chair.
That's always good while watching the 11 news...lol.

If I was worried about being seen I would be wearing one of those safety vests that can be seen from space, have a light warbler on all three up front and have some of those cool LED's sprinkled over the bike.
But I just like the way it sounds....

Howie

I have had pedestrians not step out because they could hear me, but that is about all. Cagers ride around with the windows up and with the a/c fan on high and the tunes blaring, couldn't hear anything anyway. Most Florida residents wouldn't know if their windows work or not because they have never been opened!(That goes for their house as well as their cages.)

Clifford

I like my pipes. They are loud without being obnoxious. I wear a half-helmet, and it doesn't bother my ears. I asked my neighbor if she can hear my bike in the mornings and she said that sometimes she hears it, sometimes she doesn't. I try not to be obnoxious with the throttle in the early morning, and I try to warm up the bike in a minimum amount of time so that I'm not just sitting there idling in the driveway for 10 minutes at a time.