Loud pipes

[MeanMachine]

As they say, "Loud pipes save lives".

Not to sidetrack the discussion, but thats a rediculous statement. In a car with the windows up and radio on you rarely hear loud pipes until they are right next to you or passing you. What you will do is piss everyone off around you and draw unwanted attention to yourself.

On the flip side, when your exhaust is that damn loud, YOU can't hear anything yourself, which is more dangerous than others not hearing you. Thats why riding with earbuds is not legal in most states, because it isolates you too much from your surroundings. Not hearing a horn or other kind of warning could get you killed because all you hear is your own noise and nothing around or behind you.

The loud pipes save lives BS was originally thought up by Harley riders as an EXCUSE for thier stupidity. But like anything else, there are always those that use the same idiotic reasoning to do stupid $hit.

You know what can save your life? Riding skill, paying attention, and some common sense. If you dont have those all the noise in the world won't help you, and you will end up a chalk outline on some street somewhere.

[cb1974]

Not to sidetrack the discussion, but thats a rediculous statement. In a car with the windows up and radio on you rarely hear loud pipes until they are right next to you or passing you. What you will do is piss everyone off around you and draw unwanted attention to yourself.

On the flip side, when your exhaust is that damn loud, YOU can't hear anything yourself, which is more dangerous than others not hearing you. Thats why riding with earbuds is not legal in most states, because it isolates you too much from your surroundings. Not hearing a horn or other kind of warning could get you killed because all you hear is your own noise and nothing around or behind you.

The loud pipes save lives BS was originally thought up by Harley riders as an EXCUSE for thier stupidity. But like anything else, there are always those that use the same idiotic reasoning to do stupid $hit.

You know what can save your life? Riding skill, paying attention, and some common sense. If you dont have those all the noise in the world won't help you, and you will end up a chalk outline on some street somewhere.

Sorry if i am reading this wrong, but just because you don't agree with someones opinion does not give you the right to be a dick when you comment on it. Honestly one of the things i love about this forum is that this kind of negative crap does not go on here. I would hate to see it start IMO.

[MeanMachine]

Sorry if i am reading this wrong, but just because you don't agree with someones opinion does not give you the right to be a dick when you comment on it. Honestly one of the things i love about this forum is that this kind of negative crap does not go on here. I would hate to see it start IMO.

I've seen this debated over and over and over in numerous forums. And the reasoning behind the whole loud pipes saves lives is always lame. Your right, everyone is entitled to an opinion, I simply expressed mine.

Did I say anything untrue?

If your pipes are that loud that and it impairs YOUR ability to hear things out of your view (ie: to the back or sides) is that not dangerous? Its as important for US to hear whats going on around us as anyone else, regardless of how many wheel we are riding on. Or don't you agree?

I assume we all drive cars as well as bikes. When the windows are up and the radio is going just how well do you really hear a bike, loud or not? Most newer cars are so well sound insulated that untill the damn bike flies past you, you dont hear it.

How many times have you been out where an obnoxiously loud Harley goes by and you think to yourself, "what an idiot". We all have bikes here, but dont tell me that you havent thought that about a Harley at some point. You think most people that you go by on the street when you have super loud pipes blaring look at you and think "damn, that is sooooo cool"? Trust me, most times they are thinking "what an idiot". And lets not forget our buddies in blue, that can and will pull you over for excessive noise violations.

In short, it gains mostly negative attention, not positive. And if its just attention you want, good or bad, then nothing I say really matters.

And last, was I not correct when I said skill, paying attention, and some common sense will save your life and if you don't have those, all the noise in the world won't help? Or was I way off there too?

PS: I don't mean to slam anyone or be obnoxious, maybe just a bit passionate in my feelings in this matter. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[cb1974]

I've seen this debated over and over and over in numerous forums. And the reasoning behind the whole loud pipes saves lives is always lame. Your right, everyone is entitled to an opinion, I simply expressed mine.

Did I say anything untrue?

If your pipes are that loud that and it impairs YOUR ability to hear things out of your view (ie: to the back or sides) is that not dangerous? Its as important for US to hear whats going on around us as anyone else, regardless of how many wheel we are riding on. Or don't you agree?

I assume we all drive cars as well as bikes. When the windows are up and the radio is going just how well do you really hear a bike, loud or not? Most newer cars are so well sound insulated that untill the damn bike flies past you, you dont hear it.

How many times have you been out where an obnoxiously loud Harley goes by and you think to yourself, "what an idiot". We all have bikes here, but dont tell me that you havent thought that about a Harley at some point. You think most people that you go by on the street when you have super loud pipes blaring look at you and think "damn, that is sooooo cool"? Trust me, most times they are thinking "what an idiot". And lets not forget our buddies in blue, that can and will pull you over for excessive noise violations.

In short, it gains mostly negative attention, not positive. And if its just attention you want, good or bad, then nothing I say really matters.

And last, was I not correct when I said skill, paying attention, and some common sense will save your life and if you don't have those, all the noise in the world won't help? Or was I way off there too?

PS: I don't mean to slam anyone or be obnoxious, maybe just a bit passionate in my feelings in this matter. Sorry if I offended anyone.

I never downed or even mentioned your opinion and if i did some how i apologize. I only commented on the way you responded to a fellow forum members post.

[MeanMachine]

I never downed or even mentioned your opinion and if i did some how i apologize. I only commented on the way you responded to a fellow forum members post.

Well, you did refer to my post as "negative crap". :D

[MEGA]

The loud pipes save lives BS was originally thought up by Harley riders as an EXCUSE for thier stupidity. But like anything else, there are always those that use the same idiotic reasoning to do stupid $hit.

Calling the thought of loud pipes idiotic and stupidity.
i can see where some will get offended.
I went down last year and wished i had louder pipes.
I luved the way my 600 f4i was so quiet and the cute sound it made lol.
a lady cut me off and totaled my bike. one bike later...im glad my rep is a loud sexy thang.
Excuse me if i came off wrong...
(-_-) MEGA

[cb1974]

well..... i was talking about negative comments and not your technical opinions. my fault for not stating that up front. I am not going to take back anything i said just like i am sure you are not either. I am done commenting on it because a pissing match serves no purpose.

[MeanMachine]

Calling the thought of loud pipes idiotic and stupidity.
i can see where some will get offended.
I went down last year and wished i had louder pipes.
I luved the way my 600 f4i was so quiet and the cute sound it made lol.
a lady cut me off and totaled my bike. one bike later...im glad my rep is a loud sexy thang.
Excuse me if i came off wrong...
(-_-) MEGA

OK, I have to ask you. This dumbass lady that cut you off, apparently didn't see you. She may have been dumb enough that she would have cut you off if you were driving a bulldozer. There are accidents like yours every day involving just cars. If you were driving your car when it happened, would you have gone to open headers on the next one so you would be louder next time?

In retrospect, do you honestly think loud pipes would have saved you and avoided the entire incident?

In the motorcycle safety classes you can take (I did), one thing they teach you (harp on actually) is to look ahead and anticipate what others may do in front of you, and to always have an escape route. To drive defensively. To learn to scan ahead constantly, knowing who and what is in front of you and to your side, anticipating who might open a door, cut you off, stop short, etc.... They dont teach you to drive along and assume everyone knows you are there.

The best accident prevention is preparation and anticipation.

[Big Kahuna]

I moved this thread out the exhaust picture thread because it seems it has developed a life of its own. :)

John,

I did read through you post and it did sound kinda harsh in my opinion. I probably agree with most of your points, although I would never try to put down or belittle anyone who thought differently.

This is may take on the whole loud pipe thing...

I think the true loud pipe offenders are those who run straight pipes on their cruisers, and yes, most of the time it will be a Harley. Although we put "loud" pipes on our sportbikes, they in no way compare to the eardrum piercing sounds found on those chrome machines. I heard all kinds of pipes on all kinds of sportbikes, and although they may be considered loud, they've never been too loud as to obstruct from my normal riding comfort. I ride with ear plugs not to protect me from my exhaust, but to the more long term exposure to the wind gushing through and around my helmet. I will risk getting a citation over irreparable hearing loss any day. :)

On a final note, I (as a biker) do notice loud pipes. When I hear them as I'm driving, walking or even sipping my coffee at the local Starbucks I look around to see what kind of machine is making that sound. But that's me, I'm a biker. My wife on the other hand is the total opposite. The only time she really notices bike exhausts is when they are obnoxiously loud and within a very close range of her. I feel that most people don't ride, thus have no interest in the bikes and the sounds they make and really don't pay any additional attention to such things. They are usually too busy singing to the radio, talking on the cell phone or doing god knows what behind the wheel.

The best thing a rider can do is to first learn to control their bike and themselves, which will leave more attention to be placed on those that choose not to.

[MeanMachine]

I have nothing against a louder than stock exhaust. In fact, the exaust is one of the first mods I do but its based on performance (and aesthetics), not accident prevention or trying to be loud. I do hate a D&D on a sportbike for example, because they are as loud and obnoxious as a Cruiser with a straight pipe.

I will always notice a bike too, but if one goes by thats not just loud, but "obnoxious", then I notice it for what it is, someone who craves attention and needs a t-shirt that says "PLEASE look at me" on the front and back.

I was just reading a thread in another forum that was titled "what are the loudest exhausts". The poster wanted an exhaust to be as loud as it could be, he got input based on HP gains, etc, but made it clear his interest was volume. He loves obnoxious exhausts, and even commented how his freinds hate to ride behind him because they get a headache from his loud pipes! And this was for a CBR 954. He went on to later justify how his loud pipes would keep him safe because everyone would get out of his way when they heard him coming.

Thats one example, but 90% of the people that post loud saves lives are of his mentality, and I guess my tolerance has been worn to nothing as a result.

So again, if I offended anyone, I apologize.

[yamahonda]

Hmm, maybe it's all in my head but I swear after I switched from stock exhaust to a yosh slip-on it seems like way more cars ahead notice me (i.e.move over) while I'm lane splitting. On another note, the new exhaust also helps me know what rpms I'm at without having to look down....I can hear where its at.

[MeanMachine]

Hmm, maybe it's all in my head but I swear after I switched from stock exhaust to a yosh slip-on it seems like way more cars ahead notice me (i.e.move over) while I'm lane splitting. On another note, the new exhaust also helps me know what rpms I'm at without having to look down....I can hear where its at.

Hearing RPMs is relative. No matter what pipe you have, you get a feel for where you are with time because you get to know the sound. Pipe brand doesnt make it easier or more difficult.

As far as lane splitting, thats rolling the dice and taking your chances BIG time. That is one of the easiest ways to kill yourself on a bike. Dude, thats Russian Roulette on two wheels!

[diel11]

Most motorcycle accidents happen when the driver of the car is turning left and ends up cutting the bike off. For what I've heard and seen in all kinds of research, the loud pipe would not help much in that situation. If I remember right even Sport Rider or Motorcyclist magazine did some tests on that and concluded the same. Even though loud pipes might help in certain situations, using your high beams during the day, wearing bright colored jackets and helmets, etc. will help more. More than that, like MeanMachine said, experience and common sense. I love the sound of a sportbike with an aftermarket exhaust, mine has an Arata full system, just don't want mine to sound like a MotoGP bike blaring at 130Db.

[ogie]

Just my two cents , but I've noticed you don't usually hear a bike until it has gone past you. I commute on mostly two lane back roads. On the way to work I usually overtake co-workers. If I notice one running alone I get a good run on them and "fly by", they always tell the story to everyone else about how I scare them because there is no warning of my overtaking until I am past them. Then when I'm past they hear the wail of my bike. Also when I see A bike coming toward me I turn down the radio and crack my window to hear it. I've never heard one till it's past me. Although, at an intersection..... nah...I don't think A loud pipe would make a difference there either. Personally I think a nice sounding pipe is just that, A nice sounding pipe.

[Jacobs Dad]

I have to agree with meanmachine. Also as a side note, I think loud pipes belong only on Harleys. While I will never care to own one, trying to get a rice burner to sound loud is like kids these days putting load mufflers on their import car. It doesn't belong, and never will. V8's and Harleys get loud pipes. Our bikes get mufflers that enhance performance, a nice sounding exhaust is great too, just not obnoxiously loud.

[silvercbr]

First off, you took a statement that I made (which is not my own to start with) and read into way too far.

The best defense when riding is experience and not putting yourself in those situations. You have to make yourself as VISIBLE as possible. Whether that is keeping reflectors on the bike, better turn signals, riding with high beams on during the day, or even putting a louder exhaust system on. I would like to think that if by running a louder exhaust on my bike has kept someone in a cage from changing lanes into a lane I occupy, just once, then it was worth it. I agree that there is no guarantee a louder exhaust will do anything, but I do think it does make you more visible, how limited it may be.

It was a saying, nothing more, that I have used in the past. When you are married with kids, spending a couple hundred on a pipe is a major purchase that needs to be justified to myself (as well as the wife). It is a comfort thing, just like I leave all the reflectors on my bikes. Some take their off, but I would like to think that they do serve a purpose, one that MAY save me in the future.

The only guarantee when riding is that people don't see us and because of that, you have to ride like everyone is out to get you. No tunnel vision, don't ride in other peoples blind spots, and be ready for everything and anything.

By the way, great discussion. Less than a day and a ton of posts, that is what forums are about.

[yamahonda]

Hearing RPMs is relative. No matter what pipe you have, you get a feel for where you are with time because you get to know the sound. Pipe brand doesnt make it easier or more difficult.

As far as lane splitting, thats rolling the dice and taking your chances BIG time. That is one of the easiest ways to kill yourself on a bike. Dude, thats Russian Roulette on two wheels!

Yeah I guess it is relative. But recently i hopped on my friends 06 R1 and it's stock exhaust seemed sooo quiet. But yeah I'm sure I'd get used to it after a while too.

As far as lane splitting, am I the only one here that does it?! Don't get me wrong, I'm not splitting at 80mph or anything but I live in LA where the traffic gets so congested that one of the main benefits of having a bike is being able to lane split...cuts my commute in half. I'm usually always in first or second gear at most when i do lane split. Most riders I see out here do it all the time...even the Harley guys. Hell I've even followed behind CHP bike cops lane splitting. I've had a few cars switch lanes abruptly on me but that's why I keep it in first or second. I've had way more close calls with the whole car trying to turn left in front of me at an innersection thing.