do "loud pipes save lives"?

[The Spin Doctor]

AFAIK, emergency services vehicles sirens are designed to be directional - the white noise is particularly directional. That's not the case with bike exhausts, which is why it's difficult to orientate to find one.

It's worth pointing out that whilst the driver is looking for the source of the noisy exhaust, he's not looking at the road ahead.

FWIW, I was a motorcycle courier in London, UK for 16 years, never used loud exhausts (they are a 'copper' magnet) and never got sideswiped.

[yellowfz]

Everyone likes the sound of a well tuned exhaust .
Have noticed that at least 70% of the cagers notice a louder exhaust , if one person notices the exhaust and misses me or brakes for me it is worth it .
So in some situations loud pipes do save lives , kind of like the chicken and the egg , both are correct and neither is the answer .
Do agree thought , riding skills are paramount and no loud pipe can save a lousy rider .

[72racer]

Told you guys this has been a great debate for years everyone has points that make sense......

[yellowfz]

Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

AFAIK, emergency services vehicles sirens are designed to be directional - the white noise is particularly directional. That's not the case with bike exhausts, which is why it's difficult to orientate to find one.

It's worth pointing out that whilst the driver is looking for the source of the noisy exhaust, he's not looking at the road ahead.

FWIW, I was a motorcycle courier in London, UK for 16 years, never used loud exhausts (they are a 'copper' magnet) and never got sideswiped.

Never used the horn either , right ?
Never yelled ?
No form of noise to gain attention , right ?

[The Spin Doctor]

Originally Posted by yellowfz

Never used the horn either , right ?
Never yelled ?
No form of noise to gain attention , right ?

On one bike I had, I could yell louder than the horn!

But generally, I prefer "stealth" biking techniques...

[Stricken]

YouTube - Almost crashed my Yamaha FZ6R

YouTube - Almost crashed my Yamaha FZ6R

That was the case all the time before the exhaust mod. Now it NEVER happens. Loud pipes have probably saved my butt several times. I really could care less what everyone thinks. I want to live so the pipe stays.

[Spunky99]

Originally Posted by Stricken

YouTube - Almost crashed my Yamaha FZ6R

That was the case all the time before the exhaust mod. Now it NEVER happens. Loud pipes have probably saved my butt several times. I really could care less what everyone thinks. I want to live so the pipe stays.

Same here Brother....The moment my pipes got loud, I noticed an instant change in how cagers react to me and give me a heck of a lot more respect on the road. Maybe loud pipes don't save lives but then some people don't believe in GOD either....Unless there is a way to PROVE it...this will always be debated.

[FZ1inNH]

Even a straight pipe isn't going to save you from the 19 yr old who has the stereo blasting, a cell phone in the left ear and yelling into the phone because the music is too loud, then said dumb-arse decides to take the left lane where you reside without looking because they can't turn far enough with the cell phone in their ear.

The only way to save yourself is to be as highly visible as possible and NOT be in the space a car wishes to occupy. Never hang out for even a few seconds in a cagers blind spot. Watch their actions before you pass as well as when you goose the throttle to pass. There's many indicators that you can spot that will show the driver is distracted, doesn't know you're there and is looking to change lanes as you get there. Always have an escape route in mind.

In other words, drive like you are invisible because to many, you are invisible!

Also, the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are frontal collisions. Since the exhaust is not pointing that direction, it will not help at all. You need to be noticed but you also need to read the faces of the drivers around you. If you didn't see them looking at you, always assume they are totally unaware you exist. When I say looking at you, I mean direct eye contact or looking in their mirrors.

Be safe, be visible and be ready!

[Spunky99]

"Since the exhaust is not pointing that direction, it will not help at all."

I can hear a Harley coming and going down the street, the streets 4 blocks away and further. I can track his progress by listening to his exhaust. I can also hear the 65' Mustang coming and going and all the way to the freeway almost. Think about all the noisy vehicles around your house. You can tell where they are by the sound. The speed of sound and the human ear and brain can track moving objects by the sounds.

The noise may be louder from the rear but that doesn't mean it isn't heard from the front. I don't care what bike you are driving, I can guarantee you there is nothing made that will travel faster than the speed of sound or anything even close.

Think about it....you hear loud cars and motorcycles no matter which way they are pointing from inside and outside your house. Same for cagers unless the 5000 watt bass boom system is rumbling the block like and earthquake.

I agree on the paying attention to the driver's attention indications and vehicle movement is probably your best protection to avoid a collision but a system of multiple safety features will combine to help.

How about we agree that riding skill coupled with attention to driver activity/actions, bright clothing, headlights and especially modulated ones, modulated brake lights, louder exhaust system and ATGATT all compliment each other. Loud pipes don't save lives but they do help in a motorcycle safety system.

[JnT4Life]

Originally Posted by FZ1inNH

Since the exhaust is not pointing that direction, it will not help at all.

I agree with everything you said except that.

Originally Posted by FZ1inNH

If you didn't see them looking at you, always assume they are totally unaware you exist. When I say looking at you, I mean direct eye contact or looking in their mirrors.

This is true too but be aware that just because they look at you, even right in the eye, does not mean they see you. I've had people look right at me and still pull out in front of me.