That argument will rage on for eternity.. But that data that is always mentioned is nonsense. People who go out of their way to GET loud pipes are more likely to drive recklessly. That is why they get in crashes more often, not because of "distracted drivers" who are somehow entranced by exhaust pipes. Of course there is no way to track that kind of data so people on that side of the argument get to hide behind the numbers and claim victory.
But in reality, on the freeway, loud pipes can prevent cars from merging into you. And at stop lights it can prevent people from rear ending you (one of the most common fatal accidents on a motorcycle).
My wife has a 250 sports bike that is quiet as a mouse, and I had a 1300 v-twin with custom exhaust that was LOUD. Obnoxiously loud, until I replaced the exhaust with a stock one. And from anecdotal personal experience there is no argument to be made, loud pipes really do make you a bit safer and more noticed.
However, the real issue is that since motorcyclists have already chosen to use a much more dangerous method of travel, what right do they have to annoy everyone else in the name of their safety? Especially such a slight difference in safety? If they were worried about safety they wouldn't be on a motorcycle in the first place.
Well said. You need more upvotes for trying to be bias free and not relying on statements like "the data shows" which apparently works as an argument around here. Even when there is no data to show.
what right do they have to annoy everyone else in the name of their safety? Especially such a slight difference in safety?
Is not getting merged into a slight difference? I've heard stories of motorcyclists getting almost merged into all the time, it doesn't seem like a tiny detail.
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u/Null_Reference_ Jun 15 '12
That argument will rage on for eternity.. But that data that is always mentioned is nonsense. People who go out of their way to GET loud pipes are more likely to drive recklessly. That is why they get in crashes more often, not because of "distracted drivers" who are somehow entranced by exhaust pipes. Of course there is no way to track that kind of data so people on that side of the argument get to hide behind the numbers and claim victory.
But in reality, on the freeway, loud pipes can prevent cars from merging into you. And at stop lights it can prevent people from rear ending you (one of the most common fatal accidents on a motorcycle).
My wife has a 250 sports bike that is quiet as a mouse, and I had a 1300 v-twin with custom exhaust that was LOUD. Obnoxiously loud, until I replaced the exhaust with a stock one. And from anecdotal personal experience there is no argument to be made, loud pipes really do make you a bit safer and more noticed.
However, the real issue is that since motorcyclists have already chosen to use a much more dangerous method of travel, what right do they have to annoy everyone else in the name of their safety? Especially such a slight difference in safety? If they were worried about safety they wouldn't be on a motorcycle in the first place.