Road Safety Thread

[scot in exile]

Most states have laws stating that the motorcycle cannot be louder than how it left the factory, in fact I do not have the chart but each engine size has a max decibel.
Harley riders are in my opinion the only group who goes for noise without any other gain my 2011 has the sidewinder to go with the carpenter work and my 2018 has the TORS
But as we all know Harley has been turning power into noise since 1903

 

[scot in exile]

I have progressed past the vulgar loud days horrible Harleys but still think some sound above stock is enjoyable and usable as a sound alert to motorist. The reving up and falling down repeated in quick succession is more noticeable and alarming than the steady drone of a normal cruising motor.

I agree the lobby for motorcycles is poorly organized. With our lives at stake every day we should be allowed the benefit of the doubt. We should have the right to be heard. I mean who is hurt by the reasonable loud motorcycle?

Mel are you an AMA member?

 

[Tripps]

I'm the opposite, I dislike loud pipes, only my Rocket has them out of performance necessity, and one of the reasons I no longer ride it long distances, rest of my bikes are stock, Blackbird did come with Kerker exhaust, but it's baffled, not too loud.

 

[chrisw]

It is rather interesting, to me at least, that in this thread about safety the idea of 'loud pipes save lives' seems to some at least to be a given. While at the same time there is another thread about what many feel are overbearing and unjust laws being implemented in Germany to deal with the sound of motorcycles.

It would seem that either motorcyclists need to do a much better job of convincing the general public of the necessity of loud motorcycles, or have to admit that the aural assault that others perceive is indeed a problem. While I cannot deny that I have added aftermarket exhausts to most of the motorcycles I have owned I also have from time to time cringed at the sound of a straight piped Harley. I can say that the majority of my exhaust modifications have been done in conjunction with intake and tuning modifications in the pursuit of better performance, but I have to admit that in most cases I liked the sound.

I have read the scientific writings on how sound waves travel and how in most cases those hearing motorcycles, especially in traffic conditions, are hearing them after they have passed. That argument puts forth the case that those loud pipes don't help you when you are approaching another vehicle. But, from my experience sitting in plenty of cars and trucks in my lifetime, I have heard approaching motorcycles from behind many times. Of course, once they pass the sound is much louder.

I guess the takeaway is that increasing legislation is probably inevitable. Motorcyclists don't tend to be great lobbyists. So, in the future situational awareness is likely to have to play an even bigger role in motorcycle safety.

I always find the Noise argument interesting. Large Corps build houses next to motorways and include minimal sound proofing, large corps build airports with flight paths over residential developments. Politicians drive around with loud speaker systems talking mostly nonsense.

My view: Bikers have loud pipes for protection and not for any monetary gain.
Bikers like any other noise maker do not need to convince the public, they need to convince the law makers/government.

Also: "especially in traffic conditions, are hearing them after they have passed." If riding in a group then the last rider benefits from the noise of the first to make drivers aware.

Thanks

 

[Boog]

On the topic of noticeable sound, I do not think the "beep" has the noticeable sound required power of frequency to overcome highway noise level/sound. Years ago, I read a study about the dual tone horns many automobiles have and that it does overcome the noise level we have at highway speeds. The tiny sound from the OEM horns is questionable to me. I upgraded to a louder horn as I know many of you have done. I have used it to alert cage driver who are entering my lane and see their startled reaction when it sounds off. Before I added it to Brahma, the OEM horn seemed to go unnoticed. I have not conducted any actual test and evaluation on this topic and have not read any other studies recently about the "Beep" horns effectiveness. I just do not believe they are adequate...

 

[Sensfan]

My personal rules are fairly simple..trust NOBODY PERIOD, cars, trucks bikes, anybody who is out on the road, I assume they are cutting me off at any second. I also won’t follow pickups,unless they have a closed tonneau cover, no boats , campers, anything tied or strapped to any vehicle, and no older cars...there is a reason why there are mufflers on the side of the highway.

 

[sonny]

This time of year as the weather warms up you start to see more bikes on the road. Some of the riders just scare me in their riding habits. Tailgating seems to have become very popular. The highway i ride everyday is Hwy 75 between Henryetta and Jenks Oklahoma. For the most part a open two lane straight road. Plenty of side roads with on and off travel. I position myself in the left or right lane where i have the best visibility. Usually close to the white line. Visibility is a two sided coin. Seen a lot of riders sticking to the shoulder of the road. On coming traffic is looking in the lane not the shoulder. Not only is the rider limited his visibility but has limited visibility to on coming traffic. Every year there are fatal accidents on this highway. Learned to watch front tires on cars rather than eye contact. Riding along at 80 miles per hour and the car next to starts to turn into your lane it is time to either slow down or speed up whichever is safest at the time. Today's bikes have a lot more get up and go than those of the past. Seen many accidents were the rider hits the gas in order to get around on coming traffic. Person looks and bike is not a issue looks again and bike is crashing into turning vehicle. Just a few examples given here but what it boils down to is common sense. There have been a lot of study's of the LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES theory. None support this theory. Motorcycle safety courses different story.

 

[Nat67]

No doubt about it , loud pipes do save lives . Who doesn't pay attention when a low flying military jet screams overhead ? That said, loud pipes can also distract a driver into becoming a hazard , So the argument can rave forever !
Loud pipes or electric motor ? we are responsible for our own safety , by honing skills and just as importantly , situational awareness !
Personally , I spend almost as much time looking in my mirrors , as I do looking up the road ahead . I have had my share of bumps and scrapes . But in 30 plus years of riding fast bikes , only 1 serious accident . I can honestly say that the sole cause of that accident was me ignoring that little voice in my head . I have never ignored it since !

 

[Radz94]

Scan
Predict
Identify
Decide
Execute

 

[Dr.D]

Mel are you an AMA member?

No is there any advantage?