And the people who say “loud pipes save lives” often don’t wear helmets, which statistically are safer. Not all motorcyclists are full of shit, but a hell of a lot of them are.
This is the classic argument for loud bikes, and it shows a lack of understanding physics and human nature.
Physics, the sound is generated by the exhaust pointing backwards, this means that the sound doesn’t propagate well ahead of the bike, but way better behind the bike.
Human nature, human nature when hearing a loud sound is to find the source, however, by the time a driver has heard the sound the source have often passed, causing a needless distraction. Also, bikes tend to make a very basy sound, this is terrible for humans to hear the direction of.
Finally, if bikers are so concerned about being noticed by other drivers, why don’t they wear high visibility vests and trousers?
Most bikes are not bassy it’s mostly thumpers and harleys that are bassy. Just wait until you get passed by a bunch of squids on sport bikes with parallel twins and I4s, those are much higher, and represent a large percentage of the bikers out there.
Also, I’m grateful that my bike is loud. I don’t rev it to high hell though, but an additional sensory input for the fuckhead texting on the freeway is not a bad thing. A lot of people where I live (Seattle) don’t pay attention on the road and it’s pretty scary on a bike surrounded by them sometimes. Sometimes it is simply not possible to have a decent safety bubble when there’s traffic.
Most bikes are not bassy it’s mostly thumpers and harleys that are bassy.
Fair critisism.
Just wait until you get passed by a bunch of squids on sport bikes with parallel twins and I4s, those are much higher
I know, they attract idiots who refuse to keep the playtime to the track, and endanger everyone else.
an additional sensory input for the fuckhead texting on the freeway is not a bad thing.
The depends on the stimuli, a sudden loud noise as a bike zooms past a distracted driver is a TERRIBLE “sensory input” as you say, it could easily cause the driver to swerve causing a big accident which would not happen if not for the noise triggering it.
You could, and should argue that the distracted driver should not have been driving distractedly, I would however add that the biker should not have driven past at so high speed that they other drivers only notice them once they have passed.
loud pipes save morons not intelligent enough to drive defensively.
the idea that your shitmobile must blast 100db just for the rider’s safety is absolute bullshit sold by harley boomers, they don’t care about painfully loud noises, they’ve already replaced their hearing with tinnitus and want everyone else to enjoy the never ending eEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE too.
It is very easy to not see a motorcycle. Very easy. And due to the way our brains work, their small size can make us seem further away than we actually are.
I agree with you, and I absolutely don’t wish harm or accidents to anyone on a motorcycle.
A guy in my neighborhood just bought a motorcycle. He doesn’t rev it up or try to be inconsiderate, but just the act of twisting the throttle to drive away at a slow speed violates the city noise ordinance and can be heard for a half mile or more.
Yeah something like flashing or cycling cym on the back and sides. As long as it’s unmistakable it’s good. Noise is a huge disruption and it isn’t clear about location. Lights are
It’s only visible from the back, but more bikes are coming equipped with brake lights that strobe for a second when activated to get more attention. (We only have one rear brake light, compared to three on cars). And now it’s easy to find add-on helmet lights that also activate with the brakes. Not the all-rounder lighting you’re talking about, but early info seems promising.
maybe the can wear an indicator, a big floppy one on top of their helmets, preferably flesh tinted and mushroom shaped - so everyone can easily see the pricks
I’m fine with bikes being noisy. Bikes can be hard to see, sometimes I hear them before I see them.
I’m not fine with douchenozzles intentionally revving them up in otherwise quiet subdivisions as the OP describes.
There is no statistical evidence that louder motorcycles are safer.
Huh. I was taught this for years as a rider.
Did some searching and well damn.
https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a35952569/loud-pipes-do-not-save-lives/
And the people who say “loud pipes save lives” often don’t wear helmets, which statistically are safer. Not all motorcyclists are full of shit, but a hell of a lot of them are.
That’s interesting. Thanks for the info.
It does help me mentally though. Sometimes the lies we tell ourselves help.
This is the classic argument for loud bikes, and it shows a lack of understanding physics and human nature.
Physics, the sound is generated by the exhaust pointing backwards, this means that the sound doesn’t propagate well ahead of the bike, but way better behind the bike.
Human nature, human nature when hearing a loud sound is to find the source, however, by the time a driver has heard the sound the source have often passed, causing a needless distraction. Also, bikes tend to make a very basy sound, this is terrible for humans to hear the direction of.
Finally, if bikers are so concerned about being noticed by other drivers, why don’t they wear high visibility vests and trousers?
Most bikes are not bassy it’s mostly thumpers and harleys that are bassy. Just wait until you get passed by a bunch of squids on sport bikes with parallel twins and I4s, those are much higher, and represent a large percentage of the bikers out there.
Also, I’m grateful that my bike is loud. I don’t rev it to high hell though, but an additional sensory input for the fuckhead texting on the freeway is not a bad thing. A lot of people where I live (Seattle) don’t pay attention on the road and it’s pretty scary on a bike surrounded by them sometimes. Sometimes it is simply not possible to have a decent safety bubble when there’s traffic.
Fair critisism.
I know, they attract idiots who refuse to keep the playtime to the track, and endanger everyone else.
The depends on the stimuli, a sudden loud noise as a bike zooms past a distracted driver is a TERRIBLE “sensory input” as you say, it could easily cause the driver to swerve causing a big accident which would not happen if not for the noise triggering it.
You could, and should argue that the distracted driver should not have been driving distractedly, I would however add that the biker should not have driven past at so high speed that they other drivers only notice them once they have passed.
loud pipes save morons not intelligent enough to drive defensively.
the idea that your shitmobile must blast 100db just for the rider’s safety is absolute bullshit sold by harley boomers, they don’t care about painfully loud noises, they’ve already replaced their hearing with tinnitus and want everyone else to enjoy the never ending eEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE too.
Maybe you should try looking?
It is very easy to not see a motorcycle. Very easy. And due to the way our brains work, their small size can make us seem further away than we actually are.
Yes- that’s why you have to look.
I agree with you, and I absolutely don’t wish harm or accidents to anyone on a motorcycle.
A guy in my neighborhood just bought a motorcycle. He doesn’t rev it up or try to be inconsiderate, but just the act of twisting the throttle to drive away at a slow speed violates the city noise ordinance and can be heard for a half mile or more.
I would rather visual indicators of their presence like a flashing light of a specific color
Not sure why you’re being downvoted.
I’ve been riding for years but had to renew my license. The motorcycle tests now has a section where you have to find the motorcyclist in the rain.
And honestly, that section broke me. I love riding in dark colors on my dark bike. But I’d be god damn near invisible in the rain.
And I wished this test was forced on everybody (motorcyclists, car heads, hell even bike riders).
Yeah something like flashing or cycling cym on the back and sides. As long as it’s unmistakable it’s good. Noise is a huge disruption and it isn’t clear about location. Lights are
It’s only visible from the back, but more bikes are coming equipped with brake lights that strobe for a second when activated to get more attention. (We only have one rear brake light, compared to three on cars). And now it’s easy to find add-on helmet lights that also activate with the brakes. Not the all-rounder lighting you’re talking about, but early info seems promising.
That’s good. I want y’all to be visible and safe, I just really don’t want y’all to wake the dead riding past
maybe the can wear an indicator, a big floppy one on top of their helmets, preferably flesh tinted and mushroom shaped - so everyone can easily see the pricks