Pipes - Loud or loser?

[Big Dave]

Got a poll running on the KR site on loud pipes:
Do loud pipes save lives?

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/09/loud-pipes-yes-or-no.html

[scumdog]

Nowhere near as many (if at all) as those who say so think they do..

[Gremlin]

big question, how loud for how much effect? I think a silent bike would stand a greater chance of being collected (ala electric cars are having noise introduced), so in the essence of the question, yes

[bogan]

open road, nah, had a guy with loud pipes overtake me yesterday, I didn't hear shit till he was right next to me. In town, maybe, though I would expect it would be dopey pedestrian accidents that are reduced.

[sAsLEX]

There is loud and then there is the potato head loud some tractors trawl around with

[Jantar]

As someone who does drive a cage occassionally (around 5000 km per year) I can say that I almost never hear bike with loud pipes until they are right next to the driver's window, then I can hear them clearly until they are a good 400 to 500 meters ahead. Its not often that a bike comes up from behind without my seeing it first, but if one does go past unexpectedly, I much prefer to be woken up with a gentle whirr from a well tuned inline 4 or the grunt of a muffled V-twin to the obnoxious alarm of a straight piped noise machine.

[Dadpole]

Jantar has it in one. Unless they are stupidly loud, you will not be heard until it is too late.

[Rogue Rider]

Loud bikes save lives as many as loud horns do too...... so there!!:shifty:

[scumdog]

Loud bikes save lives as many as loud horns do too...... so there!!:shifty:


Dreamer.


Locomotives don't have loud pipes.......:shifty:

[Motu]

When I owned a Norton with open megas and a BMW twin with standard pipes at the same time,I certainly had more cars pulling out or changing lanes on me when I rode the BMW.But that just comes back to the bikes - a Norton is a mans bike,worthy of respect,but a BMW is just an ineffectual limp wrist bike.

[Kickaha]

Dreamer.:

Aint he just

I do about 30-35K a year in the company car (see you in two weeks scumdog) and I've always seen them long before I hear them, with the windows up and even with the radio off I don't hear them until they are alongside

When I ride it's on a Bevel drive Ducati with conti pipes and it make no difference to the way traffic reacts to me

[Rogue Rider]

When I owned a Norton with open megas - a Norton is a mans bike,worthy of respect,but a BMW is just an ineffectual limp wrist bike.

Love that, spoken like a legend.

[Maha]

We have discussed this topic at length in the MAG forum and the general consensus is no.
From personal experience, I dont even hear a bike until the chick riding it is along side me.
Visual wins everytime over sound where this is concerned.

[Edbear]

We have discussed this topic at length in the MAG forum and the general consensus is no.
From personal experience, I dont even hear a bike until the chick riding it is along side me.
Visual wins everytime over sound where this is concerned.

Pardon? I had this image in my head and didn't hear you....

[pzkpfw]

What I get from this thread is we ought to all own twin pipe bikes and point one of them forwards...


(And stop riding over mach 1).

[NZsarge]

We have discussed this topic at length in the MAG forum and the general consensus is no.
From personal experience, I dont even hear a bike until the chick riding it is along side me.
Visual wins everytime over sound where this is concerned.

Sweet, is that an excuse for me to bling the 14 out in LED driving lights then?
I'll be loud and bright!

[Maha]

Sweet, is that an excuse for me to bling the 14 out in LED driving lights then?

Hell yeah!
But those 14's look like a Kenworth at night anyway dont they?...:shifty:

[Oakie]

If you think loud pipes are going to improve your chances of being noticed by the guy who is going to hit you I think you are deluding yourself. Also that feeling of comfort that thought gives you may just take the edge off your alertness and be the difference between avoiding trouble and becoming a statistic.

[bogan]

Hell yeah!
But those 14's look like a Kenworth at night anyway dont they?...:shifty:

dunno bout you, but I wouldn't turn in front of a kenworth, so must be a good thing!

reckon different shapes/colors are the way to go, LED indicator DRLs compleneted by a CCFL halo around a bi-xenon projector bulb is my plan :yes:

[NZsarge]

Hell yeah!
But those 14's look like a Kenworth at night anyway dont they?...:shifty:

Hmmm, i'll let that one slide...
I reckon some strategically placed LED's might be mint, sooner or later they'll be coming out standard on new bikes anyway. Only a matter of time.

[DMNTD]

If you think loud pipes are going to improve your chances of being noticed by the guy who is going to hit you I think you are deluding yourself...

Sure ok, I'll take your guys' point of view there however surely a louder than standard pipe will be heard a lot sooner by a pedestrian,fact.
Please tell me you lot think the only hazard on the road are another vehicle?
The question on the poll asked whether they added a safety aspect.

[Usarka]

+1 pedestrians.

And how many car drivers notice you are there even when you are level with them? Sure, if they start changing lane you can usually fang it, but once in a while even us 2-wheelers have a lapse in situational awereness.

[Rockbuddy]

if my pipes aren't loud how will my garage door opener hear when im home

[MadDuck]

The answer to the original question in my opinion is no. BUT damn it is great setting off car alarms when passing them parked on the side of the road.....:yes:

[AD345]

In the urban echo chambers of the AKL motorway system (when its open) they certainly do make a difference to being noticed. Most especially when traffic is heavy and crawling and bikes are splitting.

Outside of that - only on the way past

[DMNTD]

The answer to the original question in my opinion is no.
So do you believe that a pedestrian could hear a bike with a quiet set of pipes coming as easy as they could hear a set of Akro's on a Duc?



BUT damn it is great setting off car alarms when passing them parked on the side of the road.....:yes:
Dang straight Ducky! :Punk:

[MadDuck]

[B]So do you believe that a pedestrian could hear a bike with a quiet set of pipes coming as easy as they could hear a set of Akro's on a Duc?


Like car drivers .... some pedestrians wouldnt even hear or notice an ambulance with flashing lights and sriens. I blame Ipods

[cowboyz]

Sure ok, I'll take your guys' point of view there however surely a louder than standard pipe will be heard a lot sooner by a pedestrian,fact.
Please tell me you lot think the only hazard on the road are another vehicle?
The question on the poll asked whether they added a safety aspect.

I have spnt a great deal of my life working around heavy machinery.. There was a recent case of a guy being run over by a reversing steam roller. - they move at about 5km.hr and are not exactly inconspicous... and have really loud beepers whne in reverse.
The facts are that noise... an noise.. these days are increasingly being tuned out as ambient noise. loud pipes do nothing for safety. The do however .. fuck your neighbours off at 3am...

[rustic101]

My observations are:

As a pedestrian in a built up area they echo and takes seconds to locate
In my ute as a driver I never hear them until they pass me
On my bike as a rider I hear even less and only once past me and only for a brief few seconds

So based off my experience, no they do not appear to 'act as a safety measure'.

[Blackshear]

Mine has saved me several times from visually or mentally impaired pedestrians/vehicles.
I know this, because I ride my bike, and I see these people take notice and stop halfway through their 'I didn't see you almost get t-boned by me' turns etc when I give a sharp rev.
Same goes for pedestrians about to run across the road without using a crossing.
Also very helpful for filtering.

That being said, mine is not warrant-able and as such will be fixed in the next two weeks. But only the tip :innocent:

[slydesigns]

Mr Policeman that pulled me up on Vinegar Hill todaywhile returning from the Cold Kiwi would just like to say "No, no they don't, but they do allow me sufficient time to put my lunch down, check my watch, step slowly out of my patrol car and drum my fingers on the roof as I wait 5 mins for you to appear over the last hill..."


I agreed to agree with him

[YellowDog]

Got a poll running on the KR site on loud pipes:
Do loud pipes save lives?

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/09/loud-pipes-yes-or-no.html

I would say that there are some situations where loud pipes may improve safety.

Overly loud pipes can in some situations be a hazzard.

Personally I bought a loud racing pipe for the sound effect. Baffle in at wof time.

[tri boy]

There was a recent case of a guy being run over by a reversing steam roller. -

Surely the sight of steam hissing from valves, and men waving red flags would...............
ok, i'll shut up.:innocent:

[slydesigns]

Surely the sight of steam hissing from valves, and men waving red flags would...............
ok, i'll shut up.:innocent:

No... hes talking about a Steam roller, not his ZX9

[tamarillo]

open road, nah, had a guy with loud pipes overtake me yesterday, I didn't hear shit till he was right next to me. In town, maybe, though I would expect it would be dopey pedestrian accidents that are reduced.

Well said! to many idiot opinions on this. believe it is called Doppler effect - you don't here damn thing till it passes - well you do hear something but against background noise going on NOT enough to make a difference.

Loud pipes don't help - they just sound cool. can one open up the stock pipes on a Trophy?

[steve_t]

to many idiot opinions on this. believe it is called Doppler effect - you don't here damn thing till it passes

:shutup::shutup::blink::shit::innocent:

[DMNTD]

Well said! to many idiot opinions on this. believe it is called Doppler effect - you don't here damn thing till it passes - well you do hear something but against background noise going on NOT enough to make a difference.

Loud pipes don't help - they just sound cool. can one open up the stock pipes on a Trophy?

I think it's agreed that they do not help on the open road.
But if you're unfortunate enough to live in a city :shutup: it does seem to make a difference especially with pedestrians.
Due to my job,I have ridden dozens of different bikes to and from work. I have notice that without doubt that people (not necessarily drivers) can hear you when riding a bike with noisier pipes/cans.
An IL4 with a pipe can be heard from futher away than a noisy VTwin too. Something to do with the pitch of the yee ha coming from the cans

[sAsLEX]

<img src =http://www.termignoni.co.uk/images/ducati1098_termignoni.jpg> - termis = :(

[scumdog]

I think it's agreed that they do not help on the open road.
But if you're unfortunate enough to live in a city :shutup: it does seem to make a difference especially with pedestrians.
Due to my job,I have ridden dozens of different bikes to and from work. I have notice that without doubt that people (not necessarily drivers) can hear you when riding a bike with noisier pipes/cans.
An IL4 with a pipe can be heard from futher away than a noisy VTwin too. Something to do with the pitch of the yee ha coming from the cans

My experience?
A lot of time in city traffic they hear the noise alright - but just don't know where from - or if it is coming or going.

I've seen one case where a pedestian heard the noise and then stepped on front of the bike thinking the noise was coming from a vehicle that had just driven past them...

[bogan]

believe it is called Doppler effect - you don't here damn thing till it passes - well you do hear something but against background noise going on NOT enough to make a difference.

actually the doppler effect just changes the sounds pitch, the lack of volume is cos the pipes are sending the majority out the back!


I think it's agreed that they do not help on the open road.
But if you're unfortunate enough to live in a city :shutup: it does seem to make a difference especially with pedestrians.
Due to my job,I have ridden dozens of different bikes to and from work. I have notice that without doubt that people (not necessarily drivers) can hear you when riding a bike with noisier pipes/cans.
An IL4 with a pipe can be heard from futher away than a noisy VTwin too. Something to do with the pitch of the yee ha coming from the cans

true enough, but aren't most bikes louder than car by nature anyway? surely the number of pedestrians likely to walk out in front of a bike would have been thinned out by quiet cars a bit first?

And tbh, I don't have much sympathy for those who don't look before they cross, wasn't that taught in year one at school? One silly bitch did that in front of me, I was rather close by the time I slowed enough, clutch in and gave a good rev, safe to say she will look both ways next time.

[sAsLEX]

actually the doppler effect just changes the sounds pitch, the lack of volume is cos the pipes are sending the majority out the back!



Solution = <img src=http://www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk/Ducati/Images/Bikes/Desmosedici/Desmosedici%20Rear%20Top.jpg>

[bogan]

Solution =

where did they go?

[DMNTD]

where did they go?

Have a closer look...the pillion certain would have a hot arse!
Have ridden one of those...FFS...if some queer cunt can't hear them from a mile away them we're all doomed!

[bogan]

Have a closer look...the pillion certain would have a hot arse!
Have ridden one of those...FFS...if some queer cunt can't hear them from a mile away them we're all doomed!

hmmm, interesting design, keeps it nice a uncluttered, is that also one of the ducs witht he springless valves? also wouldn't the engine fill up with water if you parked it in the rain?

[sAsLEX]

hmmm, interesting design, keeps it nice a uncluttered, is that also one of the ducs witht he springless valves? also wouldn't the engine fill up with water if you parked it in the rain?

If you park one of those in the rain you are a re-tard.

The design was ostentatiously meant to reduce the turbulent flow/low pressure area behind the rider by injecting the exhaust gas into the partial vacuum.

[Maha]

hmmm, interesting design, keeps it nice a uncluttered, is that also one of the ducs witht he springless valves? also wouldn't the engine fill up with water if you parked it in the rain?

Not at all, you can buy 'Can Clamps' for any good Motorbike outlet.
Same principle effect as those nose clamps synchronised swimmers use.

[DMNTD]

hmmm, interesting design, keeps it nice a uncluttered, is that also one of the ducs witht he springless valves? also wouldn't the engine fill up with water if you parked it in the rain?

It's a $130,000 bike...best not to park it anywhere out of site let alone in the rain :sunny:

[bogan]

If you park one of those in the rain you are a re-tard.

The design was ostentatiously meant to reduce the turbulent flow/low pressure area behind the rider by injecting the exhaust gas into the partial vacuum.

haha, yeh, but plenty of them about. Pretty intelligent design theory, kinda like the bike with the radiator air tube going front to back, hotter air exiting actually developed a minute amount of thrust iirc. Though seems neither have caught on...

[pzkpfw]

The design was ostentatiously meant to reduce the turbulent flow/low pressure area behind the rider by injecting the exhaust gas into the partial vacuum.

ostensibly?

[sAsLEX]

ostensibly?

ostentatiously

1. in an ostentatious manner; extravagantly or flamboyantly


I think I have used it correctly, we are talking about Italians here!

BODTGANZA care to comment?

[scumdog]

ostentatiously

1. in an ostentatious manner; extravagantly or flamboyantly


I think I have used it correctly, we are talking about Italians here!

BODTGANZA care to comment?

An Austin is involved??:blink:

[tigertim20]

Got a poll running on the KR site on loud pipes:
Do loud pipes save lives?

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/09/loud-pipes-yes-or-no.html

I used to think loud pipes were good, but I have changed my mind on that.
funny thing is, you get people who say 'loud pipes save me, make me get noticed', but when you suggest to them that if being visible and safe is a big factor to them, 99% wil say they won't wear a fluro vest.. hmm, doesnt really make sense does it?
Most people just want a louder bike, and a reason to justify it. I like a louder pipe, provided it acually has a nice note to it, otherwise its just fuckin noise pollution, but I dont try to justify it by saying it'll save me

[sAsLEX]

I used to think loud pipes were good, but I have changed my mind on that.
funny thing is, you get people who say 'loud pipes save me, make me get noticed', but when you suggest to them that if being visible and safe is a big factor to them, 99% wil say they won't wear a fluro vest.. hmm, doesnt really make sense does it?
Most people just want a louder bike, and a reason to justify it. I like a louder pipe, provided it acually has a nice note to it, otherwise its just fuckin noise pollution, but I dont try to justify it by saying it'll save me

You are assuming that a fluro vest will make you get seen by ignorant motorists.

[hellokitty]

You are assuming that a fluro vest will make you get seen by ignorant motorists.

I have a rather loud bike and I wear bright pink and I am still invisible......... I have less pedestrians stepping out in front of me since I had the pipes debaffled but the fact is that some still walk in front of me!!!!!
And as for cars....... :angry:

[tigertim20]

true enough, but aren't most bikes louder than car by nature anyway? surely the number of pedestrians likely to walk out in front of a bike would have been thinned out by quiet cars a bit first?

.

If you are suggesting that the reason bikes are louder is for a saftey issue, I doubt it, not sure if you are saying that or not. While by law the decibel limit is higher for a bike than it is for a car, I think you will find that that is more because of the limitations on length of the exhaust, i.s. bike exhausts are much shorter than car ones


You are assuming that a fluro vest will make you get seen by ignorant motorists.

No, No I am not. not even a little bit. What I am saying is this:
People who argue FOR loud pipes, are generally doing so, with the argument that it increases their safety, by increasing other peoples awareness of their presence. Their basic argument is that it helps a little, and if it helps even a little it is worth doing.
That same argument applies to fluro. yes it will make you a tad more visible, but the majority of motorists are, as you say, ignorant.
That ignorance extends to audible cues as much as it does visible ones, thus making the argument ultimately invalid.

Two other points, 1), look at cars nowadays, most of them are quiet enough that, unless raping it, you cant even hear your own engine, sound deadening and other technology seals the vehicle, reducing the drivers experience of external noise pullution, so that their air con and premium stereo package can be used to their full effect while driving.

2nd), Often people point out that emergency vehicles use both noise (sirens) as well as visual cues (flashing lights) to warn drivers effectively of their approach, whichever direction they may be approaching from. Pro loud pipes types use this as an argument, but there are two problems. Firstly, the sirens on emergency vehicles are facing forwards, and secondly, the type of pitch or tone used in the sirens, is of a nature that pierces through the air, and your car, and your helmet, so that it can be clearly heard from a distance. Bike exhausts do not come even close to being of a like pitch or tone, so untill they do, (and they face forwards, allowing your own newly created carbon dioxide to billow through your helmet putting you to sleep anyway...) there is no reason to justify excessively loud pipes.

[Oakie]

The question on the poll asked whether they added a safety aspect.

They may add a safety aspect but only if the user forgets the pipes and doesn't consider them as adding a safety aspect. Sort of like dont put on your headlight and ride without caution expecting that everyone will see you.

[HenryDorsetCase]

We have discussed this topic at length in the MAG forum and the general consensus is no.
From personal experience, I dont even hear a bike until the chick riding it is along side me.
Visual wins everytime over sound where this is concerned.

is she topless?

[avgas]

Loud bikes save lives as many as loud horns do too...... so there!!:shifty:
Most likely.
Fuck buying a loud horn though. May as well buy a vespa at the same time.

[george formby]

They are not as effective as a white fairing with chevrons & a bright yellow safety jacket. Looking like a cop is the ultimate for being noticed.

[Big Dave]

They are not as effective as a white fairing with chevrons & a bright yellow safety jacket. Looking like a cop is the ultimate for being noticed.

I rented a white ST1100 once - PITA. Didn't need hi vis gear. Everyone slows down in front of you anyway.

[MisterD]

They are not as effective as a white fairing with chevrons & a bright yellow safety jacket. Looking like a cop is the ultimate for being noticed.

I'm sure I remember a story about a cop bike hitting a car that pulled out in front of it...memory not what it was...

[Cayman911]

my only wish right now is having a loud bike with loud pipes.

as much as i love my bike. it sounds shit. well there is no sound. you cant hear it when you're on it.

im open to advice on making it louder witihout losing the very little performance

[myvice]

Caltex fuel truck…
Great big, day-glow yellow truck.
With driving lights on.
During the day.
A nice day, on a clear road.
Trucks, as a rule, aren’t quiet things ether.
Quote from driver “She said she didn’t see me.”

We don’t have a shit show in being seen or heard.
But we have to try…

Hmmmm… Proximity fired tracer rounds?

[tamarillo]

[QUOTE=bogan;1129853311]actually the doppler effect just changes the sounds pitch, the lack of volume is cos the pipes are sending the majority out the back!



yes you are right -I oversimplified it. The effect is that correct though.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Caltex fuel truck…
Great big, day-glow yellow truck.
With driving lights on.
During the day.
A nice day, on a clear road.
Trucks, as a rule, aren’t quiet things ether.
Quote from driver “She said she didn’t see me.”

We don’t have a shit show in being seen or heard.
But we have to try…

Hmmmm… Proximity fired tracer rounds?

my sort of brother in law is a fireman in Melbourne, and he says you can be driving with the lights and sirens going, on the way to a call, in a BIG red truck, and morons will pull out in front of him. He usually doesnt hit them, cos there is a crapload of paperwork to fill out afterwards....

[Big Dave]

Over 100 votes is good enough for an indicative result:

<label class="pds-feedback-label"> Yes - they add a safety aspect 35.45% (39 votes) </label>

<label class="pds-feedback-label"> No - they are a public nuisance 32.73% (36 votes) </label>

<label class="pds-feedback-label"> Neither - they just sound good 31.82% (35 votes) </label>

[scumdog]

Over 100 votes is good enough for an indicative result:

<label class="pds-feedback-label"> Yes - they add a safety aspect 35.45% (39 votes) </label>

<label class="pds-feedback-label"> No - they are a public nuisance 32.73% (36 votes) </label>

<label class="pds-feedback-label"> Neither - they just sound good 31.82% (35 votes) </label>

So, how many voted twice???

[Big Dave]

So, how many voted twice???

Whoever could be bothered clearing cookies to do it.

[AllanB]

The answer is NO - after all those boy racers keep killing themselves .........:shifty:

[Pixie]

When I owned a Norton with open megas and a BMW twin with standard pipes at the same time,I certainly had more cars pulling out or changing lanes on me when I rode the BMW.But that just comes back to the bikes - a Norton is a mans bike,worthy of respect,but a BMW is just an ineffectual limp wrist bike.

And the cars of the day had the sound proofing of a colander

[Pixie]

Mine has saved me several times from visually or mentally impaired pedestrians/vehicles.
I know this, because I ride my bike, and I see these people take notice and stop halfway through their 'I didn't see you almost get t-boned by me' turns etc when I give a sharp rev.
Same goes for pedestrians about to run across the road without using a crossing.
Also very helpful for filtering.

That being said, mine is not warrant-able and as such will be fixed in the next two weeks. But only the tip :innocent:

Actually,you don't know what alerted the pedestrians.You only assume it was the sound - it could have just as easily have been catching sight of your movement in their peripheral vision

[Pixie]

2nd), Often people point out that emergency vehicles use both noise (sirens) as well as visual cues (flashing lights) to warn drivers effectively of their approach, whichever direction they may be approaching from.

Good point.How many times have you failed to hear a ambulance approaching with it's siren screaming until it was only ten car lengths away?(my experience) But spot it from it's lights over a km away.

[Banditbandit]

Having ridden Britiash bikes with loud pipes .. and the occassional Triumph (old) with very loud pipes, and recently new Suzukis and BMWs with almost no noise ... the noise of the bike seems to make little difference to the behaviour of other road users

(Except the time in the 1970s in Chch I opened the throttle wide on a Triumph with straight pipes and watched the peds grab children and scatter in all directions :rofl: Mean, I know ... I'm not like that any more :innocent: )

[Corse1]

When I owned a Norton with open megas and a BMW twin with standard pipes at the same time,I certainly had more cars pulling out or changing lanes on me when I rode the BMW.But that just comes back to the bikes - a Norton is a mans bike,worthy of respect,but a BMW is just an ineffectual limp wrist bike.

Ineffectual I do not agree with but definately limp wristed. :shifty:

[shrub]

I always ride in traffic in a slightly lower gear than I need to and blip my throttle. I ride a lot in traffic (pretty much every day) and I have very, very few people do stupid shit around me on my bike, whereas in my car, which mainly gets used to cart stuff around, it happens all the time. I put it down to a big guy in black on a loud black bike is perceived (subconciously) as a threat, so people behave.

Riding my daughter's bright red scooter though, and I had idiots pulling out, cutting me off etc everywhere.

[NighthawkNZ]

So do you believe that a pedestrian could hear a bike with a quiet set of pipes coming as easy as they could hear a set of Akro's on a Duc?



Not when most are listening to their MP3 Players at high volume, I see a lot of that on my way to work every morning... or they are to busy walking and texting to even bother to looklet alone listen ...

a young kid aint gonna give a shit either if he wants to chase that ball...

Personally no they don't all it does is gives a few bikers a hardon, and annoyes others... escially the gits that run straigh pipes... personally they just sound like noise...

Get a purring sound of a V-Twin and or Inline four with some nice pipes and the tone of them are totally different, noise verses tone.

As most people have saidd you are not goint to here a bike loud pipes or not behind or on coming till you pass it. Especially when you have the air con on, radio blearing and yelling at the kids to shut the F**k up...



Whoever could be bothered clearing cookies to do it.

Firefox does that automatically every time I close the browser down... :)

[Oscar]

Could one of you genuises explain to me how sound travelling in the opposite direction from a moving motorcycle can somehow alert the driver of a car in front of that same motorcycle?

Surely that would require a constantly moving object placed immediatley behind the motorcycle to reflect the sounds waves forward?

Alternatively, forward facing mufflers?

[mashman]

Could one of you genuises explain to me how sound travelling in the opposite direction from a moving motorcycle can somehow alert the driver of a car in front of that same motorcycle?

Surely that would require a constantly moving object placed immediatley behind the motorcycle to reflect the sounds waves forward?

Alternatively, forward facing mufflers?

Why does an airplane so so so far in the sky make so much noise? I mean, it's 20,000 feet up?

[Bald Eagle]

Why does an airplane so so so far in the sky make so much noise? I mean, it's 20,000 feet up?

Gravity pulls the sound down :facepalm:

[steve_t]

Why does an airplane so so so far in the sky make so much noise? I mean, it's 20,000 feet up?

The sound of A380 engines exploding travels in all directions :scooter:

[mashman]

Gravity pulls the sound down :facepalm:

So why can I hear cars from the state highway on the roof of a building 200 metres away and 11 floors up?

[Bald Eagle]

The sound of A380 engines exploding travels in all directions :scooter:


So why can I hear cars from the state highway on the roof of a building 200 metres away and 11 floors up?

Actually all sound travels in all directions.

[mashman]

Actually all sound travels in all directions.

Whew :shifty:

[Oscar]

Actually all sound travels in all directions.

Sound hardly ever travels in all directions equally.

When you speak the sound is projected mainly forward and the waves travelling backward from your lyrnx are absorbed by the tissue in your throat, neck and head.

Sound coming from a conical muffler travels in one direction until it hits something that reflects it.

[steve_t]

Sound hardly ever travels in all directions equally.

When you speak the sound is projected mainly forward and the waves travelling backward from your lyrnx are absorbed by the tissue in your throat, neck and head.

Sound coming from a conical muffler travels in one direction until it hits something that reflects it.

So u maintain that unless there's an object behind it, you can't hear a motorbike coming towards you even if it has a loud exhaust? :blink:

[Oscar]

So u maintain that unless there's an object behind it, you can't hear a motorbike coming towards you even if it has a loud exhaust? :blink:

You can hear the sound that is projected forward.
However most of the sound travels in the direction that the muffler is pointed.

Which way do your stereo speakers point?:facepalm:

[steve_t]

You can hear the sound that is projected forward.
However most of the sound travels in the direction that the muffler is pointed.

Which way do your stereo speakers point?:facepalm:

Why do I get the :facepalm:? You're the one who seems to be implying that unless you're directly in front of the stereo speakers, you won't be able to hear anything. I don't dispute that it'd be louder in front of the speakers or behind the bike, but I don't agree that you have to be directly behind a bike to hear it :corn:

[Oscar]

Why do I get the :facepalm:? You're the one who seems to be implying that unless you're directly in front of the stereo speakers, you won't be able to hear anything. I don't dispute that it'd be louder in front of the speakers or behind the bike, but I don't agree that you have to be directly behind a bike to hear it :corn:

It was collective :facepalm:
See the previous contributions, inlcuding the one about sound travelling in all directions. Sound travels in the direction it is projected until it hits a reflective object.

So if an object is projecting (most of its) sound in one direction (via a conical muffler), whilst travelling in the opposite direction, it becomes more and more difficult for someone travelling in front of that object to hear the sound waves as the object accelarates.
The utimate proof of this is the fact that you won't hear a supersonic jet approaching at all as it is outpacing its own sound waves.

A related subject is the Doppler Effect which says the pitch of the sound of a moving object changes relative to a stationary observer.
In fact the work of Doppler and Kadence are the principals upon which the two stroke expansion chamber is based.

[Oscar]

Why do I get the :facepalm:? You're the one who seems to be implying that unless you're directly in front of the stereo speakers, you won't be able to hear anything. I don't dispute that it'd be louder in front of the speakers or behind the bike, but I don't agree that you have to be directly behind a bike to hear it :corn:

It was collective :facepalm:
See the previous contributions, inlcuding the one about sound travelling in all directions. Sound travels in the direction it is projected until it hits a reflective object.

So if an object is projecting (most of its) sound in one direction (via a conical muffler), whilst travelling in the opposite direction, it becomes more and more difficult for someone travelling in front of that object to hear the sound waves as the object accelarates.

The utimate proof of this is the fact that you won't hear a supersonic jet approaching at all as it is outpacing its own sound waves.

[Kickaha]

Could one of you genuises explain to me how sound travelling in the opposite direction from a moving motorcycle can somehow alert the driver of a car in front of that same motorcycle?

That's always something I've been interested in to as traveling hundreds of thousands on kilometres in company vehicles and being passed by bikes hundreds of time has shown me that loud pipes do fuck all as it's not until the bike is alongside that you'll hear them

[oldrider]

Got a poll running on the KR site on loud pipes:
Do loud pipes save lives?

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/09/loud-pipes-yes-or-no.html

Noise is for insecure bullshit artists! :facepalm:

First five years as a licensed bike rider I was served enough tickets to paper my bedroom walls, noisy as all get out.

While he was away in the territorial's (army training) a friend lent me his Norton 500cc featherbed framed twin, silent as the lambs themselves!

That was in 1959, I have never had a ticket (on a bike) since! (51 years of silent riding)

Have dabbled with a bit of magic noise here and there but the sound encourages the negative riding behaviour so I have reverted back to the safety of silence every time!

I have developed a habit of riding "anonymously" and as I disappear into the privacy of my telephone box, people look at at one another and ask, who was that muffled man! :shutup: :shifty: :ride:

I make no apology for the fact that some people (including myself) confuse me with Clark Kent and Superman! :confused:

[Shadows]

One thing I do know for sure is that loud pipes haven't killed me yet.

[davebullet]

When splitting, more traffic moves aside for me on the SV650 with 2bros exhaust (louder) than the Speed Triple with standard exhaust.

[Oscar]

When splitting, more traffic moves aside for me on the SV650 with 2bros exhaust (louder) than the Speed Triple with standard exhaust.

:facepalm: Please explain how this works (with particular attention to the fact that if your pipes are loud enough to alert cars in front of you, they must be fucking loud when you pass inches from their mirrors) and then give us your take on why "cagers" hate motorcyclists.

[NighthawkNZ]

One thing I do know for sure is that loud pipes haven't killed me yet.


When splitting, more traffic moves aside for me on the SV650 with 2bros exhaust (louder) than the Speed Triple with standard exhaust.


I have had the same experience on a stealth bike... strange that, they must have seen me before they heard me...

Maybe a lot of cage drivers are not as bad as you thik they are... maybe.. just maybe

[shrub]

I reckon GN250s are a good idea - they're slow so we won't be able to go fast and they're guaranteed not to offend car drivers (mustn't do that!). We should all wear white helmets and high vis vests and be thoroughly PC.

People with big, noisy bikes are horrid and antisocial and give us nice, clean motorbicyclists a bad name :angry:

[Kickaha]

People with big, noisy bikes are horrid and antisocial and give us nice, clean motorbicyclists a bad name :angry:

I've got a big noisy bike and it makes no fucking difference in traffic at all

Have fun on your GN though, you really sound like someone ideally suited to one:bleh:

[sinned]

Noise is for insecure bullshit artists! :facepalm:

I have developed a habit of riding "anonymously" and as I disappear into the privacy of my telephone box, people look at at one another and ask, who was that muffled man! :shutup: :shifty: :ride:

I make no apology for the fact that some people (including myself) confuse me with Clark Kent and Superman! :confused:

Brilliant - full marks to that man.

[shrub]

I've got a big noisy bike and it makes no fucking difference in traffic at all

That's because car drivers know you're not worth worrying about.

[Oscar]

That's because car drivers know you're not worth worrying about.

It's probably because the poor bastids are all deaf from lane splitting motorcyclists with loud feckin' pipes...

[slofox]

After riding my SVS with a Two Bros can on it and then switching to the current vixen with stock exhaust, I have realised that a quiet ride is quite nice - I can hear myself think for a change. AND hear the radar detector headset as well...which is quite advantageous at times...

I did like that Two Bros growl though...:devil2:

[Ocean1]

Jaysus can you lot not learn to check spec's yerselves?

Here, if your pipes don't sound like this then they ain't right:


1. All pipe is to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal or plastic centered around the hole.
2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length - do not use holes of different length than the pipe.
3. The I.D. (inside diameter) of all pipe must not exceed the O.D. (outside diameter) - otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
4. All pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.
5. All pipe should be supplied without rust - this can be more readily applied at the job site. Note to purchasing agents: Some Vendors are now able to supply pre-rusted pipe. If available in your area, this product is recommended as it will save a lot of time on the job site.
6. All pipe over 500ft (153m) in length should have the words "long pipe" clearly painted on each end, so the Contractor will know it is a long pipe.
7. Pipe over 2 miles (3.2km) in length must have the words "long pipe" painted in the middle, so the Contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether or not it is a long pipe.
8. All pipe over 6" (152mm) in diameter must have the words "large pipe" painted on it, so the Contractor will not mistake it for small pipe.
9. Flanges must be supplied on all pipe. Flanges must have holes for bolts quite separate from the big hole in the middle.
10. All elbows 90 degrees, 45 degrees or 30 degrees will be clearly marked right hand or left hand to insure installers will not end up going the wrong way.
11. All pipe will be supplied in three versions: level, uphill or downhill pipe . Note to purchasing agents. Take care to specify when ordering. If downhill pipe is use for going uphill or uphill pipe for going downhill, the water will flow the wrong way.
12. All couplings should have either right hand or left hand thread, but do not mix the threads - otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on one pipe, it is unscrewed from the other.
13. All pipe has to have identifying labels stating the name of the manufacturer, type, model, dimension and regulatory approval seal painted or embossed on the outside in a size that is easily read without magnification or instrumentation, for the entire length of the pipe. No labels shall be applied to the inside (hole side) of the pipe.

[Blackshear]

MY BIKE IS LOUD
Because.. Uh.
I'M IMPORTANT AND NEED ATTENTION!

Om nom nom micron.

[marty]

There is no good reason to have loud pipes.

Exactly why one should have loud pipes.

Yoshi Rs3's on a TL1000 or RSVR are my pick. Who gives a fuck who can hear them or not - they just sound fucking COOL.

Someone on SH1B at Cambridge this morning was winding their big V-twin out (heading north I think) - their loud pipes at 10000rpm were certainly making my morning ! :scooter:

[DEATH_INC.]

My 4wd is louder than my bike :)
There's 2 things I've learnt about pipes on bikes, 1; a ZX12 with the stock muffler is an accident waiting to happen, every f*cker pulls out on you, and 2; louder pipes mean the F*ckers have more time to line you up better.

Seriously though, I had way more cages pull out on me with the stock pipe than when I put the Kerker on it. Say what you want, from my personal experience it works. Same bike/gear roads etc, just a louder pipe.

[Shadows]

That's always something I've been interested in to as traveling hundreds of thousands on kilometres in company vehicles and being passed by bikes hundreds of time has shown me that loud pipes do fuck all as it's not until the bike is alongside that you'll hear them

At least then it stops the fuckers changing lanes into you, if nothing else.

[AllanB]

I don't really care. I do not like stupidly loud bikes however I do think it is a shame that a new Triumph Bonnie sounds like a sparrow farting and most new IL4's sound like a jacket zipped being pulled up quickly.

Thumbs up to Suzuki for the stock note on a 109R and Ducati for most of their bikes.

Surely a bit of sound is socially acceptable. Bloody tree-huggers.

[Ocean1]

The XB12R had a factory race system on it, it wasn't actually quite legal but an awfull lot less obnoxious than some standarg HDs, (let alone most of the aftermarket ones).

Thing is, unlike some machines I could dial up whatever noise I wanted, at any time I wanted, just like any other control variable. Admittedly I couldn't shut it down to 0 dba but in no way could anyone bitch about it at low revs with just a hint of throttle.

OTOH, I could make anyone within a hundred metres aware thay they were sharing the road with something else any time I wanted. And that in a sound anyone with any history in motorsport could appreciate.