"A shark on whiskey is mighty risky, but a shark on beer is a beer engineer" - Tad Ghostal
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
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
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.
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.
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