Topic: loud pipes or horns...both

[77cafe750]

i have other safety gear full armored ican jacket hjc helmet and armored gloves and boots so yea not everone with louds pipes is ignorant of other safety issues and my horn works

[SohRon]

My wife is convinced that the louder the pipes the smaller the... er...  package! She bases this on the fact that my pipes are nearly inaudible (snif!)... 

Really, loud pipes do nothing but annoy everyone around you. At highway speeds you can't hear them until they're right beside you, and then it's too late. A good, loud horn is audible whenever it's activated, and your neighbors won't hate you when you tool in at 3AM.

A good horn, defensive driving and common sense are all that's needed. Loud pipes just allow the driver to imagine he's a man...   

[MCRider]

I hear justification for loud pipes for selfish and questionable reasons. I don't hear any justification for the violation of the rights of others to a reasonable level of noise. A noise level which has been recognized by society and codified into law.

I'm not saying the occasional fracture of a law is not to be tolerated. I'm saying that law has established the right. Loud pipes are not an occasional fracture, but a willful and conscious act against others, before you even turn the key.

If one doesn't feel comfortable operating a motor vehicle without spitting in the ears of innocent people, perhaps that one should stay home.

[77cafe750]

why is when people talk about harleys it is ok to have loud pipes but on any inline for it is overbearing and annoying just becasue i run loud pipes doesnt mean i cant ride

[Gordon]

why is when people talk about harleys it is ok to have loud pipes but on any inline for it is overbearing and annoying just becasue i run loud pipes doesnt mean i cant ride

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see anyone here saying it's okay for Harleys to have loud pipes but not a sohc4.  Anytime you make a choice that negatively affects other people, whether it has to do with bikes or not, you're going to catch flak for it, and rightfully so.  If you don't like it then don't do it.

[77cafe750]

wasnt talking about hear just he genral public sevral times while riding with a group of bikes people have no problem with my friens sporty and drag pipes but do have an issue with the sound of my 4-1 i always get flak for my pipes i am used to it 

[andy750]

Excessively loud pipes on any motorcycle is obnoxious and if you think its going to save your life then you are seriously kidding yourself. What it will do is make everyone around you, or those that you pass on the highway or on the street, think you are a complete wanker for ruining the peace and quiet. It will annoy and irritate them. Its like a little kid who no one pays attention to unless they make a noise - "look at me, look at me"....

Not only that you ruin it for the rest of the motorcycle community by giving a bad impression that all motorcycles are loud and should be further regulated (recent by laws in Maine and New Hampshire have been passed to combat loud pipes...whats next? All bikes must have ABS?).

 Selfish, obnoxious, and sound stupid...all noise and no power 

[plug1]

The most vulnerable bike is the one that's not seen or heard. Therefore we should all paint our bikes construction zone orange and run open headers. Also richen your carbs so the bike smokes like a chimney. Seen, heard, and smelled. Now that's safety.

[sangyo soichiro]

The most vulnerable bike is the one that's not seen or heard. Therefore we should all paint our bikes construction zone orange and run open headers. Also richen your carbs so the bike smokes like a chimney. Seen, heard, and smelled. Now that's safety.

Eat beans too.  And put on those deer whistles that don't work.  And ride Uri Geller pillion to ESP the other traffic.
 

[333]

The only thing loud pipes do is kill your hearing.

[flybox1]

loud machine guns get peoples attention too  

[TwoTired]

The most vulnerable bike is the one that's not seen or heard. Therefore we should all paint our bikes construction zone orange and run open headers. Also richen your carbs so the bike smokes like a chimney. Seen, heard, and smelled. Now that's safety.

...And begging for legislation and enforcement against such practice.

[JAG]

I have personally tried loud pipes and a loud horn and both combined..

Nothing works, except for good defensive driving.

When people hear you blip the throttle they just change lanes faster, cause they think you are speegin up..

When you see a car pull out in front of you from a side street and you lay on the horn, they usually slam on the brakes in the middle of the road, because they never saw you from the get-go, so therefore all they hear is noise, and slam on the brakes, which is worse. Then you are asking for a T-Bone!!

These are all personal experiences that happen a lot to me. All I know to do about it is stay out of the city and enjoy the country roads, where this is all less likely to happen..

Or do like me and drive slow, and stay defensive while in the horrible traffic light to traffic light city..

.05 cents worth.


I pray for safety for us all!

[famoussas1]

I think adding a nice 4 into 1 with a baffle which is louder than my stock (im sure) is not more for saving me more than maybe someone hearing me a second sooner and maybe making them a bit more aware of where I am in the lane next to them, in front of them, etc...  I am not fabricating some super loud exhaust that is gonna be so loud i piss off the public, just something more than my stock. of course im buying a horn, and hopefully that will help me out so my gloves, helmet, etc doesnt have to save my butt someday, but they are present so if need be I am protected.   I do not think one more loud bike on the road is going to piss off more people or give negative characteristics towards the bike community...that has already been established by all the super loud harleys, crotch rockets that rumble and scream down the road.  ( I got a ticket once for having a loud muffler on a 1985 toyota corolla!! prob. not as loud as the 1400cc+ harley dyna with ripsaw exhaust or whatever theyre called) my buddy has one and i know for a fact my 550 will never be that loud.

wasnt trying to start any arguments here, just #$%*ty that people in cars, on cell phones, texting, doing their makeup cant open their damn eyes when they change lanes, it was far from an accident, but it pisses me off that people drive and dont pay attention...i guess ignorance is bliss.

[TwoTired]

I think adding a nice 4 into 1 with a baffle which is louder than my stock (im sure) is not more for saving me more than maybe someone hearing me a second sooner and maybe making them a bit more aware of where I am in the lane next to them, in front of them, etc... 

And I think/know your are wrong.  Maybe works both ways.

I am not fabricating some super loud exhaust that is gonna be so loud i piss off the public, just something more than my stock.

The stock bike couldn't be imported unless they met sound level requirements, designed to NOT piss off the public.
Your louder than stock exhaust most certainly will piss someone off.  That someone my be or may have influence on a legislator.  And then we are all affected.

 I do not think one more loud bike on the road is going to piss off more people or give negative characteristics towards the bike community...that has already been established by all the super loud harleys, crotch rockets that rumble and scream down the road. 

And you are adding to that rancor.  Ever heard of the additional straw that breaks the camel's back?  Just what percentage of bikes which are too loud will trigger a public reaction?
And how does someone else breaking the law justify you doing the same?   I hope you don't feel the same way about murder?

wasnt trying to start any arguments here, just #$%*ty that people in cars, on cell phones, texting, doing their makeup cant open their damn eyes when they change lanes, it was far from an accident, but it pisses me off that people drive and dont pay attention...

Pretty much agree that people breaking laws and not making driving their number one priority while operating a vehicle are despicable.
It is precisely that that makes defensive driving so important.

Cheers,

[cameron]

I am really happy to hear the response in this thread.

I too have always been annoyed by guys with super loud pipes. I think it makes us all look bad.

Even if it does get cars attention (which I am not convinced of), and even if it did save lives (which I doubt), it makes life worse for all the pedestrians and normal people on their porches who aren't trying to kill anyone.

If you are that afraid of cars.. take the bus.

[77cafe750]

i run a mac 4-1 with a homebuilt baffle i woudnt call it excessive but it is loud

[famoussas1]

well until every bike all of a sudden becomes quiet, stock, and are not loud anymore, i will join the club.  i am talking about exhaust not murder.  if we're talking about murder then im on the wrong board. 

im not trying to piss people off, but i choose to ride a motorcycle because i have the right. i dont get pissed at the loud harley or loud pickup truck or loud mustang, if people are buying these aftermarket products they are for the most part street legal and im not the only one.

next time ill just shut up and not post anything.

[Frankenkit]

I was out riding with MickeyX Saturday and some numbnuts drove right out in front of me to take a left, cell phone firmly planted on one side of his head.  He was looking RIGHT AT ME when he did it.  MX was warning me about his actions but because I'd already seen him, I was already on my brakes and was able to come to a full stop before the moron crossed the road in front of me (across three lanes of traffic that all had to slam on the brakes for him), while he just looked dumb and lost, still on his damn phone, more worried about directions than the cars around him.

That was one of those situations where I could have been as loud/neon/etc as I wanted, hell I could have been in a CAR, and had I not been paying attention, he would have creamed me.

I believe there may be some truth to the pipes thing.  The driver who is looking around in his mirrors etc saying "Where the EFF is that OBNOXIOUS F*CKING bike?!" is actually *looking* for the bike.  whether or not he's going to intentionally be a dick and road-rage said biker is anyone's guess.  

Horns only work when you remember where they are and how to use them.  Panic = and rudimentary driving/riding skills to stay upright and safe.  FWIW, horns don't seem that worthwhile unless the moron ahead of you is too busy on their phone to see that the light is green.

I think defensive riding is probably your best bet among the three, but being visible and having a good horn can't hurt.

[750K8 Kev]

I plan on getting Mac 4-1, and I already have the Stebel Nautilus horn. http://www.amazon.com/Stebel-Nautilus-Compact-Motorcycle-Horn/dp/B000NPRTII I have no muffler on right now and it's loud as $hit. I plan on keeping the baffle in w/the Mac.

Does anyone have this horn? and wtf did you put it? I messed around with it a little, but idk where to put it.

[77cafe750]

i also agree with defensive riding paying attention looking around you and so on pipes horn what ever your preference defensive riding and experience will save your hide in more situations then either or both combined i would rather annoy people because then at least they are looking as someone else has said and i don't have to hit a button

[Gordon]

i dont get pissed at the loud harley or loud pickup truck or loud mustang, if people are buying these aftermarket products they are for the most part street legal and im not the only one.

I've read/been involved in dozens and dozens of "loud pipes" discussions, and that's one of the most ridiculous justifications I've ever heard for them. 

So because something doesn't bother you, it shouldn't matter that it bothers a lot of other people? 

And just because you can buy something that's made to be used on your car or motorcycle doesn't mean it's legal to use it on public roads.

But-but lots of other people are doing it, so it's okay if I do it, too!! 

You sound like you're about 17, am I right?   

[Frankenkit]

Gordon, a lot of the loud pipe thing probably depends on where a person lives.  Out in the sticks, I can see it maybe being a boon instead of a PITA (deer etc) but people who live within civilization probably have experienced first-hand the joys of having to get up at 4am for work, only to be awakened at 2am by some a-hole on their loud bike. 

[Terry in Australia]

Of course, because you have a louder bike, it doesn't automatically mean that it was your decision to be obnoxious, I paid a heap of bucks to buy a new Jardine exhausts system for my Triumph Rocket III, and the standard "baffles" that came with it just don't quieten it down at all.

I have to admit, for the first few days I loved the sound of it as the OEM pipes are restrictive to the point of inefficiency, (I gained 15 BHP and 18 foot pounds of torque and a couple more MPG just by installing the Jardine pipes) but as time went by, they started to annoy me.

Luckily, I found a pair of "optional" baffles from Jardine on a US website discounted from 89.95 per pair to 49.95, so I ordered them yesterday. Hopefully, they won't negate the gains I've achieved by installing the Jardine pipes, I don't mind a small compromise so as not to infringe on everyone else's rights, but I don't want to go back to OEM levels of performance. "All show and no go?" No thanks!  

[77cafe750]

i love jardine exhaust but i prefer graves the graves pipes are slightly quieter then jardine in my opinion