Thoughts around Loud Pipes

[8BallHammer]

When i was a young kid, my dad had an old Triumph Bonne,and an old Norton Commando. At the time my Dad's bike was the fastest in town(1100). My uncle had an old BSA, and the neighbor had an old kicker Harley,they use to wear theirselves out taking turns kicking that old Harley.Once they got IT started they would jump on their bikes and ride for what was the dream life, they all rode different bikes, and RESPECTED every one.

[Tims_04V92TC]

well I have thought and heard the pros/cons for some time even back in my dirt days. Not that loud pipes saved lives there but the complaints from the neighbors. Even the cage days and my trucks that were "somewhat" loud..
Riding with a bunch of Goldwingers this topic gets beat to death and it comes down to having performance pipes (that are somewhat loud) because my bike sounds appropiate for it's engine, style, looks and how I like to ride it. The TC will let you know its there a couple car lengths back and when I drilled the baffels on the VV, my winger buddies immediately jumped on the "loud doesnt save lives" wagon again with me.

I have had a speeder come flying up my right or left side that I NEVER heard and didnt see until they were passing me both in the cage and on the bike so I don't see how QUIET (said loudly) is better than loud but even if it was loud, as fast as they were going I wouldnt have heard them.

I have been hit once, a broad side clip from an idiot driver running a stop sign across 3 lanes of traffic. Loud nor horn was going to stop him. Evasive riding and being prepared kept me on two wheels through the collision but barely. I have found (since I returned to riding even more so) that I can use the pipes to help alert a driver as a courtesy or the beep beep of the horn with intent to say "I am HERE" but a combination of alert riding, use of my bikes accesory's (horn, pipes, lighting) and common sense knowing I won't win when they decide to PUSH me out of my lane to get their way, pays off.

So, my vote is build your bike how it suits you. Mine sounds the way they do because they're friggin bad ass and I like it. Be respectful to others both riding and with sound (I like the intersection comment) and ride defensively ENJOYING our machines!

Safe ridin all

Tim