Why do people ride those big bikes with ridiculously loud noise?

[wdwmom2]

Why do car drivers have to hear the motorcycles coming? Don't the driving rules that other vehicles have to adhere to apply to motorcycles as well or do they have their own set of rules? Aren't they supposed to stay in lanes behind other vehicles, pass the same way by signaling in advance, obey the same traffic regulations, etc?

We have the same rules as everyone else.

I have a good example. I was in my car, not on my motorcycle, at a 2-way stop sign. If it was not for hearing a motorcycle, I would never have known he was coming due to the parked cars along the main street. It is hard enough with oncoming cars, let alone a motorcycle. I personally hate this intersection and usually avoid it. His pipes left me know to wait until he passed. Otherwise, I may have pulled out in front of him.

 

[mom2boys77]

My dad rides a bike and his bike is annoying loud and to add to that he went and installed a nifty radio to it so that everyone gets to hear his music. I cannot stand when he just shows up at my house especially early in the morning blasting that crap. I'm sure my neighbors really love it.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I'd buy into the loud pipes as life savers more if it didn't include many bikers shifting/hand clutching in places like tunnels and under overpasses just to be noisy.

 

[kelly1218]

Why do car drivers have to hear the motorcycles coming? Don't the driving rules that other vehicles have to adhere to apply to motorcycles as well or do they have their own set of rules? Aren't they supposed to stay in lanes behind other vehicles, pass the same way by signaling in advance, obey the same traffic regulations, etc?

Because quite a few people don't feel that motorcyclists have the same rights as a car.

Just the other day, my husband and I were out on the bike.

We were stopped at a red light...and a woman pulled right next to us, so she could go around us. we were both going straight, it's not like she was turning on red or anything. She just figured she had the right of way...and was going first.

We've had people pull out in front of us....and then say 'well, I HAD my turn signal on...YOU are supposed to slow down...you are on the motorcycle'.

Really?

So yes...loud pipes save lives, because if it annoys you....then that means you are looking out for it....and you can't say you didn't know we were there.

(our bike isn't modified by the way)

 

[kelly1218]

You are kidding right?!

doesn't that stereotype fit both of us?

 

[Mermaid02]

So the motorcycle has loud pipes- cars can hear him but he can't hear ANYTHING going on around him. How does that make HIM safer? I don't buy it.

 

[kelly1218]

I can hear more of what's going on around me with louder pipes than I could if I was one of the idiots talking on a cell phone....or listening to really loud music.

Some newer cars advertise how quiet the passenger cabin is.... ummm....that's because it's blocking out the outside sounds. How safe is that? I couldn't hear an Ambulance coming up behind me in one of those cars.

 

[Mermaid02]

I can hear more of what's going on around me with louder pipes than I could if I was one of the idiots talking on a cell phone....or listening to really loud music.

Some newer cars advertise how quiet the passenger cabin is.... ummm....that's because it's blocking out the outside sounds. How safe is that? I couldn't hear an Ambulance coming up behind me in one of those cars.

Come on now- what is the decibal level of those things? Hurts my ears just sitting next to one- can't imagine what it does to your hearing day after day.

 

[kelly1218]

I don't know....never tested it.

Maybe I'll make it a summer project for the kids.

They truly don't sound as loud ON the bike... my husband and I can still have a conversation.

 

[Mermaid02]

I don't know....never tested it.

Maybe I'll make it a summer project for the kids.

They truly don't sound as loud ON the bike... my husband and I can still have a conversation.

That makes no sense. Maybe it's because your hearing is damaged

 

[wdwmom2]

That makes no sense. Maybe it's because your hearing is damaged

It does make sense. The sound is shot out the pipes, which are pointed backward. So the sound travels back the loudest.

 

[kelly1218]

That would be amazing...if my hearing was damaged from the first time I ever rode.

And if my hearing is so damaged..... how would I be able to hear my husband talk?
I can still hear my cell phone when I'm on the back of the bike.

I am pretty sure my hearing is the same as when we first started riding.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I guess those loud pipes make sense when cars are stopped in a traffic jam and the bikes just roar up between the lines of cars. Darn good thing they have those loud pipes so no one hits them. I mean come on, who expects to see anything roaring down the dotted lane markers in stopped traffic??

You know...as I lie in bed at night, trying to watch the late news, with my windows open, I have to wonder why that guy (or girl) on the bike that is roaring down the street in front of my house, thinks their loud pipes are okay with those residents? Really, it's 11pm, I can't hear the tv, inside my house, with my windows open, if a biker with loud exhaust pipes rides by.

By your (previous bike riding posters) rational, those in small sports cars should also have loud pipes because they can't be seen either.

Yes, caution should always be used when driving. But to say that safety is the reason for obnoxiously loud pipes is just absurd. By that rational, you would be saying that those on bikes with loud pipes have a better safey record than those on quiet bikes. Those on quiet bikes are getting picked off by careless car drivers every day it would appear.

When I'm driving a small car, that is harder to see, I take responsibility for my own safety. I make sure I double check before heading into traffic. I make sure that I'm 'seen' before making any moves. That is my responsibility if I choose to drive a less visible vehicle. I would think the same would apply to those on bikes. Or, perhaps you could all get those orange flags on long stems and put them on your bikes....kind of like at ToysRUs. Then you would be seen without disrupting normal life for those around you.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The purpose for the loud pipes is so other motorists can hear them especially since not everyone looks out for motorcycles. Simply put it saves lives.

This. Seriously. They don't need to be obnoxious, but I've ridden all my life, and have ALWAYS had louder than normal exhaust on my bike. It's amazing how much more drivers around you are aware of you when they can hear you, even if they don't see you!

Yep. There are obnoxious bike riders just like there are obnoxious cell phone talkers and obnoxious discussion board users. As someone who often rides on the back of a bike I'd prefer other drivers to know we're out there....and even so, cars still sometimes pull out in front of us.

Why do car drivers have to hear the motorcycles coming? Don't the driving rules that other vehicles have to adhere to apply to motorcycles as well or do they have their own set of rules? Aren't they supposed to stay in lanes behind other vehicles, pass the same way by signaling in advance, obey the same traffic regulations, etc?

The problem is the cars not seeing the bikes--therefore the drivers of the CARS not obeying the same rules that apply to the motorcycles.

doesn't that stereotype fit both of us?

Yeah and it sure fits me!

he same as when we first started riding.

WHAT?


Ok, I'm out of here....I need to go buy a Harley shirt, get a few tattoos, gain a couple hundred pounds, and shed the helmet. Oh, crap, I don't even have a doo-rag! Clearly I will forever be a passenger and never the driver!

 

[Jennasis]

Well, I guess those loud pipes make sense when cars are stopped in a traffic jam and the bikes just roar up between the lines of cars. Darn good thing they have those loud pipes so no one hits them. I mean come on, who expects to see anything roaring down the dotted lane markers in stopped traffic??

You know...as I lie in bed at night, trying to watch the late news, with my windows open, I have to wonder why that guy (or girl) on the bike that is roaring down the street in front of my house, thinks their loud pipes are okay with those residents? Really, it's 11pm, I can't hear the tv, inside my house, with my windows open, if a biker with loud exhaust pipes rides by.

By your (previous bike riding posters) rational, those in small sports cars should also have loud pipes because they can't be seen either.

Yes, caution should always be used when driving. But to say that safety is the reason for obnoxiously loud pipes is just absurd. By that rational, you would be saying that those on bikes with loud pipes have a better safey record than those on quiet bikes. Those on quiet bikes are getting picked off by careless car drivers every day it would appear.

When I'm driving a small car, that is harder to see, I take responsibility for my own safety. I make sure I double check before heading into traffic. I make sure that I'm 'seen' before making any moves. That is my responsibility if I choose to drive a less visible vehicle. I would think the same would apply to those on bikes. Or, perhaps you could all get those orange flags on long stems and put them on your bikes....kind of like at ToysRUs. Then you would be seen without disrupting normal life for those around you.

By the logic here, it would seem those with hybrids are in immense danger, driving around quiet vehicles.

It's all just grasping at straws. I can see and hear a regular motorcycle just as well as any other vehicle on the road. Loud pipes are for showing off.

How about checking out this very illuminating forum for LEO's who are discussing this very subject. Seems they do not agree that "loud pipes save lives". Seems loud pipes cause you to be arrested or ticketed!

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?66082-Loud-motorcycle-pipes

 

[Tigger&Belle]

By your (previous bike riding posters) rational, those in small sports cars should also have loud pipes because they can't be seen either.


When I'm driving a small car, that is harder to see, I take responsibility for my own safety. I make sure I double check before heading into traffic. I make sure that I'm 'seen' before making any moves. That is my responsibility if I choose to drive a less visible vehicle. I would think the same would apply to those on bikes. Or, perhaps you could all get those orange flags on long stems and put them on your bikes....kind of like at ToysRUs. Then you would be seen without disrupting normal life for those around you.

The drivers of those small cars are still surrounded with a layer of steel, which motorcycles do not yet have.

Any decent biker is a very defensive driver, continually watching for road danger, whether it be from other drivers, the road conditions, or "common" items on a road, ie a piece of a blown out tire.

And of course bikers should be courteous and not make excessive noise when it's not necessary.

 

[kelly1218]

Yep. There are obnoxious bike riders just like there are obnoxious cell phone talkers and obnoxious discussion board users. As someone who often rides on the back of a bike I'd prefer other drivers to know we're out there....and even so, cars still sometimes pull out in front of us.




The problem is the cars not seeing the bikes--therefore the drivers of the CARS not obeying the same rules that apply to the motorcycles.



Yeah and it sure fits me!



WHAT?


Ok, I'm out of here....I need to go buy a Harley shirt, get a few tattoos, gain a couple hundred pounds, and shed the helmet. Oh, crap, I don't even have a doo-rag! Clearly I will forever be a passenger and never the driver!

I have the tshirt and tattoo..... guess I have the weight though, since a coworker called me fat last night.


oh...and bite me

 

[taximomfor4]

I'd buy into the loud pipes as life savers more if it didn't include many bikers shifting/hand clutching in places like tunnels and under overpasses just to be noisy.

Well, and except for the fact that the sound is washed BEHIND the bike. Both by the direction the pipes send the sound, and by the wind. If the bike were going in reverse at driving speed, the sound would wash in front of the bike. FACT: forward motion throws sound behind you.

 

[kelly1218]

The drivers of those small cars are still surrounded with a layer of steel, which motorcycles do not yet have.

Any decent biker is a very defensive driver, continually watching for road danger, whether it be from other drivers, the road conditions, or "common" items on a road, ie a piece of a blown out tire.

And of course bikers should be courteous and not make excessive noise when it's not necessary.

I will be the first to say that not ALL bikers are courteous...there are idiots out there on bikes. Not all bikers with loud pipes ride around late at night...or cause more noise through tunnels...or quiet neighborhoods.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I will be the first to say that not ALL bikers are courteous...there are idiots out there on bikes. Not all bikers with loud pipes ride around late at night...or cause more noise through tunnels...or quiet neighborhoods.

Just like not all internet posters are courteous. Seriously, there are rude people of all kinds. My neighbor reluctantly talked to me recently....asked me if I'd talk to my friend and have her be quieter when she drives through the neighborhood late at night. My neighbor was very polite, saying that her brother and dad ride and that she understands how noisy bikes are. I felt bad, apologized for my friend and my friend in turn felt bad. It was a good reminder for her and when she sees my neighbor she will personally apologize...and she'll probably offer a bike ride to my neighbor. I'd like to think that all situations could be handled this respectfully, but of course not all riders and "listeners" are this calm, cool, and collected.