Hummm, Ive been a member of this group for 6 months or so, and this
is the first time ive felt the need to reply.
Load pipes do save lives, but at what cost. Lets take a close look.
Yes, If a driver isnt looking, and he hears you before you pass,
that is good. But If your doing 60, your pipes would have to be over
90 dbs, which is very loud, considering an electronic siren off a
fire truck or ambulance is only 120 dbs. And at 70 mph, a siren
cannot be heard until the truck has almost passed the passenger
vehicle, and with sound proofing on vehicles, it is getting harder
for drivers the hear emergency vehicles, much less us.
So, that means we must be talking about making enough noise to be
heard on a city street, and with that in mind, we must also not be
so loud as to disturb the locals. Therefore, and 25-45 mph, and
aftermarket vance and hines, or bub pipes with baffels will do,
since they are 30-50 dbs. Also, if you are that concerned with
safty, and not just trying to look bad, modulating headlights and
driving lights are good safety features to have as well. I use a
combination of all 3 on my bikes.
Now, I have had pipes save my life on an occasion or two, I have
also had them scare some old foggies and amost cause a wreck.
Ok, before some of ya start bashing me, here is a little background.
I have responded to well over 150 motorcycle vs car accidents, and I
always hear, "i didn see him, or hear him"
I also have been riding 17 years, have over 1 million road miles,
and have ridin and owned over 30 differents bikes in that time, from
crotch rockets, goldwings, harleys and standards, so I do have a
little experiance here.
Thanks for reading my rant and letting me get it off my chest, be
safe and keep the rubber side down.
BJ