Friday, October 18, 2019

Loud Pipes Save Lives – What truth does that statement hold?






Motorcycle riders often say, "Loud pipes save lives."

Are they saying the sound of an unmuffled or modified motorcycle exhaust is going to make the driving public pay attention? More people who drive automobiles are driving in a state of inattention than in the past (pre-cellphones).

Distracted drivers who are texting, talking on the cell, or just plain not paying attention, will suddenly snap to at the sound of loud motorcycle exhaust.

That in itself is going to prevent an accident? The roar of a loud motorcycle could cause a driver to jerk the wheel and run over the biker. Okay, there may have been occasions where the roar of loud pipes alerted an unsuspecting driver, and an accident did not occur.
Really, how many times do you think that does occur?

Not enough to make it a traffic law. More than likely, the loud pipes directed other drivers' attention to the location of the motorcycle. Consider the sound a motorcycle's exhaust is emitting from the tailpipe at the rear of the machine.

Whether or not you have modified your exhaust, other drivers will see you wearing your Motorcycle Armor Leather Jackets.

A Physics Lesson

Sound travels at what speed?

In ideal conditions, at sea level, 70 degrees F (21C), atmospheric conditions normal, the speed of sound is 770 mph (1238km/h). Altitude, temperature, and terrain will alter the speed of sound, but that is something to reference.

Now consider the Doppler effect of sound:

"As a motorcycle speeds forward, the frequency (and pitch) of the sound waves in front of the bike becomes higher, and the frequency (and pitch) of the sound waves behind it."

How easy is it for a driver in a car to hear the exhaust sound when the driver is about 60 feet ahead of the sound?
No brainer, right?

You will not create the Doppler Effect when drivers see you wearing Men Motorcycle Leather Racing Jackets.

Why Aren’t The Loud Pipe Enforced?

All the traffic on the street is waiting at a red traffic light, and a big bike rolls up and revs the pipes several times. Annoying isn’t it, but, you know where the motorcycle is, don’t you?

Most replaced or modified motorcycle exhaust systems are emitting decibels that are illegal. Somewhere around 70% of motorcycle owners replace or modify their factory-installed exhaust systems.

They want to be heard, and that is a noise hazard for others on the road as well as the neighborhoods they ride through.

Here is a quote from a state’s definition of muffler requirements:

(a)  Every motor vehicle shall, at all times, be equipped with a factory-installed muffler or one duplicating factory specifications, in good working order and in constant operation, to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke.

There is no mention of the decibel level that is considered legal to avoid a noise complaint. Most states only define the factory-installed muffler requirements, not the noise level.
The decibel level enforcement is often left up to the local jurisdictions. There must first be a complaint describing the annoyance level of the noise to enforce noise violations.
You will undoubtedly sound off fashionably while riding wearing your Men Leather Motorcycle Pants.

The Tail Pipe

It is not that loud pipes save lives, in some rare occasions they might, the real secret to survival is to be seen and using the bike's horn. Some horns are not up to the task; there are modified horns on the aftermarket that will work very well.

The other riding defense is to ride as though the other driver does not see you. Your safety on the highway while operating a motorcycle is mostly your responsibility, not that of the other driver.
Wicked Stock has all the riding accessories, gear, and apparel you will ever need to ride a motorcycle, log on, and see what we have.

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