Mr. Warlock,
One cannot "respectfully disagree" with someone and then dis them.
BTW, that's what forums are for: no, not dissing, to learn. If we did not have differing thoughts and opinions, what would we learn? I assume you admit the CARB fine assessed against V&H and CA Vehicle Code 27202.1 (they are the law, after all) and limit your disagreement to your position on loud pipes.
If, "loud pipes save lives," why are not all those sport bike, Honda, BMW, etc. riders already dead?
For reference, I have the 2" Fullsac cores with HD packing. I went this rout because it works, is cost effective and I knew that then CA SB 435 would become law. My SERG is louder than stock but not so loud that on the Ventura (101) or San Diego (405) Freeways which I ride frequently that anyone is going to move out of my way or that I get stopped by the PD. Both are difficult rides, especially with the 405 construction. My experience is that by placing myself in a driver's line of sight (in the driver's mirrors) most move to let me pass. This has improved with my LED headlights. Twice in years past while riding my Titan which I admit is obnoxiously loud (S&S 112" & Thunderheader) I've had drivers change lanes into me where I had to rap their passenger side window with my fist. So, I do understand your frustration but an after market horn such as a Mini Blaster would do a far better job than loud pipes. BTW, the Thunderheader is well-named.
I have not had the problem in years; hopefully because I am a better rider.
A multitude of studies show that loud pipes not only do
not save lives but that the concept is a myth. Here is but one analysis in Autoevolution.com:
Most Common Motorcycle Myths Debunked. One excerpt:
Motorcycle exhausts openings are facing towards the rear of the bike, and it's obviously to the back where the gases and all the noise are directed. Assuming that the noise a motorcycle makes travels in an omnidirectional manner is just wrong, because noise is air (or other gases, for what's worth) in movement. With the air/ gas jest directed towards the rear of the bike, it's there where all the noise goes. And if you don't believe this, just 'start your engine in the open and then check the noise levels when facing the bike and behind it, alternatively.
When riding at higher speeds, things are even worse, because you're not only remaining close to the place where all the exhaust gases start to make noise hitting the mass of air, but you're traveling further from that zone as you advance on the road.
Now, having established that pipes generate a lot more noise behind the bike than in front of it, claiming that loud(er) pipes would help getting you noticed by the man driving the car in front sounds just silly. A loud exhaust pipe could come in handy when splitting the lanes at low speed, letting the drivers in front of you know “something is approaching” and maybe preventing them from cutting you off or opening the doors. Analyzing the crash reports, statistics indicate that around 77% of the hazards come in front of the biker, and only 3% approach from behind. What's next, front-facing exhausts? This excerpt may save some lives:
Finally, it's the simple fact that a louder pipe is by no means a proactive or primary safety measure, but a secondary one. Again, learning how to ride well (throttle, turn, brake and so on) and keeping a close eye to the traffic around you are essential to making it home safely.
The first rule of avoiding a crash is not placing yourself in a critical traffic situation, and this means riding carefully and being able to detect the potential hazards early. It's always easier to avoid a nasty situation than to find a safe exit from one.How many times have you heard about the public upset at loud pipes, especially when they use them to frighten them? Pissing off the public will only lead to more anti-motorcycle laws! Consider this recent article in Forbes,
Deafened by Hogs: Motorcycle Noise and the Environment. The public thinks loud motorcycle riders are obnoxious idiots fueling activist organizations such as NoiseOff and Noise Free America campaigning for more laws and more enforcement. The great majority of Legislators and voters do not ride and many are biased against bikes. So, loud pipes are self-defeating.
So here's the soapbox
Loud pipes are a bad idea. They do nothing for your safety, give a false sense of security, and annoy the people around you, negatively affecting the public perception of motorcyclists. If you're concerned about safety, take a rider training course, get a louder horn and a set of bright, reflective protective gear, and don't propagate the "loud pipes save lives" myth.
GK
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Topic: 2013 Exhaust recommendations - Loudness and Performance? (Read 20917 times)