Comments on: Opinion: Good Bikes, Loud Pipes

By: wheelx2

wheelx2 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:18:25 +0000

You are right people don’t hear you coming from behind, but they do when you are next to them, in their blind spots. My loud pipe tells them I’m right next to their big SUVs, don’t cut me off until I pass.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:59:25 +0000

I agree with the post. Loud pipes rationalized as a safety precaution is BS…the inattentive drivers have their stereos on / cell phones in their ear anyway, and the dangerous ones don’t care anyway.
I don’t think it’s a matter of “tip-toeing” around the general public either, it’s a matter of not being a jerk! Not to mention that you’re spending money on something that usually pollutes more (noise is a form of pollution too, but that’s not what I’m referring to here), gives you nearly NO performance benefit, and annoys the heck out of your neighbors.
I live in Brooklyn, and yes, I hear bar noises and garbage trucks and diesel delivery trucks…but by far the most annoying sound coming through my window is the idiot that lives on the next block who rides a harley with aftermarket pipes. He annoys the piss out of me…and I ride a motorcycle too!

By: Sanka

Sanka — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:02:47 +0000

There was a time not too long ago that I would agree with you whole heartedly. Stock pipes are the way to go. Polite, indiscrete commuting is the right way.
But more and more I am starting to notice that you could tip toe around the general public and they would still dislike motorcycles. yes, I used to be the polite person, with a quiet bike and bright clothing, but in general city riding will force to realize that if your going to ride a motorcycles-people will hate you even when you do things right. It is always your fault.
Respectfully, the whole I’m sleeping at night or its early in the morning is an excellent argument if you live in Nassau county, but it goes out the window if you choose to live in NYC. Its akin to people who live downtown and then complain about the late night bar noises. ( I live by the GWB-All I hear is harleys echoing all day-so i understand)