Loud Pipes, do they really save Lives?

"Large Pipes, Saves Lives" how many times have you heard this?  How often have you debated whether or not this is true?  I have ridden motorcycles for over 35 years and have always noticed the rumble of the v-twin with aftermarket pipes.  That sound really heightens the senses!  In the latest issue of Baggers, February 2011 (Page 16 "Letters from the Road") many have expressed their opinions on Loud Pipes.

This article will address my reasoning why though I love the sound of the aftermarket pipes, I do not feel they in themselves save lives.  Riders should never get a false sense of security because they have "loud pipes"!  

I started riding a friend's Yamaha 175 Enduro when I was in my teens, moved up to a 1982 Yamaha 750 Maxim, 1984 Honda Goldwing Interstate, 1993 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic, 2000 Harley-Davidson Electric Glide Standard, 2000 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, 2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, 2008 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and currently own a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800.  The only bikes I have ever changed the sound of the exhaust on have been...................................that's correct, the Harley air-cooled v-twins!  Riding a stock exhaust Harley just isn't something I wanted to be part of.  I wanted to live the dream; ride a Harley, wear black leather, have a loud bike and be noticed!  Not once have I ever thought loud pipes save lives!  I just love the way they rumbled!

I became a certified RiderCoach several years ago and continue to teach both the BRC (Basic Rider Course), NRC (New Rider Course Harley-Davidson) and the SRC (Skilled Rider Course Harley-Davidson).  After reading the article in Baggers February 2011 issue I decided it was time to voice my opinion for whatever it's worth.  First off I do not believe pipes of any decibels alone will save lives.  I believe by training your skills and always being on the top-of-your game you will survive.  If you have read other articles that I have written within the RideSmart Blog you will have come across 5=Zero.  The concept of 5=Zero define the five individual choices, you the rider can make to better survive and achieve zero deaths of motorcyclists in Wisconsin and throughout the world.  5=Zero should become a habit to safe riding.  These habits are; ride unimpaired, wear all the gear all the time, get trained and licensed, obey traffic laws and ride within your ability and finally maintain your motorcycle.

Now back to why loud pipes alone will not save your life.  I retired from law enforcement after 25 years and can tell you now that many motorcycle crashes and fatalities come from those that ride bikes with loud aftermarket exhaust systems.  These loud pipes didn't save their lives!  Pipes don't save lives, riders do!  Similar to my article titles, "The Person in the Mirror".  Too many riders want to blame the other person for causing the crash or near crash.  Have these same riders ever looked at themselves to see what they may have done to cause the crash or place them at higher risk of a crash?  I doubt it.  Many crashes are caused by the rider being fatigued, under the influence, riding outside their ability, not obeying traffic laws, not maintaining their motorcycle maintenance and not wearing proper motorcycle specific gear.  

Consider the importance of training your skills.  Statistics show that 80% of all riders never have and never will attend even the basic rider course.  I have heard it from many of my fellow riders, "Why should I attend a class, I've been riding for many years and know all there is"!  Well so have I, and I can always use more practice to better my riding skills.  I want to be the best at the worst time!  If I never train my skills, those same skills will have vanished when I need them the most!  So first and foremost get TRAINED.  If you already have a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license, then attend a Skilled or Experience Rider Course.  If you currently have your temporary motorcycle license, then attend a Basic or New Rider course and get licensed. 

Look your ride over.  When was the last time it was serviced?  I'm talking about more than the typical oil change.  How is the tire pressure or tread depth?  What about brakes?  Do you know what brake system your motorcycle has?  I have asked this question of many riders and some reply, "I don't really know".  Some of the more common systems are; Linked, Standard, Anti-Lock (ABS) and Integrated Brakes.  

Standard Brakes require you to activate the rear and front brakes individually.  If you apply pressure on the rear brake only, that's what you get.  Linked Brakes are tied together in a way that by applying the rear brake pedal allows approximately 30% of the front brake to be actuated. Integrated Brakes work by applying one of the front disc brakes along with the rear brakes when the brake foot pedal is depressed.  By applying the front brake the 2nd disc brake is activated.  Anti-Lock or ABS allows you to maintain steering control in maximum braking by preventing wheel lockup.  ABS has sensors to detect wheel speed and releasing brake pressure momentarily.  ABS has a fatal crash rate of 28% lower than non-ABS systems.  I have ridden Standard, ABS and Linked/ABS motorcycles.  The first motorcycle manufacturer to introduce ABS?  It was BMW in 1988 with the K100, Honda in 1992 with the ST1100, Suzuki in 2007 and Harley-Davidson in 2005 with only the Police model motorcycles.  My opinion is that motorcycles will eventually have ABS as a standard brake system within a year or two.  My Goldwing has both the Linked Brake System and ABS.  Best motorcycle braking practices. 


Consider adding additional lights, LED or a modulating headlight (flashing).  Being seen is the easiest and most often the least expensive safety improvement one can make, other than adding skill training.  Brighter clothing, a white helmet or florescent one instead of the more popular black style.  This year I purchase a florescent orange Harley-Davidson vest that I wear over my black leather jacket.  My goal, SEE ME!  


By now you should understand that besides the loud pipes, clothing, training, personal choices and optional motorcycles accessories will save your life.  Spend money on what can make you a better, safer rider before spending money on those LOUD PIPES! 

Why is it that emergency vehicles have warning devices (sirens) mounted in front of their vehicles?  Tests have shown that by directing the sound to the front serves much greater benefit to alerting others of your presence.  Consider that most motorcycle crashes occur in front of the rider in an area on a clock that can be viewed at between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock.  Since most motorcycle exhaust sound is heard from behind thus not serving any warning in front, why do so many think they save lives?  I am not saying you should go out and install a siren, but what about an aftermarket air horn?  Now if you were to say "loud horns save lives" you are starting to see my point.   


Skills and Training will save your life!  Get trained and keep training your skills.  Once you stop training, your skills will diminish.  After storing your ride, remember to check tire pressure, battery charge, oil, lights, cables and personal gear before starting out.  Once everything has checked out, practice a few quick stops, slow turn maneuvers and friction zone.


As always your comments are welcome!