Gold Wing Road Riders Association
Dave Hay Assistant National Director
Rider Education-Canada
LOUD PIPES SAVE LIFE, PART DEUX.
I got several e-mails in response to my article on the "loud pipes save lives" article and I will share a few with you.
Hi Dave
As you know, I've ridden both sides of the controversy. Back in the 50s I had a Triumph fitted with racing megaphone pipes. When I unscrewed the baffles, my bike made Harleys sound like the soft purr of a kitten even if they were straight pipes. I was seventeen and didn't know any better. I must agree with you though. Loud pipes no more save lives than fire engine sirens make people pull over. When I rode a Harley, all the baffles were in and it sounded great. When I rode a GL 1200 I admired the soundlessness of the GL1500. Now that I ride a GL 1500, I get nervous around dusk because I think deer won't know I'm coming. When you think about it, the deer don't know what direction the sound is coming from anymore than we know what direction a siren is coming from unless we can spot flashing lights as well. Up until I took a ERC course with GWRRA in 1995 I still thought you should lie your bike down if you expected a collision; actually did a few times. So I can't blame the ones that think they are actually saving lives with loud pipes. They haven't learned that it's a myth. Keep fining them until they learn the truth.
Annoyed
Don Norris
Author of
"Riding With Attitude"
ISBN #0-9737347-0-1
Hello Dave:
I am in full agreement with you about headlight modulators and loud pipes.
When I was the chapter director of BC K, I negotiated a price with Charles of Treestump to supply a quantity of modulators ( both headlight and taillight ) for chapter members at a reduced price. I had approximately 8 - 10 members take advantage of the program and I myself installed head light and taillight modulators on my bike.
When I presented the opportunity to the chapter to take advantage of the group purchase, I only had 1 associate rider disagree with the use of modulators ( guess which brand of bike he rides with the initials of HD) who said they were unsafe and caused needless traffic diversions. This same individual also disagreed with most everything else I did which tells me he is just argumentative. Notice, he is not actually a member and has never offered to hold ANY office within the chapter.
Prior to having them installed, I used to be cut off regularly by motor vehicles who would pull out in front of me, make left turns in front of me, change lanes in front of me and generally cut me off to the point where I had to do numerous emergency braking and lane change procedures. After installing the modulators and when it is turned on ( its useless turned off ), I have NOT been cut off. I have seen many vehicles rolling up to a stop and start through an intersection only to stop dead upon seeing me coming. You can tell they originally had no intention of stopping by the fact that they don't actually come to a dead stop but only slow down going through the intersection or stop sign. The modulator forces them to have to think about stopping. ( The fact that I ride a white bike might make people conclude I am with law enforcement but I'm not and don't pretend to be - I let people form their own conclusion )
I also have an air horn installed in my bike which assists in notifying people of your presence.
I would also recommend liberal use of reflective tape not only on the bike but also on the back and sides of the helmet. ( It now comes in so many colours, its easy to disguise as decorative marking ). I am a firm believer that the more visible you are to traffic, the less likely you will be an accident victim.
Bob Grycaj
chapter director ( ret. ) GWRRA BC K
Dear Dave:
I came across your article on the loud pipes controversy, and I could not agree with your comments more.
As a licensed motorcycle enthusiast of 33 years, and I might add, one with no automobile collisions under his belt in that time, the advice I have always tried to instil on new riders is to ride like you are invisible, always position yourself on the road where if the driver were to change lanes, you would never been in his contact zone, and always try to anticipate the surrounding drivers possible next moves.
Following these 3 rules will keep a rider out of a mess of trouble.
For the riders that feel the need to have an obnoxiously loud motorcycle, I would remind them that the only person that thinks this sounds good, is usually the person that purchases them. Loud pipes do nothing to promote overall public acceptance of the sport, in fact I believe it does the opposite.
I am all in favour of a police crackdown on excessive noise which would also include loud automobiles. In fact, I would be in favour of police seizing such vehicles until the owners could prove they meet acceptable noise levels. If the law were to take this approach, perhaps the folks who think it’s acceptable for them to disturb the peace, while they indulge in their pastimes, would get the picture.
I wonder how many of the pro loud pipes group, would find it acceptable if their neighbour played their stereo at full volume, at anytime during the day or night?
Barry Zukewich
St. Albert, AB
These were representitive of the responses I got, but then I expected to be preaching to the choir here when dealing with Wingers and Educators. Great to hear from all. Please feel free to wite at any time.