Do Loud Pipes Save Lives?

My pipes are loud. When I have a car about to pull right into me, I pull in the clutch and "rack 'em out." The response is predictable, the head snaps, the brake lights blaze and the offending car swerves back into a more reasonable path of travel. It happens every time. I believe I can say with certainty that, in my particular situation, loud pipes have saved my life in numerous instances. I'm also considerate of my neighbors by "idling" in and out of the subdivision as much as possible.

Do loud pipes save lives?
Although it hasn't actually been proven to be true, many bikers believe this is a fact.

The motorcycle officers with the Oakland police department obviously believe it too! They have dumped the toned down stock Harley exhaust pipes and equipped all 45 of their Harley Davidson’s with pipes that put out a roar at 93 decimals, well above the federal standard of 80 decimals. In a statement explaining the department’s decision, Chief Dave Kozicki said, "There's an old motorcycle adage that you are heard before you are seen." I’ll bet those cops are happy campers!

Chief Kozicki also mentioned an incident where a motorcycle officer was struck, while riding a bike with the stock exhausts by a motorist who later claimed he hadn’t heard the officer coming.  For more information, click here.

Ride safe - Loco Logan