I've been thinking about changing out the stock pipes on my Vulcan 900 for safety reasons. While I do think the aftermarket pipes sound cool, I'm one of those guys concerned about the noise (neighbors, getting sick of the drone on long trips, etc.) The main rationale I have for pipes is safety, which we hear mentioned all the time.
Is the safety argument valid?
A truck driver (18-wheeler) told me the other day that he doesn't hear motorcycles (with or without loud pipes) until they're just outside his window. He happens to have a motorcycle, too, so he certainly had no axe to grind against bikers. His point seemed to be that the argument that loud pipes enhance safety is overstated.
This article (Most Common Motorcycle Myths Debunked: Part 1 - autoevolution) argues that because most of the sound created by loud pipes is behind the bike, the safety rationale is largely a myth.
I'm still gathering information. If there isn't much safety benefit, the argument for dropping $500 on pipes goes way down for me. I realize that many like the sound, but that factor isn't enough for me.
Anyone have alternative thoughts/views/data on the safety argument?
Cheers,
Dan
Is the safety argument valid?
A truck driver (18-wheeler) told me the other day that he doesn't hear motorcycles (with or without loud pipes) until they're just outside his window. He happens to have a motorcycle, too, so he certainly had no axe to grind against bikers. His point seemed to be that the argument that loud pipes enhance safety is overstated.
This article (Most Common Motorcycle Myths Debunked: Part 1 - autoevolution) argues that because most of the sound created by loud pipes is behind the bike, the safety rationale is largely a myth.
I'm still gathering information. If there isn't much safety benefit, the argument for dropping $500 on pipes goes way down for me. I realize that many like the sound, but that factor isn't enough for me.
Anyone have alternative thoughts/views/data on the safety argument?
Cheers,
Dan