Deadly Dozen, the motorcycle safety myths and urban legends.

[bigm3657]

i have to agree with the post about deer and loud bikes. when riding alone deer will always panic and dance and most of the time cut accross me making me panic stop. but riding with my buddy with a loud pipe, ive notice when we pass deer, they run back into the woods without thinking twice. i run stock pipes, friends say they cant even hear me coming down the street till i am basicly in front of them on my gsxr. i dont have an issue with loud pipes though. my feeling is if u want to run them, run em. i love waiting and hearing a nice set of pipes ride by.

[TFee3]

I have a C90T with stock pipes and live in a deer infested area. I, too, find that the deer aren't afraid of my bike and just stand and look at me, or even worse, run out in front of me. But, rather than spend almost $800 for a new set of pipes that may or may not deter deer and hairbrained drivers, I'm going to spend $80 to $100 for air horns and know everyone knows I'm coming when I don't think they know. I do disagree, however, with those who say all the noise goes out back from loud pipes. I can hear my friend with his new Softtail and loud pipes coming for over a mile when he comes to visit.

I also agree with the rider who said he bought a heavier bike because it's much more stable on the highway. My C90T weighs 695 dry, and I've added some goodies that bring it over 700 pounds. I run down the interstate at 75 mph very comfortably, because the wind doesn't push me all over my lane. I wouldn't want a lighter bike. Admittedly, smaller bikes may be easier to handle at first, but I still contend that it's what you get used to riding, NOT the size of the bike.

Someone mentioned that he dumped his bike twice, and someone else replied that it was evident from his dumping his bike that he bought one too large for his experience. I dumped mine twice, too, but it had nothing to do with size. It was the first twin I've had, and I didn't realize they're touchy at low speeds. I let the clutch out both times below idle speed in a turn, the engine bucked, and I went down.

Not wanting to be rude, but I don't know anything about the man who posted these myths, and until I check his credentials, I'll stick to my opinion that there's no substitute for common sense, and if a rider has none, he's likely to get killed no matter what he rides. Size and horsepower has nothing to do with anything if a fool gets on a bike.

[JmalB]

And you would hear it better if he was leaving from a mile away. Its just physics. But your position also doesn't factor in inclosed, sound proofed, radio blaring/cell phone talking cages.

[TFee3]

Your point is well taken, and I agree with you. It's sad that people don't pay attention while they're in their deadly missiles going down the road.

[jgreth]

Originally Posted by TFee3

I dumped mine twice, too, but it had nothing to do with size. It was the first twin I've had, and I didn't realize they're touchy at low speeds. I let the clutch out both times below idle speed in a turn, the engine bucked, and I went down.

I'm sure you've also learned since then that you don't ever engage the clutch during a turn. I am ALWAYS in gear on turns, I do all of my downshifting/braking prior to entering a turn and then re-engage the clutch before starting the lean. It also gives the tires a bit more grip when you are accelerating ( even the slightest acceleration ) through a turn versus slowing down by holding the clutch in or even letting the bike slow down in gear.

( if you HAVE learned these things, then I'm merely posting this for the general good, not for yours No offense intended!! )

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by TFee3

Not wanting to be rude, but I don't know anything about the man who posted these myths, and until I check his credentials, I'll stick to my opinion that there's no substitute for common sense, and if a rider has none, he's likely to get killed no matter what he rides. Size and horsepower has nothing to do with anything if a fool gets on a bike.

A Dozen Deadly Motorcycle Safety Myths - Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine

[buster]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Yes, it's illegal. In most of Europe, I believe. In Germany and Switzerland it is certainly illegal.

Lane Splitting, known as Filtering within the UK is legal, in fact The Police Rider's Handbook, gives a list of observations for conduct.

Unfortunately most cagers over here are not that conversant with the highway code..

[JmalB]

Their ignorance of the lane splitting laws in California got a couple radio DJs in trouble.

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by JmalB

Their ignorance of the lane splitting laws in California got a couple radio DJs in trouble.

CHP -- Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions



Here is the part some riders miss!!!

Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

[Clint]

Of course, that could be applied to riding in general.

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by Uncle B

CHP -- Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions



Here is the part some riders miss!!!

Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

The DJs got in trouble because they didn't know lane splitting was legal and were advocating door opening type violence from other motorists. Speed of rider wasn't the issue.

[RideTrainer]

How much is your head worth?

[Clint]

Are you suggesting that mine's only worth $350?

[JmalB]

Means mines only worth $100 on some days, and $289 on others.

[SuzukiBD]

A comment regarding accidentally laying the bike down, I grew up with mini bikes and trail bikes. I rode for about 10 years before getting more into cars and choosing them over motorcycles mostly because I couldn't afford both. (Mind you, that was about 25 years ago....sigh.) There was only one time that I accidentally laid the trail bike down and it was due to carelessness. I was doing circles in a cul-de-sac over and over, intentionally scraping the pegs on the pavement to both challenge myself and out of boredom. I either got too dizzy or hit some small gravel and that did the trick for me. Down I went.

My point is, although I know accidents do happen, I'm going to try and be as careful as can be with my new C50T. I'm going to try and learn it's limits and it's weight and characteristics as gently as possible because I don't want to drop it and/or scratch it anywhere. So maybe getting your dream bike or something close to it will help you to be a more cautious rider and keep you from getting too careless(?) Just a thought to ponder.

[newrider57]

I am new here and a new rider. Despite some of the disagreement and questions regarding validity of some of the comments, I did learn a few things and am grateful for a thread such as this. I now feel better about riding on a 4 lane highway as opposed to a 2 lane road with a lot of entrances and exits. That said, I do not plan to ride until I take the MSF course and practice for at least 6 months. I do want to eventually ride to/from work, but will wait until I feel more comfortable.

[nikopen]

I would say that "louder" pipes help drivers in cars know you're there - not obnoxious loud, but louder than stock. Case in point - I just put Cobra Speedster longs on my Suzuki C90T and did a little experiment. Heading north up I83 in MD up a hill. I was in the left lane, cage was in right. Her window was rolled up and she was on the phone. She was moving about in her lane - distracted by her phone call - I was next to her and rolled on the throttle a bit - she looked over and straightened up her line. I was never a "Loud Pipes Save Lives" t-shirt owner, but they do draw some attention from cages which can save someone a world of hurt. So, between my modulating headlamp (the best way to get the attention of everyone in front of you), modulating brake lamp, reflective tape on my bags and helmet, 135db horn, and my two flags on the back of my bike (I think the flutter of the flags catches the eyes of drivers also) and my pipes; I think I'm doing pretty good at getting the attention of drivers around me. Next month I'm installing LEDs - which are now legal to ride with in Maryland. I'd put a strobe on my bike if it was legal.. or maybe on top of my helmet!!!

Yes the majority of the sound is projected to the rear of the bike - which reminds the cage behind you of what's in front of them. Anything that draws attention to you on the road, within reasonable limits, should not be overlooked or scoffed at.

Be safe out there.

-Whiskers.

Originally Posted by Uncle B

Here is a list of = Deadly Dozen, the motorcycle safety myths and urban legends.
Will add one each day after any comments if there are any.
Myth 1: Loud Pipes Save Lives

Yeah, there are a few situations—like where you are right next to a driver with his window down who is about the to change lanes—where full-time noise-makers might help a driver notice you, but all that noise directed rearward doesn't do much in the most common and much more dangerous conflict where a car turns in front of you. Maybe it's the fatigue caused by the noise, maybe it's the attitudes of riders who insist on making annoying noise, or perhaps loud bikes annoy enough drivers to make them aggressive. Whatever the reason, the research shows that bikes with modified exhaust systems crash more frequently than those with stock pipes. If you really want to save lives, turn to a loud jacket or a bright helmet color, which have been proven to do the job. Or install a louder horn. Otherwise, just shut up!!!

[Nal]

Originally Posted by 919Hooligan

I see what you're saying, and I agree.
I should clarify: earsplittingly loud, basically unbaffled pipes are bad. If your pipes are so loud that when you get next to someone they cringe and it freaks them out, causing them to brake or swerve out of panic, then you are out of line.
But make my bike loud enough that you can hear me coming. I want you to know that I am here, and not because it makes me feel cool. That's just an added bonus.

I agree, I believe in the loud"er" pipes save lives saying to a point, there's loud pipes and there's annoyingly loud pipes, being in the military I have to wear contrasting color/reflective gear so that part is covered, on base (off base too, but ), anyways, I got off work one morning, it was a little cloudy so no sun was impeding visibility, I was wearing an Icon orange vest, I had a red/black shadow aero 750 back then, I stopped at a red light, this lady pulls up behing me about a half cars lenght, I'm keeping an eye on everything around me incluiding her (she was cute), then as soon as the light turns green I start to release the clutch, and my bike feels like I stalled it, and I was sitting in the middle of the intersection, and in my mind, I'm thinking there's no way this bike has the power to launch forward about 10+ feet from a stall, + the bike's still running, so I look back and the pretty lady is taking her seat belt off, and can you believe that she told me she forgot I was in front of her?, that was like a kick in the balls , I guess she saw my face change from it's ok, nodody's hurt to I'm going to kill you, cause then she started to freak a little and me being the nice guy I am felt sorry, and told her it was ok as long as she had insurance. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, if my bike would've been louder, she most likely wouldn't have rammed me after being behind me for more than 10 seconds, so that was my excuse to the wife for chopping off the muffler and keeping straight pipes, but they were not annoying, since I never come out of the hole or wrapped the throttle like a jack ass. The would actually ask me what kind of pipes they were cause they sounded nice (I got pulled over a couple of times at DUI check points) and I would tell them they where custom , they never gave me grief, I sold it to a friend from work and now the bike is annoyingly loud because he grabs too much throttle pulling out, sorry for the long story but I'm working night shift and I need to stay awake

[buster]

Jardine rumbler 2-1 just loud enough to be heard, especially by pedestrians and stationary vehicles, but not so loud as to annoy.

[Davecm203]

Originally Posted by Nal

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, if my bike would've been louder, she most likely wouldn't have rammed me after being behind me for more than 10 seconds,

She probably had her windows up, radio up, and cell phone on her ear. With you sitting at idle your bike still would not be loud enough for her to hear you. Especially if there is a lot of traffic with other noises.