Why isn't there a law to require all motorcycles to have loud pipes?

Loud pipes save lives - this we know for a fact. So why don't all manufacturers put them on their bikes? Or why doesn't the government require that all motorcycles have loud pipes. I mean, we're already required to wear helmets in many states, why not require loud pipes to further save even more lives? If I had a nickel for every time my loud pipes kept me from getting in an accident, I'd be a rich man. But how awesome would it be if every bike out there had loud pipes, not just all the best bikes like my Harley.

I love my loud pipes ! There should be sensors in cars to let them know bikes are around them or make ut so that there are forcefields to keep cars form hitting them ! there should be laws keeping harley riders from owning a prius !

I prefer my akro exhaust, not too loud, not really quiet...

straight pipes are just soo obnoxious...

Harleys are nothing more than tractors with 2 wheels...

Don't forget that there ARE noise ordinances, and you CAN be pulled over for being too loud...

This is a funny coment.... Loud pipes are only cool on the right bikes. I hate turning around all fast thinking someone is going 100 MPH and there really just cruzing at 40. I like Yoshi Mira pipes on my R1. Not to loud and also helps the performance.

Loud pipes do not save lives, skill and experience save lives.

Good luck and stay vertical

What?
I didn't hear you ask a question because I lost my hearing due to all the loud pipes.

Loud pipes is a myth.

The loud noise is mostly behind the bike, not in front of it.

All you have to do is listen, if you still can.

In my car, I don't hear a loud oncoming bike until it has past.

With a bike, you should be more concerned with what is in front of you, not what you have already past.

If anything, loud pipes are a hindrance. The rider can not hear what is going on around them. It is more difficult to hear a siren, a car horn, or oncoming traffic.

Loud pipes make no difference to me and I'd never hear yours because on my Suzuki I'll only ever see you in my mirrors.

Why does the slowest bike on the road need loud pipe's.
Maybe if you knew how to ride you would think different.
I have been riding for 40 years and still can not figure this HD mentality.
I had a HD so I know what they are about.
Heavy, clunky, undependable and need work all the time rode by people that feel the need to feel their bike is the meanest thing to ever hit the road, They wear more leather than a cow and ride a bike they must bolt on more billet aluminum than a recycling plant can put out in a week.
Quit riding like you own the road and maybe you will have less close calls.
You will never even hear me passing you with more than 101bhp @ the rear tire.
And I have beat V-Rods with the 101bhp Connie, They must inflate their HP Ratings :(

I'd cut the baffles off my scooter but it would just scare the squirrels. The squirrels run into the road and when the cars swerve they'll knock me onto someones front yard. Nobody likes squirrel blood on their tires. Dead squirrel blood is worse and shoud be avoided at all costs.
I get no respect I tell you.

I know I will not convince you, but as someone who makes his living in safety, I can assure you there is not one shred of evidence to support the loud pipe theory. In fact, all you do is make life miserabel for people and ruin the image of motorcyclists in general. IN fact, here's something your HD buddies don't know -- removing thebaffles on a Harley actually causes a loss of power. Since Harleys are very slow to begin with, why would you want to do that?

the reason that bikes aren't allowed to have loud pipes is because of a local noise ordnance. now everyone out there who rides bikes either puts a loud pipe on for style or for other drivers awareness. but the local authority doesn't take either of those in to consideration when they write the laws. they think of the elderly people who do not appreciate the sheer power and style of a motorcycle. but some towns have different laws re-guarding noise ordnance so what i would recommend would be talking to your local PD and see what you can do as far as how loud of a pipe you can have/or see if you can personally get a pardon for your motorcycle.

Hey will did you try to ride it yet?
My 2 1/2 in drag pipes aint loud !!

And Paul What is your kind of zits problem? Do you compare a 34 Ford Hot rod to a F1 Racer ? if we want a pos like yours we would buy one if we buy a Harley that should prove we can buy any bike.Ride your kamagoochie and dont worry about it Just 101 ,you need a tuner!Cuz

Besides Could you see Magley on a HD Chopper now that would be funny

I think the loud pipe law shouldn't end there, but should also require all bikers to wear full leather regardless of the time and temperature, all riders wear helmets with a flashing halogen beacon on the top so that you look like a school bus coming down the road, all bikes have air bags like the new Gold Wing, knobby tires just in case you run off the road, locomotive style horns that automatically turn on continiously when a sensor detects no fuel in the carb so people can still hear you even when the engine isn't running and ape hanger handlebars. When you hit deer and dogs, the bars will help deflect the carcass up and over your head. A locomotive style cowcatcher up front and outriggers on each side wouldn't hurt either .

Where is the documented study that proves that "Loud pipes save lives - this we know for a fact"? I don't believe it.

How many times do you think you've had a close call because you infuriated another driver to the point of road rage in response to your noise infrigning upon his comfort?

I ride a BMW R50/5 (yes, an antique) and I receive frequent kudos for not deafening everyone within earshot. It's nice to be considerate of others.

Why dose't Yahoo ban internet trolls would be a better question.

I don't think loud pipes save lives. But most of the answers are so anti HD its pathetic. Stock HD pipes are very quiet, Harleys are not just big tractors. NHRA Pro Stock Drag racing champ year after year , half mile dirt champ year after year. They are very high tech. No throttle cables, 28 degree fuel injectors, best ECU of most, if not all of them, Two 02 sensors, bank sensors, self cancelling turn signals,ABS braking, on board diagnostics, great sound systems etc,etc. P.S. Vrod Harleys have 125 bhp @ the rear wheel.

Actually I know I wont be best answer as I totally disagree on it being a fact that loud pipes save lives.

In fact its been proven that you can only hear the noise on the freeways when the bike is in 2 positions of your car..

a. On the side of it (So bike is in danger zone already see?)
b. In front of the car (Again in the danger zone)

I would say however that in some instances like lane splitting when traffic is stopped that folks can hear it since the cars are stationary but then again you don't need loud pipes to lane split when cars are stopped.

Videos below show proof of this fact

If they did that how would we be able to tell the cool folks, like yourself, from everyone else?

I find loud pipes to be annoying. I'm glad that laws are being passed to quiet down some motorcycles. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against bikers; I'm one myself. I have a sport bike, and I've done everything I can to make it as quiet as possible. If you keep getting into trouble and have to rely on loud pipes to get you out of tough situations, maybe you need to ride more carefully.

Maybe there should be a law that motorcycle riders should wear bright colors, and that the helmets should be real full face helmets with DOT stickers and Snell ratings, instead of those "rain bonnets" with fake stickers.

Or maybe there should be a law that motorcycles should be equipped with horns (the stock horns on my Virago 700 are just a gosh-darn joke).

Hey there Harly 漏 Rider!

Great question! I have really loud pipes even though they hurt my ears while riding. It truly saves lives so it must be done.

I generally wear a brightly coloured pastel rainbow outfit so I am more visible to the 鈥渘aked鈥?eye and have installed triple 100 watt HID lights so I can be seen at all times. (Some drivers have complained that they have been blinded by these but I know that I am saving lives. Deal with it.)

I ride with my flashers blinking to alert others that I am not carrying a valid insurance policy and also wear a NASCAR helmet with full face protection and fire hood to prevent an accident.

Great idea on the law to get people to have loud pipes. I will sign the petition!

Go away kid, ya bother me.

Simple reason: "loud" is a subjective word which means different things to different people.

That's another way of saying: what others think is "loud", you won't. And what you think is "loud", others will think "too loud".

You will need to prove this so call "fact" of and I quote "Loud pipes save lives - this we know for a fact". I am not is this we category. Skilled defensive driving saves lives. Wearing bright colors does more to save lives. Loud pipes is bad for public perception and relations. Loud pipe are illegal. Do you understand the word illegal? No manufacturer will put a bike on the road that is illegal. My Goldwing is so quiet I can hear the cars and trucks around and aids in my situational awareness of what is around me.
Quit spreading this nonsense about loud pipes.

they generally have a no engine brake
sign in citys for truckers, for consideration of people in the residence. the basic idea here is if you want to risk your life on a bike thats your choice disturbing the public isnt an option.

First of all there are studies and loud pipes do not save lifes people see you or they do not pipe sound has nothing to do with it. Loud pipes on all bikes would lead to problems with the people who do not want to hear them and noise laws. All so to many riders think noise makes them fast. There is differnce between a loud pipe and a tuned header. At night loud pipes are about as welcome as those stupid cars that drive down the street and wake everyone up with their steros.

There is no such law because my wife wrote to DOT and told them she didn't want to sit over loud exhausts for 400 miles at a stretch.
I've been saved a time or two by my loud horn (all bikes are required to have horns).
Mostly, though, I've found that my throttle is my best friend in a close situation.

if loud pipes saves lives, mine are so loud they can cure cancer

If the Government wanted bikes to make noise they'd be required to have a horn.

Harley麓s makes very good bikes but they don麓t know how to make pipes, sorry!