Controversial Opinions: 10 Things Motorcyclists Need To STOP Saying

[@DoodleOnAMotorcycle]

What are some common myths or lies you’ve heard in motorcycling?

[@FLSTFB103]

A common myth is Harleys are slow.

[@evelghostrider]

Some of the lies I've heard are you talking my friend... honestly, please don't give out any more motorcycle advice. You have not enough years or understanding behind you. You have pointed out only minor things you feel are issues. I've been riding almost 50 years, I raced motocross then onto IOM tt level racing. I've trained hundreds of riders. Saying it's ok to drop your bike is awful, as its like saying breaking your neck is a good thing as you must be doing something good todo it.... What happens if a rider drops their bike in heavy traffic. That causes a back up, the rider struggles to pick it up, they get more stressed and worried and panic sets in... tell me how that's a good thing please. Dropping your bike always has the potential to spill fluids... do you have anything to clean that up so another rider does not slip on your fluids ? Having a loud bike makes other road users know there is a bike coming. Now if your travelling at speed, that's different as that counteracts the noise. But filtering threw traffic or going threw city's towns or villages, having loud pipes makes pedestrians aware your coming .. just the same as sirens on an ambulance make people aware because of the noise... With respect my friend. Your not giving advice, your giving your opinion.

[@SMSBJM1981]

They don't counter-steer, they just lean with body-weight. I am quite passionate about this one because not understanding that the only effective way to corner is with counter-steer is a good way get hurt. that one time you need to counter steer hard because you entered the corner to fast or swerve to avoid danger and you are "body weight leaner" is the time you aren't in control and may have a bad outcome.

[@beer3029]

If you have ever heard a motorcyle when you are in your vehicle then by extension it has made that bikers life safer. A friend of mine's Ducati fell over in a parking lot after the kickstand dug into the pavement, it totaled the bike out (it bent the frame where the footpegs mount). You have great content and don't think of this as a diss track.

[@Scoots1994]

@@FLSTFB103 They are slow for the price paid :)

[@yorchgaram5281]

Loud pipes do save lifes.

[@jeepster0934]

TOTAL B/S....they only make people ANTI-MOTORCYCLE and piss people off. I am a biker and it pisses me off when someone blasts through the neighborhood with their MACHO PIPES.

[@chrispark6773]

Are we getting Rick Rolled in the start of the video? 😂

[@Okurka.]

I think the entire video is a Rick-Roll and was supposed to be released on April 1.

[@WWNF911]

We’re being Rick rolled every time the camera cuts back to her with Rick in the background. This should equate to a New World Record!

[@Dave-cn2fo]

We sure are! Then there's the "Sir Ride-A-lot" quote slipped in! Maybe it's all about the music!

[@goatman86]

But have you noticed Samuel's "afro" yet? 🤣cherry on top

[@AshleyPomeroy]

We're no strangers to love.

[@tonydellaquila4299]

I ride all year and never spend 800-1500 on maintenance because I do my own. So for me it is cheaper than a car.

[@cisium1184]

I guess it varies depending on the machines involved, but I was spending 3k a year to keep my 30-yo car on the road despite doing all my own plugs, oil changes and cosmetic work. Plus there was stuff I simply _couldn't_ do on the car because I didn't have the space or equipment but lifting a whole bike or breaking down a bike engine are both doable in a garage. I've been able to buy (new) and maintain two bikes for six years for less money than it cost me to keep my car on the road for three years. I just inherited my Dad's Toyota SUV and while it does things a bike can't do, I'm kinda dreading the first day I have to shell out for maintenance or repairs.

[@John_Ridley]

@@cisium1184 Excluding tires, I don't think I've ever spent a TOTAL of $3000 on all the maintenance on any car I've ever owned from 0 to 200,000 miles (about 7 of them). Though honestly out of 7ish cars bought new and driven into the ground in my life, I've only ever had 2 or 3 things that were any issue other than consumables. Usually something like a bad solenoid or something < $100 for the part. Heck I don't think I've spent $3000 on maintenance for any vehicle INCLUDING tires. Except for one that blew a transmission, that was a bit over $3000 for a rebuild.

[@silverstar4289]

The benefit of the dropout rate of new riders is the availability of low mileage preowned bikes at good prices. I got a Thunderbird with a few thousand miles for under 5 grand.

[@Comm0ut]

How does one manage to spend even that much (and on what motorcycle) if they DIY? I've wrenched my fleet since the first in the late 1970s and am a multibrand mechanic. On a daily the biggest expense is typically tires with chain and sprockets second if so equipped. Where valves require adjustment that may require gaskets (I buy an overhaul kit for each of my rides so I can order what I use instead of delaying maintenance) but those usually aren't expensive. I could see that much on a daily'ed classic like my Triumphs and Shovelheads but those fossils lack the top end life of modern machinery.

[@Blackner2424reborn]

It wasn't a good comparison. She was comparing a cheap car to an expensive motorcycle for purchase price, and maintenance costs vary by the owner's capability to perform maintenance themselves, and do so correctly. It's a lot more expensive to have your chain replaced over and over again if you're too lazy to maintain it. I do all my own. In the process of changing out the entire suspension on one of my cars.

[@RevZilla]

Awesome video as always!! 🤙✌

[@StuffwithNeon]

Very interesting list. I've ridden in all kinds of bad weather. Storms, snow on the ground and very cold weather. However, if I'm tired or have a gut feeling about riding I take the car. You gotta be smart about when you ride.

[@_______-]

Snow is the tricky one. With ordinary road tyres I dropped the bike twice on snow. Another time was caught out on the motorway and drove at 35mph (wife on the back) quietly cursing my decision not to take the car. Fortunately that time taking it very steady we were OK. Picking up the bike when there is no grip underfoot is very difficult.

[@logangodofcandy]

ALWAYS trust your gut

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

No truer words were ever spoken. Sometimes you're just not up for it. Tired, fight with your partner, can't be bothered with the "hassle"... whatever. And some days, you can be feeling on top of your game, but you're still not getting anything right. There's no shame in riding a mile down the road and saying, "no, this isn't working", and taking the bike back home again and swapping it for the car or a B&W western on TV. When that voice in your head is telling you that you shouldn't be where you are, listen.

[@rony3646]

Agreed. It hasn't been very often, but there have been times I have taken a bike out for a ride and after less than a mile of riding came home because I just did not feel comfortable riding. I am 62 and have been riding bikes since 8 or 9. It's not question of skill or experience. You need specific skills and specific brain power to operate a M/C competently. Sometimes, for whatever reason, those things are not available to you and it is wise to recognize that situation and go home.

[@nomoreblahblah]

I've ended my evening ride early a few times. Bad cage drivers and bad vibe in the air

[@SaltyPatriotHD]

Yeah, it was just yesterday some dude was about to pull out in front of me, 1 rev bomb and he stopped. So yes knowing when to swerve is a must but loud pipes has saved me numerous times.

[@BaxterTheBiker]

Good points. To combine two of them, age was making it difficult to get my leg over the seat on my sportbike when luggage was on the pillion. I started looking at your short rider vids so I wouldn't have to buy a cruiser (and I've recommended your channel to others who are vertically challenged). But instead, I decided to work on my body with stretching exercises, much like you chose to work on yourself with strength training. One month in, and my problem went away. You make a strong argument that riding requires training, mentally and physically, and persistence.

[@nikisaunders2634]

Well done you ... I'm working on strength n fitness too ... bought my dream bike but she a little too tall n heavy 😅

[@BaxterTheBiker]

@Okurka. That would be an acceptable solution if the issue was my height in relation to the seat height. Instead, my issue was a reduced range of motion caused by aging. I chose to improve myself rather than surrender to age.

[@BaxterTheBiker]

@@nikisaunders2634 Thanks! You'll be glad that you're putting in the effort.

[@joeblowe5813]

As to the issue of shorter people and bigger bikes, I am forced to vehemently disagree with this one. Riding a motorcycle is not the same thing as driving a car. Most people can drive most cars out there with a little adjustment to seats, mirrors, etc. I've spent my entire 40-year driving career (30 of which was driving professionally) driving just about every type of vehicle you can imagine, from motorcycles all the way on up to 18-wheelers (did that for 11 years, all over the U. S.), and to this day, at the age of 55, there is only ONE 4-wheeler or higher that I've tried to drive before that I cannot-the Mazda Miata. And that one only because, with me standing 6'2" tall, I cannot get my legs under the dashboard to get my feet to the pedals because the driver's seat is too close, and it won't go back far enough for me to have enough room to get in. Motorcycles, however, are a different animal entirely. When you go to buy a motorcycle, you need to buy one that fits your individual body. You need to be able to sit completely on the seat with the bike balanced straight up and down, both of your feet planted flat on the ground with your knees slightly bent. This gives you the control to be able to balance and maneuver the bike safely in a wide variety of different situations/conditions. If you cannot do that with that particular bike, then that bike is NOT the correct size for you, and you are just BEGGING to get yourself into a (possibly fatal) accident if you attempt to operate that bike. My wife stands 5' 5 1/2" and weighs 130 lbs. I would never ask her to try to operate a larger bike like a Honda GoldWing, for example, because it's just too big for her to handle safely, and she also recognizes and understands this. I can do it, because I'm taller and heavier than she is, but she cannot. Now, she could ride on the back of a bike like that with me, because she does'nt have to keep it balanced-I do. But she cannot physically DRIVE it.

[@Paramoto959]

Everyone knows a old land pirate that says “haaaad to layer deerrrnnnn” like it’s some badge of honor to be a bad rider lol 😂

[@goldilocks913]

‘ It t’were that darned whale! Arrrr! The devil ‘e be!’

[@Paramoto959]

@@goldilocks913 🤣🤣🤣

[@memitim171]

I actually always thought that phrase was about the moment when you do something silly like pull the front at low speed with the wheel turned and the bike starts to tip, and you know you can't hold it up, so you just try to lay it down doing as little damage as possible. And now I just have this image in my head of Harley riders chucking themselves on the floor seemingly at random... 🤣

[@andymoto]

I'm 5'1 and I found the videos of you riding bigger bikes very encouraging. Now I love the extra challenge and can't wait to get on my "high horse".

[@michaelfodor6280]

Also keep in mind that you can modify a bike to better fit you. You can slide the front forks up the triple clamps to drop the front end. You can get lower seats or shave seat foam. You can also get lower linkages or lower the sag in the rear spring. Sure this does change the geometry of the bike, but I've never really seen it change in a hugely dramatic fashion. You can do all this until you get confident riding. Then you can graduate to tippy-toeing a bigger bike.

[@suyaharleysan]

Oh my goodness…. I’ve watched you since your beginning, what a fine videographer, newsperson, you tuber, you’ve become! I wanted to start when I started biking, now 25 years ago (well you say? I have sooo much footage captured from sooo many miles, just never did it!). I’m so glad you did! I love watching your content, always brings a giggle, downright laugh, or a thought! Thanks! Love this story ta boot!

[@vincentkeith5259]

My experience with Loud Pipes - For 4 years I commuted from Dublin CA (east bay) to Berlingame/Foster City/Redwood City in a Boxster- almost always with the top down. CA allows lane splitting, so getting passed by motorcycles was a common occurrence. Even at slow speeds of 5-15 mph (not uncommon on some parts of that commute) you would not hear a loud motorcycle until it was right on top of you - then you'd hear it for the next mile as it road away. Very little of that sound gets in front of a moving bike - not enough to make up for wind noise, closed windows, stereos, or tire noise. I watched loud bikes get cut off by cars in front of them dozens of times, the drivers blissfully unaware that a bike was coming up beside them. (I also watched idiots slide over to cut bikes off on purpose. So be careful when lane splitting.)

[@C_R_O_M________]

Wrong! Sound travels in all directions and much faster than any motorcycle.

[@RamblinManMoto]

My wife and I were riding down a busy highway just yesterday having a conversation with the radio playing and a sport bike was coming up behind us, and I remarked about how everyone likes to say you will never hear one coming only when it is in front of you. It is simply false.

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

@@C_R_O_M________ *Yes. But the sound frequency changes depending on where you are in relation to the motorcycle.* Higher pitch on approach and lower pitch as it moves away. Low frequencies travel longer distances = we can hear them from farther away. It's not about the speed of sound, it's about our hearing the sound.

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@hulkhatepunybanner lower frequencies become irrelevant in driving/riding conditions as aerodynamic turbulence takes the cake. Higher frequencies though, like a fast revving inline 4 motorcycle engine, could get to be detectable and loud pipes should be seen as an EXTRA aid for the detection of that bike. I mean take it to the extreme: what is a more plausible scenario? To detect a completely silent motorcycle or a very loud one? Rhetorical!

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@RamblinManMoto Exactly! That's nonsense!

[@Scoots1994]

72 out of 100000 is not .0007%, it's .07% because % means per 100. Also, vehicle accident statistics are more useful per mile traveled. Then it gets a little nastier when you take into account the severity of the injuries. SUVs are more likely to get into accidents than small nimble vehicles because they don't handle well, they have poor visibility in many cases, and long stopping distances, but the survival rate is generally higher for the same accident. Motorcycles avoid a lot of accidents but the ones they get in they pretty much always lose. If everyone was on motorcycles we would all be much safer.

[@Scoots1994]

@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger Percents confuse people. I'll never forget hearing a phone company person saying that service cost .02 cents per minute and when I asked them "2 cents" they said "yeah, .02 cents!" ... so I got them to put it in writing and fax it to me, then protested my bill where they charged me 2 cents per minute :)

[@Scoots1994]

@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger Don't know who George Vaccaro is but okay :)

[@Scoots1994]

@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger Okay. Still don't know who that is and I didn't "steal" crap. Here's another one that I had to deal with. When Sprint was a new phone company I signed up, looking at my bill I noticed that I seemed to have a lot more 1 minute calls. I wondered if they were billing me for calls that were not answered which had always been no-charge in the past. So when the next billing period started I made several calls where I hung up before they were connected. Next bill comes along and they are all there billed as 1 minute calls. I called the company again and they agreed with me and said they should not be charged. So I told them I would pay the bill except for the bad 1 minute calls. For about 5 years I could make free phone calls as long as they were shorter than 1 minute and Sprint just accepted whatever payment I sent in as correct. They wanted to keep scamming the rest of their customers so I didn't push it.

[@Gideon_Judges6]

​@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger got him! 😂

[@peterday9054]

Unbelievable

[@Rennradu]

First of all, thank you for the great videos. Your channel was one of the first motorcycle related, that I started following, even before I got my bike licence. I think a bike is cheaper to own than a car, if we are talking about the same level/category of bike and car. But if you factor in the equipment and of course "the upgrades" 😊 then it's not that much cheaper. Most people will have both, so it's not like if you get a bike, you'll sell the car. But for me, I use the car a lot less since I got my bike. I'm commuting and going shopping by bike as much as possible 😊 and even the next vacations are planned with the bike in mind. Ride safe, everyone 💪😎

[@DoodleOnAMotorcycle]

I'm honored to be one of the first channels you started following! :D

[@CrissaKentavr]

I wish, but my bike literally costs more for the registration than my car! Sure, it's cheap to 'fuel' - like 3¢ a mile here in California - but I need to replace tires every 5-10k instead of every 15-30k. I need to reset the brakes every other year and I need to update my gear regularly as it wears out. I wish bikes were cheaper... But yeah, my car now is used for half or two thirds its prior miles. Definitely cuts down on maintenance!

[@bikerdude1979]

I took the MLS course last year in my state (sponsored by the local Harley dealer) because it was the easiest way to get the motorcycle endorsement on my license. As a rider of sport bikes, I was a little hesitant to take the class since it was done through the Harley dealer. I had a few friends that told me to not worry, that everyone drops the bikes on the course, no big deal. I did end up dropping the bike 2 times during the course of the 3 days. None of my classmates gave me a hard time, and at least to my face, didn't say one word of discouragement. It was only at the end of the course (I did pass, thankfully) that the instructors made a joke about me being "most likely to need to wear leathers" that I got any negative feedback. And I do use the word negative loosely. I have dropped my own bike twice..once while standing still and lost my footing. Another was when I wore unfamiar footwear, and I was coming to a stop and got my foot stuck on one of the pegs. Thanks for your entertaining and informative videos. I really enjoy hearing your experiences.

[@MrBiggles53]

I dropped minecwhen I started pushing more aggressively during the accelkeeste then brake hard portion. I pushed it more and more … then locked up the front tire and crashed shockingly quickly. Found out what locking the brakes was like. Glad I did it in a controlled environment on a loaner bike (Honda Rebel 250 with a great clutch!; thought maybe I just completely list it after off-bike for 21 years; tried to adjyst mine myself, then took it to a pro who fixed it in under a minute while talking to me.)

[@RobertBucks-xh9tt]

I was a volunteer firefighter for 32 years. In that time I was on several accident calls involving motorcycles. The driver of the car involved said " I didn't see them". They never once said "I didn't hear them".

[@taylorv4]

Because the people who heard them were made aware they were there, and no accident happened lol mind boggling concept right? You can't argue that they don't save lives, if you can't prove that they don't save lives. How do you find the statistic on distracted drivers, that were made aware of a biker due to loud exhausts, which then prevented an accident? You can't, because both people went on with life as if nothing happened, and that is impossible to track. But it sure is easy to see an accident with a bike that has an exhaust and go "seeeee! loud exhaust didn't do anything".

[@memitim171]

@@taylorv4 I can only give my own experience but for me it makes no difference, loud pipe or quiet I feel exactly the same amount of invisible. Unless it's literally right next to you, it's kinda hard to tell where the sound of a loud pipe is coming from, depending on how loud it is it could be 2 cars back or it could be 10... And if there's more than one loud pipe it becomes even more confusing. Humans are notoriously bad at echo location so really the only information your loud pipe gives a driver is that there's a loud pipe somewhere in the vicinity, most drivers think that's a piece of information that isn't important and they discard it. In any situation where a loud pipe might be useful you can just use your horn. As an added bonus you get -10 to your suspicion rating if you happen to be doing something you shouldn't.

[@Hellbentbiker]

@@memitim171 so would a low volume horn or siren be just as effective as a loud one? It seems to me that anything with sufficient volume is effective at getting people’s attention. It may not always work (there are no absolutes) but it is quite effective.

[@Hellbentbiker]

@@taylorv4 exactly!

[@gumpyoldbugger6944]

@@memitim171 Been riding for a good 4 decades now an only recently gone on a hiatus due to unrelated mobility issues brought on by an infection. The one thing I learned early was that if you want to survive long term on a bike, ride as if the cagers you are sharing the road with are, either a: blind and can't see you and b: are actually homicical maniacs looking for an opportunity to kill you when given a chance.

[@ldavid9945]

I got a disagree with theloud pipes. Twice in traffic, I went to change lanes and he hesitated because I heard a motorcycle that was in my Blindspot. so I don’t know if it actually saved their life, but it definitely alerted me of their presence

[@k3y155]

@@ldavid9945 it’s important to point out that saying there’s “no evidence” loud pipes do anything doesn’t mean that there’s “proof” loud pipes do nothing. Comparatively, there’s simply much stronger evidence for other forms of “visibility.” For instance, the pipe may have alerted you to the presence of a biker, but it probably didn’t tell you it was in your blindspot. You probably had to look around for something, be it the bikes themselves or the blindspot indicator light on most mirrors of new cars. Maybe the bikes honked their horn, but even that is a more specific attention-grabbing sound than an exhaust note. The horn makes you think “something’s wrong” while the exhaust makes you think “ooh there’s a cool bike somewhere.” (Not saying you thought that in those specific moments, but you might find that’s usually what unconsciously goes through your brain)

[@MikeB_UK]

At the risk of upsetting you: (1) You are supposed to check your blind spot before manoevering (2) No properly trained motorcyclist should be sat in a vehicles blind spot. Either at your side in your face, or a tad behind the vehicle so it if suddenly pulls out there is no problem. The Police will tell you 99% of all motorcycle accidents could have avoided if the motorcyclist had the proper skills.

[@bradwoodard8289]

I live in CA where lane splitting is legal and loud pipes do make a difference here. The danger during lane splitting is a car making a sudden lane change in front of you because they're not thinking about a bike coming up on them. I own two bikes; one has loud pipes and one doesn't. When lane splitting there is a clear difference when I ride the bike with loud pipes. Cars clear to the side before I even get to them, as opposed to having to honk because the guy in the left lane is practically swapping paint with the guy in the right lane, or making a sudden lane change to get into the lane moving 2 mph faster. Also just want to point out in so many of the video examples you gave, motorcycles were driving very aggressively. If a car cuts you off, let them have the lane, don't fight them for it. Just drive like every car driver is a psychopath actively trying to kill you.

[@seanylewl]

3:20 That's not accurate... first of all, it's just over 1%, not under, and second of all that's 1% of registered motorcycles, not motorcycle riders. Many motorcyclists have two or more registered motorcycles. Many registered motorcycles are rarely ridden. The statistics are already getting muddled here... 3:40 Where did you get .0007% from? Even the article says it's .07%... that's a pretty big discrepancy! 4:05 Where did you get this data from? Is that just motorcyclists, or is that everyone?

[@UncleBuck327]

I have four daughters between 13-21. Even thought they similar to you, I would love if they showed the same tenacity, dignity and grace as you have. My oldest wants to learn how to ride and frankly it makes me nervous. But if she's anything like you about it -- she has the potential -- then I'll be very happy. I want them all to watch your channel!

[@effuseakay]

Oh how much I agree with you! I come from a family of doctors and they all think I just live dangerously! But I ride all the time, rain, wind, cold, and I just ride safely so that I can ride again tomorrow. Riding saved me from chronic depression, I started working out just to become a better rider and I'm fitter than I've ever been. Life is too short to be scared.

[@ZH-fp9oj]

This is such a great comment. 🙏🏼

[@JEREMYCLEVENGER-p6q]

Omg yes! Riding is therapy. I tell others all the time...there is just something about it.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

The key is to never become complacent as a rider. Pilots suffer this too and the accident reports quite often show this as the ‘event’ that caused a crash. If you feel too comfortable you need to rest and re-assess.

[@SenorDelSol]

During my lessons in the Netherlands I was already instructed that we can break in corners, if done gradually and with care. It is also instructed to only put one foot on the ground, the left, which for smaller persons is the way to go. Also if you leave the other foot on the break you can directly ride of, keep the brake light on while you're waiting and have the right hand for addressing your helmet, zipper or whatever you want to adjust while you keep watching your mirror for traffic from behind. I like the passion with which you engage big bikes, being tall myself I haven't dropped a bike, I think it's because taller people can safe some drops a 50 kg person wouldn't. Keep on going!

[@box510motorcycles3]

Two comments on this video: 1. To be more fair, a Gold Wing is more like a Cadillac Escalade ($80K+) than a Honda Civic, the Civic would be more comparable to the Yamaha R3 or the Honda Rebel. Neither of which cost $30,000 anywhere. 2. Riders that spend all day complaining that car drivers don't look out for bikes don't realize that WE THE MOTORCYCLISTS are the more advanced life form. It's our job to ride defensively and not put ourselves in the blind spots of cagers that can't put their cellphone down long enough to drive to Walmart without "tweeting" about driving to Walmart. Ok, I lied.... #3 loud pipes just cause migraines.

[@michaelnishiguchi3176]

Yeah, I agree that the Civic and Goldwing comparison wasn’t good. Even with a few things being more expensive like maintenance and buying gear, the rebel will be cheaper than the civic

[@davidj4662]

Tinnitus is no joke.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@davidj4662 As a life long sufferer, I concur. And having been out on the bike today, and having just read your post, I just noticed how bad my tinnitus is because I didn't wear hearing protection.

[@megsmith596]

And the Goldwing eats more gas than a civic.

[@Adui13]

Agree with the sentiment of your second point. However, having commuted on a bike here in the Phoenix Metro area I can assure you drivers DO NOT look for us! I was in the front quarter of this lady in a minivan IN FRONT OF HER. Had I not seen the car make its lane change into my lane from the corner of my eye she would have taken me out. (Her driver-side front quarter, no excuse she could see me by looking out the dang window). All that said, it is still my responsibility when I am riding (or even driving) to watch out for the other vehicles on the road. People make mistakes, my job is to be sure I am not a casualty of those mistakes.

[@dmstrobel]

#6 isn't a lie, it's reflecting the purpose and limitation of the Basic Rider Course. We have 16 hours to teach someone who has never ridden before. We use that time to lower their chance of a crash as much as possible in that limited time. I don't tell my students that no one can ever use their brakes in a turn; I tell them that THEY are to brake at the end of the straightaway then get off their brakes for their turn. About a quarter of motorcycle accidents happen in a curve, and new riders treat their controls like a light switch (all the way on or all the way off.) That's a big part of why newbies crash in curves. Later, when they've learned control, we can introduce trail braking during an advanced class. New riders in a BRC are usually overwhelmed and can only hold onto a limited amount of info. Like we taught in the military, "crawl-walk-run." We try to give people the information they need at the time, and avoid overloading them with concepts they can't handle or use yet.

[@timlubbers2884]

When I went through riders safety, to ride/work on an Air Force base, the instructor made a comment, “ride like everyone in a vehicle is intentionally trying to kill you and you might make it out alive” … 🤔

[@1diggers1]

@@timlubbers2884 Well that's really encouraging!

[@tomcarpenter2421]

@@timlubbers2884 That is exactly true. My instructor said the same thing.

[@thengine7]

#6 is taught as black and white at a lot of MSF courses. Not all instructors as are nuanced and understanding of motorcycle physics as you are. Which means that as a rule: it's a lie that is taught.

[@thengine7]

@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger Pretty sure that asians aren't being taught progressive trail braking on their vespas. Thanks for sharing your idiocy though.

[@erich.4305]

loved this video. Back in 2000 I sold my 1983 Kawasaki GPZ750 because it needed work and I didn't have a lot of time to ride. My first son was born and I needed to be practical with finances. I never used all the power it had , I bought it cause it looked cool. Two years ago I got a bike. My criteria was, it had to have ABS, fuel injection, and no chain to maintain. I got a BMW F650CS which only has about 45 horsepower. It checked all the boxes and works just fine for my backroad excursions. When it is tired I plan to replace with a BMW G310GS. I don't outgrow small bikes, they are fun and easy to maneuver. THANKS FOR THE GREAT VIDEOS YOU MAKE.-Peace to you from Connecticut.

[@JamesAllmond]

video I like, some of the comments (not yours, at least) are disturbing that there are that many self centered asses out there. Wow.

[@twobeagles1365]

Great video ! I've been riding on streets for over 30 yrs and i still learn something new threw videos like this , Thankyou K , Hugs and So true, loud exhaust doesn't prevent anything, being a defensive rider and observant of distracted drivers does.

[@tgeliot]

I ride, but there have been occasions when I was driving my car when loud pipes were what made me realize that there was a bike in my blind spot. Pipe noise does not just project backwards.

[@memitim171]

You noticed it because you ride, a normal driver would not think that's an important piece of information. You are of course correct that it doesn't just project backwards, anyone who says that has literally never seen a motorbike in their entire life.

[@tgeliot]

@@memitim171 Good point about why I noticed it. I can't know for sure, but it could well be true.

[@Hellbentbiker]

Of course they help especially when most people around you are distracted by their rectangle.

[@DavidM2002]

Correct, but, the vast majority of the noise is projected to the rear.

[@Hellbentbiker]

@@DavidM2002 Sound is omnidirectional. The frequency and decibels can change depending on certain factors, such as how close you are, temperature, etc. Sirens and horns face one direction but can be heard all around. If you stand out by the road as a motorcycle approaches you will most definitely hear it even though the mufflers are facing away from you. The frequency and decibels will only be affected by your proximity.

[@KarsNL]

Great video! And I love the tiny easter eggs everywhere :D Most common heard myth here in The Netherlands: loud bikes save lives & the bike is too tall. It's a tough one.

[@gerdine9258]

Also heard of the "te luid geluid is uit"?

[@KarsNL]

@@gerdine9258 Yes I did! But a lot of Dutch riders did'nt. Maybe because their exhaust is too loud :D

[@calysagora3615]

Believing that loud pipes don't save lives is the stupidest modern motorcycle related myth, which has no basis in reality. They do. Period.

[@phantomrunner21]

When I took the MSF class, I dropped my bike on a turn and my instructor was very upset about it, especially because he had to do paperwork on the drop now. That made me, a new rider, nervous to drop my bike and led to me failing my course. That was 4 years ago and thankfully I didn't let that keep me from riding and I was able to pass my second course with no issues. Not that I drop my bike a ton now but I'm not afraid of that day if it were to come.

[@havetwo6280]

With over thirty years of riding on 7 different Harleys, I can say the only true thing about loud pipes is that they piss off neighbors

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Maybe you live in a bad neighborhood? :)

[@NoName-c4y7h]

You didn't learn your lesson after the first Harley, should have bought 1 Honda.

[@brackcycle9056]

So that's a good thing ?

[@lezbriddon]

a puddled pedestrian phone zombie is about to step off the sidewalk without looking, now what do think the odds will be of her realizing a bikes coming if (a) its noisy or (b) as silent as an electric....

[@TinMan0555]

@@lezbriddon ……they will step out into traffic, because their ear-buds are drowning out all external noises…..😐

[@davidshaffer4649]

Everyone at work was admiring my bike and that I ride everyday,sometime to far into winter in Pennsylvania.then the conversation turned to money savings,with the bike getting 2.5 time the fuel mileage of the silver bullet van.i agreed with the only difference being I never would leave work and turn right toward home. It's been 40 yrs,and I still haven't saved a cent!

[@SquirrelDarling1]

Riding releases endorphins and that’s relaxing. Always take the long way home.

[@geoffhaylock6848]

I got stopped by a cop because he thought my exhaust was loud. I mentioned it was so people could hear me in heavy traffic (pipes weren't that loud). He said that wasn't true as the noise is behind me not in front. So I asked, "why did you pull me over for a loud exhaust when you couldn't hear them as you were in front of me". He had this strange confused look after that. 😂

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Yea, I understand we have been lowering the standards quite a bit for admittance of jobs like that. How many tattoos did you see? haha

[@SteveH98264]

If loud pipes save lives imagine what learing to ride could do!

[@geoffhaylock6848]

@@SteveH98264 unfortunately not every car driver wants to learn to ride. A few years having to ride a bike before handing out car driving licences like candy would raise awareness.

[@SteveH98264]

@@geoffhaylock6848 The post was meant for the idiots who think that "loud pipes save lives".

[@geoffhaylock6848]

@@SteveH98264 they are probably the same idiots that think the sirens on emergency vehicles save lives too. We all know that not being heard is far safer. Glad we are both on the same page.

[@nomoreblahblah]

Why do I end a ride early? The electricity in the air is spazzy. A truck drifts into my lane (driver texting), a car pulls out in front of me, a driver too close to the rear of my bike, and other aggressive cage drivers pass on a double yellow curve. I'm not a slow poke, and I'll pull down a side street or a strip mall parking lot to allow the aggressive nuts who think they are part of a video game to move well ahead of me and my bike. One or two incidents are part of an Urban ride, any more and it's time to head back into the garage and add that new gadget to the bike I bought 6 months ago..

[@kai-uweoch1159]

The main problem with loud pipes is that they piss off other people, they start looking for ways to ban motorcycles from popular routes and at the end we have popular routes being off limits because of some idiots with open pipes.

[@peterwilson8039]

I try to be inconspicuous on a motorcycle. The less people notice you, the less likely you are to have problems.

[@C_R_O_M________]

Open pipes could sound great or obnoxiously loud. It's a case by case issue. My KTM 990 adventure barks when I give her the beans but purrs when she's cruising. You can modulate that accordingly. Loud pipes DO save lives. It's common sense that the more they notice you, the more careful they'll be. One of the most prominent causes for motorcycle accidents is the fact that larger vehicle drivers are unaware of your presence. Louder pipes help with that.

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*Every morning a VW Jetta that buzzes like it has no pipes past my house. How can I ban ALL cars from my street?* Find your "buzzing Jetta" and have the ban repealed.

[@RG-500]

Thank you! Finally someone with a brain!

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@hulkhatepunybanner migrate

[@airborne3200]

Thanks!

[@DoodleOnAMotorcycle]

Thank you!!

[@stevensparks8649]

I live in a very rural area and have had every deer that was about to cross in front of me hear my pipes and stop before entering the highway. My loud pipes have saved mine and my wife's life countless times. Being heard is as important as being seen.

[@memitim171]

TBH they probably just saw you, there's ton of vids on here of extremely loud bikes being taken out by deer.

[@philipstaite4775]

Agreed. I take issue with calling it a myth that loud pipe are not effective. A few years back I got a Sportster. I was not going to be "that guy" with the loud pipes. In the first 500 miles I had 4 or 5 incidents of cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists trying to ruin my day. I put on moderately loud pipes - not the loudest, but definitely not stock. In the next 9500 miles of riding on that bike I did not have a single incident. Sure, statistically I'm only a sample of one. But for me, I'm convinced. My current bike has moderately loud pipes. Maybe not even as loud as the Sportster, but a deeper rumble. Believe what you want, but it is no myth to me.

[@FraserRobertTorpy]

Over almost 40 years and 500,000 km I have ridden bikes from whisper quiet to bordering on ear splittingly loud. If anyone tells you 'loud pipes don't save lives' they need to spend a bit more time in traffic on the road. The difference it makes is night and day. Newer cars do have better noise sealing though: you need to be quite loud to be heard these days. Conversely, if you told me that 'bright colours don't make any difference', I'd completely agree. I've ridden in everything from all black to dayglo yellow, and it makes zero difference whatsoever, unless you're a sit-in-you-lane like a car, passive type rider: then it might help a bit. To stay safe in traffic you need to be audible and ride to be visible. type

[@stevensparks8649]

@@memitim171 They did see us after they heard us. The deer in my area do not stop check both ways by sight, but if they hear something they do stop and look in that direction, not 100% of the time but enough to justify loud pipes.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

At slower city traffic speeds, I have commanded attention from people in cars/truck who were coming out of a driveway or intersection into my lane, who were not looking at me. Pull in the clutch, rap to almost red line 2 or 3 times, and it commands a lot of attention. :) Once I make eye contact, I am 90% sure it is safe, so I might rap it again.

[@user-cr3fz8lz2i]

Pipe noise aside (I like my low Harley bagger rumble too), I’ve been watching Doodle for a couple years now and she has progresses SOOOO much! Keep riding “safely” Doodle!

[@seanfinlayson3943]

It doesn't matter how visible you make yourself. Car drivers will never see you if they don't bother to look in the first place...

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

This is why you need to ride defensively. Assume every driver is out to injure you. Always try and predict every 4 wheelers next move. And a “Traffic chess grand master” you’ll become! 😁

[@jimnorton2570]

Ride like you're a ghost because you are a ghost. Be safe

[@josephbrown8905]

I definitely agree about engine size not being a limiting factor for most riding. A friend rides an MT-03 and I'm on a Honda Magna. Sure, I can get up to speed a bit quicker, but on any road worth riding, the curves limit speed more than power. What's important is that, after several bikes each, we've found bikes that suit us very well. And she just learned how to do an oil change for the first time in her life.

[@Brian36685]

The only thing I disagree with is that loud pipes dont save lives. I know when Im in my truck I can hear a Harley with loud pipes coming from a long ways away. It makes me aware that there is a bike there and to watch out for them. It may not work in EVERY instance, but works in a LOT of them. Which is enough. You can be noticeable without being obnoxious 🤘

[@jimbritttn]

Riders should be REQUIRED BY LAW to wear florencent vests like road-workers wear so they are visible. When you ride a black bike dressed in black you are almost invisible. Loud pipes DISTURB THE PEACE and should carry a hefty fine

[@r1learner178]

@@jimbritttn If they can't see the two 55w headlight globes coming at them what makes you think they will see the flouro vest behind them?

[@owen636]

@@r1learner178 55w head lamp during a sunny day is barely noticeable. Fuorescent vest color is uncommon in nature thus it stands out by drivers a lot more compared to your matte black motorcycle and dark leather jacket. I don't think it should be "required by law", but it's definitely a great accessory to keep the riders safe.

[@islerenner]

This was an amazing little video. Thank you! Very well put together, really enjoyed it.

[@lodomcam]

I've been riding on the street for 25 years and have always thought loud colors did a better job at saving lives. For "lane invasion" a dual-tone air horn works pretty well. Great info Doodle! See you at TWoS!

[@Okurka.]

A colleague of mine commuted to work and was wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket and an orange hi-vis helmet. A car pulled out in front of him and he hit the side of the car. In the police report the driver claimed she didn't see him coming.

[@lodomcam]

@@Okurka. Yep, i't's gonna happen. But I'll do anything to help.

[@iansmith237]

For your last point, that's a very popular misconception. Can motorcycling be as expensive or moreso than driving? Absolutely. Is it just as easy (or easier) to do this in a way that's far less expensive. Absolutely. Shopping economically for gear, not riding a liter supersport, having an excellent driving record and doing your own maintenance goes incredibly far.

[@HellfighterPreacherman]

I would disagree about the loud pipes. I have seen deer who have been spooked by loud pipes. They hear you coming and run. If not for loud pipes, they would have been on the road.

[@GaryFÓBrien]

Deer would hear normal pipes and get out the way as well

[@HellfighterPreacherman]

@@GaryFÓBrien My exhaust is not loud. I have not seen the same reaction with my bike as I have with my friends. With my exhaust, they do not seem to leave the roadway, with my friend's they do. Just sayin' this is what I have seen.

[@calysagora3615]

@@GaryFÓBrien Nope, they might hear them all, but that doesn't mean they REACT the same way, and no, they do not get out of the way of something as silent as a car, because they are more used to those sounds.

[@klchristian1522]

After seeing this video, I had the urge to go out to the garage and tell my Harley that "I'm never gonna give you up..."

[@Info-Med]

Sorry, I disagree, I have been riding for 42 years and on some occasion my LOUD PIPES did save me from a moron who decided to change lanes without looking first, then he heard me and stayed in is lane.

[@jimnorton2570]

Have to agree, it's one of the many things at our disposal to let others know we are there. People move over when they hear me coming, that's a good thing IMO.....

[@calysagora3615]

100% Agree! Not only have I been riding for 33 years, low bikes, tall bikes, silent bikes and loud bikes. I also worked for 10 years for the biggest motorcycle retail shop in Europe, where I handled insurance cases for 7 years, and loud pipes, tall bikes and bright colors absolutely makes a HUUUUUUGE difference!

[@timoakley277]

I'll have to disagree. I've been riding about the same length of time. About 300,000 miles. This comes up all the time and there is no evidence at all for your contention. The reality is too many bikers LIKE loud pipes (Sounds good... mmmm) and this is an excuse to confirm their choice. Loud pipes will, however lead to Motorbikes being finally banned for being offensively loud.

[@Snafu2346]

@@Info-Med you would have to prove to me with evidence from those individuals driving that car that it was the sound of your motorcycle that deterred them from changing their lane and not the fact that they may have just looked into the rear view mirror or side of mirror and saw you coming over and they stop from changing lanes. Not saying that it was or wasn't the reason it's just that there could have been other mitigating reasons that could have caused them to not change into your lane also. usually the worst offenders are too busy listening to their really loud music or talking to their friends wouldn't have noticed your loud pipes anyway. Not saying that you're necessarily right or wrong I'm just seeing you have no evidence to prove that that was the exact reason. Too many variables. I'll see flashing lights before I hear sirens. Stay safe

[@jeffreyhicks6380]

Now I know anecdotal evidence ain't real evidence, but having my bike straight pipped has definitely gotten the attention of drivers who weren't paying attention when I gave it her some gas. Great video though! I learned quite a bit from it!

[@calysagora3615]

Indeed. Accidents that don't happens don't get reported, and there is no way to prove a negative. it's also true that while anecdotes are not hard proof, millions of anecdotes from experienced riders are a very strong indicator that the real modern myth is that loud pipes don't save lives.

[@tecdive8045]

Great points! Spot on! RE: loud pipes - I drive and ride California freeways. Cars can't hear the pipes until it's too late and the bike is right beside. Then the sound startles the driver causing one of two reactions: 1. startled driver accidentally turns into the loud motorcycle, or 2. it just pisses the driver off. Obnoxiously loud pipes probably hurt the motorcycle community more than help it. Best to keep pipe volume within reason. And contact your representatives and tell them to oppose and or reverse any and all ICE bans!

[@calysagora3615]

Most people do not spend most their time riding on freeways, and the vast majority of motorcycle accidents DO NOT happen n freeways, but on slow roads in traffic, where loud pipes are perfectly audible. Loud pipes absolutely saves lives. Lots of lives.

[@miladyanne8411]

All good apart from the loud pipes part. I become instantly aware of a bike in my vicinity if it's loud. I may not enjoy the sound of every bike but I'd imagine it must have saved hundreds or even thousands of lives over the years. A tough one to prove though.

[@godfellas483]

Louder pipes do save lives. Please stop telling people things that aren't true. I was gassing up at a gas station and another driver approached me and said, "I was going to change lanes, but at the last minute I heard your exhaust" Thats proof enough for me...😎

[@Choosetoone]

It's the excuse people use. It's like yelling and waving your arms around when crossing the road saves lives. Will it save you life one day maybe but not most of the time. It's an excuse people use to own load exhaust. Data shows it's not helpful like people think it is. What you were talking about is pseudoscience.

[@derek96720]

I can tell you straight up as a motorcycle rider that most people don't notice you are there even with loud ass pipes. Your story is more a reflection on our driver who actually pays attention, rather than the average driver who you should be worried about

[@godfellas483]

@@derek96720 Noted, but I stand by my statement...Remember when you bought a motorcycle, and everyone you knew had a story about someone they knew who crashed on a motorcycle? Yeah, kinda like that...🙂

[@calysagora3615]

@@derek96720 And I can tell you, as a experienced senoir rider, that most people ABSOLUTELY DO notice a LOT better when you have loud pipes. Period. I don't know what you base your "experience" on. Maybe you are just a new rider listening to popular myths like "loud pipes don't save lives".

[@donaldpruett852]

Doodle! You are a priceless treasure. I wish every motorcyclist could see your videos for their inspiration. When I started riding in 1966 on a 1964 Harley XLCH Sportster there were no riding schools except the school of hard knocks. You bought e motorcycle, got yourself a string of Rosary Beads and hoped for the best. I'm now 79 and still riding. Have had about 22 motorcycles counting all the dirt bikes for me, my wife and both my boys growing up. I learned to read drivers and what they were about to do before they knew what they were going to do.

[@tomcarpenter2421]

"Read the road" is what you have to do. The only time I ever almost dropped a bike was at a traffic light where I did not see an oil spill when I put my foot on it...

[@C_R_O_M________]

If you have never dropped your motorcycle(s) you don't know how to ride.

[@judsonhayden7958]

I always appreciate the information, but really appreciate and how big of an advocate you are. In a way that doesn’t encourage wheelies or glorify horsepower/torque to a mostly beginner audience, but by critically looking at the data and dispelling myths. I haven’t gotten a bike yet but am looking to soon, thanks for this channel!

[@dionne8837]

bright gear and lights wont even help you much where i live because drivers still need to look to see them, best bet here is learn where to look and position yourself according to what they are doing.

[@KRColson]

Couldn't agree more! Always ride defensively! Ride like you are invisible and always be aware of your surroundings. Defensive, defensive, defensive!

[@thengine7]

If you go mind blank, and enter flow state while ridding in traffic. Then you aren't doing yourself any favors. Try to analyze the patterns of vehicles around you while riding a bike. They'll be different than when you are in a car. Paying attention to head movement and front wheel movement will give you understanding of where people's intentions are for their vehicles.

[@CrissaKentavr]

Wear stuff that can be seen - then ride like they don't see you. Both, and.

[@sidecarmisanthrope5927]

A study showed that when a bike or vehicle has their lights on during the day, it is much harder to estimate the distance and speed of that vehicle. This makes it more dangerous when approaching intersections, etc.

[@jimbritttn]

if you wear all black you are invisible

[@kjaubrey4816]

Great video as always. I've never put loud pipes on a bike. I think some people take it to the point of obnoxious. I also only owned one bike that I could flat foot. I have always made a habit of just landing on one foot with every bike I ride.

[@robertbozeman1876]

I live 15 miles from town. I can tell you that 'loud pipes do save lives'. If that attorney had went out and interviewed deer and wildlife, instead of studying city traffic they may have found a different answer to their questions. But like ALL studies, they find what they are looking for or support the viewpoints of where their funding is coming from. Before COVID, I was going to the gym at 5am every morning. When the weather was clear I could definitely tell a difference. If I drove the Kia Sorento, I saw a deer almost every other morning. If I drove the Corvette with loud exhaust, I almost never saw a deer. Maybe one every two weeks. A motorcycle with loud pipes, vs quiet exhaust? I'll take the loud pipes any day of the week riding backroads with wildlife.

[@alexanderdinkel4513]

I live in the NJ Pine Barrens where all sorts of critters run amuck. Loud pipes do save lives!

[@stilldajoker]

my riding buddy lost his life in 2007 from a deer that bolted. He was riding a Harley with staggered shorty straight pipes. Lots of deer where we live. You cannot predict animal behavior. We wondered if the loud pipes spooked the deer. My 51st year biking on the road. When deer start moving around I kinda stay closer to town. Good luck.

[@calysagora3615]

@@stilldajoker Sure, there are no guarantees. You can die while wearing a seat-belt too. That's no argument against seat-belts.

[@bnations2000]

I track the cost of owning both my car and my motorcycles that see road use, and it always surprises me that the car has generally been cheaper to operate. The thing that usually drives the motorcycles to the front of the pack is the cost of tires. Car tires just last a LOT longer that motorcycle tires.

[@CrissaKentavr]

Yeah! And motorcycle tires aren't cheap.

[@ganuvien]

As someone who lives in a college town with terrible drivers, loud pipes save my life from people turning into me. I had a stock sewing machine exhaust and people would constantly turn into me in my lane, after I upgraded to a full Yoshi R77 people are now turning their heads and looking because they hear my bike and I see it in their mirrors/window. Yeah they might not save you doing 100 in a 35 but in traffic they damn sure do.

[@abbashamideh3783]

Thanks for clarifying all these lies! I always enjoy your content! ❤️❤️❤️

[@OneFreeMan17]

If other people cannot “see me” that’s their problem. Motorcyclists aren’t the issue, handing out drivers licenses to anyone who can simply breathe is.

[@mtkoslowski]

I emphasize. However, other people ‘not seeing you’ is your problem. Having a motorist collide with you because he wasn’t paying attention is your problem. However you end up in hospital (or worse) is all your problem. The solution? Keep your eyes peeled and ride defensively 100%. I’m still riding at 66 years old and this is how I survive. Ride safely!

[@OneFreeMan17]

@@mtkoslowski Victim blaming 101.

[@mtkoslowski]

@@OneFreeMan17 You: ignorance 101. Lol

[@OneFreeMan17]

@@mtkoslowski ok boomer

[@mtkoslowski]

@@OneFreeMan17 Fine, sonny. I hope you learn and live.

[@davidashworth1985]

Great video! I also like how you quietly slipped in a variety of iconic songs & music videos in the background. Samuel definitely approves.

[@Toxicdemon2]

I don't fully agree on the Loud pipes "don't" saves lives. When cyclists, pedestrians, playing kids can here me come.... that is most definitly safer ! So it doesn't save ALL lives, but atleast in several cases it does.

[@gerdine9258]

It doesn't safe YOUR life, and that is probably the difference. People using this argument (usually) only think of themselves

[@KondorMoto]

No

[@Toxicdemon2]

@@KondorMoto YES !

[@KondorMoto]

@@Toxicdemon2 no

[@Toxicdemon2]

@@KondorMoto YES, JA, SI, JAWOL, OUI, TAK, SIM, EVET

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Just to comment on the "Loud pipes saves lives" quote of yours". Actually, they can. I have a Harley that I don't ride much anymore with some pretty loud pipes, (I ride it Low rpm quiet in crowded areas.). When somebody in a slower city area pulls out of a driveway or an intersection and I don't make eye contact, I pull in the clutch and rap the throttle a couple times. More than once, it commanded attention, we made eye contact, and I continue riding safely. It's my horn that sounds like it belongs on an electric scooter for state park use only. :)

[@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter]

What is it with US bikers who ignore all the evidence that shows absolutely that noisy pipes do not save lives?

[@cisium1184]

"Loud pipes don't save lives" has become as much of a cliche as "loud pipes [do] save lives" was, but I know for a fact that I have heard motorcycles I couldn't see on the interstate and done a shoulder check for them that I had not been planning to do. I inherited my father's Toyota RAV4 a few months ago and I have made the Atlanta-New Hampshire drive half a dozen times now. I had not owned a car for several years before that - bikes only - and my previous car was a 1989 BMW with narrow pillars and essentially no blind spots - the car was all windows. I am not used to the RAV4's limited visibility, car seats are not bike saddles, and near the end of the two-day drive I am worn out. Odd that I wouldn't dream of getting on bike with those handicaps, yet feel in no danger driving 80mph on I-85 in that situation. Last week outside Charlotte I was about to change lanes when I registered the whine of a sports bike somewhere behind me and realized I hadn't done a shoulder check yet. I shifted my carcass and checked. Sure enough there was some kid back on a Kawasaki in my blind spot. My mind was on getting home to ATL and it all could have ended in tears but for that whine reminding me to check. To be sure, he shouldn't have been in my blind spot as there was plenty of room on the road for him to be somewhere else. But that wouldn't have salved his injuries or my guilt if I'd hit him. I'm quite an empirical/statisticky person in general and professionally, but I don't dismiss reasoning from anecdotal evidence. And my reason tells me that hearing noises of all kinds improves our awareness of our surroundings, and that there is nothing unique about motorcycle exhaust pipes that magically exempts them from this reasoning.

[@Ro626]

Very solid reasoning. Totally agree. I had an odd experience that can add to your anecdotal knowledge base. Lane filtering through stopped traffic at an intersection on my way home from work. Local high-school has let out and kids weren't using the cross walk. Im maybe doing 5 mph creeping past a cargo can when I see a kid walk right in front of me. Cargo van on the left, some other car on the right. Well his friend yank him back as I stand on the brake. Literally stopped with my handlebars ar his ribs. He was wearing big headphones. Didn't know I was there. Guess his friends heard me. I know it can be obnoxious, but there is a benefit to loud pipes. As electric motorcycles become more common place we will likely start to see the data conforming it.

[@LJSiar]

Exactly.

[@fasteddie565]

Its all in how you use them. I make sure I rev my engine and drive the louder sound of the pipes when I go through intersections. So I believe they do save lives if you use them right. Thank you though for driving the conversation.

[@LJSiar]

@@fasteddie565 Exactly.

[@iansmith237]

The problem with the loud pipes reasoning is it ignores the fact that when people are driving they're listening to music, having conversations and are often going at speeds where someone's exhaust (almost always facing behind the motorcycle) isn't going to be heard by the driver. Also, me hearing a motorcycle is a result of being a motorcycle rider and therefore actively listening for motorcycles when driving. It has nothing to do with someone's de-catted pipes. Drivers paying attention save lives. Riders riding intelligently and safely saves lives. I know it doesn't sound as catchy but it's also the truth.

[@Jeffslayzos]

Thank you for being the hero we need - coming up with a quick presentation on THE DATA. 3:11 . I’m sending a clip I made of this to anyone that tells me “Omg, you’re riding again ?! You’re going to DIE, man!!” DOOOOODLE, I’ve watched so many videos since I’ve been getting back into the sport, and I gotta say YOU ARE THE BEST. I don’t even know you, but I feel like I got a lot of my riding confidence back living vicariously through your videos (especially the short rider info and tips, and drills). Thanks for everything you’re doing 😊

[@wp9409]

Spot-on with the pipes thing. Had a guy on a straight-piped HD pass me on the right (2-lane road). I almost clipped him because you can't hear the loud pipes until the bike is up in your blind spot. It's just physics.

[@C_R_O_M________]

What are you talking about? A loud bike can be heard from hundreds of meters behind you even in unpopulated highways where the sound doesn't bounce/echo as much as in urban environments. Loud pipes DO save lives. No doubt about it. Moreover, it's virtually impossible to document how many lives were saved by loud exhausts as a non-incident is never documented. Being a driver and a rider for more than 30 years, I KNOW that hearing a motorcycle coming makes me look at my rear view mirror to check where's the bike coming from. I have made space for them thousands of times. Same when I ride my 3 bikes. The more silent the bike is the less noticed you get.

[@wp9409]

@@C_R_O_M________ You do you. Physics are physics and sound travels away from the direction the pipes are aimed. Riding is risky enough without stories that give newbies a false sense of security. I'm relatively open-minded and I've experienced "loud" bikes coming up on me firsthand, both while riding and driving, and you can't hear them until they're in your blind spot. And yes, my hearing is fine, and no I don't ride with ear plugs. Good luck and appreciate the comments. 👍

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@wp9409 When ridding you experience a lot of external noise from air turbulence around your helmet. T he helmet itself is constructed to be silent but the lack of air smoothness that impacts your helmet by imperfect aerodynamics of the bike and rider system, traveling through air (as well as other external factors), makes riding a noisy experience. Ear plugs or not you won't be able to hear low frequency tones very easily. A high frequency high pitch wave however, like that of a high revving 4 cylinder, could get to your ear drums and alert you that something's incoming. Especially so in urban environments where sounds can get to you by bouncing all around structures. In any case, loud pipes are an EXTRA aid for the detection of a rider from surrounding drivers/riders. They don't make it worse, they make it better and more likely (to be detected). You might be inclined to agree with the host just to be positive and polite but I rather stick with what I see as facts and the truth. BTW, that study she quoted, has "Confounder" written all over it. It's wrong. No doubt about that.

[@wp9409]

@@C_R_O_M________ people claim deer whistles work too, and it's been proven they don't. Living in a deer-heavy area I can also attest they don't. If you have a study that proves sound travels ahead of the bike when the pipes are pointed behind it, please quote your source. Again, you do you, it's irresponsible to give new riders a false sense of security. I'm not agreeing with the host to be polite, she is in fact correct.

[@tardisrider25]

That is not physics. I mean the loudest part is definitely behind the pipes, but sound travels in waves in all directions means that a louder bike is more likely to send those waves in your direction. And you made the point for me, you definitely noticed him in the blind spot where it mattered. If you didn't notice beforehand and almost clipped him, that says a lot more about you as a inattentive driver than the pipes.

[@bigdog44b4u]

Well done as always. I enjoyed these 10. I find riding to be extremely enjoyable. Bought a new R1250 GS a year and a half ago. So enjoyable once confidence is built with training. Two things for me. Speed and aggressiveness is what I see most as a problem for riders. Many of my friends who ride always say it is the car drivers. Then they weave in and out of traffic. Yes, there are idiots in cars but so often I see other bikes doing things I would never do in a car much less a bike. Ride safe!

[@leroyjones769]

I don’t know about LOUD pipes, but I do know that louder pipes gets attention when filtering through SoCal traffic for sure. Any little bit helps along with using your noggin.

[@aventari]

100% agree. I had a track day at Laguna Seca so I put on my stock exhaust on my CBR1000rr. I also commute on that bike and split lanes and noticed significantly more people not noticing me and either changing lanes in front of me, or just not moving over like many usually do. I put the louder Jardine exhaust back on after the track day and my commute went back to normal. Also when I am in a car driving I usually hear bikes lane splitting before I see them as I drive with my windows down in order to use all of my senses to help be aware. All the evidence I need.

[@leroyjones769]

Exactly

[@Choosetoone]

How many people have loud bikes that have people merge into them? It's usually very specific situations that it may be noticed but most of the time not affective. The road is always random. ​@@aventari

[@calysagora3615]

@@aventari Indeed, I've had the same experience. My CB750 became significantly safer to ride with a Marshall shorty that just barely passed inspection. I have NEVER been split into on my vintage 1947 Harley WLA bobber with straight pipes, but riding my SR500 with stock muffler, even though it's a thumper, is a dodging game, and I no longer take it into anywhere where I can expect denser traffic.

[@justinthomas3696]

I’m glad to see someone speaking the truth. I hear all of these too often. Also that microphone clip took me a while to notice but is hilarious 😂

[@upsidedowndog1256]

When I see deer on my SV1000S with booming mufflers they run the other way. Cheap insurance. And I get to hear every penny of fuel getting burned for a double benefit.

[@1ShopSnipe]

Yep, agree. I have the same exact bike ('03), and my loud pipes are music to my ears.

[@jimbritttn]

Riders should be REQUIRED BY LAW to wear florencent vests like road-workers wear so they are visible. When you ride a black bike dressed in black you are almost invisible. Loud pipes DISTURB THE PEACE and should be illegal.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

@@jimbritttn Because government is always the answer apparently? Go ahead and wear a seatbelt while you are at it. I think I will remove the muffler off of one of my quiet bikes for the ride to work today.

[@calysagora3615]

@@jimbritttn Wrong, mostly wrong, and absolutely wrong! 🤗 In reality, loud pipes saves lives. FACT.

[@llarzelere]

I've got a loud bike. I want it to be louder. Every motorcycle accident I've been involved in with another vehicle involves cage driver inattention, except for the one where the driver (arrogantly) thought that the driving rules in the (former) GDR applied everywhere in the world, especially in Central Arizona, when he was driving.

[@tardisrider25]

The loud pipes are not a myth. The studies have a problem because they can't cover evidence of what didn't happen. Because I'm not a texting inattentive driver I've picked up the sound of pipes while driving and looked around to see no bike. It told me I couldn't change lanes until I knew where he was. That bike avoided danger from me moving into my blind spot because I heard it first and knew it had to be there somewhere. It's happened more than once. Instead of fighting the fact that sound does make a difference with the low visibility, people should be learning to pay attention to their surroundings.

[@budroberts5929]

Right. You can't count what didn't happen. A statistician helped British bomber squadrons with that in WW2 and NHTSA still struggles with how to study US accidents that didn't happen. I think silent electric cars are a hazard to pedestrians, and factory-volume Harleys are a good volume of loud in block-to-block city traffic especially with pedestrians, cars, too.

[@derek96720]

You don't need to count what doesn't happen, since you can easily focus on the bikes with loud pipes that do get into accidents.

[@tardisrider25]

@@derek96720 It's not what doesn't happen. What happens if people hear the pipes and notice you.

[@derek96720]

@@tardisrider25 They aren't noticing anything with their windows up and the music on. Moreover, at freeway speeds, they won't have a chance at hearing you unless you're either in front of them or right next to them.

[@tardisrider25]

@@derek96720 you're just being ridiculous now. I drive cars and hear them all the time. And freeway speeds have nothing to do with anything. If traffic is moving together it's all relative. If sound doesn't reach vehicles on the road and the freeway, why do sirens exist?

[@Apollo949]

Hi Doodle I admire your resolve and dedication to keep on riding and now you're one of the best and most experienced KZbinrs on riding techniques. This particular episode was an inspiration because everything you say I've learnt via practical experience over the last 50 years of riding. For instance, I have always thought those bikers who claim "I had to lay her down" were talking nonsense and it's always been my mission to keep my bike upright and take evasive action which I've had to do occasionally, but reading the road and anticipating the stupidity of some car drivers helps keep me safe and the last thing I want is a damaged bike that cost a year's wages.

[@Adam.NavyVet]

I have been riding since I was 10 years old. I have lost count how many times my loud pipes have prevented an accident or being cut off. Loud pipes help raise driver alertness that Motorcycles are near. This is my personal and real experience from over 50 years of riding.

[@Leonard-kd7uj]

Totally agree ride my Africa twin when filtering nobody even hears you coming on Mt harley even surprised me how many people check there mirrors and move over would no rely on that but it happens ride safe

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

Bullshit

[@Adam.NavyVet]

@@BrianSmith-ql5nj You are entitled to your opinion and no reason to be rude and disrespectful.

[@Leonard-kd7uj]

@BrianSmith-ql5nj you sir have your opinion I know what I see not going to argue with a one word response its you tube you and i take it we both ride so you have your beliefs I did 15,000 miles on my two bikes last year and as its been said rude is disrespectful you ride safe what ever you ride

[@lalosblahblahblah7071]

Great info, including the height topic. Also I joined a gym a while back, and told people my main goal was picking up my ADV bike. I dropped it about to months back, and picked it up no problem.

[@brendanjames7122]

Animals hear loud pipes and are more aware of you. In this case loud pipes save lives.

[@C_R_O_M________]

In many cases they do.

[@MrBCRC]

So are pedestrians

[@northrider8628]

They also get spooked and run😮 and they don't necessarily run away from the road ahead of you. I have slipped past as they noticed me more times than I can count 😊

[@brendanjames7122]

​@northrider8628 I've had way way more close calls on quite bikes and cars than loud bikes. Been riding since the 80's.

[@northrider8628]

I started riding on the street in Montana in 1983 when I bought my first cb 750 before that I ran around on dirt bikes. I have a little experience also. Lots of big animals here 😅 just got photos of 4 elk on my frontage road yesterday as I was passing by I was able to stop and take video 📹 before they spooked and ran... believe this it can go ether way 🤠

[@QuadeQuick]

My Vance & Hines slip-ons aren't particularly obnoxious, but when I'm in multi-lane traffic beside someone who doesn't know I'm there, I MAY razz the pipes just to say hello. WHERE you ride also plays a role. I've ridden all over the US but live in SWFL; if you think you have bad drivers where you live, please come visit. When I learned to ride 40 years ago, "Ride defensively" was the rule. Not here. I've learned to ride offensively, moving before people have a chance to make bad decisions that give you no way out.

[@powersportsenthusiast1986]

loud pipes most certainly help. i've seen many people look in my direction because they heard me first. now loud pipes that don't sound good? that's another story... although they'll still be heard, quality and quantity are two different things. many seem to think "loud" means "sounds good" edit: i'm not one of those guys that has to be heard/seen everywhere he goes. in a sound sensitive situation, like going by a field of horses, i try to go by quietly. i saw a guy up on a ladder close to the roadway and made sure not to go by obnoxiously.

[@waynerobertson511]

I think they might be somewhat useful in low speed situations. Where you probably won't get killed or have a serious accident. I like the idea of moderately noisy pipes when lane splitting. I hear bikes coming, when in my car, heavy traffic. But, in open road situations, no way. Almost all the sound goes behind you. But, you are going forwards. You need people to see you in advance.

[@powersportsenthusiast1986]

@@waynerobertson511 whether it's useful in all scenarios is true or not, the point is they do help, even if not in every circumstance. intersections are often where accidents happen and ive made many people aware i was coming

[@logangodofcandy]

Some people noticing you doesn't mean it helps. It just might mean that the people who wouldn't hit you noticed you while they weren't going to hit you.

[@shorelinerider]

I'm with you. I think "loud pipes" in general remind people that motorcycles are a thing on the road. Even if someone is just sitting at a stop light with a loud bike in front of them, or beside them, they're going to be reminded that two-wheeled motorists are out there. And in Canada, where we aren't out there all year long, it's important to remind people we exist.

[@birddogz545]

Loud exhaust absolutely help cars notice bikes. Half of the clips you posted in your segment about exhaust showed cars merging over into bikes. That's the exact scenario that loud pipes help the most. Just like bright colors, loud pipes are another way of getting the attention of cagers.

[@MrThespian4]

As far as the light on your helmet. I saw a car slam into the back of a firetruck yesterday that had massive L.E.D lights ,and Bright Yellow, and Red reflective chevrons on the back of it. Motorcyclists have no chance these days with giant screens in cars, and phones , and all of that stuff.

[@Mahnamahna1100]

I used to think the loud pipe thing was foolish until one day I almost swerved my cage into a bike next to me. The sound of the exhaust prompted me to double check and sure enough there was a bike on my left shoulder. For this reason I'll ride within sight of a cages mirrors until I know they've seen me, even though my Kaw has loud pipes.

[@trevorzealley729]

I love a challenge . But the best challenge is to my way of thinking . After 55 years of riding I`ve just learned new stuff . Thanks for sharing .

[@danielh115]

Great video. I'm 62 years old. My daughter was born in 1989. I gave up riding in 1989 and bought a Toyota Hiace van. The last bike I rode was a 1983 Kawasaki GPZ1100❤❤. So, after 30 plus years, I decided to start riding again. I settled on a 2019 Kawasaki Vulcan s 650cc. I ride every day and learn every day. I'm in heaven when I ride.

[@dynamicdancenz]

Love it, I'm a learner, waiting for delivery of my first bike. I'm inspired by you, and appreciate the candid approach to your videos, with content, and not a lot of fluff😄 Thank you from New Zealand.

[@Motorcyclewindtherapy]

Sorry, Doodle. I've got 3 decades of Harley miles behind me... can't tell you the # of times a throttle crack saved me from a driver not paying attention! Old days...could be anything...nowadays, it's the phone screens the drivers are glued to...even while driving and swerving! I will never be without my loud pipes, way too important for safety. Helmet and armor is first, but loud pipes is my second most important.

[@zwartie2112]

How about a loud horn?

[@timlubbers2884]

Yup, my biggest issue is vehicles moving over into my lane, with the louder exhaust, it still happens, just not as often as it used to…

[@LJSiar]

Thank you for being real. This chick has never smelt a thousand mile day in her life.

[@1diggers1]

@@LJSiar Is that some sort of badge of honor?

[@tompGA]

If you think that a loud noise is what is keeping you safe, then just short out your horn so that it is always honking. May not be as cool, but would be much more effective!

[@Dragoninja833]

I LOVE your videos and I think you are awesome. Keep making them! It's really inspiring to see someone your size whipping these big bikes around. I'm 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and I'm pretty sure you could out ride me any day! Proud of you! I will disagree on one point you made, though. At least in the US, bikes are WAY cheaper than cars. In '22 I bought a cfmoto 700CL-X brand new for $6500. About $8500 out the door. You CANNOT get a car that cheap brand new. My oil changes are SUPER cheap. There is no AC, heater, windows, locks, trunks, doors, A-arms, etc... on a motorcycle. Most of the stuff on a low to mid-range bike is pretty simple, except for the engine and some of the electronics. Most people probably do or can work on their own bikes. There is also half the suspension, wheels and tires to worry about. Just don't tell my wife about the insurance costs...

[@paulregner5335]

I've been riding motorcycles for many years and regarding loud pipes, all I've found is that they annoy everyone within earshot. The only thing worse is when people have loud blaring stereos on their motorcycles.

[@ronm3313]

I've had 2 personal experiences where loud pipes helped a situation. One I was merging onto the freeway and heard 2 loud bikes behind me. I froze in place and looked in my mirrors. Two speeding Harleys passed me on either side as they merged onto the highway. Had I not heard them I may have moved into their path. I was once riding with my buddy on a local twisty. We owned identical FJR1300s except his had an aftermarket louder pipe. I was about 100 feet behind him. We came around a corner and a group of kids on minibikes were all over the road. They heard him coming, none of them were looking, and moved over for him but then moved back into my path as they couldn't hear me. I had to use my horn. Sound doesn't just travel in one direction. It will bounce off objects and come back at you. Put a speaker in a room and aim it at a wall. You can hear it right?

[@brianhoppenrath8379]

Most motorcycle accidents are rider error, yes a lot in intersection’s, poor training, and no cooperation with traffic.

[@JamesAllmond]

you didn't listen did you, that is 100% incorrect as written. Rewatch video, pay attention to the part where she talks stats. All single rider accidents are the rider's fault one way (vehicle faults are your fault) or another, the ones involving other vehicles, about 60% are the fault of the other driver, much higher in some areas, like upwards of 80% in some areas of Florida, for instance. I know this as I did those stats for a long time...and still ride. NOthing substitutes for training and experience and nothing can prevent a really bad driver from taking you out, if you are distracted. Hence no bike of mine has a radio...nor do I wear ear buds....nor ride intoxicated. Me? 54 years riding and closing in on 900K documented miles.

[@AyaWetts]

@@JamesAllmond I am not sure I'd call all single rider accidents their own fault... most yes, but sometimes things can happen you cannot account for, especially things like animals... Deer running fast appearing in a split second plowing into you, not always a lot you can do. Vehicle faults are also not always your fault... thats like saying that all wrecks are your fault because you decided to get on the motorcycle to start with, if you hadn't ridden, you wouldn't have wrecked.

[@OneFreeMan17]

@@JamesAllmondEar buds help with wind buffeting, especially on longer rides

[@brianhoppenrath8379]

Your wrong most accidents are rider error not on cars, no need to watch her video, check the national stats.

[@brianhoppenrath8379]

A motorcycle passing on a curve, a motorcycle running off the road on a curve, motorcycle weaving thru traffic, a motorcycle speeding and rearending another vehicle, just few that I have seen on the accidents list. Surprising to me Harley riders make up a bigger segment of the accidents then I would have thought. Always thought sport bikes would be higher.

[@floreoma]

My favorite thing about your channel is witnessing the growth and the transformation. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

[@jeddytranquill3178]

1.6 million miles in 60 years of my 81 years of riding I can tell you that loud pipes or not plus full helmets, fancy colorful clothes or whatever SPEED always kills!

[@abikeanditsboy3449]

And here I always thought it was the sudden stop at the end that got ya. 😂

[@oceanNmotoWoman]

I've been really busy so my bike has been collecting dust in the garage. Thank you for inspiring me to take her out again

[@b.n674]

You are lucky...you are truely inspirational...Not everyone has soft falls unfortunately.. I had a fall 2020 and I am now in rehab after my 3rd operation on my shoulder and they still cant get it right.. 2020 I had 2 operations and 8 weeks ago my 3rd.. riding on dirt track.. Still love riding though.. have a few months before I can ride again.. ;(

[@JamesAllmond]

I still limp from the ass caused accident I talk about in my comment, from 2004...

[@phil4986]

Great video. Agreed on everything you said. Especially the 'Just be careful' part, with the guy driving his sport bike right off the intersection, into the sign. lol.

[@donnellans]

The motorcycle accident statistic you referred to is not “30 times more likely to get into an accident”. The common statistic is “30 times more likely to die in an accident” or some variation of that. That is indeed backed up by data and it’s more like 27 times.

[@mikeymike1705]

I can't stand loud exhausts and even worse is 'loud pipes saves lives', Pay attention to your surroundings, give yourself an 'out' when around traffic. Loud pipes SUCK. It's basically 'LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME'!

[@NVRRVN]

Interesting that the data suggests that you can avoid accidents by sight but not by sound. Maybe we all need to remove the horn because it’s useless anyway.

[@downhillphil]

And emergency services can do without those pesky sirens......

[@erich.4305]

horn points forward.

[@FatYokel]

@@erich.4305 Sound travels at 343 m/s in all directions...

[@calysagora3615]

LOL, yeah, that data is absolutely nonsensical! Karen's can piss and moan all they want, the fact still remains: LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES!

[@adamwhite6797]

I've told my dad one of the first things im getting for my bikes are crash protections because i know its gonna happened with slow speed practice

[@jeffgiles5297]

I had to laugh once when I saw a guy wearing a shirt saying "Loud pipes save lives" as he rode his motorcycle with no helmet...

[@daviddavidson4496]

My friends log bare chested in shorts n flip flops Real ones KNOW

[@DoodleOnAMotorcycle]

LOL!

[@calysagora3615]

Now reverse the logic that you find funny. get a shirt that says "helmets saves lives" and wear it along with your helmet, but nothing else but a pair of boxers. Does one stupidity negate established logical facts? If you like riding with no helmet, loud pipes definitely help keeping you out of dying from not wearing a helmet. (No, it's not a myth, the real myth is that they don't save lives)

[@SeaniepGdizzle]

You hit everyone for me. Thanks to your content you made me go back to my class basics with the mentality that it doesn't matter what the bike is, if I want to ride it then do it and practice your skills. So thank you again and again for everything you upload.

[@danielbuchanan5327]

I remember hearing that loud pipes saves lives is a myth but the other day thanks to the rear right corner of my jeep gladiator hard top, I did not see a motorcyclist when I was changing lanes. He revved the crap out of his motor, I heard the exhaust, and I stopped changing lanes, and he did not die. So pipes definitely saved his life that day. That isn’t to say loud pipes keep motorcyclist from getting hit but in that situation, it was definitely true.

[@1diggers1]

Yeah it works, sometimes, just not as much as people would like to believe. I'm in CA where lane splitting is what is done. Usually, when driving my truck, I only hear the bike as it's passing me, which is too late. Something I keep in mind.

[@gungadingo]

BS, what makes you think he would have died. Exaggerating much?

[@jw-hy5nq]

So loud pipes saved a mouthbreather that likes to hang out in blind spots. Yup, safe riding habits aren't needed as long as your obnoxious.

[@shardlake]

If he used the brake rather than the throttle, he could have sorted out the issue, without relying on you hearing his bike :)

[@unionrdr]

You said a lot of good things here! The biggest problem for riders is that cagers aren't conditioned to see a silhouette smaller than a car or truck. They don't usually bother to see you. And they always said I'd grow out of my V Star 250 Lowrider Custom Cruiser. Too small. Well, at 68 and a returning rider after 50 years outta the saddle, a 326lb bike is plenty for me. and it fits me like a glove! Not to mention, it looks like a Sportster and the same size. A v twin SOHC too. If it works, go with it.

[@Okurka.]

I commute to and from work and see the same car drivers every day. They seem to never expect to see me unless they are trying to deliberately drive me off the road all the time.