Veteran motorcycle rider says loud exhaust pipes help the rider be heard, safe and seen on the road

Veteran motorcycle rider Tony Sanfelipo of Milwaukee thinks loud exhaust pipes on motorcycles help the rider be heard and seen by motorists. Sanfelipo is one of Wisconsin's Iron Butt riders, a select group of bikers who have logged a minimum of 1,000 miles of motorcycle riding in 24 hours.
For more on this story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
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Video by Michael Sears

[@MrCR500AF]

Should make pipes that fire forward,can never be too safe.

[@tommy-jy5ig]

During the 'horse and buggy era' some folks would insert a megaphone into their horse's rectum. This ampliphied the sound of the exhaust, thus saving many lives. This practice also improved performance. And, most people liked the enhanced sound of the horse.

[@eveihlone2192]

My Great Grand Dad was a religious man. He would shove a shofar (ram's horn) up his horse's backside on the Sabbath.

[@johnready630]

Got tired of hearing the Harley's rip on my street so I got pissed and bought one with straight pipes . Love it !!

[@arthurmchugh5184]

Congrats you have joined the ranks of dickwad bikers!! Fuck you very much!!

[@arthurmchugh5184]

billie ewwwww gross !! Probably right but ewwww gross!😎😎😎🤣🤣🤣🤣🍺

Didn't know ya had to buy buy a HD that came with straight pipes, learn something new after all these years of wrenchen & riding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Salim_shahidy]

If you can’t beat them join them 😂

[@johnready630]

@@Salim_shahidy Exactly !!

[@colossusofrhodes1282]

Now this guy seems chill. Most Harley riders are not like this guy

[@eddyguerra6334]

If you don't ride your life sucks, if you are happy you go for a ride, if you are having a bad day, you go for a ride, it's bike therapy, you always come home with a big smile...

[@tralphaz1]

Exception to the rule, both of my bikes are loud and people still cut me off, I've had many occasions where I've been passed in my car by obnoxiously loud bikes and actually didn't hear them until they were passing and then in front of me, most of the sound after all comes out the rear of the bike and is aimed away from the direction of travel.

[@tommy-jy5ig]

I propose that all vehicles make as much incessant, obnoxious noise as possible so we can all be safer. Perhaps car alarms that just stay on 24/7?

[@MarshallSmith27]

I hope they do stay on

[@tommy-jy5ig]

@Digit 56 Pimping out your motorcycle with bling does not necessarily mean a guy is gay. does it?

[@ChrisB10]

Well the difference being people have a hard time seeing motorcyles. Even people that are paying attention so bikers need to be extra loud

[@Fred82muchPi]

Engines make sounds. I love the sounds engines make..Mufflers take that sound away. I work in public service and do everything I can while on the clock to help people. Being able to hear my bike, to be a part of that communication with the machine, is the part of my day where I make myself happy.

[@Fred82muchPi]

Robert Dobbs, it's a shame, and I feel really bad for you, that you apparently never had a true binding moment with w machine.

[@TheGrundigg]

Dude You are just the best. Every argument you make is about penis size of someone xD Grow up.

[@Fred82muchPi]

Funny...I like the sound of an engine when I'm way in the back country where no one else is. There is a difference between "loud" and obnoxious. Like I said, I feel bad for you as you seem to lack a life since you troll blogs of items you are not really interested.

[@Fred82muchPi]

You are funny...You don't know me, and I'll make this short and sweet. Stop with the nasty comments. Why would you troll around on a blog where you show no interest other than to harass people who share a common interest. This is your one warning..stop with the penis reference. For what it's worth...It was raining the other morning, so I was confined to my Super Duty to drive to work. When I heard a rumble beside me, I know there was a brave sole on a Buell riding to work. His loud pipes kept me in my lane, otherwise I would not have known he was there.

[@Fred82muchPi]

Like I said...You don't know me...A 2000 Super Duty has no blind spots. Point being I knew he was there without looking. Do the world a favor, and yourself, and do not respond again. I will not be harassed, and will not allow you the last word. Unless that word is an apology.

[@TheBandit7613]

I don't have a bike anymore (was hit three times by cars) and don't mind Harleys being loud. It helps me know they are there. I'd rather hear a Harley than have someone crash.

[@skilineking]

the sound of a thumping v-twin engine is 100x better to listen to than blaring some shitty ass rap music from your honda civic with a fart cannon on it

[@nicktune1219]

+dr1345 it's called RICE. Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancement. Do you even watch Gaskings bro?

[@Hero_of_Legend]

I always thought it was a pejorative against Japanese automakers, since Asian cuisine tends to involve a lot of rice. Huh. You learn something new, every day...

[@locomojo0485]

Yeah but then shitty ass rap music can be turned down. How the fuck do you turn down your pipes?

[@Hero_of_Legend]

locomojo0485 Keep the RPMs low. When I come home from work at 2 in the morning, I just keep my shifting intervals as low as I am able. Doing 25 in 4th gear is pretty quiet, even on an 88 inch big twin with Vance & Hines big shots. And if I need a little more power, just downshift, hit the throttle as easy as I can get away with, and upshift again, and coast. I can get most of the way down a flat street, without waking a single baby. Then, I don't sound much different than the average pick-up running through the neighborhood.

[@locomojo0485]

Angel Bowfinger that's great. I wish many others were like that. so many don't care. I have to live in my neighborhood and work late and come home at 2 to 5 am on my bikes, I do the same as you, high gear to keep rpms low.

[@kyleross3211]

Helmets save lives too by the way... I don't mind louder pipes at all, but it drives me crazy when someone goes around saying loud pipes save lives while wearing a t-shirt and ball cap when they ride.

[@douglasklukowski8308]

It's called freedom dummy freedom of choice!

[@AustenSummers]

@@douglasklukowski8308No, it’s called a weak argument of safety to defend being an attention whore with your loud motorcycle making everyone within a mile think you’re a pathetic human who didn’t get enough attention as a kid.

[@beerrunner8153]

He is right because I have had to do the same thing. Hit the throttle and they pay attention.

[@eduardoaldaco8792]

Beerrunner81 do this ALLLL the time. Saved my life at least five times.

[@cristobilllumberg2473]

I cant stand idiots who have loud pipes. Its all about being obnoxious and showing off and guess what.. nobody cares that you have a bike! It scares pets and children and its the most annoying thing to listen to.

[@darrennvalente]

well said mate, totally agree with you man.

[@sunnyvalejedi]

Harleys are are proven to be the most effective method of converting fuel to noise.

[@jameshelyer272]

I beg to differ. My V-rod is smooth as silk and has plenty of power. It was comfortable enough to complete an Iron Butt ride.

[@sunnyvalejedi]

James Helyer A Mulitistrada or GS1200 is faster, lighter and better handling.

[@freeeeeeedomnorulers4803]

propfrwrd ,,,spoken like a top notch boring fuck who does not ride Harleys , probably due to lack of balls to pull it off , or too poor to purchase gs 1200 peh heh heh rrrr piece a shit

[@jameshelyer272]

Both very nice bikes but completely different type of ride. I prefer mine though.

[@tjpanbiker4135]

Propfrwrd + I guess you've never been around a diesel pickup truck with the big pipes. I'll take a loud bike over one of those anyday!

[@bill-2018]

On too many occasions I've had cars almost pull out in front of me from a side road and then stop. I think because they didn't look properly and then they heard me and looked again. That's riding at the legal limit or as conditions allow and with my headlight on.

[@Softail77us]

You got it. Ride on Brother!

[@stevevlietstra9890]

I love hearing 15 or more of them riding in groups past my house all god dam day.

[@arthurmchugh5184]

That would be fine! IF I HAD A MACHINE GUN!!!

[@bryansmith4856]

RIGHT ON BRO!

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

Obnoxiously loud pipes aren't a good thing, but there is no doubt in my mind that non stock pipes which are louder than stock pipes do save lives everyday. Mine are a bit louder than stock which is a great help in people being aware of me. And when I am rolling through a neighborhood I make an effort to go very slow and easy so they are as quiet as possible so as not to bother people. There is a harley rider who rolls by my house a couple times everyday, and he just takes it real easy, i hear him coming but it is not bothersome. He's been doing it for years and it's never been a bother. Politeness and respect for others is the key.

[@snakepliskinsnake]

no they do not. you cannot here then if the bike and the car are heading towards eachother. you can not hear the bike if behind the car. window's up radio playing. it's all shit. obnoxious is what it is. u crank that out balance motor up 6 am. varroom varroom ... never left the drive way. damn childish. period.

[@dragan4658]

+robert sims you just summed it up, people in cars with Windows closed and music blaring, hmm loud pipes give you the edge to be heard, and possibly help you be noticed. with irresponsible drivers on the roads motorcyclists need all the help so if loud pipes may help I'm all for it.

[@snakepliskinsnake]

+Dragan Marjanovic Analyzing the crash reports, statistics indicate that around 77% of the hazards come in front of the biker, and only 3% approach from behind. What's next, front-facing exhausts? Read more: www.autoevolution.com/news/most-common-motorcycle-myths-debunked-part-1-45969.html#ixzz4GHEqgUaN

[@snakepliskinsnake]

+Dragan Marjanovic Let's start with some basic physics and a little rationality. Your exhaust is pointed backwards and by the nature of you traveling forward, you're actually leaving the sound behind you as you move forward. If that concept is confusing, think of the sound of a fire truck passing you with its siren blaring. The siren is pointed forward because the purpose is to warn driver’s the truck is approching.

[@snakepliskinsnake]

+Dragan Marjanovic typical accident in this category is portrayed by the automobile in traffic turning left into the path of the oncoming motorcycle.” A lot has changed in 40 years, but one thing that I think we can all agree hasn’t changed is that the car drivers are still pulling out in front of us. That means the bigger danger is still ahead, not behind, but most of the racket from loud pipes is just pissing off the people behind you, while doing very little to warn those in front of you.

[@sunpwrd]

I ride an electric Zero with a modified controller. It's a sport bike with a 0-60 of 3 seconds flat. No clutch, no transmission, just lots of torque. I ride all over the LA region and split lanes on the freeays without any problem. No one in a car can hear my bike. It's not silent, but it is very quiet. This Tony Sanfelipo fellow says it's quicker to just rap his throttle than hitting his horn. I question that since the horn is adjacent to his left thumb and all he has to do is push the button. It takes me a small fraction of a second for this purpose. Now, for Tony to rap his throttle, he has to grab his clutch with his left hand, which takes more effort and more time than just pushing the horn with his left thumb. Then, once the clutch is engaged, he can hit the throttle. In 7 years of riding electric bikes, I've used my horn less than ten times. I do encounter a lot of cagers distracted by phones and such, but if you ride defensively, you are ready for most anything, so the need of the horn is minimal.

[@abztrakGFX]

👍🏽" I RATHER LISTEN TO MY MOTOR THAN A RADIO!!!! Music enough to my ears!!!

[@asbestosfiber]

99.7 percent of the "loud pipes save lives" crowd also dresses in all black and wears the crappiest helmets they can get. If they were so concerned with safety they would wear a brightly colored reflective vest and a good helmet. It's about being tough and being obnoxious

[@jonnnywod4339]

Harley are meant to be loud

[@brandonj.williams4661]

yet I get a ticket for my sound system being loud.

[@PeterDad60]

How many lives can one Harley-Davidson rider with loud pipes save before people see the truth? Years ago I installed racing pipes on my H-D 883 Sportster and they were kind of loud, but not open pipes. Anyway, while cruising in my own neighborhood at around 20 mph just 2 blocks from my home a little girl around 10-12 years old came running down her front yard chasing after a ball and she was running full spreed right into the street and right in my path. There was nothing I could do. Funny, she took one step into the street while chasing that ball and without even looking up she stopped dead in her tracks. You guessed it, she did hear my loud pipes and even though she was not paying attention as to where she was running to get the ball, she heard my motorcycle and she stopped and saved her own life. I could tell by the look on her face that she had not realised she had run into the street and she did not see me, she was completely surprised but thankfully she heard me. So for all you talkers, is the life of even this one little girl precious enough to you to back off and understand that we bikers from experience have seen lives saved as a result of our loudness. She could have been your little girl.

[@GrtSatan]

Those of us who ride quiet machines should hang our heads in collective shame for not realizing the error of our ways. I will lose sleep thinking about how many little girls I've killed by not making a huge Godawful racket with my motorcycle. Parents of little girls who like to run into traffic should lobby their elected officials to insist that loud exhausts become mandatory on all vehicles.

[@George_Tropicana]

The fact that he admitted that it’s an obnoxious sounding bike made my frustration deflate. At least they admit that.

[@moorshound3243]

I rather listen to my motor then a radio, he could not have said it better!! Loud is the way...

[@fr8hauler]

Pipe it through some earbuds stupid. We don't like it. ...and it's an "engine", dumbass.

[@moorshound3243]

err motor car motor bike an engine is a motor. I don't care what you don't like, would go to the jungle & ask the animals to please be quite? life is loud deal with it...

[@genuine_john]

nice, i'll just operate a bunch of generators and other loud machinery around your house while you try to sleep. its ok though, i just like the sounds of generators operating, so soothing :)

[@MissShaftable]

I love the sound, I don't own a Harley but if I did you bet your ass Ima wake it up a bit. As a kid me and my old man went to the track and tractor pulls and what not and I loved it. It's a personal thing not an attention thing, and being acknowledged never hurts either.

[@putitinreverseterry]

All sound and no performance, might as well get a 500$ car and take the exhaust off to make it loud if you want loud

[@JohnnyRebKy]

My pipes are loud. But I ride past my neighbors and through populated areas with respect. Loud pipes aren't very obnoxious when used wisely. But as the guy said I can make them bark when needed. It's idiots with no respect that cause problems

[@IamTheGoatstroker]

+JohnnyRebKy The idiots with no respect causing problems applies to more than just pipes.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

***** AGREED!

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Bill Kahn Screaming Eagle II with homemade baffles made out of washers. Bike is Dyna Wide Glide

[@richarddarlington1139]

What, we're supposed to call 'em "birds, now? Gimme a break!

[@simonwatts8338]

It's when you are at a junction, maybe filtering and you're surrounded by big trucks. You want them to know you're there.

[@hughellis9169]

I have Vance and Hines big radius exhausts on my Harley 96 inch chop, they look and sound fantastic! I also get heard as I approach toward you.....when you then see me (hopefully) you will still not pull out right in front of me! I love my bike, just the way it looks.....not with its front end touching it's engine thanks! I will never put stock pipes on. Ride to Live, Live to Ride. Harley forever.

[@BillyBlaze7]

ive been riding 42 years, hes 100 % correct

[@Indig3nousLif3]

I just got myself a harley arround 5 months ago, first thing i did was get a louder exhaust, i love the sound and everyone who has ever called out to me or tried to get my attention has only complimented it, sure calls mr an ass, a Psychopath, a disturbance, i don't care, its your opinion and it doesn't make it real, just cause some kid hidden behind a monitor or a phone tell me im an asshole for having a loud pipe doesn't make me one, and to go with the saving life's argument, i've had more than one encounter that reving my engine and letting out the noises fixed, immediately noticed me and corrected himself, simple, i like it, you don't, my opinion, your opinion, i don't care about yours unless you give me some constructive criticism instead of using curse words and bad mouthing.

[@Jameskenomis3]

It definitely helps save lives. Your wife and Sancho can hear you coming down the road and give him time to get out the back door.

[@lindsayrogers6690]

😂

[@iwanttoramble9545]

damn dude, who hurt you and is that something that hits close to home?

[@alanwhiteside410]

He is absolutely right! 👍👍

[@electricritual4197]

Everyone who is posting against loud pipes. Saying they don't alert people to your presents, have already lost the argument. Because you're saying the pipes are loud and they annoy you. You're proving the point that they are getting your attention. That's exactly the point. We're trying to make. We use the pipes get eye contact or alert them that were are there. I've done this on numerous occasions to drivers who aren't paying attention. So to say that they don't save lives would be incorrect. You can't say the pipes are loud and annoying and then at the same they can't save you from getting in an accident.

[@augnkn93043]

I'd rather they all die. And am pleased when they do.

[@verynearlypure]

You can't argue with your type of stupidity.

[@whitedevil2]

factory horns save lives. i go to my horn to get people's attention to keep me safe and it works every time. and i have loud pipes. just google "loud pipes save lives" and you'll find numerous sources that debunk the myth.

[@williamhanlon8159]

You have loud pipes for the same reason I used to drive a red convertible.If you're in a car, you don't hear the bike until it gets even with you.Your right to make noise stops where my ears begin.Riding a bike,snowmobiling,atv riding,mountain climbing,hang gliding ect. are inherently dangerous.Pedestrians and people trying to get some sleep are are also subject to these unnecessarily loud pipes. PS wear a helmet and good quality leathers if you're so concerned with safety.

[@RichieD088]

whitedevil2 your a douchebag troll..........

[@miguelvazquez5084]

I totally agree with this guy comments,I am a rider myself and after a couple close calls I desired to make my pipes loud ,unfortunately I couldn’t make them loud enough and end up buying new ones.Is all about been safe on the road

[@nissy9220]

Miguel Vazquez it’s all about making people look at you. You are all a bunch of wankers

[@syyenergy7]

What he's saying is absolutely 100% true. Plus the Harley 'sounds and rhythm' help the body and mind to heal.

[@YTRulesFromNM]

We are to take safety advice from someone dressed in black and doesn't wear a helmet?

[@suchitotoelsalvador6997]

And out goes the bullshit flag on the field.

[@pedrokantor3997]

Troll or not a troll? This is too dumb.

[@Keepingitrespectfulmostly.]

Syyenergy 7: Well said.. ignore the dweebs.. theres always a few where ever there are public comments..

[@artmchugh5644]

YTRulesFromNM good point ! This guy is full of shit

[@AV8R_1]

I've personally had a throttle goose save my life. Most likely. Someone was about to pull out right in front of me on my right. They were at a stop and looking to their right, and just started to pull out. I have the clutch a squeeze and goosed it. They immediately hit the brakes and looked my way. I have no doubt if I had taken the time to find my horn button or done nothing at all they would've pulled out and I would've hit them.. what this guy says is true, it's definitely easier and faster to flip the throttle then to find your horn. Some older bikes don't have a lot on the controls and the horn is easy to find quickly, but they usually don't have a very loud horn either. Newer bikes tend to have louder horns, but with so much going on on the controls, the horn can be a tough button to find in the hundredth of a second you need to find it. I'm currently riding a brand new CVO breakout, and on the left controls there's a display cycle button, the horn, a turn signal, a cruise control, and a headlight rocker. I literally have to look at the controls to find the horn. Even after riding over 10,000 miles in the last year alone. The throttle is already in your hand.

[@sanityimpaired]

Why are you comparing the maximum noise level of HDs to the idle and running noise levels of other vehicles? It's a pretty obvious apples and oranges comparison, particularly when a diesel truck at 40 mph output 84 dB, and as high as 96 dB at highway speeds. That's still not maximum output. Motorcycles are already being unfairly targeted by noise bylaws. Rather than reinforcing the stigma against motorcycles, you should be arguing for all vehicles which modify their exhaust systems to be held accountable.

[@mattyshredz1071]

I love the sound of loud engines. They are badass.

[@mattyshredz1071]

Robert Dobbs I dont live an apartment

[@mattyshredz1071]

Robert Dobbs what are you talking about?

[@mattyshredz1071]

Robert Dobbs What is a tiny johnson?

[@mattyshredz1071]

Robert Dobbs you make no sense.

[@mattyshredz1071]

Robert Dobbs all I said was loud engines are badass. Then you come here and make a fucking running commentary.

[@kirtleyburggraf8786]

Used to worry a lot when I rode a BMW boxer twin. It was so quiet. I used to get cut off a lot. But, for me there is a middle ground. Straight pipes on a Harley are just obnoxious.

[@harleyrider8924]

He's a true rider, world needs more of them

[@robtbomba3491]

Exhaust systems on some sport bikes can be far louder than anything you'll hear on a big twin

[@robertglancy4474]

Yeah and they modify their bikes so they can stand up on the back in order to ride wheelies and other crazy shit on public streets and then yap about the Harly guys are the attention seekers.

[@snakepliskinsnake]

true,but they truly sound good as opposed to an out of balance Harley engine. the engines are built slightly of center. it's why they shake all to piece's and sound like it needs spark plug wire's.....

[@67bowman]

+robert sims lol you sound like a 16 year old that thinks he knows everything and doesn't know shit.

[@dragan4658]

+robert sims stop living in the 70's as the newer HD's don't shake.

[@deckerhand12]

They sound like a really loud lawn mower

[@monmixer]

I was sitting at a red light behind a van one day on my slightly loud Harley Davidson motorcycle. I stayed to the drivers side of the van so that the driver could see me in the review mirror. I always do that when I'm I'm close to vehicle at a stop. Well I'll be, her radio was blasting so loud I could hear it. It was summer time. Her windows were up and she had a van load of kids. soccer mom type I suppose. Well any way. I saw her back up lights come on and she just backed right over top of me. the tried to drive away. I ran to her van door and beat on he window. There was lots of traffic and witness's so she stopped. I did get hurt a bit. Her fender caught the tread on my front tire as i was trying to back away from her while blowing my horn. Her bumper rolled right up my tire, crushed my fender, forced my bike to ground, ran over my foot as i was trying to escape. I hurt my right leg and back trying to just get off and away from her.I was sitting at a red

[@moeless8614]

If you have time to "rack the pipes" you have MORE than enough time to do something effective to keep yourself safe. If loud pipes save lives, just IMAGINE what learning to ride properly and defensively could do! And yes, I ride a Harley...with the factory pipes. Haven't had to "rack 'em out" OR "lay 'er down," (the other classic unskilled rider copout.) Hell, I haven't ever had to blow the horn. But then, I'm a well trained life-long defensive rider that has never had an at fault crash. (Former MSF Instructor, too.) Just my little bit of input, hope I don't bunch too many panties with it.

[@ghostanime84]

Big talk little man. JK LOL Playin I hear you. I only to blow my horn once and that was a car fixing to side swipe me when we were both coming to a red light. But I still had the option to got between the cars in front if they kept going. Ride defensively and not like you own the road or like everyone knows your there. Loud music in the car can still def those pips.

[@bobsullivan5714]

WROOOONG! The argument is: Harley's don't make noise, they create sound.

[@tommy-jy5ig]

I've made a conscious effort to test the "loud pipe" theory while driving in my car. The only way it has any effect is if the driver of the car has their window open and radio off. This is a small percentage of the cars. Then it has more of a startling effect.

[@spitfirepaintball16]

You haven't been next to a loud ass Harley! They shake my cars plastics

[@jordan999fire]

This literally doesn't make any sense and proves the point. If you can't hear the stock motorcycle driving by you, the solution for the rider is to make it louder. You say you still can't hear it? Guess what, we will make it louder.

[@thisisthewolf9521]

And you should always open your window while driving, even if just an inch or so. They don't teach you this in driving school? How the hell are you gonna notice if something happens? You're certainly not constantly on your mirrors are you?

[@IamTheGoatstroker]

Before I got my Harley, I rode a Honda Rebel. I've experienced fewer instances of people not being aware of my presence on the Harley than I did on the Rebel. People know I'm there and like the guy said, I don't have to be an obnoxious asshole all the time to do it. I blip the throttle when I need to so that folks are aware of me and don't drive into me. If you don't like my choice, well, then I guess you don't like my choice. Nobody's hearing is ever endangered by my pipes. Some folks get carried away with exceptionally loud exhaust amd they are the people who tend to overly rev their engines as well. I'm no more a fan of that behavior than anyone else. But as for my bike - it has aftermarket exhaust, it sounds great, and I love it. And yes, I do feel safer for having the ability to be heard.

[@ericherrero3212]

My exhaust is louder than my horn ? 😂

[@johayn]

I acquired my fathers harley recently. He's in bad health and couldn't ride it anymore. One of the last things he did was put these annoyingly loud pipes on it. The first thing I did when i got it was put the factory pipes back on. They are plenty loud as it is. I think regardless of how much noise you make, how bright you dress, or how many fuckin led lights you have on your bike, when it's your time, its your time.

[@beardedbatman225]

my loud pipes got me a smoking hot wife, and a beautiful daughter. Loud pipes for life.

[@putitinreverseterry]

Nobody gives a fuck that your bike is loud, people are literally looking over and thinking you're a weirdo not that you're cool. Kids ain't Into that shit at all anymore so you definitely ain't getting cool points from the young generation, when you have the balls to go 230 on a crotch rocket or pop a wheelie at 60 then come talk to me, garage princess

[@beardedbatman225]

@@putitinreverseterry haha garage princess is my wife, and you sir seem to be compensating for something. Come back when your balls drop son.

[@shlomosnodgrass8890]

I had a couple banditos for lunch last week. And I've still got the squirts.

[@ephesians2v.8watchingforye57]

Many times this has helped me. So loud does help people hear you because they sure as hell are not looking out for you.

[@wwb7091]

You're fooling yourself.

[@ephesians2v.8watchingforye57]

@@wwb7091 Nope it works has many times for me. You will be okay I am sure.

[@occasionalbuddha8649]

I love my Vance & Hines pipes but folks in cages don't hear them on the freeway.

[@mrjaylesmeister]

On a calm day an unmuffled motorcycle can be heard for almost ten miles. Yes I've actually measured it. Five miles coming at you. Five miles driving away. Now couple that with how many motorcycles and cars are driving around, and one basically just listens to engine noise all day long. Good work. At least they are not all back up beepers.

[@BM-kt5cb]

assholes on loud motorcycles. such a great productive group of people in our society. what a bunch of noisy fucking losers.

[@LemonLime36]

I remember one of my dad's friends was over at the house showing us the new bike he recently got. He lives about three miles away from us. When he got on his bike and turned it on, it literally sounded like a fucking gunshot on the startup. And when he drove it home, we heard him drive it all the way down our road. Go onto the main road, and travel the three miles home. All the way he slowly got quieter and quieter. Until we just heard the engine completely stop. Just, holy fuck man.

[@LemonLime36]

B Mc It was a cruiser too lol :p

[@Hero_of_Legend]

B Mc: Funny. Too bad biology doesn't agree with you.

[@BM-kt5cb]

Angel Bowfinger social media is awesome. we get to expose you losers for what you really are, parasites on our communities.

[@fingers215]

lot of haters here... he's right tho 1 good twist of the throttle usual does the trick on any bike with pipes...

[@nativeojibwa9063]

I have the misfortune of living in a state that has almost as many Harley's as people, and once the the weather warms forget about enjoying the outdoors , there are at least 10 in my 30 house subdivision and the hwy is about a mile away ..all weekend noise fucking noise... it would be great if they left their exhaust alone..

[@67bowman]

maybe you should tell your boyfriend that you want to move.

[@nativeojibwa9063]

Cute comment, guessing all your leather wearing pirate wannabe buddies think you are hilarious. The fact is if I can hear your modified exhaust a mile away it's too loud. I used to run loud exhaust on all my cars and trucks when I was younger but I eventually grew out of it. At 54 I ride as well just not a big piece of chromed out butt jewellery, my current ride is a Ducati 999.. Loud pipes don't save lives they are just obnoxious..

[@67bowman]

lmao that's what you ride ?so I was right then.

[@nativeojibwa9063]

67bowman Nah my wife of 20 years would disagree... look bobo I have gone back and looked at a lot of your posts we agree on a lot of stuff, but on this we are going to have to agree to disagree.. see ya.

[@tommy-jy5ig]

Male menopause seems to hit the gay guys harder. thus the noise for getting attention

[@yessure5291]

A) You should never ride beside a car. Horn button is just as accessible as twisting the throttle. Riding without a full face helmet will allow hearing damage too.

[@maikeli7]

First, the editing of this video is misleading because it starts with really loud pipes and then fades to pipes that are not so loud, making people conflate the two as being the same in decibels. Now, on to the main point this man made: Loud pipes can help make people aware of a motorcycle. I agree. I have the same pipes he has, Rineharts, and I have had to use them at times to wake someone up who was about to merge blindly into my lane. Having louder-than-silent pipes (but not obnoxiously loud) can and does work to keep people to the side and behind aware of your presence. Simple reliance on these is unsafe, as there are many things a rider must do to ensure his/her being noticed in traffic. This includes proactive searching, evaluating, and executing based on situational awareness, having lights that can be seen day and night, installing a loud horn, and making sure to always assume invisibility/danger. However, there is a limit, and the pipes at the outset of this video exemplify that.

[@maikeli7]

+msbensucks Honestly, do you say these kinds of things to people face to face? You seem to be angry and resentful, and I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because loud pipes anger you so much that you just cannot contain your rage. I also do not like loud pipes, which is why my pipes are not loud, but not as quiet as the stock pipes. However, if I do not like something, I do not feel a need to insult anyone. I go by the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." I just don't like hurting others' feelings, even when I disagree with them.

[@maikeli7]

+msbensucks if you live in or visit Raleigh, North Carolina, I'd love to buy you a drink to talk about this, like a summit of the differing viewpoints. I think we both could benefit from talking with one another. Some of my best friends are those with whom I differ significantly. Stay safe out there this holiday weekend!

[@1100HondaCB]

I am a bike nut. I have been riding for nearly 22 years now and love my old classics and own a few. I ride a little CG125 for work and have a 1100cc Blackbird for those ride outs with mates. I'd love a Harley.

[@RuskaLover]

As a Harley rider...loud pipes don't save lives. Defensive driving saves lives. Loud pipes just piss people off.

[@RuskaLover]

As in paying attention to your surroundings and always anticipating the worst with cagers.

[@JR-mk6ow]

Active defense. Not passive engine sounds

[@babayaga1767]

i rode harley for years. ride bmw now. most new midlife crisis guys are trained to think they have to get a stage 1 and pipes and blah blah blah or they ain't a badass. that's why i switched to bmw. it got too embarrassing to say i had a harley

[@harleyrider8889]

RuskaLover u can't b a Harley Rider any rider knows if u can b heard u can b seen...unless ur just some weekend warrior...

[@harleyrider8889]

general mayhem I sure don't get embarrassed when I get all the looks at my custom ultraclassic...u get alot of looks at that beemer...

[@Firelord360]

I can't wait to make my Harley louder if it grabs attention and keeps people from hitting me again I'll make it loud as shit and no one is going to do anything

[@Firelord360]

hell yeah bro join the club hahaha getting so mad over nothing too funny

[@hapidjus69]

loud pipes are music to my ears. I don't care what anybody else thinks. Every bike I've had, from an R1 to a Vrod, have been fitted with the loudest pipes on the market.

[@shadowmink888]

STICK YOUR MUSIC UP YOUR ASS.

[@bruceburns1672]

Nice to know you are supporting another countries employment and balance of trade, there are other American bikes as well that you could purchase , but its a free world so its your choice for the US to go bankrupt paying for all the unnecessary imports .

[@67bowman]

+Robert Glancy I think that since he was young and his father put his in Roberts mouth it's all he can think of. so sad

[@bruceburns1672]

Is it possible to actually have a conversation with Robert Dobbs without talking about "maybe" what hangs from your guts , you can do it Bobby , now try real hard , try something different for once , think about anything , anything at all ,except if you have one at all your micro , no wait , do you speak with a high squeaky voice .

[@snakepliskinsnake]

your a ***t

[@liamwhite1158]

Loud pipes saves lives for sure. I live in a small town with heaps of roundabouts. Many people pull out on me because I get lost in their A pillar ect.. with Loud pipes people hear me before they see me. On the other side there are multiple injury’s of pedestrians being hit by electric cars simply because they didn’t hear them coming

[@dlat69]

99% percent of everyone I know that rides a Super sport or Cruisers has modded their exhaust for the sole reason is that we love the sound and we know that you are gonna love it too! So when we blow by and smile at you, deep down inside we know your frown is a smile turned upside down:()

[@tom000]

Couldn't agree more. Rock and Roll.

[@nightrider3067]

Good video

[@dpoole]

Night Rider 👍

[@kevinbollers2]

This guy's a nice dude

[@ajshovel1]

Man, who doesn't like the beautiful sound of a tight motor and a free flowing exhaust?I love to hear an old shovelhead with drag pipes, or a built v-8 (sm. block or big block) with open headers, or hell, even a "ricer" (like the old KZ900s) with a kerker header. How can ya not love that weather it's yours or someone elses???How in the hell have we become so easily offended???? Live life, smile and have fun!

[@ajshovel1]

Lol, something tells me you don't see much of anything, lol.

[@ajshovel1]

Why in the hell am I talking to a 12 year old? Goodbye.

[@shepd1]

Me, too. It's classic, it stirs you and it's artful.

[@fr8hauler]

Apparently you don't live in a house

[@GrtSatan]

Know what I wore when I raced an unmuffled 600 in production racing? Ear protection. As did every other racer with as much as a lick of common sense. Those little howlers made huge amounts of noise and only a fool would regard such noise as some sort of positive safety factor. I wouldn't dream of running a CBR 600 on the street with a racing exhaust, absolutely unthinkable, especially considering how pleasant and competent they make as street machines with the stock, whisper quiet factory exhaust. You would need to spend upwards of 40 thousand dollars on Screamin' Eagle engine mods to even approach the performance of a Japanese 600, and the result would be shaking, quaking, noisy abomination of a machine.

[@like-icecream]

I would love to have a button controlled cutout exhaust valve that goes quiet for my neighbours and loud for everyone else.

[@braddavies7627]

sound does not travel forward, by the time a car driver hears those loud pipes coming up from behind them its too late

[@Hero_of_Legend]

It's not a problem when the car is IN FRONT of you. The problem is when they are BESIDE you. And yes, they will hear those pipes, beside you. Trust me.

[@eveihlone2192]

Gut height? Most of these folks are half gut. The rest is their ass.

[@danielmcquoid7973]

I've seen some ridiculous comments on this thread, but 'sound does not travel forward' is the best of the bunch!

[@brumleytown1882]

I've never met a motorcyclist who understands that some people suffer excruciating, instant pain when exposed to very loud noises. It is called hyperacusis and is often associated with autism. So as you go down the road feeling powerful (or safe?) from vibrating all those air molecules, you will never know how many people you are hurting. But now you know that you are indeed hurting people. Every time.

[@mattlindsayb9856]

I work on roads every day. I wear high vis, use strobe lights, and watch out! Wear heaadphones with your vibrator noise and leave my peace and quiet alone please

[@danielmcquoid7973]

You work on roads, an invention specifically designed for vehicles, every day and you're being a bitch about engine noises and lack of peace and quiet? Unless you're a criminal doing litter picking, who is forcing you to do that job? It's like becoming a doctor and complaining that you're working with too many sick people.

[@mattlindsayb9856]

@@danielmcquoid7973 Just saying what keeps me safe on the road. I am a bitch because I am helpless to enjoy my weekends at home. We are all your bitches. I blew a hole in my muffler and oddly it didn't make my dick look bigger. It only made me feel like a dick until I could fix it.

[@PatagoniaArg]

I just did this yesterday - people are always on the phone these days and slowly creeping into your lanes. Hence why I am looking to put a very loud pipe on the bike.

[@theeaselrider4032]

It's pretty simple. Any noise the bike makes at any sort of speed is not heard by other road users until the bike is in front of them The noise is behind the rider, statistically speaking, getting rear-ended on a bike is almost non-existent. Try an experiment the next time you are on a multi-lane road in your car. If you see a bike coming up behind you, see if you can tell exactly when you clearly hear it. It'll be right beside or slightly in front of you before you do. And that's with you aware of it's presence, most car drivers are oblivious to everything but them selves. As a rider, if you're relying on making a racket to keep yourself safe, you won't last long. How many times have you seen a fire truck or an ambulance with lights and sirens wailing, right behind another vehicle - and the driver is completely oblivious to it? So why would anyone think that someone is going to hear your loud exhaust as you approach an intersection with a vehicle waiting to turn left? - which is still the most common collision for a motorcycle. The other problem is, the more noise people keep making ( and cars seem to be just as bad as bikes for this lately ), the greater likelihood of the laws & local bylaws changing, so at some point in the near future you will not be allowed to alter your exhaust in any way, without getting fined. So if you insist that your bike requires a louder exhaust, how about showing a little courtesy to the people around you, especially in residential neighbourhoods. Whenever I attend any sort of bike meet/cruise-in night, etc... I always wear one of my unofficial work shirts that has written on the back - in very large letters: " IF LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES - IMAGINE WHAT LEARNING HOW TO RIDE THAT THING MIGHT DO!"

[@macmcclintock8878]

funny I hear bikes coming from behind me for quite a distance with the windows up and my radio playing, so all you Harley haters get a grip on reality.

[@harleyrider8889]

B L did u make that up n ur stupid mind..I've been part of the biker scene for 40+ yrs...most bike wrecks happen when some idiot makes left hand turns in front of motorcycles... not paying attention because their texting or talking on a phone..I've been n a couple wrecks and it was the cars fault...so all u ppl that feel the way u do can go fuck yourself....like my gun I'll take my loud pipes off when they pry it from my cold dead hands...maybe u better grow yourself a cock u fucking moron....fuck you...🖕🖕🖕🖕

[@harleyrider8889]

mac mcclintock it's funny what these idiots come up with...I've got Bros that come to my house and I hear them coming my way yet the dumbasses say the noise is only n the back of the bike...what planet r they from...

[@sam22jrm]

Here in Pittsburgh, I was told by a city police officer that I'm no longer permitted to ride my Harley after 9:30pm due to a neighbor complaint

[@petercrowl9467]

If loud pipes indeed were needed to prevent injury or death why then don't motorcycle cops use them? They ride way more miles in far more difficult situations don't they?

[@odizzle4sho757]

+Peter Crowl Maybe because they have sirens that will get everybody attention if need be.

[@whitedevil2]

yeah that's their go-to if someone is about to side-swipe them. turn on the sirens. idiot.

[@RDA8191]

they have to be able to communicate on a radio and they already have wind noise to contend with

[@dragan4658]

Odizzle4sho police need quiet bikes and cars so speeding motorists dont notice them and get caught speeding.

[@dirtbeard108]

most police bikes do in fact use Vance and Hines exhaust.

[@vf12497439]

My Softail is extremely loud. If I roll easy on the throttle it's not to bad but if I really get after it the bike is embarrassingly loud. 2 1/4" drag pipes with no baffles. I bought it that way. Going to be changing to a V&H system soon... There are times where the drag pipes are fun. But there are more times when if rather fly under the radar like early in the morning.

[@roundingcorners]

"I have air horns and I think it scares people more. It also takes me longer." - Harley rider.

[@akybosule]

Some forget its not all about cars hearing you,but also people who try illegaly crossing the street. Its a night day difference !

[@PlanetRockJesus]

If the dude had to rev up his engine to warn her, he could have just as easily honked his horn. What he said was just an excuse. I hate loud motorcycles. If my car sounded like that I'd get a ticket. And "loud pipes save lives" is just so much crap. Everything these guys are saying are just excuses. They just like loud pipes, period. They think they're cool, but they're just annoying.

[@garyvolkmann3647]

I saw a biker hero give 4 mid teen kids a badass bunch of cramp at a stoplight. One of them said something to them others and ran out n shoulder blocked mister beer gut over n kept on running! lol!

[@D.L.W.]

Don't let this distract you from the the fact that in 1966, Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in a single game while playing for the Polk High School Panthers in the 1966 city championship game versus Andrew Johnson High School, including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds against his old nemesis, Bubba "Spare Tire" Dixon.

[@cs5250]

I ride a grom. I love to piss off the harley riders

[@wlingrell]

I know loud pipes to make a biker noticed. I had a honda 1800 vtx with loud pipes, had hardly anyone cut into my lane. I restored a 1986 Honda Goldwing with stock pipes which are very quiet, I get people accidently cutting into my lane just about every ride I go one. Loud pipes still beat a horn.

[@ronleon62]

Loud pipes save lives... sure, like cigarettes cure cancer. You know what saves lives? A quality, Snell-approved full face helmet and armored jackets. Also a bike that doesn't weigh a ton, one that can maneuver better than a dump truck and doesn't have shit brakes made in Mexico.

[@BM-kt5cb]

haha you said it!

[@nicktune1219]

R u dumb? Get a real exhaust. Seriously would u rather be crashed into or would you rather a bad driver wakes the fuck up. Get a fuckin exhaust on your real bike and ppl will hear you. Ppl can't see you but they can hear you.

[@Hero_of_Legend]

Snell helmets and armored jackets absolutely do save lives. But I think it's better to avoid a crash, altogether, than to worry about the protective qualities of your gear. Also, a lot cheaper. Besides, even if it saves your life, it doesn't do shit about pain. And there's a point where pain is so intense, you'd think yourself luckier if you'd just let yourself die. And actually, heavier weight is safer than paper light bikes. Ever get passed by a semi, or just hit a decent gust of wind? My 700 lb Harley isn't going anywhere. Maybe a little sway, but nothing to worry about. Your little...probably 300 lb crotch rocket might just come out from under you. Hell, I had a SPORTSTER that almost came out from under me, in a good gust of wind, during a turn. And this is also assuming you don't accidentally dump the clutch, and fishtail your way to the ground, in the first place. I've seen it done more times than I care to count. Weight is the best friend a motorcycle rider has. The heavier it is, the more resistant it is to turbulence. Oh, and my Harley maneuvers well enough. Sure, I can't hairpin at 120, but...why would I want to? And as for dodging obstacles? That's just a matter of training and comfort. I can dodge that tire in the middle of the road, just as well as your prissy bitch-missile can. I can weave around on the road just as well as you can, probably. And that's with a crash bar limiting my leaning. Talk to me when you get a few more years under your belt, kiddo. Yeah, I remember my teen years, too.

[@yessure5291]

:)))) I agree

[@nunyerbeeznaz2906]

or leak oil like an oil rig in the gulf. Harley originally made a great tractor until he hooked up with that Davidson fella.

[@falalala83]

Same could be said with loud cars, but only one kind of vehicle gets pulled over for loud exhausts, despite the car driving safe and the bike driving twice the speed of everyone around them splitting lanes

[@graydation]

"Loud pipes save lives" is 100% bullshit! I rely on my own riding skills and riding safely to safe guard my own life... I always assume no one sees me... and ride accordingly. I've been riding bikes for around 25-30 years now... never been in any accident... ever. Knock on wood. Not to mention hearing damage and tinnitus sucks... I have both from being around jet engines when I was in the Air Force.

[@jakobsinamon1683]

Fuck you pussy. Go ride a goldwing

[@Odessa45]

My bike's loud 'cuz I LIKE it that way...makes more power and the engine runs cooler too. If blipping the throttle keeps some texting nitwit in his lane, that's just a bonus.

[@bluesguitar8886]

sounds awesome loud pipes all the way

[@justinmyslive4108]

for a major city Milwaukee is really nice to ride in. most of the cages are conscientious of bikes

[@jeeves6490]

Loud pipes do nothing but get motorcycles banned from good riding areas. Front brakes are the most effective way to stop. Laying 'er down means you crashed. Fingerless gloves and a leather vest are for fashion shows not motorcycling. But hey, don't bother to learn how to ride that thing.

[@kenmcindoe6366]

Yep. I just love the sound of a beautiful machines.loud pipes are a privilege!!

[@bryansmith4856]

My motorcycle has a quite engine and I can slip through a town without bothering anybody or any thing, does that bother you? If so I can tape my horn switch down so that it stays on constantly while I ride, since you enjoy loud motorcycles.

[@tx699]

had the same thing happened to me I did the same thing it worked

[@danamuise4117]

Twisting the throttle is faster than pressing the horn button?

[@ChrisOehlert]

Loud pipes also take away one of your senses. That is hearing. Completely oblivious to sounds around you! Yup loud pipes rock! 👎🏻

[@zipper978]

At speed wind noise is louder then pipes. You can't hear shit at freeway speeds

[@whatfreedom7]

Chris Oehlert if their was a siren of if someone blew their horn would he hear it? Probably not.

[@crispyspa]

A guy I used to work with had an obnoxiously loud Harley. Part of his routine for getting ready to ride was to put in ear plugs. SMH.

[@fatmaxcat4761]

Get a louder horn if your worried about getting run over. I agree with some of the comments in here, I believe these Harley guys just want to be noticed. Apparently their momma didn't give them enough attention or the coworkers in the cubicle next to them.

[@ClaremoreCruiser]

I toned mine down from straight drag pipes to a short baffle. Bike was so loud no-one could ride behind or on my right side.I'm not worried about running in to someone or getting t-boned. I carefully watch front, left and right but someone that doesn't notice I'm there can hit me from behind if they don't hear me. They do.

[@damanwithaplan8056]

Loud pipes are also great cause you piss off the soyboy Toyota Prius drivers.

[@thebigguy963]

DA MAN WITH A PLAN I am going to trade in my BMW 530 for a Prius. I believe this is a good decision.

[@CoachSteve4u]

Its guys like you who shit their pants when they see a 6' 8" giant get out of a Prius...

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

Harleys can be heard under some circumstances, depending on whether the bike is alongside a car (best chance) or behind a car (worst chance). Even on a Harley, hearing damage for a rider is done more by wind noise than engine noise. The downside of loud pipes is how obnoxious they are to people nearby when you aren't using them to be heard for safety, plus the occasion jackoff that raps the throttle just to make noise and annoy people. Loud pipes do more annoying than lifesaving, which unfortunately translates into a lot of dislike for Harley riders. My bike, being a tall, large BMW, is much quieter, which I like. Unlike my brother's very low and louder Harley FXSTD, I depend on size and visibility more than sound to stay noticed. Situational awareness of car drivers who are NOT aware of your presence is the primary life saving measure. If you get distracted, bored, or lulled into not staying alert for conditions around you, that's when your risk of injury or death is greatest. You'll get literally blindsided. Stay alert, and stay safe out there fellow riders!