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Letter of the Month |
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Rollin' eZine Volume 1, Number 11 March 2001 =============
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Don't Get Me Started by Bill Phillips Larry:
Stumbled across your editorial on Loud Pipes, while surfing the web
tonight. Actually, I had been checking the website for T.W.O and your
magazine was listed in the "links" section. The
"eZine" appears to be a good publication upon first
observation. I say that, because I haven't yet finished surfing through
all the departments. As far as the "Pipes"... Gotta say that I agree with you for the most part... There's nothing more aggravating than to hear one of the
"crotch rocket" bikes come screaming through an intersection
trying to "make that yellow light" and scare the Hell out of
everybody in the process. Erratic/Idiotic bike operation often accompanies
these bikes and their riders. What is it about a 4 into one exhaust
system, on the typical crotch rocket, with little or no baffling, that
makes the riders feel they have to draw attention to themselves? The
exhaust noise is so loud on the majority of them that, there's No Way they
couldn't be noticed! Neon lights on them couldn't draw more attention. As
if that weren't enough...the riders often feel compelled to attempt a
wheelie or other equally stupid display of riding ability/disability while
in heavy traffic, at intersections, etc. This really does a lot to help an
already "tarnished" image attached to most motorcyclists. Likewise
for the large number of Harley lovers. Sure, they have a great sound to
them but, the raspy, cracking, noise out of the majority of them with
straight pipes; just grates on the nerves. They too, seem to be obsessed
with a constant blipping of the throttle to display their machine's power
or their testicle size. A
little bit of baffling goes a long way. And makes any bike more tolerable
by the non riding public, which are the asses we'll have to kiss when the
noise abatements are put in place because Joe Average doesn't like being
awakened in the middle of the night, by a bike with those "life
saving" loud pipes. By the way...Joe Average includes us. I've
seen a few too many people scared to death by the excessive noise coming
off of a motorcycle (be it a Harley, crotch-rocket, etc.) and lose all
their concentration while driving. Cell Phones are bad enough at
distracting most drivers attention from the road. A lot of non-riders,
driving cars have their limits challenged just by getting into the
vehicle; not to mention...driving it! Throw in some excessively noisy
pipes, and "that attitude", (blipping the throttle to make them
rattle so that, Mr. or Mrs. car driver will know that there's a bike
there) and you've got the perfect recipe for drawing attention away from
the people who need it most. I
have yet to see, or hear of, an actual case involving excessively noisy
pipes saving anyone's life. By the time most "cagers" notice
those pipes ... the scenario for disaster involving the bike is already in
place and happening. So much for those pipes; they're now in the scrap
heap with the bike. Hopefully the rider gets by with a few scrapes and
bruises or less. I
personally love a bike with a nice exhaust note. A bit of throatiness in
the tone of it and my blood is stirred. I like mine a wee bit louder than
stock but, far quieter than open, straight, or minimally baffled pipes. I
have worked around aircraft every day for the past 19+ years and am
experiencing the effects of Tinnitis (hearing damage) because of the
excessive noise that is generated. Nearing 40 in a few months, my hearing
is more important to me now than it was 10-15 years ago. Trouble is...it's
too late! Unless
ear plugs are worn when operating a bike with these so-called "life
saver" pipes, the riders are exposing themselves to the same type of
hearing damage. Earplugs may not be legal, depending on where you live.
The only real choice, is to live with the Federally mandated noise
standards that are in place. Maybe the novelty of loud pipes will wear-off
one day and leave us with better memories of our favorite sport...Riding.
Thanks for soliciting my opinion! Bill Phillips
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