2006 VFR Interceptor DOES sound average

They're probabaly similar in sound to yours tbh, it just adds a bit more bite to the stock sound. We do see things pretty much the same Stuka, i find excessive noise too much, same as any sane person does. There'll always be some who cut their pipes off completely or do other insane exhaust mods, THOSE are the ones to worry about amigo.

 

There are plenty of laws in place before Denver, some private communities have actually banned bikes all toghether (upheld by the courts). Years ago, Chicago tried to ban bikes along on a main drag. Actually they did, but it was reversed by the courts, since they received Federal dollars to maintain the road. The biggest threat we have faced for years as motorcyclists, is that loud pipes piss the general population off to no end. Now you also have the masses of mostly young, sport bike riding, stunt riders on public roads getting a lot of negative attention. But that is relatively new, at least at the current level.

Even I get pissed off occassionally, and I am a rider. There is no reason for me to be in my house, with the windows and doors closed, watching TV, and be temporarily unable to hear the TV as some idiot goes by on their cruiser or sportbike. Or in the car, and be unable to talk to a passenger, while a bike goes by. That just pisses me off, there is no need for that.

Or when I go camping, whether on my bike with friends, or by car with the wife and boy genius and be sitting there enjoying the sights and sounds of the outdoors -- until some idiot with a way too loud exhaust comes or goes. Scattering the wildlife, and disrupting the peace for all around.

A couple of years ago, I remember being in Sequia National park, on a short hike, when a small group of Hardlys with aftermarket pipes rode thru the valley. Just reverberating off the walls of the valley. Couldn't see them, at least not till later, when we got on our bikes, & they were quite a distance away, but it was just so friggn' loud. Everyone around, after it was over, went off about those damn motorcyclists. And not "those guys" in that group, where it would have certainly be justified, but they meant all motorcyclists. Even though none of them had heard my buddy and I pull in on our stock BMWs. Those are people who would vote in a second to ban all bikes if they could, and who won't be looking out for all of us, when they get on the road.

Ya gotta remember that we are a minority, and if enough non riding citizens decided they have had enough, they can make things miserable for the rest of us. It isn't big bad government, we are essentially, "by the people" and if enough people who hate the sounds of motorcycles got organized, or complain to their leaders, things happen. That is what you see in Denver, and everywhere else that bans motorcycles.

They can also hurt you. Recently in a area of the San Fran Bay Area, in a town called Los Gatos. A couple people on a side road, got tired of people riding by on their bikes to get to some dirt trails. They were tired of the noise all weekend long, so they strung up some cable to some trees, about neck level amongst other things, and waited. Knocked a guy clean off his bike, major damage to his face requiring major reconstructive surgery. They all were found and arrested, but it doesn't always go that way; and the guy was still seriously hurt and could have been killed. All because of that "wonderful" sound of some people's exhaust/engine/bike.

 

But your choice impacts the rest of the world around you. Not just other bikers, but the general non riding public -- who then largely base their overall opinion on the actions of a few.

Don't wear boots when you ride? fine by me, your choice, doesn't impact me at all. Don't wear a full face helmet, fine, I think you are a fool, but fine, your choice, doesn't impact me. But loud pipes do, both as a citizen where your noise intrudes on my space, and as a reflection of the motorcycling community.

And I gotta say, I rarely hear a loud bike coming up behind me in traffic. I can however hear them seemingly forever after they pass me. This is when I can clearly see them and the pipe adds nothing -- but general annoyance. Sound is largely directional, although not absolute, certainly, so unless you run your pipes facing forward and to the sides, I don't abide by the safety feature. Having ridden with people with loud, very loud and exceedingly loud pipes, anecdotally at least, I didn't really see a difference in how traffic reacts. Maybe at the extreme high end of just stupid loud. But, ride behind a loud bike in traffic, and people are much less accomodating to the riders that follow. The change is that immediate.

Also a significant portion of all, not just reported, motorcycle accidents are single vehicle, rider goes wide on a corner type stuff. A loud pipe won't help you there.

 

The police couldn't care less about pipes over here, speeding is a different matter however. I mean if you ride like an idiot then you only have yourself to blame and we must all face the consequences.

There's one minister up here whose trying to ban motorbikes altogether, according to him they are just a menace and the spawn of the devil. With people like that there is nothing you can do except hope he loses his job and gets a new one at mcdonalds...

 

Each country has different driving conditions and habits and while i agree that this sort of accident does happen (and most common in the born again biker/over 35 category) the higher percentage of accidents do involve other vehicles, most notably cars pulling out from side turnings simply not seeing the approaching bike.

Fact is at least in the UK that motorcycle training is far more advanced than car driver training, the levels you have to reach to be able to pass your test and the material taught to you is of a much higher level than that which is taught to car drivers. If they were taught to observe more and show a little respect to bikers on the road then accidents would be reduced.

 

Haha, thanks for the info, I already went down the same road... :smile:

First I tried BN-Pipes in Germany, but I had trouble getting the guy to answer, and they have no webshop either.
I ended up ordering from the same place as you. Now my pipes have already been shipped and are due to arrive any day, and as you said Mike at Sportouring.com was very responsive and helpful so I can recommend them as well.

 

You've got it right and wrong.

Safety wise the louder than standard pipe ( read not obscenely loud ) dosn't help on the Hwy but have found it does help make cages aware when filtering stationary city traffic and while both commuting and walking around the city CBD will 100% state loud pipes help make dozy pedestrians aware of an approaching motorcycle possibly saving them stepping in front of it.

machedice go the 'Tunes they sound best with spuds out and after a 6 months burn in.

 

Sorry, man! I did not realize that my question regarding legality would start all this discussion! As you say, in Sweden most bikes are pretty loud.

Good point. If everyone would ride with a bit more sense, there would probably be less concern about loudness as well. I don't think anyone likes having a revving maniac in their community, even with stock pipes. Without baffles or not, It's how one handles the right hand that matters from a sound pollution point of view...

Yeah, what's with that? People seem to be more understanding when it comes to Harley's and customs. Even a custom that's not equipped with screaming eagles is, imo, generally louder than stock sportstourers. People just tend to say: "- Wow that's loud, but hey, it's a custom. They are supposed to sound loud, aren't they"

Anyway, aftermarket products are sweet and I for one do like the sound to be a little bit higher that regular stock. As someone said, aftermarket are not as loud as race cans anyway!