Re: Good way to loose your appetite!!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperTuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't get why people say "Start seeing motorcycles." More often than not it's the dip head on the bike that is behaving recklessly. Dipping between lanes to get ahead between two cars going 65, two jerk-offs sharing one lane each at the edge of the lane damned near next to each other, rocketing beyond the speed limit, expect to get greased doing that on a bike.</div></div>
Though I agree with most of these sentiments, there is one thing which I differ on.
I wear on my vest "Loud Pipes Save Lives".
I do this, because of the fact that the vast majority of drivers out there, IF they shouldercheck, and/or IF they look, and they don't see an 18 wheeler right there, then they automatically think that there's nothing there, and start to move over.
This happened more times than I can count/remember. I watch, when passing slow vehicles which are in the right (hammer) lane, and I don't know how many times I've had to grab clutch/twist throttle, just simply cause the hammerhead is too busy bopping to the music, talking on a cell-phone, texting, chatting with a(many) passenger(s) or whatever.
Years ago, I'd taken to running the loudest exhaust I can handle, simply cause my life and safety means one heck of a lot more, than others 'comfort and oblivion'. I generally travel at 2 to 5 Km/h faster than most traffic, just so's I can keep my eye more focused on what's in front/beside me, then what's behind. As soon as I started using louder exhaust, all the sudden people started actually noticing me more. And no, I'm not talking about straight-pipes, or anything like that. I prefer highway cruising, (almost) dread city driving, and at a constant speed, the volume/reverberations are music.
But crank on the throttle, and the birds in the ditches start flying away. True-dual Thunderheader's really are sweet, in my opinion. Other than protective gear, they are the biggest advent to safety on my scoot. High-beams, passing-lights, and all the extra christmas-tree-ornaments and foo-fa-ra that others put on doestn't do a lick of good, if the cage-driver ain't watching.
The deep reverberations emanating through their car, and overtaking whatever senses they have left sure enhance their awareness though. "OH MY GOD, WHAT BIKER GANG IS SNEAKING UP ON ME" and the tennis-match-rubbernecking means that they are actually looking for me/us.
And that is what matters.
Don't worry, I/we will be gone forward into your horizon soon enough, that the 'discomfort' for the sound will leave you right quick.
And yes, our exhaust reverberation is music compared to the obnoxious 'wailing' of emergency vehicles sirens coming to clean up the mess (us) that you (the oblivious hammerheads) caused.
Not directed at anyone specific here, so don't get your knickers in a knot please. Just START SEEING MOTORCYCLES.
---and if you want to know why I feel so strongly about this, come see my scars, watch me walk/hobble, and I'll tell you how I really feel.
