March 27, 2011 12:53 AM PDT
The never-ending argument. Riding is not a right, it's a privilege that can be taken away. Heretic said it well.
The argument that loud pipes are safer is not supported statistically nor in common experience. Next time you're in the cage and see a bike coming, close your eyes (or look elsewhere) then note when you first hear the approaching bike. With the windows up, radio on, AC going, a.k.a. everyone on four wheels, the bike is typically on top of you, if not past by the time you hear it, even with straight pipes. The notion that the cager is going to hear you coming, identify from which direction, recognize and see it's a motorcycle, and react or take evasive action all within the fraction of time remaining is expecting an awful lot and putting a lot of faith in the abilities of those other drivers. Better defensive driving and awareness on your part is a whole lot more effective.
I live and work in many of those motorcycle destination towns you like to ride to and visit where I'm involved in promoting motorcycling. I occasionally find myself at Chamber of Commerce meetings, etc, where motorcycle events are proposed and fought for each year. I see them nixed as often as they are permitted, and it's almost always the same objection - we don't want the noise here. We love the business, but don't want to put up with all the complaints. Let them go elsewhere. Let the motorcycle businesses go elsewhere. It impacts where I am welcome, where I find other businesses which welcome and serve me, and the growth of our sport and industry.
Choices have consequences. Bikes don't roll out of the dealer with loud or straight pipes. Those modifications are a choice. It may not mean squat where you live, maybe nobody cares there. You're just one bike. But in those destinations where you ride to, where thousands of other bikers also recreate, the combined impact on the communities is largely detrimental to our passion to ride there and it affects how our sport is perceived and encouraged to flourish. You rarely see a "motorcycles not welcome" sign anymore, in this economy nobody is turning down business, but the sentiment remains and you may be "tolerated" for the time being.
"Noise ordinance enforced" signs, biker only checkpoints, more laws and regulations are all obvious evidence there's an issue, but it's only the tip of the iceberg. I get to see the "behind the scenes" impact that communities deal with and how it affects us motorcyclists in ways few recognize and it's a lot bigger than you think.
None of these arguments will change long standing opinions. Those who hold to loud pipes as a safety enhancement, or that making noise is their right and freedom, are already reading in some other forum after dismissing me as just one more assh*le who doesn't get it. See you at the checkpoint.
