“Loud Pipes Save Lives!!” Well, at least that is the battle cry. Is it true? Well, apparently that is the question. Some argue that in fact loud pipes do saves lives, while others say they have no effect. One side argues from the experience of having ridden both types of bikes, quiet and loud. Others erroneous draw conclusions from the Hurt Report.
Conducted by Harry Hurt, The Hurt Report is the most comprehensive study of motorcycle accidents ever conducted in the US. The data is sound, despite the fact that it is seriously dated and often misinterpreted.
On this issue, I myself find myself once again between the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. Nothing gets my blood pumping faster than the sound of Rolling Thunder going down the highway. (Well perhaps with the exception of a certain blond that comes to mind). It is a primal and visceral call of the beating drums in the jungle. That said, I find the needless roaring of exhaust and the abuse of residential neighborhoods, as repulsive as my neighbor’s dog that barks at all hours.
Back to the Hurt Report. As far as I can tell, the Hurt Report makes one claim with regards to loud motorcycle exhausts: “Motorcycles with loud exhausts are over represented in the study”. That is to say, that many of the accidents studied, involved bikes with loud pipes. From this very limited and dated empirical data, the conclusion is often drawn that that loud exhaust have no positive effect in the avoidance of an accident. I have seen very well educated magazine writers, actually purport this hypothesis as fact. Anyone with a high school class in statistical analysis knows better than to draw such linear conclusions from statistical data.
It could simply mean that more bikes on the roadways at the time of the study had loud exhausts. Or perhaps people who tend to ride will loud exhausts drive more aggressively ….or passively. Both of which can cause an accident. There is simply no way in my opinion, to really know from this type of data. But yet the quiet pipe crowd continue to use this flawed example to boost their argument. These are the same people who want your headlight on and you to wear a florescent vest to increase your visibility or sensory display.
I had to break it to the Hatfield’s but sound does involve a sense. In my opinion anything that increases your sensory display, is an asset in combating the complacent, distracted and hurried modern commuter. Never mind animals which in my opinion are the most dangerous and unpredictable.
The McCoy’s on the other hand some how translate “loud pipes save lives” to “we need to make your ears bleed and wake you from a sound sleep at every opportunity”. The ultimate napoleon complex. I find this equally if not more disturbing. Despite the augments from the Hatfield’s what they are really saying is ” hey give us a break here”. So often we debate an issue on some ridiculous premise when the real credible argument is quite simple. The public deserves some peace and quiet. We want to raise a bit of ruckus and not be killed on the roadway.
So what’s the answer you ask. As with many of society’s woes, the answer is found in compromise. Soon enough the long arm of the law will start enforcing existing sound laws so the McCoy’s better start policing themselves. As for the Hatfield’s, I have seen more than one non-riding citizen get a thrill out of a bike with a good rumble to it as it passes by.. There also seems to be an American genetic code wrapped up in the iconic biker image, that says that there are still a few cowboys roaming around out there. They want some peace and quiet but somehow I get the feeling that they also are comforted by our existence. Though they may only choose to experience this freedom vicariously, they too feel the call of the drums and take pleasure in know that they are a key turn away from that experience.
In the end the best remedy is not laws but common sense and compromise. Lets take it upon ourselves to have more respect for others when choosing an exhaust. Rather than ear destroying straight pipes lets settle for something with sound but that you can keep quiet when needed.
The Death Zone? Sorry, I know that sounds harsh. Those of us who rock and mountain climb, are familiar with the term “Coffin Zone”. This is commonly known as any time you are 50 feet off the ground. A fall from that height or higher will most likely be fatal.
The are many parallels between climbing and riding when it comes to safety. Not least of which, is the burden of responsibility for ones own well being. Like it or not, Your survival falls to you as the biker. “It was the other guy’s fault” does not do much for you when they are reading your eulogy. Treat any potential accident like it is your fault, and you’ll live a much longer life.
The harsh reality, is that intersections are the “Death Zone” for us on two wheels. Studies have shown that a hefty percentage of car verses motorcycle accidents, happen at intersections. The major cause? The other driver simply did not see the motorcyclist. Commonly “the other guy” makes a left turn and crosses the path of and oncoming bike, causing head-on or a T-bone accident. So it is YOUR responsibly to be seen, if you want to live to see another day.
There are many tactics for safety while entering an intersection. Here are a few of mine.
First, always ride with your headlight on. I recommend using your high beam during the day. This is a major weapon towards getting a driver’s attention.
Unlike some recommendations I have seen , I recommend that when entering a multi lane intersection, you do so in the lane closet to the yellow line. This has two benefits: first you take the “right on red” guy out of the equation. Second this enables you to get a clear shot of your headlight beam on that guy waiting to take that left turn. Your focus is on him. Get and keep his attention. Get nervous? Use your horn.
One of the most important tools, is your own acknowledgment that you are entering the “Death Zone”. This mindfulness and sense of awareness is your best ally. Setting yourself up before the intersection is also key . Use hand signals always. Get that guy off your butt, before you enter the intersection. A gentle “slow down” hand signal will help here. If you must stop quick, raise your hand all the way up then drop it down again making the slow down hand signal by moving your hand in an up in down motion towards the ground. Make sure that your saddle bags are not blocking the view of your hand signal.
When entering the intersection, try to use a car on your right side as a shield. A car is much less likely to cross in front of another car or truck. Simple primal instincts are in play here. A bike is simply not much of a visceral threat to the driver of a car. While entering the intersection get that headlight beam on the guy waiting to turn in front of you. Sit up straight and be aware. You are “running with the bulls” here. It is up to you to keep the clear of the bulls and at the very least keep their attention.
Finally if you do enter an intersection in the right lane be careful of ” the Hook”. The hook is when the guy waiting to make that left turn hooks directly behind the car in the left lane to slip through traffic. The problem is that if you are slightly behind the car to your left, he will take you out, having never seen you. Try to keep that blocker car directly beside you and watch for the right on red car.
If you have an accident, there is a good chance it will happen in the Death Zone. Intersections are a powerful convergence of steel and mass with humans on their individual speedway through time and space. It is up to you to make sure the distracted stressed out drivers see you and yield. If they do not, the price paid is ultimately yours. Would you climb a several thousand foot cliff face, without taking your personal safety into your own hands. Not unless your looking to cash in that life insurance policy.
Have you looked your battery cables lately. Take a good look the one that runs 3 1/2 to 4 feet to your starter. It is hard to fathom that these stock cables will even turn over your V Twin Motor.
Throw in some corrosion, cold weather and performance upgrades with the flimsy stock cables and your starter is working over time just to get enough power to crank your massive power plant over. This makes staring more difficult producing more wear in tear on both your starter and your engine.
Well now you can send a FireBall to your starter every time you push the starter button, with our New Maxair FlameWires!!
Silver tin 4 gauge Oxygen free PVC coated wire ( looks like flexible stainless steel braided cable)
Includes Ground cable with OEM plug for plug and play install – Your system is only as good as your ground!!!
Heavy Duty 24 Caret Gold Plated Lugs
Ends sealed with adhesive shrink tube to preserve Oxygen free environment
Starter cable longer than stock for ease of installation
Kit Includes:
Starter Cable
Solenoid Cable
Ground cable with OEM plug for plug and play install (no kit is complete without this!!)
We all dread that time in our young child’s life when we must have “the talk”. The inevitable questions, ”Mom & Dad, where do skulls come from”? Somehow we hope that the story of The Graveyard or The Raven will get us by forever, until finally we realize the time has come………
With that in mind, I have produced a small movie to help you during this uncomfortable process. It is aptly titled a skull is born….
A sneak peak at the New Maxair F.I.R.E.™ Module“fuel injection race enhancement” This module with bring the Beast out of your fuel injected Road Star while providing plug and play installation and user fine tuning.
We also will be offering the F.I.R.E module to combine with all our Maxair intake kits for fuel injected motorcycles, as well as for other air intake combinations.
Stay tuned for more information, pricing and availability !!
Last year I purchase my first “every day carry” flashlight or EDC light. I am sure you have the same question I did, “what is an EDC light”?
An EDC light is a light that you carry the same as you would a pocket knife. I personally never go anywhere with my blade, esp when riding. This is how I now think of my EDC light. It should be small but powerful enough to blind a would be attacker when shown directly in their face. It should have different power settings, be an LED for longer battery life and include a strobe. Sounds like a tall order from a single cell light small enough to stick in your pocket.
I would like to introduce you to the EDC the NovaTac LED 120 Tactical Flashlight. This little flashlight is the is simply a marvel of modern technology. Features include a mind blowing 120 lumen LED light that will step down to 10 or .3 lumen for longer battery life. The 120 setting will either lock on with a click or go momentary with a press-hold. Also readily available is a “disorienting strobe”. The strobe will also lock on or work momentarily. When pointed directly into an attackers face this is a strong deterrent. It even warns you of impending battery failure and dims progressivley to preserve light as long as possible.
“Why do I need all this?” Well I am glad you asked. Personal safety is the answer. Imagine what the victims of any of this country’s countries natural disasters would have done for one of these lights. Not to mention someone being harassed or attacked. As a biker one never knows when you’ll be stuck on the side of the road at night or on an accident scene where the strobe is a powerful warning beacon to get the attention of traffic. We have all heard the stories of the biker that survive s the crash only to be run down by traffic. This small wonder can help secure an accident scene fast. I know because I have been on several car accident scenes since purchasing my 120T.
Below is a testimonial I emailed to NovaTac. This was not an accident scene, but it had all the potential to become one:
“Dear NovaTac
I just wanted to write a quick note regarding my 120T NovaTac.
Recently while touring on our motorcycles, my brother and I were caught in fog and rain on a mountain trip. We were on a long stretch of a desolate two lane highway at dusk, when we needed to pull over. With almost no shoulder to park on and heavy traffic we knew we were dangerously exposed to being hit. As my brother hurried, I pulled out my NovaTac 120T. I locked it on strobe placed it on the white line in front of the bikes (so I would not forget it) facing rearward.
The result was a brilliant strobe bouncing off the white line that could be seen for at least a mile. My brother was blown away as traffic moved to the other lane or slowed to a crawl while passing us. Dusk turned to dark there in the fog and rain but we felt perfectly safe while we finished our hasty pit stop.
I found myself wishing I had brought my video camera because it would have been a perfect commercial for your products. In my opinion every motorcyclist should be carrying a NovaTac with the 102 lumens and strobe features. It’s a lifesaver……”
Well, I think that email says it all. In fact I have had several communications with NovaTac since this email and we have become approved dealers of their flashlights. Since the owner is himself a biker he really liked the idea of getting this product into the hands of fellow bikers and saving lives.
One small note. The NovaTac takes a single CR123A battery which is common among tactical applications. Now if you go to your local grocery store a Duracell will cost you $9.00 but not to worry. That is because those are made for a camera. What you want is the Surefire™ or Streamlight™ brand which sells in boxes of 12 for a little more than $2 a battery. These batteries are fine tuned for flashlights and have an excellent runtime. They are also becoming readily available with many outdoor stores stocking them. You can also find them at TacticalResponseGear.com. The CR123A flashlight is far superior to any AA flashlight and well worth any extra effort. There also make carrying a spare very easy. I keep one in the coin pocket of my jeans.
As you can tell I am a huge fan. After having mine for over a year and putting it through the rigors of being dropped on concrete and in water I feel these to be a “must have” item for any Biker. We’ll be listing these on our website in the near future.
A phone call from my friend Josh of True Kustom tonight tells of a day modeling for famed motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter -http://www.lichterphoto.com/, that ended with Michael in a Wyoming Emergency room with two Broken Bones and a cut on his head. The shoot was moving bike photos for Wiley X sunglasses.
While shooting and with a group of bikers Lichter’s safety gear failed and he fell from the back of the pickup truck he was filming from.
Since this information is second hand, I’ll not try to go into details of the injuries but the speed at the time was purported to be around 45 to 50 MPH. Lichter is expect to make a full recovery. Josh says that that the group was barely able to avoid Lichtner with one Road King hitting him.
I will see Josh at a bike show tomorrow and will post further information as it comes available. Obviously given the speed and nature of the accident Lichtner is lucky to be alive. Lichter and his family reside just a few miles from Maxair in Boulder Colorado.
Our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to Michael from the Maxair Crew…………
You may or may not know that the Virago is the predecessor to the V Star 1100. The V Star 1100 engine was based on the Virago engine and you’ll find many similar characteristics.
In 2006 Yamaha split the popular “Star” bikes into their own Premium Brand known as the “Star Motorcycles”http://www.starmotorcycles.com/
This “Brand” includes:
V Star 650
V Star 1100
Road Star
Royal Star
Roadliner
Stratoliner
Raider
V MAX –added after being in production since 1985
And low and behold the legacy (no longer manufactured) Viragos were included into coveted new Brand!
It appears to be homage to the bike that started it all. The Viragos are not listed in the model lineup because they are no long manufactured but are included in the accessory section http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/accessories/accessoryhome/5/star_accessories.aspx . This definitely makes it a “STAR”. From a Marketing/Branding perspective this is very clever on Yamaha’s part, giving the brand some trace back renaissance qualities.
What this means for the Virago owner an increased dollar value as well as future availability of parts and accessories. There is a lot of fond nostalgia for this bike us “Star people”. Legend has it that there is more than one Virago out there with ¼ million miles on the odometer. They are well known for there practical reliability and longevity.
So if you are a Virago owner, your Yamaha Virago is officially now called the Star Virago - Viva la Virago!!
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