Originally posted by Beats Walking
No one has mentioned one of the real reasons those bikes are so loud: So people in cars know they're there!
This tired old argument always comes up in these threads
1) Most of the sound of these rolling turds is directed to the rear. They're somewhat audible from the side and a minimal amount is directed forward.
2) Any modern car is soundproof enough to negate any safety effect from the minimal amount of sound that preceeds the bike. My car certainly is tight enough that I don't hear 'em coming.
3) If sound is a valid safety item then I'm gonna put the biggest chrome fart pipe on my car that I can get for $99 at the parts store. I've been rear-ended twice... I guess if my exhaust was louder that wouldn't happen
3a) In fact, since I say that rear-directed sound is ineffective... I'm going to drive from now on with the horn blaring all the time.