20 Myths of Motorcycling........................

[Rams]

Saw/found this on FB, thought it brings up some interesting points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT9KDHjlXKE

20 Myths of Motorcycling

Feel free to state your own opinions.

Rams  

[Jess from VA]

I didn't watch, but my favorite myth is the one that all bike riders are felonious hooligans looking for trouble.

I'm 72 with pure while chin hair and 150lbs.  I pulled into a Manassas National Battlefield Park trailhead today to try and find a tree to pee behind, and a lady in a car was furiously pointing at me and talking to the driver (husband), and they shot out of there like they were escaping a tornado.   

I smiled and waved goodbye.

It's not the first time either. 

[Rams]

In the first "Myth" discussed was about whether to dismount and slide was the right thing to do in an emergency situation.   19 more situations follow that.  

Edited:  IIRC, the next discussion was about "Loud Pipes Save Lives".   

Rams

[Robert]

I didn't watch, but my favorite myth is the one that all bike riders are felonious hooligans looking for trouble.

I'm 72 with pure while chin hair and 150lbs.  I pulled into a Manassas National Battlefield Park trailhead today to try and find a tree to pee behind, and a lady in a car was furiously pointing at me and talking to the driver (husband), and they shot out of there like they were escaping a tornado.   

I smiled and waved goodbye.

It's not the first time either. 

Did you remember to zip your pants? 

[Willow]

Interesting list.  Many very good logic, but a few pure BS,

If you believe the sound of pipes is all behind the motorcycle you are either stupid or have never driven on the hiway.  I have hit one cage on my motorcycle and it was the bike that had quiet pipes.  Granted hearing you doesn't guarantee that traffic will not pull in front of you but it gives you an additional notch of chance.

[Rams]

Interesting list.  Many very good logic, but a few pure BS,

If you believe the sound of pipes is all behind the motorcycle you are either stupid or have never driven on the hiway.  I have hit one cage on my motorcycle and it was the bike that had quiet pipes.  Granted hearing you doesn't guarantee that traffic will not pull in front of you but it gives you an additional notch of chance.

I guess I missed the part where it said "All" of the sound is behind the motorcycle.
Per the video:  Physics says sound travels backward, not forward but, admits sounds travel all directions.   Where's the majority of the sound directed?

Rams

[Willow]

Interesting list.  Many very good logic, but a few pure BS,

If you believe the sound of pipes is all behind the motorcycle you are either stupid or have never driven on the hiway.  I have hit one cage on my motorcycle and it was the bike that had quiet pipes.  Granted hearing you doesn't guarantee that traffic will not pull in front of you but it gives you an additional notch of chance.

I guess I missed the part where it said "All" of the sound is behind the motorcycle.
Per the video:  Physics says sound travels backward, not forward but, admits sounds travel all directions.   Where's the majority of the sound directed?  

I heard what he said.  The implication was that people in front of or beside the motorcycle don't hear the sound of pipes.  Otherwise there was no purpose in his argument.  Surely you're smart enough to have understood that.

I ride mostly with loud pipes.  I watch people's heads turn as I come up on them.  When I'm in the cage I can hear bikes with pipes approach from behind.  Honest folks will admit that they too have had the second experience.

It is true that sound won't help if the driver of the cage has all the windows closed and the radio blasting.  Like I said, it isn't a guarantee but it gives the rider a notch up that he otherwise wouldn't have.

Besides, I just like to hear the sound of the engine.   

[Rams]

Interesting list.  Many very good logic, but a few pure BS,

If you believe the sound of pipes is all behind the motorcycle you are either stupid or have never driven on the hiway.  I have hit one cage on my motorcycle and it was the bike that had quiet pipes.  Granted hearing you doesn't guarantee that traffic will not pull in front of you but it gives you an additional notch of chance.

I guess I missed the part where it said "All" of the sound is behind the motorcycle.
Per the video:  Physics says sound travels backward, not forward but, admits sounds travel all directions.   Where's the majority of the sound directed?  

I heard what he said.  The implication was that people in front of or beside the motorcycle don't hear the sound of pipes.  Otherwise there was no purpose in his argument.  Surely you're smart enough to have understood that.

I ride mostly with loud pipes.  I watch people's heads turn as I come up on them.  When I'm in the cage I can hear bikes with pipes approach from behind.  Honest folks will admit that they too have had the second experience.

It is true that sound won't help if the driver of the cage has all the windows closed and the radio blasting.  Like I said, it isn't a guarantee but it gives the rider a notch up that he otherwise wouldn't have.

Besides, I just like to hear the sound of the engine.  

Again, sound does go all directions but, where is it directed?
In a orchestra concert, which direction are the wind instrument directed at?   That's not to suggest that the people to the rear or sides of the wind instruments don't hear the horns but, the sound is directed at the audience.   The same basic principles apply to the use of loud speakers.  Same thing on motorcycle exhaust.  So, where do you think the majority of sound decibels are going?

I'm smart enough to recognize the obvious but, am exercising my internal filter.

Rams

[Moonshot_1]

I'm not on board with the "loud pipes save lives". Reason is that with loud pipes, and I've had them, I can't hear the traffic around me. Drowns out everything. Quiet pipes allows me to hear and see things better. If I can hear, I know to look. I know I should look anyway, but every bit of info helps. I know I'm much more aware of my environment on the road when I can hear my surroundings.

[Willow]

...
I'm smart enough to recognize the obvious but, am exercising my internal filter.

Apparently not so much as you insist on arguing something that has nothing to do with the implication of the video or of my assessment.   

[Oldfishguy]

Well, "loud pipes saving lives" is a statistical minimal amount at best.  Roughly 50% of our deaths (about 65 annually in MN) are from vehicles pulling in front of a motorcyclist.  The other roughly 50% annual deaths are from motorcycles riding off the road in a corner usually. 

But, I can see where some loud pipes keep a cage from merging in to your lane running down the highway if your in the blind spot for them.  Those seldom are deaths though and not tracked statistically in our state.   

And yes, "the sound of the engine" is intoxicating at times.  Two of my current seven machines bark with enthusiasm.  (I resurrect vintage machines as a hobby.). And that is definately entertaining, and somewhat expensive to outfit . . . but, oh the bark! 

https://youtu.be/W0nIMQG8JdA?si=WYhUCwIuO8k-aBdL

[Rams]

...
I'm smart enough to recognize the obvious but, am exercising my internal filter.

Apparently not so much as you insist on arguing something that has nothing to do with the implication of the video or of my assessment.   

Your opinion is noted.   

Rams

[LadyDraco]

First off : vehicles of today can't hear crap outside,they are almost sound proof inside now..I
One of my bigest beefs on the new cars n trucks!
    I use my MP3 player over the outside speakers NOT for the asshole cagers.
But for wild life , they hear the tunes and are not startled .

LOL lay it down ,No ride it out Never give up.

I don't belive the black helmet theory ,
I use to wear black helmets and they are hotter in the summer than light colour ones.
And light ones are more visible as well.

Engine brakeing : yes a big fan of.

LOL  I did hear a of lot other BS. And time I'll never get back..

[Rams]

First off : vehicles of today can't hear crap outside,they are almost sound proof inside now..I
One of my bigest beefs on the new cars n trucks!
    I use my MP3 player over the outside speakers NOT for the asshole cagers.
But for wild life , they hear the tunes and are not startled .

LOL lay it down ,No ride it out Never give up.

I don't belive the black helmet theory ,
I use to wear black helmets and they are hotter in the summer than light colour ones.
And light ones are more visible as well.

Engine brakeing : yes a big fan of.

LOL  I did hear a of lot other BS. And time I'll never get back..

I tend to agree with the majority of your post.  I usually downshift versus brake.  It only makes sense to me.   Black halmets?   I agree, if it's a helmet with ventilation, it doesn't make much difference.
Loud pipes?  Yeah, I think I've made my opinion as clear as possible.   Some won't accept basic science.

Rams

[LadyDraco]

Loud pipes , I don't care .
My bikes sound like trucks.  The only folks that look, are the ones on  sidewalks.

Cagers are blind and worry about their phones, in a sound proof rig..
Loud  pipes  will not help you.
   We as moto riders WE must look out for them .

We are the gazelle's and can move swiftly .
Cagers are blind elephants .  And don't care about the Gazelles..

[Jess from VA]

I usually downshift versus brake.

Me too, or simply drop the throttle.

But if I have following traffic, I always tap my hand brake lever quickly a 3-4 times, not hard enough to apply any braking, just enough to flash brake lights.  I hate squealing tires behind me.

And I nearly always slow roll into all stops and make traffic behind me do the same.

My brake pads last for years.