Back Road Rider, Calvin
"Skeet" Sheeder (courtesy)
Ahhh, yes, with the dawn of a new
riding season before us it seems it's never too late to get your complaints in
about those pesky and noisy motorcycles, even if it is based on a column I wrote
over a year ago! Take this timely entry for example: I will let you read it.
Then I will guide you through the murky waters of what this is really about.
Writer stated (quoting me, BRR): "I as well as millions of other
motorcycle-loving people happen to like my things loud. Loud pipes save lives.
It's a fact."
Writer's correction detail: "There is absolutely no evidence to support
the claim the 'loud pipes save lives' other than the thousands of Harley riders
who yell it from the mountain tops hoping that if they are loud enough people
will believe it. Statistically, loud pipes have absolutely zero effect on safety
-- plain and simple. NHTSA, ABATE, AMA all agree on this. It's a belief,
not a fact.
"Also, the writer seems to miss the understanding that his 'right' to be loud
conflicts directly with my 'right' to not be annoyed by noise pollution. Many
noise ordinances are being passed in many municipalities because of this crazy
belief...
"Check your facts (funny thing about facts is they are based on evidence,
statistics and real life studies, not by testimony of true believers; that is
religion, not fact). My rights stop where another person's rights start. I don't
have the right to cause a ruckus, it's called 'disturbing the peace.'
"Additional
sources: Anyone with scientific evidence; the insurance institutes, NHTSA,
ABATE, AMA -- an organization that actually studies the safety of motorcyclists
-- instead of a religious zealot screaming their beliefs as loud like their
pipes."
What the complainant is referring to is an article I wrote titled " Do
Motorcycles Need Muzzled?" which was written over a year ago in response to
another complaint I received about loud motorcycles -- Harley Davidsons in
particular, because everybody knows only Harleys are loud.
In fact the complainer at that time couldn't type the words "Harley Davidson"
enough times in his complaint to make his point ...
Fast forward to now.
First of all Mr. or Mrs. Peace-nick, I say this because nobody bothered to
sign the complaint, which tells me all I need to know about the writer,
Does the word sarcasm have any meaning to you? If you knew anything about the
motorcycling community, you might also know that "Loud pipes save lives" is a
very popular helmet sticker which I inserted into that article. I did indeed add
"It's a fact" and will stand by that.
And now that you mention it, the funny thing about facts is that people have
a funny way of stretching them around to fit their funny agendas.
Again, I couldn't help but notice your reference to Harley Davidson and
Harley riders so many times in your message. Why would that be?
But let's get back to the facts thing, shall we?
What's that? You need to wipe the sweat from your forehead? OK, I'll wait ...
da, de, da ...
After checking with fellow members of ABATE, of which I happen to be a
member, by the way, I can't seem to find anybody who is even aware of a study
ever being performed to say one way or another whether loud pipes save lives or
not, so how could ABATE "agree they have no effect on safety" as you so proudly
proclaim? It is a shame when those pesky facts get in the way, isn't it? I'm not
saying that buried in a vault somewhere under mountains of more pressing
paperwork there couldn't be a study somewhere, it's just I haven't nor has
anyone I spoke with ever heard of one. So I'm gonna go with that. Where is your
proof?
As far as the AMA goes, to me it seems mostly like a metric and dirt bike
orientation club with which Harley Davidson did or may even still have ties.
Well, after poring over more motorcycling articles than I ever wanted to, I
still failed to see one that said loud pipes do or do not save lives. There was
plenty of talk about loud motorcycles and how to go about curbing excessive
motorcycle noise. (I attribute most of that to the competition complaining about
the top dog, Harley Davidson, simply because they have the largest motorcycle
base) but the conclusion is or was it couldn't be done very effectively without
singling out motorcycles beyond the scope of other vehicles and noises like lawn
mowers or construction or a fireworks display or re-enactments with cannons and
rifle fire -- all of which could disturb someone's peace or be considered a "
ruckus" by someone.
But to people like yourself I suppose you could give the information a good
twist and jump to conclusions you came to.
OK, let's jump back to the "loud pipes save lives" issue.
Today, class, we are going to use a term I call applied logic. This is not
something taught in school or that you can get a degree in, to the dismay of
some people. I will be your professor. When this class is over, you will be able
to come to sound conclusions on your own, that will not require years of
government-funded studies, or tons of taxpayer dollars to come up with a correct
answer to some of life's little dilemmas. Such as, do loud pipes save lives?
Let's say, for example, a fictional driver named Mrs. Crabtree is behind the
wheel of her 1987 "USS Buick." She's sitting atop a booster seat and her
eyesight isn't what it used to be. She's at a stop sign getting ready to pull
across the lanes of traffic when all of a sudden she hears the loud sirens of a
fire truck as it passes down the road just feet in front of her. Whew! That was
a close one! I think I could safely say loud sirens save lives or in this case,
Mrs. Crabtree's and several fire department personnel. Now why would fire trucks
have loud sirens if they didn't have any effect whatsoever on safety? You can't
see a siren can you?
Now let's apply some logic to this scenario, shall we?
Mrs. Crabtree (I love that name!) pulls up to the same stop sign and you're
on a motorcycle. Would you rather be on: A -- The motorcycle that gets her
attention with the loud pipes (for this exercise let's pretend that you do have
a wife and children before answering); or B -- The whisper-quiet motorcycle, and
you rely on your dreamcatcher for protection?
You see, Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, there are many motorcyclists out there who
absolutely love nothing more than to ride their motorcycles but want that little
extra protection that a louder motorcycle can and does provide. They as well as
myself elect to disturb your peace for no more time than it takes a fire truck
to pass -- not because they have an axe to grind with you or anyone else but
because there are far too many "Mrs. Crabtrees" on the road. We have families,
children and friends we care about and that care about us.
As an owner of both a quiet and a louder motorcycle, I can tell you
first-hand loud pipes do save lives -- it is a fact. I don't need a degree from
Harvard to come to this conclusion and neither do any of my fellow riders, many
of whom have written in support of this question, which by the way, if I stapled
them all together and put them in a folder, would constitute a "real life
study."
So please come down off that high horse of yours and don't take it
personally. I think what you're trying to say is you don't like loud motorcycles
-- period -- day or night. That, people, is a whole other ball of wax.
I stand by my conclusion. Class dismissed!
Peace, love and ride!
-- Skeet
Contacts: If you have an event or ride you would like Back Road Rider
to join or list on various websites, e-mail him at
Thebackroadrider@embarqmail.com; tweet him at backroadrider1 or post a note at
facebook.com/backroadrider.
Website: http://www.backroadrider.org
Blog site: http://www.publicopiniononline.com (under Opinion tab,
scroll down to Blogs)
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Back Road Rider: Do loud pipes save lives?
OFF THE WIRE
Back Road Rider, Calvin
"Skeet" Sheeder (courtesy)
Ahhh, yes, with the dawn of a new
riding season before us it seems it's never too late to get your complaints in
about those pesky and noisy motorcycles, even if it is based on a column I wrote
over a year ago! Take this timely entry for example: I will let you read it.
Then I will guide you through the murky waters of what this is really about.
Writer stated (quoting me, BRR): "I as well as millions of other
motorcycle-loving people happen to like my things loud. Loud pipes save lives.
It's a fact."
Writer's correction detail: "There is absolutely no evidence to support
the claim the 'loud pipes save lives' other than the thousands of Harley riders
who yell it from the mountain tops hoping that if they are loud enough people
will believe it. Statistically, loud pipes have absolutely zero effect on safety
-- plain and simple. NHTSA, ABATE, AMA all agree on this. It's a belief,
not a fact.
"Also, the writer seems to miss the understanding that his 'right' to be loud
conflicts directly with my 'right' to not be annoyed by noise pollution. Many
noise ordinances are being passed in many municipalities because of this crazy
belief...
"Check your facts (funny thing about facts is they are based on evidence,
statistics and real life studies, not by testimony of true believers; that is
religion, not fact). My rights stop where another person's rights start. I don't
have the right to cause a ruckus, it's called 'disturbing the peace.'
"Additional
sources: Anyone with scientific evidence; the insurance institutes, NHTSA,
ABATE, AMA -- an organization that actually studies the safety of motorcyclists
-- instead of a religious zealot screaming their beliefs as loud like their
pipes."
What the complainant is referring to is an article I wrote titled " Do
Motorcycles Need Muzzled?" which was written over a year ago in response to
another complaint I received about loud motorcycles -- Harley Davidsons in
particular, because everybody knows only Harleys are loud.
In fact the complainer at that time couldn't type the words "Harley Davidson"
enough times in his complaint to make his point ...
Fast forward to now.
First of all Mr. or Mrs. Peace-nick, I say this because nobody bothered to
sign the complaint, which tells me all I need to know about the writer,
Does the word sarcasm have any meaning to you? If you knew anything about the
motorcycling community, you might also know that "Loud pipes save lives" is a
very popular helmet sticker which I inserted into that article. I did indeed add
"It's a fact" and will stand by that.
And now that you mention it, the funny thing about facts is that people have
a funny way of stretching them around to fit their funny agendas.
Again, I couldn't help but notice your reference to Harley Davidson and
Harley riders so many times in your message. Why would that be?
But let's get back to the facts thing, shall we?
What's that? You need to wipe the sweat from your forehead? OK, I'll wait ...
da, de, da ...
After checking with fellow members of ABATE, of which I happen to be a
member, by the way, I can't seem to find anybody who is even aware of a study
ever being performed to say one way or another whether loud pipes save lives or
not, so how could ABATE "agree they have no effect on safety" as you so proudly
proclaim? It is a shame when those pesky facts get in the way, isn't it? I'm not
saying that buried in a vault somewhere under mountains of more pressing
paperwork there couldn't be a study somewhere, it's just I haven't nor has
anyone I spoke with ever heard of one. So I'm gonna go with that. Where is your
proof?
As far as the AMA goes, to me it seems mostly like a metric and dirt bike
orientation club with which Harley Davidson did or may even still have ties.
Well, after poring over more motorcycling articles than I ever wanted to, I
still failed to see one that said loud pipes do or do not save lives. There was
plenty of talk about loud motorcycles and how to go about curbing excessive
motorcycle noise. (I attribute most of that to the competition complaining about
the top dog, Harley Davidson, simply because they have the largest motorcycle
base) but the conclusion is or was it couldn't be done very effectively without
singling out motorcycles beyond the scope of other vehicles and noises like lawn
mowers or construction or a fireworks display or re-enactments with cannons and
rifle fire -- all of which could disturb someone's peace or be considered a "
ruckus" by someone.
But to people like yourself I suppose you could give the information a good
twist and jump to conclusions you came to.
OK, let's jump back to the "loud pipes save lives" issue.
Today, class, we are going to use a term I call applied logic. This is not
something taught in school or that you can get a degree in, to the dismay of
some people. I will be your professor. When this class is over, you will be able
to come to sound conclusions on your own, that will not require years of
government-funded studies, or tons of taxpayer dollars to come up with a correct
answer to some of life's little dilemmas. Such as, do loud pipes save lives?
Let's say, for example, a fictional driver named Mrs. Crabtree is behind the
wheel of her 1987 "USS Buick." She's sitting atop a booster seat and her
eyesight isn't what it used to be. She's at a stop sign getting ready to pull
across the lanes of traffic when all of a sudden she hears the loud sirens of a
fire truck as it passes down the road just feet in front of her. Whew! That was
a close one! I think I could safely say loud sirens save lives or in this case,
Mrs. Crabtree's and several fire department personnel. Now why would fire trucks
have loud sirens if they didn't have any effect whatsoever on safety? You can't
see a siren can you?
Now let's apply some logic to this scenario, shall we?
Mrs. Crabtree (I love that name!) pulls up to the same stop sign and you're
on a motorcycle. Would you rather be on: A -- The motorcycle that gets her
attention with the loud pipes (for this exercise let's pretend that you do have
a wife and children before answering); or B -- The whisper-quiet motorcycle, and
you rely on your dreamcatcher for protection?
You see, Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, there are many motorcyclists out there who
absolutely love nothing more than to ride their motorcycles but want that little
extra protection that a louder motorcycle can and does provide. They as well as
myself elect to disturb your peace for no more time than it takes a fire truck
to pass -- not because they have an axe to grind with you or anyone else but
because there are far too many "Mrs. Crabtrees" on the road. We have families,
children and friends we care about and that care about us.
As an owner of both a quiet and a louder motorcycle, I can tell you
first-hand loud pipes do save lives -- it is a fact. I don't need a degree from
Harvard to come to this conclusion and neither do any of my fellow riders, many
of whom have written in support of this question, which by the way, if I stapled
them all together and put them in a folder, would constitute a "real life
study."
So please come down off that high horse of yours and don't take it
personally. I think what you're trying to say is you don't like loud motorcycles
-- period -- day or night. That, people, is a whole other ball of wax.
I stand by my conclusion. Class dismissed!
Peace, love and ride!
-- Skeet
Contacts: If you have an event or ride you would like Back Road Rider
to join or list on various websites, e-mail him at
Thebackroadrider@embarqmail.com; tweet him at backroadrider1 or post a note at
facebook.com/backroadrider.
Website: http://www.backroadrider.org
Blog site: http://www.publicopiniononline.com (under Opinion tab,
scroll down to Blogs)
Back Road Rider, Calvin
"Skeet" Sheeder (courtesy)
Ahhh, yes, with the dawn of a new
riding season before us it seems it's never too late to get your complaints in
about those pesky and noisy motorcycles, even if it is based on a column I wrote
over a year ago! Take this timely entry for example: I will let you read it.
Then I will guide you through the murky waters of what this is really about.
Writer stated (quoting me, BRR): "I as well as millions of other
motorcycle-loving people happen to like my things loud. Loud pipes save lives.
It's a fact."
Writer's correction detail: "There is absolutely no evidence to support
the claim the 'loud pipes save lives' other than the thousands of Harley riders
who yell it from the mountain tops hoping that if they are loud enough people
will believe it. Statistically, loud pipes have absolutely zero effect on safety
-- plain and simple. NHTSA, ABATE, AMA all agree on this. It's a belief,
not a fact.
"Also, the writer seems to miss the understanding that his 'right' to be loud
conflicts directly with my 'right' to not be annoyed by noise pollution. Many
noise ordinances are being passed in many municipalities because of this crazy
belief...
"Check your facts (funny thing about facts is they are based on evidence,
statistics and real life studies, not by testimony of true believers; that is
religion, not fact). My rights stop where another person's rights start. I don't
have the right to cause a ruckus, it's called 'disturbing the peace.'
"Additional
sources: Anyone with scientific evidence; the insurance institutes, NHTSA,
ABATE, AMA -- an organization that actually studies the safety of motorcyclists
-- instead of a religious zealot screaming their beliefs as loud like their
pipes."
What the complainant is referring to is an article I wrote titled " Do
Motorcycles Need Muzzled?" which was written over a year ago in response to
another complaint I received about loud motorcycles -- Harley Davidsons in
particular, because everybody knows only Harleys are loud.
In fact the complainer at that time couldn't type the words "Harley Davidson"
enough times in his complaint to make his point ...
Fast forward to now.
First of all Mr. or Mrs. Peace-nick, I say this because nobody bothered to
sign the complaint, which tells me all I need to know about the writer,
Does the word sarcasm have any meaning to you? If you knew anything about the
motorcycling community, you might also know that "Loud pipes save lives" is a
very popular helmet sticker which I inserted into that article. I did indeed add
"It's a fact" and will stand by that.
And now that you mention it, the funny thing about facts is that people have
a funny way of stretching them around to fit their funny agendas.
Again, I couldn't help but notice your reference to Harley Davidson and
Harley riders so many times in your message. Why would that be?
But let's get back to the facts thing, shall we?
What's that? You need to wipe the sweat from your forehead? OK, I'll wait ...
da, de, da ...
After checking with fellow members of ABATE, of which I happen to be a
member, by the way, I can't seem to find anybody who is even aware of a study
ever being performed to say one way or another whether loud pipes save lives or
not, so how could ABATE "agree they have no effect on safety" as you so proudly
proclaim? It is a shame when those pesky facts get in the way, isn't it? I'm not
saying that buried in a vault somewhere under mountains of more pressing
paperwork there couldn't be a study somewhere, it's just I haven't nor has
anyone I spoke with ever heard of one. So I'm gonna go with that. Where is your
proof?
As far as the AMA goes, to me it seems mostly like a metric and dirt bike
orientation club with which Harley Davidson did or may even still have ties.
Well, after poring over more motorcycling articles than I ever wanted to, I
still failed to see one that said loud pipes do or do not save lives. There was
plenty of talk about loud motorcycles and how to go about curbing excessive
motorcycle noise. (I attribute most of that to the competition complaining about
the top dog, Harley Davidson, simply because they have the largest motorcycle
base) but the conclusion is or was it couldn't be done very effectively without
singling out motorcycles beyond the scope of other vehicles and noises like lawn
mowers or construction or a fireworks display or re-enactments with cannons and
rifle fire -- all of which could disturb someone's peace or be considered a "
ruckus" by someone.
But to people like yourself I suppose you could give the information a good
twist and jump to conclusions you came to.
OK, let's jump back to the "loud pipes save lives" issue.
Today, class, we are going to use a term I call applied logic. This is not
something taught in school or that you can get a degree in, to the dismay of
some people. I will be your professor. When this class is over, you will be able
to come to sound conclusions on your own, that will not require years of
government-funded studies, or tons of taxpayer dollars to come up with a correct
answer to some of life's little dilemmas. Such as, do loud pipes save lives?
Let's say, for example, a fictional driver named Mrs. Crabtree is behind the
wheel of her 1987 "USS Buick." She's sitting atop a booster seat and her
eyesight isn't what it used to be. She's at a stop sign getting ready to pull
across the lanes of traffic when all of a sudden she hears the loud sirens of a
fire truck as it passes down the road just feet in front of her. Whew! That was
a close one! I think I could safely say loud sirens save lives or in this case,
Mrs. Crabtree's and several fire department personnel. Now why would fire trucks
have loud sirens if they didn't have any effect whatsoever on safety? You can't
see a siren can you?
Now let's apply some logic to this scenario, shall we?
Mrs. Crabtree (I love that name!) pulls up to the same stop sign and you're
on a motorcycle. Would you rather be on: A -- The motorcycle that gets her
attention with the loud pipes (for this exercise let's pretend that you do have
a wife and children before answering); or B -- The whisper-quiet motorcycle, and
you rely on your dreamcatcher for protection?
You see, Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, there are many motorcyclists out there who
absolutely love nothing more than to ride their motorcycles but want that little
extra protection that a louder motorcycle can and does provide. They as well as
myself elect to disturb your peace for no more time than it takes a fire truck
to pass -- not because they have an axe to grind with you or anyone else but
because there are far too many "Mrs. Crabtrees" on the road. We have families,
children and friends we care about and that care about us.
As an owner of both a quiet and a louder motorcycle, I can tell you
first-hand loud pipes do save lives -- it is a fact. I don't need a degree from
Harvard to come to this conclusion and neither do any of my fellow riders, many
of whom have written in support of this question, which by the way, if I stapled
them all together and put them in a folder, would constitute a "real life
study."
So please come down off that high horse of yours and don't take it
personally. I think what you're trying to say is you don't like loud motorcycles
-- period -- day or night. That, people, is a whole other ball of wax.
I stand by my conclusion. Class dismissed!
Peace, love and ride!
-- Skeet
Contacts: If you have an event or ride you would like Back Road Rider
to join or list on various websites, e-mail him at
Thebackroadrider@embarqmail.com; tweet him at backroadrider1 or post a note at
facebook.com/backroadrider.
Website: http://www.backroadrider.org
Blog site: http://www.publicopiniononline.com (under Opinion tab,
scroll down to Blogs)