Helmet laws and loud pipes?

Question

Why do bikers chant: "Loud pipes save lives" and then chant "Helmet laws suck"?
It seems to me that if bikers are so concerned about safety, they would want a good helmet and one that is DOT approved.
Then again .... loud pipes are not really about safety are they?
Riding skill saves lives, being sober and not speeding.
Yes, I'm a motorcyclist (Harley's) for well over 40 years. I ride quite, respect others and get equal respect.
The NTSA compiled stats make no notice of loud pipes, but do mention helmets in saving lives.

Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash.
Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities
Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash
Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the fatalities
Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license

Answer 1

In my opinion, people who don't wear a helmet or proper riding gear while riding a motorcycle are plain stupid, much like people who don't wear seatbelts while riding in a car. Loud pipes don't do anything when you missed a turn becuase you were going too fast. Loud pipes don't help when you're riding drunk. Loud pipes are only good for the "bad" image of Harley types.

Every time I get on my bike which is every day to and from work, I have a smile on my face, because I enjoy riding very much. But when I come across a "Harley Guy" the rider has this look on his face, it's hilarious! It's like his mom made him ride his bike or he has a bad stomach ache ;o) I always want to stop and say: "dude, if it's that bad just leave the bike at home and cage it to work" LOL

Answer 2

Left hand turns into a motorcycle accounts for about 8% of fatal accidents. The loud pipes are pointed to the rear of the motorcycle.

In my opinion .000000000001% is still too many!

The 2,304 motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 6 percent of total fatalities in 1994. The motorcycle fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is about 20 times that of passenger cars. Motorcycle operator error was identified as a contributing factor in 76 percent of fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 1994. Excessive speed was the contributing factor most often noted. 43 percent of fatally injured operators and 48 percent of fatally injured passengers were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Approximately one out of every five motorcycle operators involved in a fatal crash in 1994 was driving with an invalid license at the time of the collision. Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1994 had a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level (28.9 percent) than any other type of motor vehicle driver. NHTSA estimates that 518 lives were saved by the use of motorcycle helmets in 1994.

Answer 3

Well Ill tell you Its a matter of freedom! I personally think helmets are a must have and wont ride without one. But however if someone else makes the informed choice to not wear a helmet and risk his life then that is his choice. Laws that force people to be safe should be unconstitutional unless your recklessness directly affects the safety of another. This is why helmet laws "suck" is because its unnecessary government infringment on your personal life. If i want to skydive i should be able to without worrying if the law deems it a safe activity. This country was founded of those basic freedom principals and if we wish to keep it that way then the integrity of what we believe must be maintained. Thus no helmet laws.

Answer 4

1) Yes they make more noise and are able to be heard easier.
2) 2/3 +1/2+ 1/2 1/4 +1/3= 225% I think you have the numbers wrong. The articles I have read said that LEFT TURNING VEHICLES were more the cause of accidents than any one of your answers. Not disrespecting your answer, just a different source is all I guess.
And yes I ride also and have for 23 years. Ride safe!

Answer 5

.A lot of good answers, but I do question the right of freedom in the argument about helmets.

1. Operating a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right. Therefore you are obligated to obey the rules of operation to maintain that privilege.
2. What about the rights of people not to be assaulted by or have their homes invaded by the noise of loud pipes. Motor cycling is not their hobby so why force it on them?

It seems to me that bikers want for them selves and never give. Kind of sociopath behavior

Bikers say they are real Americans, but real Americans care and believe that to protect their rights they must be willing to protect the rights of others.

Answer 6

WOW! Good question, but really.....to the bikers it is all about the noise and the "LOOK AT ME. I'M A BAD *** BIKER" and F--k the Establishment.

If safety was a real factor the Insurance Lobby would be all for loud pipes.

The pitty here is people live ROCKSYSTEMS don't have reading comprehension......Look dodo...the facts are from the NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION and the facts and source was documented. Not HEARSAY and SPECULATION. You want to critical....have your proof and documentation.

Answer 7

If your worried about DOT approved helmets compared to other helmets the're was a study done where and egg carton with some duct tape passed the DOT test they do on helmets with more points than an actual DOT approved helmet. I dont know where i saw it but it's out there somewhere so look and you shall find

Answer 8

Riding safe and helmets save lives, loud pipes hinder hearing of the motorcyclist and has startled cagers into accidents.

Read the following and learn:

Motorcycle Fatalities Increasing: Read the October 2001full report "Fatal Single Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes" (DOT HS 809 360) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); a study recently conducted on motorcycle accidents and safety

Here's a summary of NHTSA DOT HS 809 360:

Single vehicle motorcycle crashes account for about 45 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities. More than 38,000 motorcyclists have died in single vehicle motorcycle crashes between 1975 and 1999. The report claims to provide data for insight into possible causes for these fatalities. According to the report, from 1990 through 1999, there were a total of 11,038 fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes. During that same time period, there were an estimated 294,000 non-fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes. Of these, an estimated 39,000 involved property damage only and 255,000 involved injuries. Motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes decreased each year from 1990 to 1996, reaching a historic low of 937 in 1996 and again in 1997. In 1998, the fatalities increased to 1,042 (11.2 percent increase); in 1998 and in 1999 they increased to 1,140 (9.4 percent). The overall increase in motorcyclist fatalities from 1997 to 1999 was 203 (21.7 percent).

Report Conclusions: Findings from the FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data illustrate possible reasons for motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes:

* Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists below 50 percent
* More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads
* High blood alcohol levels are a major problem among motorcycle operators
* Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash
* Over 80 percent of the fatalities occur off roadway
* Undivided roadways account for a majority of the fatalities
* Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash
* Almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night
* Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities
* Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the fatalities
* More riders age 40 and over are getting killed
* Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license

1998 Motorcycle Facts:

* 2,284 motorcyclists died and approximately 49,000 were injured in highway crashes in the United States.
* Per mile traveled in 1998, a motorcyclist is approximately 16 times more likely to die in a crash than an automobile occupant. And 3x (times) as likely to be injured.
* Head injury is a leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes.
* In 1998, 46% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
* NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a fatality by 29% in a crash.
* In 1998, 41% of all motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
* Nearly one out of five motorcycle drivers (18%) involved in fatal crashes in 1998 was operating with an invalid license at the time of the collision.
* Motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 1998 had higher intoxication rates than any other type of motor vehicle driver at 31%.
* In 1998, 500 motorcyclists lives were saved due to helmet usage; 307 could have been saved.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Answer 9

In utah You dont need to wear a helment some times i do some times I dont. Loud pipes on a harley is what it is all about if I wanted to be quit I would ride a HONDA with stock pipes...

Answer 10

Helmets are choice here in Kentucky but seatbelts are required go figure