10-01-2015, 10:20 AM
my $0.02.. I knew someone way back when that had straight pipes on his SOHC CB750 chopper. A little loud for my tastes but for him that was part of 'what it was all about'. So far, every bike that I've owned has retained their stock exhausts so over the decades they've gotten progressively quieter on the road.
One thing that I have noticed. Here where traffic is so congested and lane splitting is common and accepted, I HAVE noticed that when people are coming up from behind with louder than stock exhausts.. the car drivers *that care* move over to give them room to pass more safely. They do that because they can hear them coming.. I think in some cases 'loud pipes save lives' is probably true.
One thing that I have noticed. Here where traffic is so congested and lane splitting is common and accepted, I HAVE noticed that when people are coming up from behind with louder than stock exhausts.. the car drivers *that care* move over to give them room to pass more safely. They do that because they can hear them coming.. I think in some cases 'loud pipes save lives' is probably true.