SO NOW I think I've heard it all, eardrum-busting motorcycles notwithstanding. Several readers -- motorcyclists all -- e-mailed to say that the noise that so many of us hate so much saves lives. They call it the "noise advantage."
First up is Joseph Kaplan, who theorizes that motorcycle mufflers are "designed purposely to make more noise than cars so that people and other vehicles like cars, trucks, buses know they are in the vicinity and to look out."
The noise compensates for motorcycles' size, Mr. Kaplan said. "As motorcycles are physically smaller and more difficult to see, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to death then drivers of cars," he said. "[Because] drivers and pedestrians don't normally look out for motorcyclists, the motorcycle needs a noise advantage. Unfortunately, some motorcyclists replace the pipes (mufflers) that come stock on their motorcycles with ones that make even more noise. I encourage you to dislike only the really loud bikes and understand why responsible motorcyclists do need to make some noise."
The problem is that I bet our definitions of "really loud bikes" are quite different.
Brian Kelm is a longtime motorcyclist who has owned several motorcycles over the years -- from very noisy Triumphs to his current, "relatively quiet" Ducati. "While you and others may be offended by the noise of unmuffled motorcycles, the fact remains that you hear them before you see them!" he said. "With today's drivers so distracted, that noise is all we have to let them know where we are and hopefully it will keep them from turning in front of us and maybe it will save a few lives. If those loud pipes can save just one life a year then it's OK with me if I have to hear them before I see them."
And finally, another proponent of the "noise advantage" theory is Dennis Biennas, a retired police officer who rode a police motorcycle for 10 years. He owns a Harley Davidson, so we know right off the bat where he stands on the noise issue. "I will be the devil's advocate. Since a motorcycle can be hidden by the door post of a car for a fraction of a second, maybe the loud exhausts are a good thing. At least, the noise alerts you to a motorcycle nearby," he said.
And again, that's what mirrors are for. If a motorcycle is at such a dangerous disadvantage on the highways and byways, then perhaps they shouldn't be on the road at all.
