Hacker News Reader

Comment by Reason077 | Hacker News Reader

Could Google Maps for Motorbikes be configured to route noisy motorbikes away from residential streets? Especially late at night when I’m trying to sleep!

View on HN

There's a common belief among motorcyclists that having loud exhausts help alert other car drivers of their presence, making them more visible on the roads. There are various arguments in favor and against that notion, but if it's getting you to notice them I guess it is better than nothing.

I never believed that. I was an avid motorcyclists for decades and spent lots of time around riders of loud pipe bikes. If safety was what drove them to straight pipes, then I would expect those concerns to carry through with the rest of their gear.

I read somewhere that statistics actually suggest the opposite - that bikes with loud pipes are more likely to suffer a serious accidents and injury. I suspect that's because the type of bikers that have loud pipes are also the ones riding aggressively, overtaking frequently, weaving between traffic lanes, etc.

As a motorcyclist & car driver, what I've observed is in a car you can hear loud pipe bikes- but only when they are in front of you, i.e. with the tailpipe pointing at your face. Behind or beside you- in other words, in your blind spots- don't hear a thing.

I used to have a ZX-10 with super loud exhaust (apparently a previously owner amateur raced it) and other drivers would definitely know when I was around them. People don't always see motorcycles but if they hear you they tend not to pull right out in front of you in my experience. It also worked a lot better than the horn to get people's attention, little beep vs. loud roar.

Not that I'm advocating for loud motorcycles, mufflers exist for a reason...that bike would set off car alarms while just idling past in parking lots which was kind of annoying.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com