Wow, I seem to have touched a nerve. Well, the logic that "everyone should be as loud then" is false. Then the bike would not stand out. I am vehemently against cars having daytime running lights for this same reason.
A guy I know at school (Harley type but has Japanese bikes)(and who is quite knowledgeable and not the biker stereotype even though he looks it) had actually really good arguments against helmets and supporting their contribution to lack of safety. His argument was that they significantly add to fatigue - he'd much rather wear a leather helmet for a compromise between some protection and far less fatigue - he said the only wrecks he's ever had were due to being tired. And I buy this to some extent - generally, and I don't remember where the crossover in forward speed is, you're far worse off if you fall over farther (a due to g) than if you're moving forward faster - hence, a 10-speed bike rider going 20 is in much worse danger of head injury than a cruiser rider going 40 or 50. This came out when bike helmets were first becoming more mainstream - I was really rather surprised, as I've ridden bicycles without helmets forever, wrongly assuming (it turns out) that the relatively low speeds make them unnecessary. Some "good mechanical types" apparently disagree with you - I have an MSME from Okie State Ag and Mech. T > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Scordato > Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 8:39 AM > To: Mercedes Discussion List > Subject: Re: [MBZ] Bike rider, loud pipes > > > "could hear him for about 3/4 of a mile away - he stated that > cars...." > > If that thinking is true let us have every vehicle/truck/car > on the roads > have no muffler then we would be really safe and could hear > each other > coming. > > I had a guy (he looked like a Hun, proally why no one wants > to mess with > these guys and question this stuff) in Pennsylvania say the > same thing to > me. "It is for safety". But with the recent appealed helmet > law he did not > wear a helmet. Yeah he was real concerned about safety!!?? > > Spade a Spade: No it is about making noise, a power trip and > "saying look > at me" and nothing else. It is certainly not about humility, > God forbid. I > would get out my decibel meter and ticket everyone of the > bastards if I were > a cop for disturbing the peace. > > By degree I am a Marine/Mechanical Engineer. On a merchant > ship (Navy / > Shore side same way) every piece a machinery we would judge > by the level of > sound. Excessive sound and loud sound were ussually a sign of > trouble/danger. Most good mechanical types agree optimal > design operation > is as quiet as possible. > . /Tom
