I dontr know whether its false or not (im pretty sure i could hear a Duc or RSV4 more than 15 metres behind me if i was sat in stationary traiffic) but i dont think thats the greatest test or the greatest desirable outcome either. How do you make yourself more "visible" to drivers in front of you when you're filtering in single lane traffic for eg? Its nigh on impossible, for me you have to treat every one of them like they're about to pull out on you and specifically im looking in rear and side mirrors constantly, for dickheads on their phones (normally). And if that means lashing 120db of akras on your bike so they hear you coming up on their rhs at the last minute, i think that should be encouraged, could save your life!
Useful link. I can say with a high degree of certainty that loud exhausts certainly do not help. I was knocked off my Monster when I had an illegal Akrapovic exhaust (thank Christ the Police never noticed - but, it might have been totally trashed by the time they saw it!). I had the exhaust because it looked good rather than for loudness. Still have an ST3 with Ducati Performance exhausts ( are these Termis?) but I'll try to be quiet and not upset the neighbours when I start motorcycling again!
As much as I like the sound of my Termis I wouldn't pretend they are on the bike for safety. In a modern car with the windows up it makes sod all difference until the bikes basically parallel. If we make a fuss about it being for safer filtering there is a risk they just ban filtering instead. Tbh in future I will probably forgo an aftermarket exhaust in favour of trying to fly under the radar of the sad lawmakers getting themselves worked up about hooligan bikers disturbing their peace whilst they water their petunias.
The only time I've picked up on a bike coming in my car is when I look in my mirrors (they exist!!). Loud exhausts make f all difference as you only hear when they're right there
Loud pipes have never been as useful to safety as a rider accepting that ANY 'accident' is 99.9% his own fault. I've allowed the 0.1% for completely unpredictable incidents.
Never rely on others to see you coming they won’t and you can’t hear loud pipes when your music is playing ride like everyone is out to kill you. drivers hate the fact that bikes can filter and will do anything to stop you
You can ride down the road with the sound of a marching band, flashing neons like a mad bastard or even have a guy with a red flag walking in front and a loudhailer and the feckers will still pull out on you. My 1299 akras are loud, but they never stopped a young lass on her phone walking across the road in front of me. She was so absorbed in it, it wasnt until I blipped my throttle did she jump in fright. It was urbun so I was only doin 25ish and on tickover. Kids I can forgive anything. My loud FMF never stopped a fat bastard running in front of me at a pelican crossing on green. I mullered him. Fat fucker broke my wrists again, only had them out of plaster a fucking week. A fucking week! Cheeky fucker claimed too, I countered and won. Ha, fat fucking bastard. I may still be a tad aggrieved about this particular fat bastard. Treat everone like they're out to get you and you'll be okay. Maybe.
A very few do. The majority are either unfussed, or activey squeeze aside a bit to let you though where I am anyway.
From my experience most drivers don’t see you if you’re filtering but they still unwittingly leave enough room for me to filter. There’s been not many occasions where drivers have actively sought to block me, with these I just go the opposite side.
I KNOW that loud pipes make zero difference. I think that it is down to the science of noise and hearing. A driver will hear you after you have passed them but they will not hear you as you approach - especially if they are on the 'phone.
