Your cruising down the highway with the new exhaust system you have just had fitted that gives the bike more horsepower and far louder exhaust note.
Exiting off, you head down to the town deciding that it’s time to catch a cup of coffee and something sweet to eat. Everything’s great. You have confidence everyone knows that you there. How could they not? They can hear you coming from a mile off.
Suddenly a car pulls out from a parking space right in front of you. You go into emergency mode, hit the breaks, and swerve around the car. Finding a parking space outside the coffee shop, you get off your bike and head in, all be it a bit shaken up. How couldn’t that car of heard you or not see you?
Are loud motorcycles really safer?
Loud motorcycles are not safer as drivers of cars, vans, or other vehicles may be distracted through listening to music, speaking on their mobile phones, or other reasons such as children making noise within the vehicle. It’s best to drive defensively and wear high visibility clothing to help be seen.
Drivers can have many distractions. Don’t forget they are sitting in a sealed bubble. They could even be eating or drinking a cup of coffee or tea.
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Maybe they are sorting out the children who are making a noise or a mess of the vehicle or just thinking about what they will have for dinner that evening. Anyway, they are being distracted from checking who or what is around them as they feel safe within their bubble.
Many motorcyclists do believe that a louder exhaust is safer because it means that if you can be heard, other road users will know that there is a motorcycle around in the vicinity and will pay more attention to look out for the biker.
I’m also sure that there are motorcyclists still alive today because their motorcycle was heard.
This being said, there is still no real evidence that ‘loud pipes save lives,’ and I’m sure this debate will go on for many years to come.
Now, you have to bear in mind that the exhaust on a motorcycle point in the opposite direction the bike is traveling in, that’s backward, by the way, so all the noise the pipes are making is staying behind you. To other road users, it is challenging to know exactly where the noise is coming from.
Many drivers believe that you probably aren’t local to them if they can’t see you. They could just be hearing the motorcyclist’s noise in the other road adjacent to them or alike. It may not be that obvious to them where the noise is coming from.
However, it is still the case that even though loud exhaust pipes do draw attention to the fact there is a motorcycle in the local vicinity, the wearing of bright clothing such as a reflective jacket or vest and riding defensively is still one of the best ways to stay safe whilst out on the road.
Seeing possible problems before they happen and reacting to them will definitely help any motorcyclist stay safe.
What Are The Noise Limites For A Motorcycle? A Useful Guide
Depending on which state you are in, different laws identify the maximum sound levels your motorcycle can make. Below I have listed this guide in a state by state format.
| Alabama | There are No statewide motorcycle noise limit laws |
| Alaska | There are No statewide noise limit |
| Arizona | There are motorcycle noise limits in force. So please check with the state’s highways agency for more information. |
| Arkansas | There are No statewide motorcycle noise limit laws |
| California | Motorcycle noise limit laws are dependent on the motorcycles year of manufacturer and other criteria. So please check with the state’s highways agency for more information. |
| Colorado | Motorcycle noise limit laws are dependent on the motorcycles year of manufacturer and other criteria. So please check with the state’s highways agency for more information. These noise restrictions are not applicable for vehicles designed exclusively for racing purposes |
| Connecticut | Motorcycle noise limit laws are dependent on the motorcycles year of manufacturer and other criteria. So please check with the state’s highways agency for more information. |
| Delaware | No person shall drive a motorcycle on a public roadway unless the motorcycle is equipped with a muffler to prevent excessive or unusual noise |
| District of Columbia | The maximum noise level is 83 decibels for a motorcycle |
| Florida | 82dBA is the max sound level permitted at 35 miles per hour or less for vehicles manufactured before 1st January 1979. For vehicles manufactured after this date, it’s 78dBA over 35 miles per hour |
| Georgia | There are No statewide noise limit restrictions in place. |
| Hawaii | It’s unlawful to modify a muffler to make it louder, but all motorcycles and mopeds must have a muffler to restrict excessive or unusual noise. |
| Idaho | Modifying an exhaust system to increase the noise of the vehicle is prohibited. |
| Illinois | You cannot modify the exhaust system, which may amplify or increase the noise above the original muffler that was originally installed on the vehicle. |
| Indiana | All motorcycles must have a muffler or another device that prevents noise pollution. It must also be in full working order. |
| Iowa | There is No statewide noise limit restriction in this state. |
| Kansas | There is No statewide noise limit restriction in this state. |
| Kentucky | There is No statewide noise limit restriction in this state. |
| Louisianna | There is No statewide noise limit restriction in this state. |
| Maine | All motorcycles must have a muffler or another device that prevents noise pollution. It must also be in full working order. You cannot amplify the noise admitted by the muffler. |
| Maryland | Motorcycle noise limit laws are dependent on the motorcycles year of manufacturer and other criteria. So please check with the state’s highways agency for more information. |
| Massachusetts | A motorcycle is not allowed to exceed a noise limit of 82 dBA when measured at a speed of 45 miles per hour or less. Also, a motorcycle is not allowed to exceed a noise limit of 86 dBA when measured at a speed of more than 45 miles per hour. |
| Michigan | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Minnesota | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Mississippi | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Missouri | There is No statewide noise limit restriction |
| Montana | 96 Dba is the maximum noise level measured a 20 inches |
| Nebraska | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Nevada | A maximum level of 82 dba for motorcycles traveling 35 miles per hour or less and a maximum 86 DBS level when traveling faster than 35 miles per hour. |
| New Hampshire | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| New Jersey | There are noise restrictions currently in place, please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| New Mexico | All motor vehicles must have a muffler that prevents unusual or excessive noise. |
| New York | Measured at a distance from the center of the lane a motorcycle is traveling, the maximum sound level is 82 DBS |
| North Carolina | There is NO statewide noise restriction in place |
| North Dakota | Motorcycles must have a mechanical device that reduces engine noise, and the exhaust system must have a muffler. Cutouts and bypasses within the exhaust system are prohibited |
| Ohio | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Oklahoma | There are no statewide motorcycle noise limit restrictions |
| Oregon | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Pennsylvania | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Rhode Island | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| South Carolina | There are No statewide noise limit restrictions |
| South Dakota | All motorcycles must have a muffler installed at all times, which is in good working order and constant operation. It must prevent excessive or unusual noise. |
| Tennessee | There are No statewide noise limit restrictions |
| Texas | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Utah | There are No statewide noise restrictions |
| Vermont | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Virginia | The exhaust system fitted to a motorcycle must be no louder than the original ones fitted by the manufacturer |
| Washington | You are not allowed to modify the exhaust system that will amplify or increase the noise above the one originally fitted by the manufacturer. |
| West Virginia | There are No statewide noise restrictions |
| Wisconsin | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Wyoming | There are noise restrictions currently in place. Please check with the state highway department for further information. |
| Puerto Rico | There are no noise restrictions |
For further information, please click here to be taken to the AAA website, which will give you further information on the current state by state noise regulations.
Is It Safer To Wear Hi-Viz Clothing On A Motorcycle? The Truth Revealed
There is a lot of conflicting information when it comes to asking the question about whether hi-viz clothing is better to wear. Does it really make a difference to being seen nowadays with so much traffic on our roads?
The number of vehicles on the road has increased so much that even the largest and widest highways can get blocked with the large amount of traffic that uses them.
So, is it better to wear hi-viz clothing on a motorcycle? Wearing a Hi-Viz jacket or helmet draws the attention of other road users too motorcyclists, more often than not, than if dark-colored clothing was being worn. The more a motorcyclist can stand out from their background, the more likely they will be seen by others.
There are several different ways that motorcyclists can make themselves be seen better on the road.
Here are 8 of them:
- Make sure when riding you stay away from other vehicles blind spots
- Using your brake lights to be seen by tapping them
- adding auxiliary lights to your motorcycle
- Let other road users know you’re there by using your horn
- Wear Hi-Viz clothing
- Ride a bright couriered motorcycle
- Wear a brightly colored safety helmet
- Stick reflective tape to your motorcycle
Make sure when riding you stay away from other vehicles blind spots:
When out riding, try to remember to stay away from other vehicle blind spots. These are areas where the person in the other car, van, or truck would not be able to see you just by looking in their mirrors.
If they can’t see you without psychically moving their head, then you might as well not exist to them.
Using your brake lights to be seen by tapping on them:
You can use your brake lights at the rear of your motorcycle as a beacon to other users of the road behind you. Pulling up at traffic jams, making your brake lights flash will indicate to the driver behind that something unusual is going on, and they will pay more attention.
If necessary, don’t forget to use your hazard warning lights if you feel this is necessary.
Adding auxiliary lights to your motorcycle:
Adding auxiliary lights to your motorcycle is a great way to help being seen by other road users more easily. Leaving them on while riding the bike means that you will stand out more all of the time.
Another benefit of auxiliary lights is that whilst riding at night, you have the added benefit of brighter lighting.
Let other road users know you’re there by using your horn:
Using your horn promptly can alert a driver of your presence. Just a couple of taps on the horn can get the attention of a driver who looks like they are about to perform a maneuver and may not have seen you.
Ride a bright couriered motorcycle
Standing out from the background is an excellent way of helping to make sure other road users see you. As well as wearing high-visibility clothing, why not ride a motorcycle which color stands out, as well, such as yellow or orange?
Many motorcyclists ride dark-colored motorcycles to complement their style. These bikes definitely don’t allow for the motorcycle to stand out. Darker bikes blend into the background, making it harder for other road users to use them.
Wear a brightly colored safety helmet:
Investing in a high visibility safety helmet will complement your high visibility jacket or vest. The more items you wear, which can catch another driver’s eye, the more times they will not pull out in front of you, claiming they didn’t see you.
Also, a high visibility safety helmet is more prominent as it is usually the highest bright item on the bike.
Stick reflective tape to your motorcycle:
Adding reflective tape to a motorcycle will not add to the visibility during the day, but at night it will create yet another light source and make your bike look larger than it actually is.
Placing reflective strips on the front, back, and sides of the bike will help make your bike stand out on all sides to other road users.
Don’t forget to add them to your panniers and top box as well!
Conclusion:
As you will see from the above, there are many different ways motorcyclists can make themselves be seen on the road.
You may not wish to use all of these ideas; however, some are definitely better than none.
Considering that many motorcyclists out there don’t think that wearing hi-viz clothing is effective, adding some of these ideas to make your bike stand out from other road users will definitely benefit and possibly save any accidents in the future.
Motorcyclists have their own individual styles. It may be the style of bike they ride, the clothing they wear, or both. Wearing Hi-Viz clothing whilst riding motorcycles probably won’t fit in with that style.
However, it seems to be the fact that when it’s bucketing down with rain, the style becomes far less important for many riders!
