[criddell]

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.

[Reason077]

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.

[gascan]

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.