I'm on to Zack. I have it from the highest authority that he is a "Big Trundle" shill and rewarded to use that word in every video or presentation he's in. Busted!
Who's the better rider? The guy who's been riding for 10yrs and rides his HD super deluxe glide around Sturgis for a week every year and polishes it the other 51 weeks or the kid ridding for 2 yrs, every day, all weather on a clapped out Honda cub in Thailand? The kid in Thailand is the correct answer
The kid, hands down. Until 2 years ago, it would take less time to list the days I didn't ride, than the ones where I did. Hell, I was daily until I lost my leg, 2021. The casual or weekender only rides short distances in fair weather. Have a trip from Barstow to Big Bear, late September, and he has the wet side of the mountain ahead, and it's 48 degrees, either he's almost certain to wreck. That kid that lives on his bike already checked the forecast, has his gear and bags and set for that run across the 90 degree dust bowl, And winter gear, that also sheds water, abd it's just another Friday afternoon. 42 un the saddle, more with mom and dad. That was a normal trip, and conditions I'd see. Only ice kept me parked, or heavy snow/rain, at dangerous amounts. 3 lay downs in the last 32 years, on the streets. Have a fair weather rider buddy, that is Exactly what you brought up, with a sweet looking Streetglide. 15 droos over the last 20 in his case. All but 1, preventable, and I would argue that it was, if only 2 things had been different. And yes. I am usijg my prosthetic, and one of my 125 2 strokes, on the dirt already, as an Above knee amputee. Minor foot brake mod, added a stronger spring, and it works well. Time to set up the LS 650, and try it out on the street, or a parking lot. Get used to that, up another size. Maybe the CB 550.
1:04:00 To touch on the myth of helmets blocking hearing, I wear ear plugs while riding. I can still hear everything I need to while riding a motorcycle, probably more so than riding without them. Ear plugs not only save your hearing, I think are one safety item more people should consider while riding because it improves riding stamina. The sound of the wind especially is very loud, helmet or not, and after hours of riding the wind sound alone is very draining. I find if I ride without ear plugs my reactions become delayed and I'm laboring on the bike. Not to mention the headache that comes with it and the ringing in my ears. With ear plugs it really cuts the wind noise out. It can take a bit to adjust to, but after a while you can hear other cars , you can still hear horns, and you can still hear your bike. And hours into your ride, you still feel fresh and alert. The only part that is compromised is conversations at the pump or with riding buddies if people are soft spoken. I never ride without them now.
i Cannot ride without ear plugs at all in America 😵 feels like torture 🤕 Maybe in Asia where the max speed possible is 15mph but even then id still wear them because people are blasting their horns all the time 😅
@@lannonan They first don't understand that it blocks the heat out. Not only make you hot to have cloths on. Same with other cloths, or lack of. You can even get sick, even if it is hot. And to have layers of cloths on, may also cool one down. want make it super hot. When no cloths, the sweat goes away. And the wind is making you cold very cool when riding fast. And it get very hot at low speed. When having several layers of clothing, one holds the same comfortable temperature all the time. The inner layers holding me cool, and the other layers hold the temp up.
Have you guys considered that perhaps Suzuki made the windscreen adjustable from the front only because they do not want riders trying to adjust it when they are screaming 80 down the highway?
Spurg and Zach touched on this some, but I the car culture surrounding lane splitting is paramount. In order for it to be generally safer, the car public has to be knowledgeable and accepting of lane splitting motorcycles. If a state enacts legislation, it probably will take a generation (20 years) in order for you to see substantial gains in safety. The knowledge has to be included in Driver's Ed, perhaps an official question in the driver's test, and a generation has to grow up expecting motorcycles are splitting. I think that discussion is difficult, because while Cali drivers now accept splitting, how do we get new states to accept splitting and should there be educational campaigns before they start making it legal? Until then it will be much more heavily dependent on rider skill whether it is safer to filter and risk car contact rather than wait for a possible rear ending. I've seen studies both ways--I believe the Cali study showed splitting is safer by
I think states next to Cali should be the next place to adapt since they would atleast be familiar. Once those states have it for a while move to the next ones and so on till your at the other coast over a generation.
All the criticism I have about cali thats one thing we got right. I dont own a bike (yet) but still see people tailgating bikes sometimes and it bugs me. Much safer to get ahead of and away from cars. Especially with how often I see people on their phones.
On the "helmets are not safe" topic: A while back I sold GS 500 to a guy who was buying it for his wife, and he said he never wears a helmet because his friend crashed and the helmet got caught on the bars. I don't remember what the injury was, but he said he'd have been better without the helmet. I was speechless. Just a couple years before that I crashed my snowmobile and landed head first on a paved road, breaking my collar bone maybe because of what you said about the, but I know for a fact I'd have fractured my skull or worse without it. It's really one of the stupidest arguments I've ever heard.
@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 To be honest I don't understand why so many people cry "electric" about motorcycles. It may have an appeal to the commuter, but for everyone else - the long distance cruiser, the dirt biker, the enjoyer of a motorcycles sound - they buy motorcycles because of what they are, not unlike a boat owner, or a rock crawler owner, it is a recreation and an enjoyment for what it is. It is not something they care to "save the earth" over. Most riders don't do it to save money, or to shave off time on a commute, they do it because of the experience. The other parts are add on, and I do not care how much someone tells me that battery power will grow and grow, it wont pass up the range and fuel-ability I have from gas power in my lifetime. With all that being said, you are right about the need of higher skill levels from riders of electric motorcycles.
@@trooper6762 heck ive been following 'ZERO' for some time and would love to have one but today it'd have to be a 2nd bike at best but eventually they will solve the range issue with technology , i hope im still riding when they do
About to put down some truths that will get me hate. The 'loud pipes save lives' is the same for me as those that say 'marijuana is medicine'. 90%+ don't use marijuana as medicine. 90%+ don't use loud pipes for safety.
The myth that I've heard "I've been riding for 30 years, therefore I'm a better rider then someone who has been riding 5 years." I've come to find that those 30+ year veterans are some of the worst riders I've seen when it comes to slow speed skills and emergency breaking. They survive on thier road strategy which is not a bad thing but I've never come across a veteran rider who even practices unless they are an instructor
This is somewhat true. I've been riding for 38 years and just recently started really training and practicing. 38 years gives you a lot of experience that can save your ass. The bike becomes more and more of a natural extension of the rider over time but you can also develop a lot of bad habits. If you think you're good, you probably suck. The best riders I know don't think they are and try to learn more every time they ride.
True. But it just goes to show that road strategy, lane positioning, picking the right speed and such blows absolute skill put pf the water in terms of on road safety. Granted both is better. XD
Some great channels to watch to develop a good road strategy and ideas for helpful drills to practice slow speed skills that I've seen are : Kevin from MC rider, Paul Harper the motor guy from pro rider central Texas, Robert Simmons paying it forward, Jerry Palladino ride like a pro, and the great Greg Widmar, the developer and instructor of motojitsu program. Slow speed skills and good road strategy will enable all riders to gain the tools and confidence necessary to enjoy riding even more regardless of previous experience. You have to practice drills to get better at emergency handling and some of the best road strategy allows you ride with the least amount of effort as to not get into trouble. I'm also one of those so called veteran riders with 20+ years experience but I also practice drills 4 to 6 times a week, I take extra classes and I'm a brown belt in motojitsu. Emergency breaking alone has saved my life, and a large percentage of veteran riders don't know how to do it and never practice it.
Hi. I'm "Veteran rider" 45+ years. 21 training courses. Practice slow riding daily (stop signs/stop lights). Not an instructor, unless you count my kids. T-CLOCS every ride as well. Do you?
@@D.E.X very nice. Usually people's egos get in the way of them taking any more courses. I'm one of those 20+ year veterans and yes I do T clocks checks and I hold motojitsu practice sessions 4 to 6 times a week. Keep up the good work with the practices. Most people don't even do that
I don't like overly loud pipes, but they may alert wildlife when out in the country side, or humans watching their cell phones while crossing the street on a red.
Your dad is spot on. I love my VStrom. Replaced the windscreen with a Puig with the visor. Solves the front flip issue. It's my commuter bike. Works perfectly in that setting, comfortable, no lack of power on the highway, good suspension travel for the terrible roads in the city, and it wasn't expensive. I was looking at a GS and casually stated to my wife that I could get a VStrom and a SV650 for the price and have a starter track bike and the VStrom would cover commuting and long trips. She said do it and I so I got both for about $3k less than the GS. Granted I might have made a different choice if I had less space for additional bikes, but I can have a few and use them for specific purposes.
Honestly, thanks to Zack I have been using the phrase "that's a whole other podcast" when a conversation starts getting derailed and I'm trying to get it back on track... Usually during client presentations, workshops, and so on... It is super handy and useful because everybody understands it immediately, especially after a year of everybody starting their own podcast hahaha PS: I am soooo happy to hear that Zack also uses a balaclava!!! I get people telling me why I use a balaclava all year round and I tell them about the sweat-wicking technique and they look at me like I've grown a second head hahaha
As a new and insecure rider I switched to an aftermarket pipe and took out the silencer. Did it for the looks and the sound but, as an unexpected extra, I kind of felt that I wasn’t quite as invisible in traffic. When I put the silencer back in this last summer, I didn’t notice anything in terms of traffic safety. I had learnt to be less invisible in other ways or just anticipate and stay out of harm’s way.
This comment make sense. I say that because I've rode both, loud pipes and stock pipes. They do hear you, they just don't know where you are, it's up to you to be visible and not in anyone's blind spot.
When I am in traffic, I generally only hear the bike when it's right next to me. This is probably because I am probably listening to music in my soundproof car, like most of the cars in traffic.
When I had my motorcycle accident in 1999 where I T-boned a car at over 40 miles an hour, when I hit the ground after flying over the car I landed on the back of my head and I didn’t even have a headache. Not only did that helmet save my life, my head was the only thing that didn’t hurt. I didn’t even have a headache. Without the helmet I most certainly would’ve at the very least been a vegetable if not dead.
I love the vibe and casual convo but I hope you’ll include more “news” in the news segment there are lot more happening in the motorcycle world I hope a good 15 mins segment to talk about the moto news highlight would be really informative and interesting.
I've rode both, loud pipes and stock pipes. 4 wheelers hear you, they just don't know where you are, it's up to you to be visible and not in anyone's blind spot. Keep your eyes on a swivel and be safe out there guys ✌
Ridden quiet bikes and loud bikes over about 100,000 cumulative miles. Seen zero difference in safety with either and I live in Jersey where you get cut off in your own driveway. Love a good sounding bike with exhaust but I don't believe in the safety aspect of it. I always thought people used the "loud pipes save lives" argument to justify a costly upgrade to their significant other.
Disagree. That might have been your experience, but I have seen the difference between a quiet and a not so quiet motorcycle as both a rider and a car driver. 100% makes a difference
Now this topic is not about a $10,000 vibrator, it is about SAFETY! Come live where I live, then chat it upi with the 80 y/o woman that just nailed because, wait for it............. She could not hear me/you, ...... they will hear me! Guarantell ya! NOW, look, I am in the middle of ordering a train horn for my Harley, Y';all have a great day, come ride with me in Fl., you WILL be agreeing with me (I bat already do!).
Hello there, I'm a truck driver, and motorcycle driver, while I'm on I bike im enjoying listening my exoust and in the same way when I'm driving a truck I enjoy listing you guys talking about bikes, chears to all of you making this possible! 😁 Btw I never used motul before, and I started to support them because they supporting this wonderful show !
Sooo, I mapped out the Daily Rider path. I just want to give Zack a heads up. If someone shows up during filming, it is just me. No need to worry, It will be great. We can ditch Ari and be new best friends. We can reimagine another Jim Carey film, called Cable Guy.
Hurt report says loud pipes don’t do squat. The same people that tend to think “loud pipes save lives” also think horse dewormer cures viral infections. They maybe don’t have a lot of reasons to think what they think.
@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 as a rider, I absolutely love those little lights that turn on in the mirror of newer cars when you are riding beside them 😍 Blind spot sensors are awesome 🥰
I was riding north on my Bonneville to work one morning at 55 mph. I was behind anoether vehicle. There was a vehicle heading south that hit a dear crossing the road. The vehicle in front of me hit the dear in the front quarters which spun the dear around in front of me which place it perpendicular in front of me. I actually jumped it which caused a very bad front end wobble. I rolled off the throttle and slowly hit the back brake to slow down. The rear end slid to the left so I got off the brake. I was still having the front end wobble so I attempted to slow down again with the rear brake and the rear end slide to the right this time so I got off the brake. I geared down to fourth which helped after a while the wobble went away but I was off the pavement really close a guard rail. I regained control of the bike and just accelerated back on the road. Made it work with out even stopping. There was no damage to me or the bike at all. That was the closest time in over 40 years of riding that I thought I had bought the farm.
loud gas bike, silent electric bike....I did not notice any difference in the awareness of the drivers around. What I did notice a difference with, changing my black helmet to a high viz helmet.
Having experienced countries that down allow filtering and riding daily in Southern Africa where it’s permitted, I have noticed that as motorcycles move through congested traffic, it makes car drivers more aware that there are motorcycles there (or could be motorcycles coming through,) which brings about some unmentioned points: 1. With time it creates more motorcycle tolerant car drivers that do take motorcycles into account, often moving slightly aside to allow them through and reduces motorcycle/car confrontations in general. I often get friendly waves & smiles after thanking cars that made an attempt to move slightly or when thanking drivers that acknowledged seeing I’m there or that I’m coming through. By seeing the bikes filtering through to the front, it also serves drivers a reminder that there are bikes there that they may encounter them again further down the road and to be aware. 2. It seems to reduce even car bumper bashings (I have noticed cars in areas where drivers are not exposed to lane filtering, drivers often think everyone is going their speed and no one could possibly be moving past them and because traffic is hardly moving, it’s somehow now become safe to be distracted (by cell phones mostly) and make sudden last minute lane changes at intersections without bothering to even look. Mmmm, take an area in your town and in that particular area change the side of the road you drive on for a test period… I wonder if the conclusion will be that driving on the “other” side of the road is more dangerous). The French methodology was highly flawed on a number of levels, it’s either allowed or not, it needs to be accepted and be the norm in that state/province, so that drivers to get used to knowing that there probably will be a bike coming through, and NOT “only a particular stretch for a test period, while everywhere else this is not the case, even bikers need to build confidence and understanding when it’s safe to do so and how to anticipate vehicle reactions, even tolerate drivers that try prevent you from getting through -if they have to be stuck so will you- It’s a short learning curve for all, but everyone benefits, while reducing congestion & energy/fuel usage).
Zach, broken collarbones are also common for bicycle racers and riders. Over 30 years ago I broke my collarbone while on a training ride and the one thing that stands out even today is the sound of my helmet shattering when it hit the pavement. I don't even want to think about what would have happened to my head if I wasn't wearing a helmet.
Don't forget that in hot weather, you're still sweating in a T-shirt, it just evaporates away faster. You're going to get just as dehydrated or more in a T-shirt or mesh, just not overheated. Be sure to drink lots of water. And my friend is a "loud pipes save lives" rider, but he was side-swiped by a car that changed lanes into him. Like that article said, it isn't loud to the sides or the front.
I appreciated the dialogue on lane splitting. I have been riding on and off road, on many different motorcycles, in California for years, and I have a ton of experience, so I have long ago established my lane splitting comfort level as being safe, no more than 10 mph above the flow of traffic, and yes, you learn to constantly scan, be alert, and you learn what to look for. But I realize that new riders don't have the same experience... the candid dialogue and honest views on Highside Lowside is extremely valuable. I love the podcast, I appreciate what you do. Thanks to Motul for making it happen. I am currently using a 2021 CRF300L as a commuter during the week, but have some some GIANT 50/50 loops in Southern California through Big Bear, Idyllwild, Joshua Tree National Park, and am looking at doing some ADV camping on the 300 which I have affectionately dubbed "Little Red". I have ridden MX, Supercross, D-37 Enduro as an AA rider, D-37 Hare & Hounds, did some observed trials, I have put in thousands of miles on the street, licensed Class M since I was 16-years old, rode a Honda MB-5, Kawasaki AR-80, Honda Mini-Trail 50, Yamaha Enduro 60, RM80, YZ80, KX80, CR125, CR250, CR500, YZ125, Husqvarna auto trans desert bike, Harley Road King, Buell S1 Lightning, RD400, Katana 600, GSXR600, GSXR750, CB750, DRZ400, Yamaha Stratoliner 1800 and Yamaha YSR50!! All over the spectrum and probably leaving some stuff I forgot about. I also appreciated the discussion of how diversity of riding experiences has value. Keep doing what you do. Thank you Motul. Ride on guys!
Loud exhausts make unwanted , obnoxious noise. A standard tuono sounds great. A gsxr 125 with open exhaust makes one of the most rubbish loud noises known to man.
And yet the 1000 sounds absolutely bonkers with a full system+yoshi can, the loud pipe saves my life once I hit 10,500rpm and my ears bleed. I then know to slow down.
One of my fond LA riding memories is lane splitting on the 105 (in the wide part that Spurg mentioned) behind a CHP officer! For someone from NYC that rides amongst the angry a$$holes Zach mentioned, it was liberating. I split lanes locally, as responsibly as I can (+10-15mph), low revs, and hope NYPD is not in the mood that day!
I know I'm 6 months late but to the loud pipes myth - people with loud exhaust and with removed db killers/silencers are achieving only 1 thing (at least in Europe) and that is either ban on certain roads or use of "sound radars" and fines resulting from causing too much noise.
all my bikes have slip-ons. a bigger problem on bikes is the horn is so weak. Ive changed all my horns to a loud car horn type. relatively cheap $10-$20 on amazon, and a HUGE improvement. The ones I got dont need a relay, like some, and the Really Loud air horns. just swap out the horns. bolts right on same bracket, an plug right into the wiring. easy.
this is fantastic. New to motorcycle riding at 45 and really enjoying this show, the feel, and the info. (interesting to see the themes, like ABS, being very similar to car racing, auto-cross; heat in a car while having to wear racing suit, etc.).
The day after I put my V & H ShortShots on my FXDL I got rear-ended by a nurse in a Honda Pilot. I like the sound of my loud pipes, but I'd love to have a second, quiet bike someday down the road. In my opinion, loud pipes sound good, rider training and proper gear (and prayer, haha) saves lives. Keep up the good work guys!
First of all, I would like to thank you for your contributions to raising my motorcycle's knowledge. Indeed after spending hours listening to your videos, I feel like I became aware of so many motorcycle detail. I really appreciate it. But the thing within my mind now is, as some people would describe riding motorcycle as “a cheap live activity, not because of motorcyclists themselves but because of surrounding cars drivers” I would say Yes loud sounds are likely to be a life saving thing
When I visited America, I met a girl who gave me the whole "wearing a helmet could turn an instant death to a traumatic brain injury". I responded "yeah, but serious accidents don't occur often, you're more likely to have a minor spill. Without a helmet, you're turning a lucky miss into a traumatic brain injury??" I wasn't able to change her mind.
re LPSL: I have a Tuono 1100 with a Akra -- put on to enjoy the music the V4 makes rather than to "save my life" -- on it and can state without equivocation that the elevated SPL has alerted countless drivers to my presence, especially on the highway: I see their heads turn and them look in their mirrors as I approach. They know I'm there. While my rationale is enjoying the music, I can't ignore the added conspicuity -- and, therefore, the increased probability of being noticed -- afforded by the exhaust. While I don't rely on pipes to "save" me -- that comes from skill and riding techniques -- I'm not going to dismiss this added conspicuity as adding zero value to my safety. Drivers have five senses (sight, hearing, taste touch and feel), three of which are obviously useless to detecting we're there (feeling the bump as your car runs over me doesn't count...) If you ride a silent motorcycle you're relying on only one sense (sight.) It's asinine to conclude that engaging another sense -- hearing -- adds nothing to your safety quotient. In some ways, avoiding a collision on a motorcycle is, in part, a game of probabilities (see the Hurt report) and we can reduce our odds of being involved in a collision by being noticed through conspicuity measures like hi-viz, SMISY weaves, headlight and brake light modulators etc. Sound works too. Sound is used in industry, security, construction, first-responder vehicles, medicine and countless other fields to alert people. In many jurisdictions pedestrian safety is being enhanced by laws requiring EVs to produce a _minimum_ amount of noise at low speeds. Why? Because sound works to alert people. What percentage of motorcyclists use a quick throttle "rev bomb" to alert a driver impinging into their lane instead of the little meep-meep horn bikes come with and why? Because it works. The benefit of sound as a conspicuity measure is being unfairly and cynically conflated with the very worst examples of LPs -- guys tearing around with their open-pipe bikes in quiet neighborhoods at night, for example -- and its very real benefits are being lost in the shuffle. These days, with more and more people driving impaired through smart phone distraction, we need all the help we can get to be noticed by careless people indifferent to the fact that there actions could kill or maim us. If it takes some sound to snap them back to attention, so be it.
This, all of this! The people claiming it's a "myth" act like if they can find an example where someone didn't/won't hear you then there's no benefit at all, which is absurd. It's one more thing that *CAN* let someone notice you, it's not a force field.
I was in a situation where a helmet actually prevented an accident. A rock hauling semi I was meeting on the highway lost a golf ball sized rock which then impacted with my forehead. The impact stunned me even with a full face helmet, without a helmet I’m certain I would have lost consciousness and crashed.
i had a massive dragonfly smack me in the head on the highway, the thing knocked my headback, surprised me and splattered all over my visor 😵 it was during a bend too, I probably would have crashed into the dirt if i didnt have a helmet on 😟
Thanks Fellas for the nice podcast. About the lanesplitting in France, just FYI, it's about the hardest place I ever lanesplit. Traffic is often so tight that you've got to either merge into a lane every km or so, or risk a gap only as wide as yourself... Exhilerating!!!
Pipes that are always loud don't save lives, they're disorienting. Pipes that are usually quiet, but get loud when you pull the clutch and twist the throttle can save lives. I've seen it. Ideally, a horn would serve that purpose, but in that quarter second you have to react, your hands are probably already on the throttle and clutch. The good news is that most bikes are built this way from the factory.
Hi Guys, Fabulous discussion on the myths of Motorcycling! When you get a chance, sometime in a future episode, please discuss the importance of riding all the time with good boots - almost as important as gloves! One needs both footing traction and ankle and toe protection! HSLS is always a great way to learn and have fun too. Thanks.
Regarding speed wobbles, it’s pretty common on offroady bikes at the higher speeds both because of the geometry and the aerodynamics of the high fenders. My DRZ and KTM 690 both did it at highway speeds, pretty known issue with those bikes.
As a commercial truck driver & motorcycle rider, loud pipes do save lives. If I can't see a motorcycle & I hear one I do not change lanes until I have a clear picture of my surroundings. Loud pipes & skilled rider's= less accidents.
As the guys pointed out, most of the sound from loud pipes is aimed at those behind the motorcycle and those who have been passed by the motorcycle. I am also a rider, but know people who hate loud pipes so much that they admit they hope those motorcyclists would crash. I honestly think that some car/motorcycle "accidents" are due to a subconscious desire to "pay back" riders of loud motorcycles. On a subconscious level it is "they made ME miserable, so I will make THEM miserable."
@@jfess1911 most of the sound is going back yes but ofcourse there is still sound going forward. especially under 60mph you can definitely hear a motorcycle coming. attitude of drivers towards motorcycles really depend on your area, even old ladies dont care about loud bikes in many areas of Florida since loud cruisers are everywhere and its normal, many probably rode one at one point 🤭
@@DefZen343 A fraction of the sound goes forward, but the people to the side and behind get the worst of it. Some drag pipes are loud enough to cause hearing damage to children who happen to be on a sidewalk immediately next to a stopped motorcycle with a revving engine. Why punish the people who are no threat? If safety is the real concern, use something that projects the sound to the front. I live in the Carolinas where the worst places for motorcycle noise is near the beaches. Motorcycles with drag pipes cruise up and down the roads all night, often revving their engines. During vacations, I have had my kids awakened and start crying in the middle of the night from the noise. It is tough to sleep through the night if your room has windows that face the road. I have resorted to wearing ear plugs.
@@jfess1911 im not a fan of loud pipes either, but you cant deny that the "fraction" of sound going forward is enough for most people to hear them coming. You dont have noise ordinances where you live? 👀 Whether its Drag pipes, a sportbike banging off the rev limiter or those Horrible car speakers that caused my windows to shake as they drive by, They are all annoying as hell, i actually hate the vibrations from trunk speakers 🔊 the most 😆
I don’t think that people get louder exhausts solely for safety. I think people say that as a justification once someone starts complaining about it being too loud and annoying. It’s it’s not loud enough to be heard from a car or two back, it’s now loud enough :P I personally want my exhaust to be loud enough to where if I’m in a blind spot, people might start looking for me if they hear me. That’s the level I’m satisfied with
Hello, I'm Gonzalo from Chile. I started mid 2023 to follow the podcast on Spotify from the beginning. Today march 24rd I reach the episode 9 season 4 and I do the step to see you on youtube. I'm happy to know that the podcast have new season and I hope to catch up with you soon to the current chapter. Greetings from 2021! and I'll undust some Apple device to write this on his apple podcast and contribute to the show.
I want to leave a thank you to Spurg for answering a question on best rain glove for spot riding, thank you Spurgeon for the help the voles worked perfectly 💪🏼
It sounds like you guys were apart of that same facebook group I was. Almost zero conversations about Long Distance RIding and an echo chamber of stupidity. "Loud Pipes Save Lifes" "I don't ride in states that have helmet laws" "You guys and your gear. Just Put a flannel on and Ride" "Tail of the dragon - Darkside approved!"
Spurg riding the KLR with a gas can strapped to the back and talking about riding gear here is pretty funny. 🤣 The next episode should have Kermit talking about rain gear... I love this series!
hi guys! binge watching the show (and loving it, the first 10m were hilarious) and about the "driking game backfire", here's some trivia... in a HIMYourMother episode they make a driking game while Robin says "but umm" on tv as a newscaster and she got aware of it and started saying it like there was no tomorrow and, of course, it backfired!! :))
The line splitting is a skill. Unlike ABS, it depends on experience. Is unnerving at first to be between so much metal in close proximity, so people become nervous. Gets easier the more you do it. And there is always the chance that someone opens a door for any reason and is not expecting the guy between cars. And when you are all nervous and unsteady in your bike, car drivers can get nervous as well.
I ve mounted a flashing bicycle light to my crash bars for lane splitting. It pulses a nice white light that cars see from a good distance and move to give me a ton of room. Rev bombing is dumb and your an ass if you do it. That is all! Ride safe all!!
Great podcast, been listening since S01E01... I was wondering if you guys would talk more about the gear you wear, specifically your off road riding rig's. Not a new rider, but I made a big switch this year from a Ninja 1000 to a CRF300L rally, so I am a bit overwhelmed with off-road gear. I ride in upstate NY mostly, so it's alot of rutted, rocky, wet trails, in mostly humid weather, but I will ride in to the cooler temps. Typically riding slab for 30-50 miles to get to trails.. My Klim street jacket is turning me in to a sweaty mess. I like the idea of separate armor with over layers, but not sure if that's a big advantage to more traditional ADV jackets. I think you guys going over what you personally wear for gear might be a "whole nother podcast".... drink!
Just wanted to say I bought Bilt Sprint gloves 20% off from you guys and I love em, the large fits perfect and the red looks better in person than on your website, just saying. Thanks guys again.
I've had to panic brake to avoid (mostly) deer or (occasionally) some other obstacle on analog bikes a dozen or so times in my life... there's no way 99.9% of riders will outperform modern ABS in those conditions... I DEFINITELY don't.
I find abs on a bike vary useful as a newer rider. I have been able to brake well on my non abs bikes but I feel like it was a bigger risk than I wanted when I needed to do sudden braking
I rolled my eyes when a friend of mine said she'd rather be dead than be a vegetable, and that's why she didn't wear a helmet. I asked her what if she gets rear-ended by someone going 25 and she ends up as a vegetable bc she didn't have a helmet on? No answer.
Loud pipes helps car drivers become aware of me at slow / medium speeds. Even if they don’t move, I can see them looking at me through their mirrors as I’m approaching. That alone is enough for me. At higher speeds it makes no difference.
@@philipdarnall787 I never bought a bike with aftermarket pipes, always put them on myself. Which means I've ridden 9 bikes with AND without loud exhausts. Drivers' awareness is unquestionably different from the moment I change pipes (in the conditions stated above).
i did the whole Rotty intake & smog equip delete & Arrow cat delete header on my ktm 1090r but still running the stock can ... it is quiet and id already spent a wadd $$+ the bike runs soo much better as it is not sure what id pick up by adding aftermarket can , well other than a little weight loss which
In my ohio license class there were a bunch of older guys getting into Harleys. They all had every reason said here to only wear a half helmet. So I simply asked them if they've ever had someone snap a rubber band on their arm, that's what it feels like to hit a wasp at 80mph, or even just a rain drop. Have you been hit by a pitch in baseball, thats what it feels like to hit a dragonfly. Now imagine that hits your face while riding 80mph. Then showed them what my helmet looked like after riding US52 by the Ohio river for 20 minutes, you could hardly see through it. You don't have to even get in an accident for a helmet with full face shield and jacket to prevent a lot of pain. Plus you can put a headset in a full-face or ¾ helmet. Speakers on a motorcycle are illegal in Ohio and several other states (as is playing music in a car, apartment, home, or commercial building that's loud enough to be "plainly audible" from the outside).
I run stock exhaust on all my bikes but I have avoided collisions with bikers on my car because I was able to hear them. I think making some noise is helpful, but I don't think someone needs to hear you from a mile away.
My bike is a bit louder then stock and its a bit annoying to ride for long time. Will install silencer today. And some harley twats have so loud bikes and some of them sound like a gun shots. Luckily people on very loud bikes are pussies and they drive only in sunny weather on weekends. So twice per year.
Normies drive their cars into other cars all the time, because they don’t look where they are going or pay attention. A sound isn’t going to help those kinds of drivers.
@@mrniceguy5 I noticed bikers in my blind spot because of the noise without seeing them. Even if it only was other bikers that's better than nothing. I think if they are far away then the exhost does not help. So like I don't think it helps with drivers pulling out in front of them.
You should drive in Oakland, CA by Eastmont Mall. So many drivers and bikers ignore stoplights, stop signs and use the left turn lane to by pass the stopped traffic to go straight through.
I have loud pipes on my bikes and whilst I don't care to argue or sing stupid rhyming chants about it, my experience is that they most definitely assist with being seen in high traffic urban environments.
I live in a town in the mountains near Salt Lake City, and the idea that "Loud pipes save lives" is a great example of how motorcycling is dying off. I live about a .25 mi from the canyon highway. I can clearly hear every bike that goes by and when aftermarket pipes are added, the whole town can hear. I work for the town, and motorcycle noise is Public Enemy #1 among residents. Some people want to completely ban motorcycles in the canyon and in the town. The insistence that some riders have to make their bikes as loud as physically possible is actively killing the motorcycling community. As a rider, I lie in bed listening to yoshimura and screaming eagle exhausts until 1:00am, fuming at my fellow riders.
I filter through London UK every working day. Loud pipes DO make a bike more noticeable but doesn't tell the driver where the bike is. A lot of riders rev-bomb and try to bully the car to move over, which just alienates the drivers and might even make them NOT move over. Extra lights work much better. On highways there is no time to make a difference. As for safety: The driver either knows your are there or doesn't. You have to assume that they don't. The only thing that keeps you safe is riding safely. You cant put the responsibility on anyone else.
Regarding lane splitting, here in South Australia motorcycle licences have different levels, from a learner licence to a full licence. To get the full licence you need to demonstrate to an instructor that you can ride at a slow speed under different circumstances. It's only legal to lane split if you have that full licence. Definitely a bit safer. Also here sometimes drivers try to block you from splitting and filtering traffic.
I’m old and have been riding for over 40 years on many different bikes. ABS on a new Triumph speed master has saved my skin within the first week riding it. In short, it helped me not hit an idiot pickup driver not paying attention. I think the myth of an experienced driver not needing ABS comes from the poor breaks on older bikes. All my old bikes need heavy breaking to stop quick and it wasn’t easy to lock up the front break/wheel. My new bike has much stronger breaks in the front that a panic stop without ABS guarantees the front wheel lockup and loss of control. I’ve never been a fan of loud pipes. It detracts from loud music hence my hearing loss. 😀
Lmao! Couldn't stop laughing at 1:00:20 I'm literally listening to this while working on my shifty 2 grand civic hahaha. But still totally agree with some eggs ruining it for the rest of us
Being drunk within the first 15 mins of this show would greatly enhance the podcast experience. Can we change the name from the HS/LS drinking game to Spurgpong? Loud pipes do not save lives, its called the Doppler Effect, all they do is annoy people. 35 mins in and I'm faschnickered! Alot of riders may say they have X number of years of riding experience but they dont realize is that what they really have is 1 year of riding experience that they have repeated X number of times. UHH by law helmets can not obstruct your vision in any way, and while they do offer some noise reduction they in no way make it hard to hear whats going on around you. Its also highly recommended that you wear hearing protection as well. We are going to have to revamp the HS/LS drinking game before I get alcohol poisoning lol
Yeah that whole helmet argument reminds me of when seat belt laws came into affect. People thought they would be trapped in the car and they would be better off being flown free from the car and all that other BS. Trust me helmets work I know from experience
I have a Leo Vince exhaust on my MT-07, and it's definitely louder than stock, but not anything crazy. Still as a new rider, I happened to be riding behind (a good 2 car lengths) 2 Harleys and they were so loud that I couldn't hear my own bike at all. Like...I get louder pipes, but that is just TOO loud (imo). At what point is your bike so loud that people just want to ignore you because of how annoying your bike is? Isn't that the opposite of what we're trying to achieve?
I'm a rider in a canyon town in UT. Loud H-Ds and sport bikes have people approaching me (I work for the town) asking how the town can ban motorcycles. People insisting that "Loud Pipes Save Lives" is killing motorcycling in this country. It just ensures that the general public hates all motorcyclists. It's really frustrating.
I rode dirt bikes for years, then bought a cruiser and had no clue how to properly corner it. I probably learned a little quicker then someone with no experience at all, but it was humbling.
It would be really cool to see an episode about motorcycle technology for used bikes. We always hear how good ABS or fuel injection is now, but when did these technologies generally become good enough to actually be desirable? If you buy a brand new bike, stuff like ABS and fuel injection is a no-brainer, but what about when choosing a used bike from 10 - 30 years ago?
Isn't there a character in Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds film called Von Hammersmark? Yep, Diane Kruger as Bridget Von Hammersmark, German film star turned allied spy. Knew I'd heard that name before.
Looks at the used 7 year old Dunlop Pilot Road 2 tires I got from a "track friend" for a "steal"... Spurg said I can't outride it! Let's roll!! Lowside Turn 2 :)
If anyone starts a sentence with: "I've been riding for X years", it usually means they have opinions and they refuse to change their mind. You should be lucky they are even talking to you and giving you advice
I have to say that, the legal status of lane splitting in California IS the reason I got a motorcycle. I got sick of sitting in traffic day in and day out, so I lane split for years without incident. 8 years later I’m still riding but now I live in Washington state (it is illegal) and I can’t stand it. People in cars believe they have a certain “possession” of their lane. They think it’s better to attempt to run you off the road then just letting you by. I was VERY surprised to learn this when I moved here. I pray for legislation to pass on a daily basis…
When I first had to drive to Boston a colleague who was from there told me to remember that in Boston if you make eye contact with another driver, it means you have yielded the ROW to them. 😁. And he was pretty much correct.
loud pipes are moronic, my sister almost crashes her car every time a loud pipe bastard on a motorcycle screams past at 120 mph, i personally believe loud pipes make people jump and startle and make unpredictable responses inside a car you cannot tell what direction sound is coming from , thats why when you hear an ambulance everyone in the car starts looking around trying to figure out where it's coming from and looking for the lights, but they have flashing lights BECAUSE nobody can tell what damn direction they are making all the noise from . you know what actually saves lives, driving the fucking speed limit. people in cars are used to gauging the speed of other cars. (just my opinion of course.)
Having loud pipes doesn't mean you can ride blindfolded and pushing the responsibility to other road users. Don't know who came up with that. Loud pipes are just an extra measure, because on the road anything can happen regardless of your skill, rider classes/training/schooling etc.
Nobody is saying it means you can ride blindfolded.... People need to stop taking the "loud pipes save lives" thing and distorting it into ridiculousness. Louder sound = further distance / thicker insulation penetration = driver has a higher % chance to actually know you're coming, before an accident occurs. Simple physics, louder pipes CAN save lives. And even if they only save 1 life per year, thats worth it.
@@Baleur I think that it actually works the other way. Loud pipes instill such a dislike of motorcyclists that drivers subconsciously hope that motorcyclists will crash. I suspect that makes the car drivers more aggressive towards motorcyclists. Kind of "you make ME miserable, I'll make YOU miserable right back."
@1:17:25 Buddy, you could just a washcloth and some extra water then wipe down a bit and rinse your hair before putting the spare shirt and stuff on. Makes a GIGANTIC difference for me at least.
I have had motorcycles with quite stock exhausts and people will change lanes right into you, once I added an aftermarket exhaust, not only has this never happened but people actually get out of my way to let me pass. This mostly applies to cruisers.
I had the same thing when I bought a Kawasaki Ninja zx6r. The stock can was so quiet and the engine was so smooth that I once didn't even notice it stalled while sitting at a light in traffic. People would try to change lanes right into me *ALL THE TIME*, most never even looked to see that they could have just killed someone. After a couple weeks of playing Frogger I got a basic slip-on and it basically never happened again.
@jason jordan Please expand. In traffic, 3 lanes, divided highway, jersey barricades in center. VehicleS ahead of you, blocking all three lanes. Vehicles behind you, vehicle beside you. You are centered or closer to the centerline to ensure viability. You are moving around in lane to ensure viability.
@john smith sounds like an excuse and normal traffic issue. You don't own the road no more than car b or g does. So it sounds more on this case your being the aggressor. Loud noise seem to be an excuse for safe driving. Do as a car would have to do. Don't be doing aggressive stuff like making unnecessary noises. Pass safely when you can. I don't car if your in a Harley or a dodge ram. The road is shared and all are equal. Not just because your a douchebag bike rider.
@john smith you can't pass in that situation anyways. Does reving your engine really going to make them move? Will reving your engine just block you more as well. Think on it.
I have open Python Headers on my Harley, YES, you can hear me! YES, my life was saved once due to the ability to "tach" it up vs. the little cowbell horn (trains horns and compressor do not fit the saddlebags) LOOK, I live on US-19 in FL. you know the place, see Q-tips driving a car (THAT ladies and gentlemen is an eighty-five-year-old woman driving, and/or merging in front of me) NOW you know what a Q-tip is, OK, I stand by it, LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES! Like it or not, it is the way I feel, they will hear me! Now, disagree vs. my thoughts, I have a toll-free number you may call, it is 1-800-BITE ME!
Drivers on average definitely do not care about motorcycles. I was driving on a two lane country road and a car and a bicycle were coming in the opposite direction to me. The car was very careful to move half way into the oncoming lane to give the bicycle plenty of space. At the same time, the care completely disregarded me, on a motorcycle, in the oncoming lane they moved into. If you compare the care that the average driver gives to a bicycle vs motorcycle, it's pretty obvious most drivers do not care at all what happens motorcyclists.
Taking ABS vs non ABS : Earlier this season a friend and me took an advanced riding course, where we were testing ABS vs Non ABS on a very wet skidplate. And the result there was that the ABS needed 5m on average more than the non abs to come to a full stop. So in these very wet conditions, an experienced rider can and will brake better than the ABS can.
@@JoaoPCavalcanti that's all I am saying, There is some thruth to the myth. But you are right in that in the real world 99% of the time ABS will out perform the rider. Especially with the latest version of ABS software.
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I'm on to Zack. I have it from the highest authority that he is a "Big Trundle" shill and rewarded to use that word in every video or presentation he's in. Busted!
Who's the better rider? The guy who's been riding for 10yrs and rides his HD super deluxe glide around Sturgis for a week every year and polishes it the other 51 weeks or the kid ridding for 2 yrs, every day, all weather on a clapped out Honda cub in Thailand? The kid in Thailand is the correct answer
i've seen a super cub with an aftermarket open pipe and an intake air funnel. These kids arent messing around
The kid, hands down.
Until 2 years ago, it would take less time to list the days I didn't ride, than the ones where I did. Hell, I was daily until I lost my leg, 2021.
The casual or weekender only rides short distances in fair weather. Have a trip from Barstow to Big Bear, late September, and he has the wet side of the mountain ahead, and it's 48 degrees, either he's almost certain to wreck.
That kid that lives on his bike already checked the forecast, has his gear and bags and set for that run across the 90 degree dust bowl, And winter gear, that also sheds water, abd it's just another Friday afternoon.
42 un the saddle, more with mom and dad. That was a normal trip, and conditions I'd see. Only ice kept me parked, or heavy snow/rain, at dangerous amounts.
3 lay downs in the last 32 years, on the streets.
Have a fair weather rider buddy, that is Exactly what you brought up, with a sweet looking Streetglide.
15 droos over the last 20 in his case. All but 1, preventable, and I would argue that it was, if only 2 things had been different. And yes. I am usijg my prosthetic, and one of my 125 2 strokes, on the dirt already, as an Above knee amputee. Minor foot brake mod, added a stronger spring, and it works well.
Time to set up the LS 650, and try it out on the street, or a parking lot. Get used to that, up another size. Maybe the CB 550.
1:04:00 To touch on the myth of helmets blocking hearing, I wear ear plugs while riding. I can still hear everything I need to while riding a motorcycle, probably more so than riding without them. Ear plugs not only save your hearing, I think are one safety item more people should consider while riding because it improves riding stamina. The sound of the wind especially is very loud, helmet or not, and after hours of riding the wind sound alone is very draining. I find if I ride without ear plugs my reactions become delayed and I'm laboring on the bike. Not to mention the headache that comes with it and the ringing in my ears. With ear plugs it really cuts the wind noise out. It can take a bit to adjust to, but after a while you can hear other cars , you can still hear horns, and you can still hear your bike. And hours into your ride, you still feel fresh and alert. The only part that is compromised is conversations at the pump or with riding buddies if people are soft spoken. I never ride without them now.
i Cannot ride without ear plugs at all in America 😵 feels like torture 🤕 Maybe in Asia where the max speed possible is 15mph but even then id still wear them because people are blasting their horns all the time 😅
Combine them with a neck gaiter or scarf for an even more dramatic reduction in nose.
@@klavdy I ride in Florida and all my buddies give me crap for riding with a gaiter in 100° heat. Then they try it out and are sold on it.
i wear earplugs as well , used to it so much so i feel like it suppresses the noise making me more focused
@@lannonan They first don't understand that it blocks the heat out. Not only make you hot to have cloths on. Same with other cloths, or lack of. You can even get sick, even if it is hot. And to have layers of cloths on, may also cool one down. want make it super hot. When no cloths, the sweat goes away. And the wind is making you cold very cool when riding fast. And it get very hot at low speed. When having several layers of clothing, one holds the same comfortable temperature all the time. The inner layers holding me cool, and the other layers hold the temp up.
People ask me on hot days if I'm hot in my riding gear and my answer is always...
"I would rather sweat than bleed."
Have you guys considered that perhaps Suzuki made the windscreen adjustable from the front only because they do not want riders trying to adjust it when they are screaming 80 down the highway?
Bingo!
Spurg and Zach touched on this some, but I the car culture surrounding lane splitting is paramount. In order for it to be generally safer, the car public has to be knowledgeable and accepting of lane splitting motorcycles. If a state enacts legislation, it probably will take a generation (20 years) in order for you to see substantial gains in safety. The knowledge has to be included in Driver's Ed, perhaps an official question in the driver's test, and a generation has to grow up expecting motorcycles are splitting. I think that discussion is difficult, because while Cali drivers now accept splitting, how do we get new states to accept splitting and should there be educational campaigns before they start making it legal? Until then it will be much more heavily dependent on rider skill whether it is safer to filter and risk car contact rather than wait for a possible rear ending. I've seen studies both ways--I believe the Cali study showed splitting is safer by
I think states next to Cali should be the next place to adapt since they would atleast be familiar. Once those states have it for a while move to the next ones and so on till your at the other coast over a generation.
All the criticism I have about cali thats one thing we got right. I dont own a bike (yet) but still see people tailgating bikes sometimes and it bugs me. Much safer to get ahead of and away from cars. Especially with how often I see people on their phones.
On the "helmets are not safe" topic: A while back I sold GS 500 to a guy who was buying it for his wife, and he said he never wears a helmet because his friend crashed and the helmet got caught on the bars. I don't remember what the injury was, but he said he'd have been better without the helmet. I was speechless.
Just a couple years before that I crashed my snowmobile and landed head first on a paved road, breaking my collar bone maybe because of what you said about the, but I know for a fact I'd have fractured my skull or worse without it.
It's really one of the stupidest arguments I've ever heard.
Rider skill saves lives.
With electric bikes coming and probably the only option one day we should learn to ride without pipes
@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 To be honest I don't understand why so many people cry "electric" about motorcycles. It may have an appeal to the commuter, but for everyone else - the long distance cruiser, the dirt biker, the enjoyer of a motorcycles sound - they buy motorcycles because of what they are, not unlike a boat owner, or a rock crawler owner, it is a recreation and an enjoyment for what it is. It is not something they care to "save the earth" over. Most riders don't do it to save money, or to shave off time on a commute, they do it because of the experience. The other parts are add on, and I do not care how much someone tells me that battery power will grow and grow, it wont pass up the range and fuel-ability I have from gas power in my lifetime.
With all that being said, you are right about the need of higher skill levels from riders of electric motorcycles.
@@trooper6762 heck ive been following 'ZERO' for some time and would love to have one but today it'd have to be a 2nd bike at best but eventually they will solve the range issue with technology , i hope im still riding when they do
100% true my friend! Keep practicing
About to put down some truths that will get me hate. The 'loud pipes save lives' is the same for me as those that say 'marijuana is medicine'. 90%+ don't use marijuana as medicine. 90%+ don't use loud pipes for safety.
Yes.
I agree. Though 10% of the time in this case means life or death. Not saying you need to strait pipe everything, I hate that too
I have 2 words for you...... one starts with a "B" and the other starts with a "S" let your mind wander as to the meaning..... lololol
The myth that I've heard "I've been riding for 30 years, therefore I'm a better rider then someone who has been riding 5 years."
I've come to find that those 30+ year veterans are some of the worst riders I've seen when it comes to slow speed skills and emergency breaking. They survive on thier road strategy which is not a bad thing but I've never come across a veteran rider who even practices unless they are an instructor
This is somewhat true. I've been riding for 38 years and just recently started really training and practicing. 38 years gives you a lot of experience that can save your ass. The bike becomes more and more of a natural extension of the rider over time but you can also develop a lot of bad habits. If you think you're good, you probably suck. The best riders I know don't think they are and try to learn more every time they ride.
True. But it just goes to show that road strategy, lane positioning, picking the right speed and such blows absolute skill put pf the water in terms of on road safety.
Granted both is better. XD
Some great channels to watch to develop a good road strategy and ideas for helpful drills to practice slow speed skills that I've seen are :
Kevin from MC rider, Paul Harper the motor guy from pro rider central Texas, Robert Simmons paying it forward, Jerry Palladino ride like a pro, and the great Greg Widmar, the developer and instructor of motojitsu program.
Slow speed skills and good road strategy will enable all riders to gain the tools and confidence necessary to enjoy riding even more regardless of previous experience. You have to practice drills to get better at emergency handling and some of the best road strategy allows you ride with the least amount of effort as to not get into trouble.
I'm also one of those so called veteran riders with 20+ years experience but I also practice drills 4 to 6 times a week, I take extra classes and I'm a brown belt in motojitsu. Emergency breaking alone has saved my life, and a large percentage of veteran riders don't know how to do it and never practice it.
Hi. I'm "Veteran rider" 45+ years. 21 training courses. Practice slow riding daily (stop signs/stop lights). Not an instructor, unless you count my kids. T-CLOCS every ride as well. Do you?
@@D.E.X very nice. Usually people's egos get in the way of them taking any more courses. I'm one of those 20+ year veterans and yes I do T clocks checks and I hold motojitsu practice sessions 4 to 6 times a week. Keep up the good work with the practices. Most people don't even do that
I don't like overly loud pipes, but they may alert wildlife when out in the country side, or humans watching their cell phones while crossing the street on a red.
Yes they alert wildlife to run into your motorcycle. 😃
Not when most cars now come with insulated cabins.
Even without the cell phone still tons of distractions. Your GPS screen, your radio, other drivers
Your dad is spot on. I love my VStrom. Replaced the windscreen with a Puig with the visor. Solves the front flip issue. It's my commuter bike. Works perfectly in that setting, comfortable, no lack of power on the highway, good suspension travel for the terrible roads in the city, and it wasn't expensive. I was looking at a GS and casually stated to my wife that I could get a VStrom and a SV650 for the price and have a starter track bike and the VStrom would cover commuting and long trips. She said do it and I so I got both for about $3k less than the GS. Granted I might have made a different choice if I had less space for additional bikes, but I can have a few and use them for specific purposes.
Honestly, thanks to Zack I have been using the phrase "that's a whole other podcast" when a conversation starts getting derailed and I'm trying to get it back on track... Usually during client presentations, workshops, and so on... It is super handy and useful because everybody understands it immediately, especially after a year of everybody starting their own podcast hahaha
PS: I am soooo happy to hear that Zack also uses a balaclava!!! I get people telling me why I use a balaclava all year round and I tell them about the sweat-wicking technique and they look at me like I've grown a second head hahaha
As a new and insecure rider I switched to an aftermarket pipe and took out the silencer. Did it for the looks and the sound but, as an unexpected extra, I kind of felt that I wasn’t quite as invisible in traffic.
When I put the silencer back in this last summer, I didn’t notice anything in terms of traffic safety. I had learnt to be less invisible in other ways or just anticipate and stay out of harm’s way.
This comment make sense. I say that because I've rode both, loud pipes and stock pipes. They do hear you, they just don't know where you are, it's up to you to be visible and not in anyone's blind spot.
You're absolutely right. A loud pipe gives a false sense of security.
Assume and ride like you're always invisible, even if you make direct eye contact with another driver. Always position yourself to have an exit.
When I am in traffic, I generally only hear the bike when it's right next to me. This is probably because I am probably listening to music in my soundproof car, like most of the cars in traffic.
When I had my motorcycle accident in 1999 where I T-boned a car at over 40 miles an hour, when I hit the ground after flying over the car I landed on the back of my head and I didn’t even have a headache. Not only did that helmet save my life, my head was the only thing that didn’t hurt. I didn’t even have a headache. Without the helmet I most certainly would’ve at the very least been a vegetable if not dead.
I love the vibe and casual convo but I hope you’ll include more “news” in the news segment there are lot more happening in the motorcycle world I hope a good 15 mins segment to talk about the moto news highlight would be really informative and interesting.
I've rode both, loud pipes and stock pipes. 4 wheelers hear you, they just don't know where you are, it's up to you to be visible and not in anyone's blind spot. Keep your eyes on a swivel and be safe out there guys ✌
Exactly
Ridden quiet bikes and loud bikes over about 100,000 cumulative miles. Seen zero difference in safety with either and I live in Jersey where you get cut off in your own driveway. Love a good sounding bike with exhaust but I don't believe in the safety aspect of it. I always thought people used the "loud pipes save lives" argument to justify a costly upgrade to their significant other.
Disagree. That might have been your experience, but I have seen the difference between a quiet and a not so quiet motorcycle as both a rider and a car driver. 100% makes a difference
Now this topic is not about a $10,000 vibrator, it is about SAFETY! Come live where I live, then chat it upi with the 80 y/o woman that just nailed because, wait for it............. She could not hear me/you, ...... they will hear me! Guarantell ya! NOW, look, I am in the middle of ordering a train horn for my Harley, Y';all have a great day, come ride with me in Fl., you WILL be agreeing with me (I bat already do!).
Hello there, I'm a truck driver, and motorcycle driver, while I'm on I bike im enjoying listening my exoust and in the same way when I'm driving a truck I enjoy listing you guys talking about bikes, chears to all of you making this possible! 😁 Btw I never used motul before, and I started to support them because they supporting this wonderful show !
Sooo, I mapped out the Daily Rider path. I just want to give Zack a heads up. If someone shows up during filming, it is just me. No need to worry, It will be great. We can ditch Ari and be new best friends. We can reimagine another Jim Carey film, called Cable Guy.
I'll film both of you alongside others that you don't know are in on it with me, I'll call it The Truman Show
I did the same thing lmao. Glad I'm not the only one.
I drive in LA traffic regularly and pay close attention to lane splitting bikes. I ONLY ever hear even the loudest pipes after the bike has gone past.
I hear them when they are riding in my blind spot which is what I care about when I'm in my car.
Hurt report says loud pipes don’t do squat. The same people that tend to think “loud pipes save lives” also think horse dewormer cures viral infections. They maybe don’t have a lot of reasons to think what they think.
I’m nearly certain they have given me a heart attack doing that.
@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 as a rider, I absolutely love those little lights that turn on in the mirror of newer cars when you are riding beside them 😍 Blind spot sensors are awesome 🥰
I was riding north on my Bonneville to work one morning at 55 mph. I was behind anoether vehicle. There was a vehicle heading south that hit a dear crossing the road. The vehicle in front of me hit the dear in the front quarters which spun the dear around in front of me which place it perpendicular in front of me. I actually jumped it which caused a very bad front end wobble. I rolled off the throttle and slowly hit the back brake to slow down. The rear end slid to the left so I got off the brake. I was still having the front end wobble so I attempted to slow down again with the rear brake and the rear end slide to the right this time so I got off the brake. I geared down to fourth which helped after a while the wobble went away but I was off the pavement really close a guard rail. I regained control of the bike and just accelerated back on the road. Made it work with out even stopping. There was no damage to me or the bike at all. That was the closest time in over 40 years of riding that I thought I had bought the farm.
Wouldn’t it be cool if all those loud pipes had a diverter so they don’t rattle my house windows at 02:00, or at any State Park camping area?
loud gas bike, silent electric bike....I did not notice any difference in the awareness of the drivers around. What I did notice a difference with, changing my black helmet to a high viz helmet.
Cars have noise reduction cabins.
Also good luck getting heard over most radios.
Having experienced countries that down allow filtering and riding daily in Southern Africa where it’s permitted, I have noticed that as motorcycles move through congested traffic, it makes car drivers more aware that there are motorcycles there (or could be motorcycles coming through,) which brings about some unmentioned points:
1. With time it creates more motorcycle tolerant car drivers that do take motorcycles into account, often moving slightly aside to allow them through and reduces motorcycle/car confrontations in general. I often get friendly waves & smiles after thanking cars that made an attempt to move slightly or when thanking drivers that acknowledged seeing I’m there or that I’m coming through.
By seeing the bikes filtering through to the front, it also serves drivers a reminder that there are bikes there that they may encounter them again further down the road and to be aware.
2. It seems to reduce even car bumper bashings (I have noticed cars in areas where drivers are not exposed to lane filtering, drivers often think everyone is going their speed and no one could possibly be moving past them and because traffic is hardly moving, it’s somehow now become safe to be distracted (by cell phones mostly) and make sudden last minute lane changes at intersections without bothering to even look.
Mmmm, take an area in your town and in that particular area change the side of the road you drive on for a test period… I wonder if the conclusion will be that driving on the “other” side of the road is more dangerous).
The French methodology was highly flawed on a number of levels, it’s either allowed or not, it needs to be accepted and be the norm in that state/province, so that drivers to get used to knowing that there probably will be a bike coming through, and NOT “only a particular stretch for a test period, while everywhere else this is not the case, even bikers need to build confidence and understanding when it’s safe to do so and how to anticipate vehicle reactions, even tolerate drivers that try prevent you from getting through
-if they have to be stuck so will you-
It’s a short learning curve for all, but everyone benefits, while reducing congestion & energy/fuel usage).
Zach, broken collarbones are also common for bicycle racers and riders. Over 30 years ago I broke my collarbone while on a training ride and the one thing that stands out even today is the sound of my helmet shattering when it hit the pavement. I don't even want to think about what would have happened to my head if I wasn't wearing a helmet.
Don't forget that in hot weather, you're still sweating in a T-shirt, it just evaporates away faster. You're going to get just as dehydrated or more in a T-shirt or mesh, just not overheated. Be sure to drink lots of water.
And my friend is a "loud pipes save lives" rider, but he was side-swiped by a car that changed lanes into him. Like that article said, it isn't loud to the sides or the front.
I appreciated the dialogue on lane splitting. I have been riding on and off road, on many different motorcycles, in California for years, and I have a ton of experience, so I have long ago established my lane splitting comfort level as being safe, no more than 10 mph above the flow of traffic, and yes, you learn to constantly scan, be alert, and you learn what to look for. But I realize that new riders don't have the same experience... the candid dialogue and honest views on Highside Lowside is extremely valuable. I love the podcast, I appreciate what you do. Thanks to Motul for making it happen. I am currently using a 2021 CRF300L as a commuter during the week, but have some some GIANT 50/50 loops in Southern California through Big Bear, Idyllwild, Joshua Tree National Park, and am looking at doing some ADV camping on the 300 which I have affectionately dubbed "Little Red". I have ridden MX, Supercross, D-37 Enduro as an AA rider, D-37 Hare & Hounds, did some observed trials, I have put in thousands of miles on the street, licensed Class M since I was 16-years old, rode a Honda MB-5, Kawasaki AR-80, Honda Mini-Trail 50, Yamaha Enduro 60, RM80, YZ80, KX80, CR125, CR250, CR500, YZ125, Husqvarna auto trans desert bike, Harley Road King, Buell S1 Lightning, RD400, Katana 600, GSXR600, GSXR750, CB750, DRZ400, Yamaha Stratoliner 1800 and Yamaha YSR50!! All over the spectrum and probably leaving some stuff I forgot about. I also appreciated the discussion of how diversity of riding experiences has value. Keep doing what you do. Thank you Motul. Ride on guys!
OMG!!! You guys have brightened my day. Thanks for being awesome. When you are on, we're all winners. You too Ari.
Loud exhausts make unwanted , obnoxious noise.
A standard tuono sounds great.
A gsxr 125 with open exhaust makes one of the most rubbish loud noises known to man.
Lol I didn't know they made a gsxr 125
@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 yes, suzuki are responsible for many crimes against the gsxr brand lately.
And yet the 1000 sounds absolutely bonkers with a full system+yoshi can, the loud pipe saves my life once I hit 10,500rpm and my ears bleed. I then know to slow down.
One of my fond LA riding memories is lane splitting on the 105 (in the wide part that Spurg mentioned) behind a CHP officer! For someone from NYC that rides amongst the angry a$$holes Zach mentioned, it was liberating. I split lanes locally, as responsibly as I can (+10-15mph), low revs, and hope NYPD is not in the mood that day!
I know I'm 6 months late but to the loud pipes myth - people with loud exhaust and with removed db killers/silencers are achieving only 1 thing (at least in Europe) and that is either ban on certain roads or use of "sound radars" and fines resulting from causing too much noise.
all my bikes have slip-ons. a bigger problem on bikes is the horn is so weak. Ive changed all my horns to a loud car horn type. relatively cheap $10-$20 on amazon, and a HUGE improvement. The ones I got dont need a relay, like some, and the Really Loud air horns. just swap out the horns. bolts right on same bracket, an plug right into the wiring. easy.
“I’ve been riding for 30years…etc…” just means you’ve survived for 30 years..training pays off in spades..
this is fantastic. New to motorcycle riding at 45 and really enjoying this show, the feel, and the info. (interesting to see the themes, like ABS, being very similar to car racing, auto-cross; heat in a car while having to wear racing suit, etc.).
The day after I put my V & H ShortShots on my FXDL I got rear-ended by a nurse in a Honda Pilot. I like the sound of my loud pipes, but I'd love to have a second, quiet bike someday down the road. In my opinion, loud pipes sound good, rider training and proper gear (and prayer, haha) saves lives. Keep up the good work guys!
First of all, I would like to thank you for your contributions to raising my motorcycle's knowledge. Indeed after spending hours listening to your videos, I feel like I became aware of so many motorcycle detail. I really appreciate it. But the thing within my mind now is, as some people would describe riding motorcycle as “a cheap live activity, not because of motorcyclists themselves but because of surrounding cars drivers” I would say Yes loud sounds are likely to be a life saving thing
When I visited America, I met a girl who gave me the whole "wearing a helmet could turn an instant death to a traumatic brain injury".
I responded "yeah, but serious accidents don't occur often, you're more likely to have a minor spill. Without a helmet, you're turning a lucky miss into a traumatic brain injury??"
I wasn't able to change her mind.
The ignorant are extremely impervious to facts and logic.
Then comes the day they use their face to land on the ground.
Loud pipes have saved thousands. When a man comes home early je can be heard a block away. This gives her time to get Sancho out the back door
😂😂
What an awesome way to start my Friday.
re LPSL: I have a Tuono 1100 with a Akra -- put on to enjoy the music the V4 makes rather than to "save my life" -- on it and can state without equivocation that the elevated SPL has alerted countless drivers to my presence, especially on the highway: I see their heads turn and them look in their mirrors as I approach. They know I'm there. While my rationale is enjoying the music, I can't ignore the added conspicuity -- and, therefore, the increased probability of being noticed -- afforded by the exhaust. While I don't rely on pipes to "save" me -- that comes from skill and riding techniques -- I'm not going to dismiss this added conspicuity as adding zero value to my safety. Drivers have five senses (sight, hearing, taste touch and feel), three of which are obviously useless to detecting we're there (feeling the bump as your car runs over me doesn't count...) If you ride a silent motorcycle you're relying on only one sense (sight.) It's asinine to conclude that engaging another sense -- hearing -- adds nothing to your safety quotient. In some ways, avoiding a collision on a motorcycle is, in part, a game of probabilities (see the Hurt report) and we can reduce our odds of being involved in a collision by being noticed through conspicuity measures like hi-viz, SMISY weaves, headlight and brake light modulators etc. Sound works too. Sound is used in industry, security, construction, first-responder vehicles, medicine and countless other fields to alert people. In many jurisdictions pedestrian safety is being enhanced by laws requiring EVs to produce a _minimum_ amount of noise at low speeds. Why? Because sound works to alert people. What percentage of motorcyclists use a quick throttle "rev bomb" to alert a driver impinging into their lane instead of the little meep-meep horn bikes come with and why? Because it works. The benefit of sound as a conspicuity measure is being unfairly and cynically conflated with the very worst examples of LPs -- guys tearing around with their open-pipe bikes in quiet neighborhoods at night, for example -- and its very real benefits are being lost in the shuffle. These days, with more and more people driving impaired through smart phone distraction, we need all the help we can get to be noticed by careless people indifferent to the fact that there actions could kill or maim us. If it takes some sound to snap them back to attention, so be it.
This, all of this!
The people claiming it's a "myth" act like if they can find an example where someone didn't/won't hear you then there's no benefit at all, which is absurd. It's one more thing that *CAN* let someone notice you, it's not a force field.
Hay guys I love the show. Great job myth busting. I love listening to you two bantering back and forth.
I am certainly whelmed by this episode, Spurgeon.
I was in a situation where a helmet actually prevented an accident. A rock hauling semi I was meeting on the highway lost a golf ball sized rock which then impacted with my forehead. The impact stunned me even with a full face helmet, without a helmet I’m certain I would have lost consciousness and crashed.
i had a massive dragonfly smack me in the head on the highway, the thing knocked my headback, surprised me and splattered all over my visor 😵 it was during a bend too, I probably would have crashed into the dirt if i didnt have a helmet on 😟
@@DefZen343 I had to replace my helmet due to the damage the rock did.
Thanks Fellas for the nice podcast.
About the lanesplitting in France, just FYI, it's about the hardest place I ever lanesplit. Traffic is often so tight that you've got to either merge into a lane every km or so, or risk a gap only as wide as yourself... Exhilerating!!!
Been binging on RevZilla content lately; best MC team on TB.
Pipes that are always loud don't save lives, they're disorienting. Pipes that are usually quiet, but get loud when you pull the clutch and twist the throttle can save lives. I've seen it. Ideally, a horn would serve that purpose, but in that quarter second you have to react, your hands are probably already on the throttle and clutch. The good news is that most bikes are built this way from the factory.
Hi Guys, Fabulous discussion on the myths of Motorcycling! When you get a chance, sometime in a future episode, please discuss the importance of riding all the time with good boots - almost as important as gloves! One needs both footing traction and ankle and toe protection! HSLS is always a great way to learn and have fun too. Thanks.
Regarding speed wobbles, it’s pretty common on offroady bikes at the higher speeds both because of the geometry and the aerodynamics of the high fenders. My DRZ and KTM 690 both did it at highway speeds, pretty known issue with those bikes.
As a commercial truck driver & motorcycle rider, loud pipes do save lives. If I can't see a motorcycle & I hear one I do not change lanes until I have a clear picture of my surroundings. Loud pipes & skilled rider's= less accidents.
As the guys pointed out, most of the sound from loud pipes is aimed at those behind the motorcycle and those who have been passed by the motorcycle. I am also a rider, but know people who hate loud pipes so much that they admit they hope those motorcyclists would crash. I honestly think that some car/motorcycle "accidents" are due to a subconscious desire to "pay back" riders of loud motorcycles. On a subconscious level it is "they made ME miserable, so I will make THEM miserable."
@@jfess1911 most of the sound is going back yes but ofcourse there is still sound going forward. especially under 60mph you can definitely hear a motorcycle coming. attitude of drivers towards motorcycles really depend on your area, even old ladies dont care about loud bikes in many areas of Florida since loud cruisers are everywhere and its normal, many probably rode one at one point 🤭
@@DefZen343 A fraction of the sound goes forward, but the people to the side and behind get the worst of it. Some drag pipes are loud enough to cause hearing damage to children who happen to be on a sidewalk immediately next to a stopped motorcycle with a revving engine. Why punish the people who are no threat? If safety is the real concern, use something that projects the sound to the front.
I live in the Carolinas where the worst places for motorcycle noise is near the beaches. Motorcycles with drag pipes cruise up and down the roads all night, often revving their engines. During vacations, I have had my kids awakened and start crying in the middle of the night from the noise. It is tough to sleep through the night if your room has windows that face the road. I have resorted to wearing ear plugs.
@@jfess1911 im not a fan of loud pipes either, but you cant deny that the "fraction" of sound going forward is enough for most people to hear them coming. You dont have noise ordinances where you live? 👀 Whether its Drag pipes, a sportbike banging off the rev limiter or those Horrible car speakers that caused my windows to shake as they drive by, They are all annoying as hell, i actually hate the vibrations from trunk speakers 🔊 the most 😆
I don’t think that people get louder exhausts solely for safety. I think people say that as a justification once someone starts complaining about it being too loud and annoying.
It’s it’s not loud enough to be heard from a car or two back, it’s now loud enough :P I personally want my exhaust to be loud enough to where if I’m in a blind spot, people might start looking for me if they hear me. That’s the level I’m satisfied with
Hello, I'm Gonzalo from Chile. I started mid 2023 to follow the podcast on Spotify from the beginning. Today march 24rd I reach the episode 9 season 4 and I do the step to see you on youtube. I'm happy to know that the podcast have new season and I hope to catch up with you soon to the current chapter. Greetings from 2021! and I'll undust some Apple device to write this on his apple podcast and contribute to the show.
I want to leave a thank you to Spurg for answering a question on best rain glove for spot riding, thank you Spurgeon for the help the voles worked perfectly 💪🏼
It sounds like you guys were apart of that same facebook group I was. Almost zero conversations about Long Distance RIding and an echo chamber of stupidity. "Loud Pipes Save Lifes" "I don't ride in states that have helmet laws" "You guys and your gear. Just Put a flannel on and Ride" "Tail of the dragon - Darkside approved!"
Spurg riding the KLR with a gas can strapped to the back and talking about riding gear here is pretty funny. 🤣 The next episode should have Kermit talking about rain gear... I love this series!
hi guys! binge watching the show (and loving it, the first 10m were hilarious) and about the "driking game backfire", here's some trivia... in a HIMYourMother episode they make a driking game while Robin says "but umm" on tv as a newscaster and she got aware of it and started saying it like there was no tomorrow and, of course, it backfired!! :))
The line splitting is a skill. Unlike ABS, it depends on experience. Is unnerving at first to be between so much metal in close proximity, so people become nervous. Gets easier the more you do it. And there is always the chance that someone opens a door for any reason and is not expecting the guy between cars. And when you are all nervous and unsteady in your bike, car drivers can get nervous as well.
I ve mounted a flashing bicycle light to my crash bars for lane splitting. It pulses a nice white light that cars see from a good distance and move to give me a ton of room. Rev bombing is dumb and your an ass if you do it. That is all! Ride safe all!!
Great podcast, been listening since S01E01... I was wondering if you guys would talk more about the gear you wear, specifically your off road riding rig's. Not a new rider, but I made a big switch this year from a Ninja 1000 to a CRF300L rally, so I am a bit overwhelmed with off-road gear. I ride in upstate NY mostly, so it's alot of rutted, rocky, wet trails, in mostly humid weather, but I will ride in to the cooler temps. Typically riding slab for 30-50 miles to get to trails.. My Klim street jacket is turning me in to a sweaty mess. I like the idea of separate armor with over layers, but not sure if that's a big advantage to more traditional ADV jackets. I think you guys going over what you personally wear for gear might be a "whole nother podcast".... drink!
I got a mesh jacket for Christmas last year and I was comfortable at 90 degrees this summer
The best transition(or whatever you call it) before going to ads so far boys.
Just wanted to say I bought Bilt Sprint gloves 20% off from you guys and I love em, the large fits perfect and the red looks better in person than on your website, just saying. Thanks guys again.
I've had to panic brake to avoid (mostly) deer or (occasionally) some other obstacle on analog bikes a dozen or so times in my life... there's no way 99.9% of riders will outperform modern ABS in those conditions... I DEFINITELY don't.
I find abs on a bike vary useful as a newer rider. I have been able to brake well on my non abs bikes but I feel like it was a bigger risk than I wanted when I needed to do sudden braking
I rolled my eyes when a friend of mine said she'd rather be dead than be a vegetable, and that's why she didn't wear a helmet. I asked her what if she gets rear-ended by someone going 25 and she ends up as a vegetable bc she didn't have a helmet on? No answer.
See what they need is a anti helmet that explodes after any impact to make sure their dead
Loud pipes helps car drivers become aware of me at slow / medium speeds. Even if they don’t move, I can see them looking at me through their mirrors as I’m approaching. That alone is enough for me. At higher speeds it makes no difference.
Maybe it's your headlight...not the pipe?
@@philipdarnall787 I never bought a bike with aftermarket pipes, always put them on myself. Which means I've ridden 9 bikes with AND without loud exhausts. Drivers' awareness is unquestionably different from the moment I change pipes (in the conditions stated above).
i did the whole Rotty intake & smog equip delete & Arrow cat delete header on my ktm 1090r but still running the stock can ... it is quiet and id already spent a wadd $$+ the bike runs soo much better as it is not sure what id pick up by adding aftermarket can , well other than a little weight loss which
This episode has Friday afternoon vibes 😂
Some people have been riding 30 years but have 1 years experience 30 times.
I would say by experience that sometimes louder is better but I found more functional thoese led auxiliary fog lights.
In my ohio license class there were a bunch of older guys getting into Harleys. They all had every reason said here to only wear a half helmet. So I simply asked them if they've ever had someone snap a rubber band on their arm, that's what it feels like to hit a wasp at 80mph, or even just a rain drop. Have you been hit by a pitch in baseball, thats what it feels like to hit a dragonfly. Now imagine that hits your face while riding 80mph. Then showed them what my helmet looked like after riding US52 by the Ohio river for 20 minutes, you could hardly see through it. You don't have to even get in an accident for a helmet with full face shield and jacket to prevent a lot of pain.
Plus you can put a headset in a full-face or ¾ helmet. Speakers on a motorcycle are illegal in Ohio and several other states (as is playing music in a car, apartment, home, or commercial building that's loud enough to be "plainly audible" from the outside).
I run stock exhaust on all my bikes but I have avoided collisions with bikers on my car because I was able to hear them. I think making some noise is helpful, but I don't think someone needs to hear you from a mile away.
My bike is a bit louder then stock and its a bit annoying to ride for long time. Will install silencer today.
And some harley twats have so loud bikes and some of them sound like a gun shots.
Luckily people on very loud bikes are pussies and they drive only in sunny weather on weekends.
So twice per year.
Normies drive their cars into other cars all the time, because they don’t look where they are going or pay attention. A sound isn’t going to help those kinds of drivers.
@@mrniceguy5 I noticed bikers in my blind spot because of the noise without seeing them. Even if it only was other bikers that's better than nothing. I think if they are far away then the exhost does not help. So like I don't think it helps with drivers pulling out in front of them.
You should drive in Oakland, CA by Eastmont Mall. So many drivers and bikers ignore stoplights, stop signs and use the left turn lane to by pass the stopped traffic to go straight through.
Why can’t high side Low side be more frequent?
I have loud pipes on my bikes and whilst I don't care to argue or sing stupid rhyming chants about it, my experience is that they most definitely assist with being seen in high traffic urban environments.
I live in a town in the mountains near Salt Lake City, and the idea that "Loud pipes save lives" is a great example of how motorcycling is dying off. I live about a .25 mi from the canyon highway. I can clearly hear every bike that goes by and when aftermarket pipes are added, the whole town can hear. I work for the town, and motorcycle noise is Public Enemy #1 among residents. Some people want to completely ban motorcycles in the canyon and in the town. The insistence that some riders have to make their bikes as loud as physically possible is actively killing the motorcycling community. As a rider, I lie in bed listening to yoshimura and screaming eagle exhausts until 1:00am, fuming at my fellow riders.
I filter through London UK every working day. Loud pipes DO make a bike more noticeable but doesn't tell the driver where the bike is. A lot of riders rev-bomb and try to bully the car to move over, which just alienates the drivers and might even make them NOT move over. Extra lights work much better. On highways there is no time to make a difference.
As for safety: The driver either knows your are there or doesn't. You have to assume that they don't. The only thing that keeps you safe is riding safely. You cant put the responsibility on anyone else.
Regarding lane splitting, here in South Australia motorcycle licences have different levels, from a learner licence to a full licence. To get the full licence you need to demonstrate to an instructor that you can ride at a slow speed under different circumstances. It's only legal to lane split if you have that full licence. Definitely a bit safer. Also here sometimes drivers try to block you from splitting and filtering traffic.
I’m old and have been riding for over 40 years on many different bikes. ABS on a new Triumph speed master has saved my skin within the first week riding it. In short, it helped me not hit an idiot pickup driver not paying attention. I think the myth of an experienced driver not needing ABS comes from the poor breaks on older bikes. All my old bikes need heavy breaking to stop quick and it wasn’t easy to lock up the front break/wheel. My new bike has much stronger breaks in the front that a panic stop without ABS guarantees the front wheel lockup and loss of control.
I’ve never been a fan of loud pipes. It detracts from loud music hence my hearing loss. 😀
Lmao! Couldn't stop laughing at 1:00:20 I'm literally listening to this while working on my shifty 2 grand civic hahaha. But still totally agree with some eggs ruining it for the rest of us
Great Video
Being drunk within the first 15 mins of this show would greatly enhance the podcast experience. Can we change the name from the HS/LS drinking game to Spurgpong? Loud pipes do not save lives, its called the Doppler Effect, all they do is annoy people. 35 mins in and I'm faschnickered! Alot of riders may say they have X number of years of riding experience but they dont realize is that what they really have is 1 year of riding experience that they have repeated X number of times. UHH by law helmets can not obstruct your vision in any way, and while they do offer some noise reduction they in no way make it hard to hear whats going on around you. Its also highly recommended that you wear hearing protection as well. We are going to have to revamp the HS/LS drinking game before I get alcohol poisoning lol
Yeah that whole helmet argument reminds me of when seat belt laws came into affect. People thought they would be trapped in the car and they would be better off being flown free from the car and all that other BS. Trust me helmets work I know from experience
I have a Leo Vince exhaust on my MT-07, and it's definitely louder than stock, but not anything crazy. Still as a new rider, I happened to be riding behind (a good 2 car lengths) 2 Harleys and they were so loud that I couldn't hear my own bike at all. Like...I get louder pipes, but that is just TOO loud (imo).
At what point is your bike so loud that people just want to ignore you because of how annoying your bike is? Isn't that the opposite of what we're trying to achieve?
I'm a rider in a canyon town in UT. Loud H-Ds and sport bikes have people approaching me (I work for the town) asking how the town can ban motorcycles. People insisting that "Loud Pipes Save Lives" is killing motorcycling in this country. It just ensures that the general public hates all motorcyclists. It's really frustrating.
I rode dirt bikes for years, then bought a cruiser and had no clue how to properly corner it. I probably learned a little quicker then someone with no experience at all, but it was humbling.
Great show guys but I fell asleep at 49 minutes after too many drinks . Whose ideas was that ? 😀
It would be really cool to see an episode about motorcycle technology for used bikes. We always hear how good ABS or fuel injection is now, but when did these technologies generally become good enough to actually be desirable? If you buy a brand new bike, stuff like ABS and fuel injection is a no-brainer, but what about when choosing a used bike from 10 - 30 years ago?
Isn't there a character in Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds film called Von Hammersmark? Yep, Diane Kruger as Bridget Von Hammersmark, German film star turned allied spy. Knew I'd heard that name before.
First time commenting on a highside/lowside video due to really enjoying this episode. 10 outta 10.
Looks at the used 7 year old Dunlop Pilot Road 2 tires I got from a "track friend" for a "steal"... Spurg said I can't outride it! Let's roll!! Lowside Turn 2 :)
If anyone starts a sentence with: "I've been riding for X years", it usually means they have opinions and they refuse to change their mind. You should be lucky they are even talking to you and giving you advice
Isn't 5 years the safe life of a tire regardless of wear?
I have to say that, the legal status of lane splitting in California IS the reason I got a motorcycle. I got sick of sitting in traffic day in and day out, so I lane split for years without incident. 8 years later I’m still riding but now I live in Washington state (it is illegal) and I can’t stand it. People in cars believe they have a certain “possession” of their lane. They think it’s better to attempt to run you off the road then just letting you by. I was VERY surprised to learn this when I moved here. I pray for legislation to pass on a daily basis…
Don't pray, propose.
When I first had to drive to Boston a colleague who was from there told me to remember that in Boston if you make eye contact with another driver, it means you have yielded the ROW to them. 😁. And he was pretty much correct.
skilled driver beating ABS is only true in perfect conditions. ABS will always beat a rider (maybe not Rossi or Marquez) in real life panic brake.
loud pipes are moronic, my sister almost crashes her car every time a loud pipe bastard on a motorcycle screams past at 120 mph, i personally believe loud pipes make people jump and startle and make unpredictable responses inside a car you cannot tell what direction sound is coming from , thats why when you hear an ambulance everyone in the car starts looking around trying to figure out where it's coming from and looking for the lights, but they have flashing lights BECAUSE nobody can tell what damn direction they are making all the noise from . you know what actually saves lives, driving the fucking speed limit. people in cars are used to gauging the speed of other cars. (just my opinion of course.)
Having loud pipes doesn't mean you can ride blindfolded and pushing the responsibility to other road users. Don't know who came up with that. Loud pipes are just an extra measure, because on the road anything can happen regardless of your skill, rider classes/training/schooling etc.
Nobody is saying it means you can ride blindfolded....
People need to stop taking the "loud pipes save lives" thing and distorting it into ridiculousness.
Louder sound = further distance / thicker insulation penetration = driver has a higher % chance to actually know you're coming, before an accident occurs.
Simple physics, louder pipes CAN save lives. And even if they only save 1 life per year, thats worth it.
@@Baleur I think that it actually works the other way. Loud pipes instill such a dislike of motorcyclists that drivers subconsciously hope that motorcyclists will crash. I suspect that makes the car drivers more aggressive towards motorcyclists. Kind of "you make ME miserable, I'll make YOU miserable right back."
@1:17:25 Buddy, you could just a washcloth and some extra water then wipe down a bit and rinse your hair before putting the spare shirt and stuff on. Makes a GIGANTIC difference for me at least.
I have had motorcycles with quite stock exhausts and people will change lanes right into you, once I added an aftermarket exhaust, not only has this never happened but people actually get out of my way to let me pass.
This mostly applies to cruisers.
I had the same thing when I bought a Kawasaki Ninja zx6r. The stock can was so quiet and the engine was so smooth that I once didn't even notice it stalled while sitting at a light in traffic. People would try to change lanes right into me *ALL THE TIME*, most never even looked to see that they could have just killed someone. After a couple weeks of playing Frogger I got a basic slip-on and it basically never happened again.
Sounds like you don't know how to drive to me. Butttttt tell yourself it's your exhaust
@jason jordan Please expand. In traffic, 3 lanes, divided highway, jersey barricades in center. VehicleS ahead of you, blocking all three lanes. Vehicles behind you, vehicle beside you.
You are centered or closer to the centerline to ensure viability. You are moving around in lane to ensure viability.
@john smith sounds like an excuse and normal traffic issue.
You don't own the road no more than car b or g does. So it sounds more on this case your being the aggressor. Loud noise seem to be an excuse for safe driving. Do as a car would have to do. Don't be doing aggressive stuff like making unnecessary noises. Pass safely when you can. I don't car if your in a Harley or a dodge ram. The road is shared and all are equal. Not just because your a douchebag bike rider.
@john smith you can't pass in that situation anyways. Does reving your engine really going to make them move? Will reving your engine just block you more as well. Think on it.
I have open Python Headers on my Harley, YES, you can hear me! YES, my life was saved once due to the ability to "tach" it up vs. the little cowbell horn (trains horns and compressor do not fit the saddlebags) LOOK, I live on US-19 in FL. you know the place, see Q-tips driving a car (THAT ladies and gentlemen is an eighty-five-year-old woman driving, and/or merging in front of me) NOW you know what a Q-tip is, OK, I stand by it, LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES! Like it or not, it is the way I feel, they will hear me! Now, disagree vs. my thoughts, I have a toll-free number you may call, it is 1-800-BITE ME!
BAHAHAHAAA
Did I mention I said Q-tip was in the left lane as well!
Drivers on average definitely do not care about motorcycles. I was driving on a two lane country road and a car and a bicycle were coming in the opposite direction to me. The car was very careful to move half way into the oncoming lane to give the bicycle plenty of space. At the same time, the care completely disregarded me, on a motorcycle, in the oncoming lane they moved into.
If you compare the care that the average driver gives to a bicycle vs motorcycle, it's pretty obvious most drivers do not care at all what happens motorcyclists.
Taking ABS vs non ABS : Earlier this season a friend and me took an advanced riding course, where we were testing ABS vs Non ABS on a very wet skidplate. And the result there was that the ABS needed 5m on average more than the non abs to come to a full stop. So in these very wet conditions, an experienced rider can and will brake better than the ABS can.
You mean an experienced rider in controlled conditions and knowing what is going to happen and when exactly.
@@JoaoPCavalcanti that's all I am saying, There is some thruth to the myth. But you are right in that in the real world 99% of the time ABS will out perform the rider. Especially with the latest version of ABS software.