http://www.herald.ns.ca/Columnists/463923.html

(excerpt)

Remember my interview with Tammy Hamlin, the motorcycle fan from near Truro? She tried to explain to me that loud exhausts are actually a safety feature because they announce a biker’s presence to motorists who might not otherwise know the rider is there.

Well, I was flooded with mail, all from bike riders or ex-bikers and all incredulous. Two examples:

Said Doug McIntyre of Fall River: "Exhaust is generally directed rearward. As a motorist, (or even a cyclist), I have observed that even the loudest bikes do not forecast their arrival by any significant value. They do, however, announce their departure for several miles.

"Since motorbike engines are simply not big enough to mimic the impending doom of a gravel truck or a freight train, a basic understanding of physics and acoustics would dictate directing or reflecting the noise forward, to lend credence to the bike enthusiast’s theory. This would also allow the rider to enjoy the full value of racket he or she wishes to share with their audience."

And this from Dave Cleveland of Bridgewater: "If her theory is true, then my car should be just as loud as motorcycles, so 18-wheelers can hear me. And if all of this is true, it sounds like she is saying that you can only be safe by driving with your ears.

"The other tiny detail here is that even if she were right, that would leave no consideration for pedestrians and people sitting on their front porch, who also have to hear the noise . . . I think the young lady should give her head a shake and admit that motorcycle drivers just like loud bikes."