The past two issues of HOG magazine have broached the topic of loud pipes and whether they save lives or are a nuisance. I love loud pipes but I'm not convinced they save lives. I have wanted to put louder pipes on my Sportster from day one but now I'm not sure about that either. I never considered the outreaching effects of them. I am not one to hot rod around the neighborhood anyway. The idea of our freedom being encroached upon by people who are sick of the loud pipes disturbing their peace is not a pleasant one. Bad enough we can't seem to win the helmet law battle but now we have to face being told how we can or can't customize our bikes? Ugh...

One reader wrote in with the following: "However, NHTSA does report that drinking, speeding, riding without a helmet, riding at night, and riding without adequate training are the primary causal factors related to fatal motorcycle crashes.

This makes me feel some what better I suppose since I don't drink and ride, I observe the speed limit, rarely ride at night, took a training course and only ride without my helmet part of the time.

Anyway... interested to hear other opinions on the topic of loud pipes.