Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Deer and loud pipes?

I have heard it debated that loud pipes will get a deer's attention and, on the other side, that sound will not stop them from darting in front of you. Now that deer season is quickly approaching, I wonder if going back to my TORS is worth the effort in trying to stay 'deer proof'?

Hmmmmm!! Deer season is here in middle Georgia already, I would also appreciate answers to the previous question... Thanks

While nothing will make you "deer proof" except staying home, I have had numerous encounters with deer and my TBike pipes helped us avoid each other.

Once the "rut" begins, or if something is chasing them - all bets are off. They are completely whacko and will run into cars, busses, motorcycles - anything.

I hit a deer (on a honda magna ) with mid. loud pipes. A friend of mine hit a deer with loud pipes (on a harley), and we had a man and his wife get killed hitting a deer last week with stock pipes. My thoughts, deer don't give a d@#$ about the pipes. They just freak out and run.

I seem to notice deer "notice" the epco over stock pipes more. However, I still don't trust their walnut sized brain to make the correct evasive move. I thought over time natural selection would result in a better motor vehicle conditioned deer population. It seems to be the opposite. That or we will have to wait another 5-10,000 years. I'm not that patient, so will slow down in the mean time.

Ride Safe

jh

In my little part of North Carolina there's not a time thats not deer season. Right now is probably the worst time of year as they're being chased by hunters and as a result are even more stupid than usual. I'v ridden by them grazing on the side of road an had them not even look up. My pipes are very loud. I don't think deer give a hoot about loud pipes or anything else. Your only defense is good eyes and being alert. And sometimes that aint enough.

Caution, vigilance and a keen sense of observation are more handy than any noisemaker. Deer are completely unpredictable at the side of the road (especially during the rut) and once your headlight is out of their eyes they can and will go in any direction. That said, it seems my Specialty Spares get them to look up and the reflection of their eyes in the headlight helps me spot the danger zone.

Here's my experience, as you all remember, just smoked my second deer last month. I've mostly had fairly loud pipes, and the first deer I hit 25 years ago totally ignored my screaming loud, baffle less pipes. As to moronic deer psychology, the guys are right about the rutting season. Also, deer instinctively run in a "cross pattern" ( across your path) to try and avoid danger by sprinting at a high speed, hoping that the predator cannot make a sharp right turn and accelerate at the same time. Makes sense to deer but lousy for us. One more thing. Deer whistles don't work. I had them too, and a motorcycle nmagazine ran a test on them and proved them totally bogus. (I'm sure I'll get some argument here, only know what I read.)

Deer whistles don't work.
As to loud pipes, I work nights.... I leave work at midnight-thirty or so, and I already know I'm gonna see deer on the way home. I look for them and take it slow.
If I see them and they are too close for comfort, I pull in the clutch and blip the throttle a few times. So far, that seems to be enough to spook them and send them away from me.
It's not a fool-proof method, but I have to think that blipping the throttle with stock pipes would not have the same effect. Deer are much more alert to sounds than they are to lights, even the domesticated ones around here.
I've driven all the way home without seeing any, only to find 3 or 4 standing in my yard as I reach home, and I live in an older housing plan - with homes all around.

Ponder this : if deer whistles actually worked , insurers would PAY you to have them . 'nuff said .

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Deer whistles don't work.

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They most certainly do work!!!!!!




They'll call every deer within three miles

This bears out(no pun) my arguement: wildlife are unpredictable-even worse than a woman in a SUV with a cell phone. I'm not convinced loud pipes keep them away.

Elephants, however, seem scared of loud pipes-I've never see a single one when riding with loud pipes.

Loud pipes may work with hobbits. Though to
be completely honest,I'v not seen one beside the road since the 70's.

During the deer dating season. Around dusk, which is the time that they start moving out of the woods and into the fields is when to mostly watch out for them. Loud pipes for deer is like loud pipes for your safety. Don't count on it. Cautions.........
1. Drive the speed limit. Don't overdo it, especially around dusk.
2. Maintain 110% of your concentration up ahead as far as possible. You cannot count on which way the deer will turn, therefore only your emergency braking tatics will get you out of a mess.
3. On some of my bikes I run with the high beam on 24 hours a day. (with the beam adjusted low, about 100' out in front of me) My visibility is much better and I can stop my America within that 100 ft.

Just a few of my thoughts on the subject

jerry

Dump trucks and 18 wheelers kill them everyday and they are not quiet. When they run off the bank into the road they just do it, they don't know why. Trust me, they hear you coming long before a human hears you coming even on a quiet bike.

Makes no difference...if you use the silent pipes you can sneak past them, but you will get hit by big momma in her suv full of kids while she is on her cell....on the other hand...if you have your Sceptors on, momma will hear and the kiddos will give you a thumbs up BUT Bambi will know you are coming and send out a snuff squad on you..

I have the Triumph Light Bar, and TORs, and have seen deer both stand there within arms reach of the roadside and others run off when they hear me.

No substitute for the added visibility, though. If you are going to be riding at night, put some light on the subject!

Not only do I see them better, but I know they see me better, too.

Maybe a deer chased that coyote out in front of me Friday night on the on ramp to the freeway.Hard to see the loco at night at 75mph.Thankfully I seen him with no mishap.

I almost took out a deer a few years back and after that encounter I installed the two types of whistles that supposedly keep deer and other wildlife away. How do I know if they work??? I'm not sure, but I've yet to see any sign of deer since installing them 3 years ago.

Always carry a high power rifle and wear camo's (bright orange of course) this seems to be the best way my buddys have to be sure they will not see a single deer...