p: 412-758-1916 
e: etrow@stayinsafe.com 

Sound Emission Policy

We realize that opinions on motorcycle sound emissions run the entire gamut from those who espouse "Zero Tolerance" to those who promote "Loud Pipes Save Lives." Although we do not wish to offend anyone or appear unsympathetic, stated simply, mufflers louder than stock factory-equipped OEM exhausts don't work well on a Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training Tour for a number of reasons.

First, we found that the increased sound level emanating from bikes with modified exhaust systems interferes with the ability of students, and other tour members, to clearly hear the radio commentary -- an SSMT trademark.

Second, a morning drill is often scheduled prior to breakfast. In this regard, we do not wish to offend our host or ruin our long-standing reputation for respecting the rights of other guests. And since excessive noise is a leading reason given by many members of the non-riding public who oppose motorcycles, we don't want to further exacerbate this issue -- especially early in the morning. It has also been our experience that riders with "quiet" motorcycles generally prefer to ride with other people who have quiet motorcycles.

Finally and in anticipation of the argument "It's not loud if I don't accelerate hard," it is necessary to point out that in order to maintain a safe time and space cushion with other vehicles/hazards, we encourage students to aggressively use their throttle when necessary. We hope that you understand our concerns and appreciate the rationale behind these decisions.