Axman88 wrote on 11/18/25 at 08:51:23:MMRanch wrote on 11/17/25 at 19:30:45:blod wrote that , but I like the idea of it ! 
so if my horn is 110 db then how far is it louder than a car radio of a teenager ? Sound intensity follows the inverse square law.
That means that at double the distance, sound intensity drops to 1/4 of what it was at closer distance. This simple physical fact is why the concept "loud pipes save lives" is an illusion. Loudness is massively related to proximity.
Let's say that the horn's 110 db rating was assigned at 1/2 meter.
At 1 meter from the horn, twice the distance, the rider experiences 1/4 the intensity, that's down 6 db, which is 104 db, still enough to damage his hearing.
At 8 meters away, (~25 ft) the teenager experiences the sound of your horn reduced in intensity by 16 times, or -12 db, which is 98 db. It's loud, but their radio is louder, especially if the windows are rolled up, because the car's enclosure will cut about 6db or more.
Each party is satisfied, mission accomplished, because as THEY experience the sounds, theirs is louder. And, each is well on their way to deafness. The irony is, that as they lose their hearing, those immature, selfish people will need their sound to get LOUDER, to get the same sensation.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world gets to experience the additive nature of sound pollution.
I really appreciate this information, Axman. I knew that decibel sound is compared logarithmically…like 90dB is 2X louder than 80dB, and 100dB 2X louder than 90bB. Yikes, 100dB is 4X louder than 80dB. Your info regarding distance from the source info is helpful.
Reason… I’ve been doing some testing and reviews for Black Widow Exhaust (based in the UK) on my bike. They sent me 3 different exhausts to test for free! They liked some of the reviews I’ve done on other exhaust systems for my bike and they asked me to do a complete and honest review of their exhausts. Part of it is doing dB readings at different distances and running it through the gears and cruising.. Pretty fun and I’ve got my own little “muffler shootout” going on over here.
It’s insane the various methodologies used to measure motorcycle exhaust noise for regulations purposes…. Finding complete thorough details of the exact methodologies is almost impossible. Something will be explained, but then they’ll leave out an important detail like “which gear”.
It’ll be something like…get up to XX speed, run it WOT from cone A to cone B which are 100 feet apart, measure dB using ABC123 decibel meter using XYZ standards and configuration at 3 points between the path at 25’ away, bla bla bla. Then they’ll leaving you hanging with a question like - is that a 3rd gear roll-on or 5th gear?
Whatever or wherever, it all seems to revolve around the magic 80dB level. 5 feet way? 50 feet away? 5th gear at 6,000rpm or 3rd gear at 3,000rpm?
It’s no wonder some states in the US have come up with their own simpler methodology that law enforcement can actually measure and enforce. It’s not like they could truly replicate the federal dB standard in the field.
OSHA work noise safety standards is some interesting reading
. Basically, employers have to provide some kind of hearing protection when employees are exposed to 90dB+ for 8 hours per day. At least that’s how I summarized it in my head.
Sorry, didn’t mean to hijack and digress on the posted topic, but your info is helpful Axman. Thanks.
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