New Laws Seek to Stifle Noisy Motorcycle Exhausts
MSNBC and Forbes have cited a growing movement by US cities to restrict motorcycle noise levels, and while the issue is not a new one, some of the most recent developments are downright alarming.
Among the new ordinances, the articles mention that a New York law passed on July 1 will fine riders a minimum of $440 if their mufflers or exhaust systems can be heard within 200 feet. Denver, Colorado has apparently banned any aftermarket exhaust system on motorcycles less than 25 years old, an offense punishable with a $500 fine.
American Motorcyclist Association spokesman Bill Wood states the obvious: "From our perspective, this creates enormous problems for us because people notice the one motorcycle that makes a lot of noise, they don't notice the 50 that pass that don't. So there's a perception that motorcycles are noisy."
While most motorcyclists can identify with the annoyance of having to endure the ear-splitting roar of those who choose to ride with straight pipes, there's no telling how far local government offices will go to stifle the right to customize bikes; this isn't a debate about whether or not loud pipes save lives, it cuts to the core of the right to mechanically modify motorcycles.
I don't know about you, but it seems that while the intent of these laws is clear, the manner with which they seek to quiet down the noisy minority verges on the ridiculous.
Thoughts?
Photo © Basem Wasef
Comments
Even though I ride I agree that there are some motorcycles whose pipes are entirely too loud. I’m not knocking anybody’s bike but around here its mostly the customnized bikes that make the loudest noise.
These exhibitionists with their loud illegal pipes make it hard on the rest of us law-abiding bikers. I’ve been riding for 20 years and have never used illegal pipes and yet the public and the media think that we’re all a bunch of Hell’s Angels riding Harleys with straight pipes. Despite the slogan that “Loud pipes save lives” several studies have disproven that claim. The advertising for loud pipes often say things like “Get noticed” and “Be the center of attention”. If it’s illegal to use the pipes, and it should be, it should also be illegal to sell them.
I hate to admit this, but I’ve almost pulled over into a lane (in my cage) where there was a BMW because he was in my blind spot and I didn’t hear him.
That said, I still get annoyed with loud pipes combined with agressive acceleration, especially here in NYC. If you have loud pipes on cruiser, just cruise, don’t try to race. most people won’t be too offended by a low rumble.
Sport bikes are not immune. aftermarket pipes make their high pitched whine more offensive than v-twins.
I have been riding Motorcycles for over 30 years. While I agree that straight pipes are ridiculously loud and should be illegal, I know from experience that louder aftermarket pipes can make a difference as far as safety. As far as I know, the only way you can purchase straight pipes (pipes without baffles) is by purchasing special “competition only” pipes. Aftermarket pipes are baffled and are loud only if you really get on the bike. The are usually almost as quiet as stock with normal driving. So if I see a vehicle I think is having trouble seeing me, I’ll pull in the clutch and give the bike a couple blasts. I think the real problem is with the less than 1% of the people who are just looking for attention. The ones that leave their bikes idling in their driveways for a half hour and then rev the hell out of it before they take off in the middle of the night. No matter what your talking about, your always going to find rude, inconsiderate people. My feeling is that there needs to be a better education system in place to teach people the proper way to ride. To teach people how to respect their bikes and to have respect for others. Especailly now with so many new riders on the road. Instead of laws and imposing on peoples freedoms, perhaps we’d all be better served if the government helped guide people to organazations such as A.B.A.T.E so that they can learn the proper way to ride, saftely and respectfuly.
Wow! Gentlemen with gentle comments. A refreshing read here. I too ride but not the V twin. When I ride under a bridge I realize how noisy I am. And this is 25% the noise of the poseurs with the obnoxious pipes. And true the rice rocket is also capable of scaring the bejeezus out of folks. These guys need to be pulled over or even visited at home and summonsed into submission. I choose not to ride a V Twin but it sure sounds nice. What’s the old saying? Your rights end where your neighbors begins?
I ride with stock pipes on my Harley. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting louder pipes. Nothing wrong with either in my eyes. However, if they are going to me to a fine because of my loud pipes, then they damn well better go after the punks with their loud music rattling the parts off of the piece of crap cars they drive! I find that more annoying than straight pipes taking off at a light. At least the biker is gone in a flash, while the punk sits there next to you at a light making you listen to his crap music! Man am I getting crabby in my old age!
Extra loud pipes suck and so do the old farts who have nothing better to do than complain about them…
I think loud pipes should be ok. Drag pipes are another story. My friend was killed in a crash when a deer ran out in front of him. to this day i think if that deer heard him coming he would still be here. I myself do not run drag pipes but i will never take off my loud pipes. i live out in the country so you dont hear much out here even when that loud harley goes by you dont think about it all comes down to cities. i think it is bull sh*t what all of us bikers go through. Look at all the charity rides we do to help kids out. I have been on 5 in the past 2 months. then what happens when you get that little old lady that cant see backing out of her driveway. she can barley hear and backs out right in front of someone on a bike. I wouldnt doubt its the oil companies. More and more bikes on the road today then there ever was. they are losing money . ill stop there i can go on and on
With the stock pip with our mototrcycle, I agree what Sprocket said, engine sounds so goood, it’s excited, if we fine this becasue of canorous one, why not fine the punk music?
The comment about loud pipes save lives. I believe this to be true. But these guys that run straight pipes without baffles is annoying. I have been riding for 28 years and it still bothers me. I do like a rumbling sound but straight pipes is just too much. Plus you usually have to run your bike richer if it’s carbed and you are wasting fuel at that point.
I live on a hill on a main street in a small town. Needless to say I hear every type of vehicle climb the hill day and night. Compared to the many hot-rods, Pick-up trucks with aftermarket exhaust, and semi-trucks, the various motorcycles aren’t very noticable. What concerns me about this and the comments I’m reading is the divided attitude bikers seem to have. We need to stop looking down our noses at other people’s rides and stick together as a motorcycling community to keep the cagers from legislating away all of our freedom. This is supposed to be a free country but every law like this attack on our community takes away another piece of that freedom. I agree that people take things too far at times but this happens with everything. I heard a subwoofer in little foreign car coming for 5 minutes before it passed. It rattled the dishes on the counter as it went by. I’ve never had any bike do that. Are we now going to try to make those stereos illegal or have the government decide how loud it should be? Let’s keep the government out of our business and show a little tolerance or at least keep a unified front against those seeking to destroy our way of life.
I don’t care for the excessive loud pipes but if there is a crackdown on the pipes How about the LOUD boom boxes?
I’m concerned about the comments that seem to claim a right to be loud. How many people did you awaken during your 10-mile 3am ride through the city? 10,000? 15,000? What gives you that right? There’s a reason New York passed that law. And yes, it applies to boom cars.
My neighbor’s have 3 chopper bikes. They are so damn loud. They leave the engines on for 30 minutes then go driving off(agian loud) the exhaust fumes smell horrible. I have intrest chopper bikes myself(know nothing about them) but I can see why people have problems with them.
You ever notice that the straight pipe crowd is also the no-helmet crowd? These are the same “posers” who, for the most part, are new to motorcycling, and do nothing but blast up and down the main drag of whatever town they live in, and who trailer their bikes to Sturgis. I’ve been riding for 40 years, and have yet to see safety or performance increased by straight pipes. Loud pipes don’t save lives- loud pipes cause people to hate motorcyclists. Just like motorists who hate truckers because of the one hairball who tailgated them, but forget the hundreds who didn’t. It’s just human nature. I believe there should be massive fines ($1000 and up) for selling or using modified exhaust. Grow up, posers!
The problem is not loud pipes! The problem is the people that ride bikes with loud pipes! Seems like the guys that run straight pipes or pipes without baffles have to run through three gears at full throttle every time the pull away from a traffic light, gas station, watering hole, or wherever! A loud bike can be ridden quietly in cities and neighborhoods where you have a lot of people but some just want to be noticed. The bike I ride is fairly loud when I want it to be but I upshift and ride quietly through towns! I have ridden all over New York and have never been looked because of my pipes. Looks like to me the argument is more about respecting the rights of others by making the least amount of noise as physically possible instead of trying to be noticed!
“Loud pipes save lives” Ha! Horns save lives, Helmets save lives, Leather and armoured riding gear save lives, and, yes, even not drinking while riding saves lives. Loud pipes (not stock) just pisses people off. Riders, the fun is in the ride! Enjoy it.
Female here, been riding 2 years. Both bikes HONDA’s. My current one is an 1100, bought stock and quiet as a mouse. It was ok for awhile but over time I noticed people did not hear me as WELL as SEE me. OF course we all ride as tho we ARE invisible…that’s the safe way. But one day my B-F rode cage behind me on a trip and he SAW how I wasn’t heard. He then bought me Vance hines for my 1100 Spirit and they are awesome. Not only do I love the sound, I KNOW i’m being heard (better) more than before.
Being on a bike …a quiet bike is NOT like being in a quiet cage(bigger!!). I got to thinking about that driving my SUV and watching bikes coming up behind me, passing, just in the other lane. Yes, of course, all non-m/c riders/cagers NEED to severely be more AWARE of motorcycle riders…but until they ALL ARE(better driving tests questions!!)…I believe alittle noise could definitely save a life or more.
I’m not condoning the mind-bending vibrations of illegals…I hear them too, and luckily not many where I live in Florida, but there is a happy medium someplace. I think cars/cages had noise issues in their hay day too, hence laws and mufflers.
So…for the bikes who have opted to add a bit of noise for safety, I’m all for it. My butt is worth it! So is yours.
It’s obvious that everyone definitely has an opinion about loud pipes, as I do.
Personally, I do not prefer them and ride a Goldwing as a result. My wife and I really enjoy the quiet aspect of cruising through the mountains.
We run into a lot of loud bikes, especially the rice rockets when they go past us at 100+ mph.
I can see both sides to the argument, but we certainly prefer that our rides are quiet.
The great thing about Denver is that they allow scooters on the sidewalk, require no license, registration or training. Who is the greatest threat to the public? The guy making a little noise or scooter trash?
Loud motorcycles? What about loud rap music, cars, trucks? I hear more loud vehicles than I do motorcycles. If cars and trucks can have loud exhaust then it is illegal to have legislation limiting mufflers on cycles. See you all in court.
Best thing about a noisier pipe of quality is that it can be quiet when you cruise. Since my “bike talk” is behind me when i cruise, i rarely hear it and wonder if the pipes are working!
But when I NEED her to shout she will.
Just be safe people…whatever it takes.
I have ridden v-twins for many years, and there is very little to compete with the sweet sound of a v-twin. I currently have a full set of Akropovics on my SP2, and I firmly believe that the sound it makes when riding through traffics ensures that the motorists are aware that I am coming through, most then pull over to allow me safe thoroughfare. I also feel that a big part of motorcycling is the aural experience, this keep you in tune with the cycle and is part of the thrill. As with anything, we need to just use our discretion and take others into consideration. Personally, there is no way that I would keep a stock pipe on my cycle, especially if it is a 4-inline, as they sound ‘electric’ and rather placid as stock. I tested a 4-inline the other day and the silence was ‘unnerving’ especially after riding my more involved v-twin. Goverments should really focus on more pressing issues, and there are enough of those. Motorcycling should be encourage as an effecient mode of transport, for many reasons
I think that loud pipes should be fined. However, I think their measurement for regulation is ridiculous and it needs to be measured at a certain decibel level.
I recently upgraded my Hayabusa’s stock tailpipes to Yoshmura Bling’s here in Atlanta. The sound diference is slightly louder but ten times safer. I’m 240lbs on a large sportbike but have been run out of my lane several times (cell phone user regardless of age) before making the change.I credit the noise that get’s attention when I’m side by side on Interstate 75/85 with saving my life. This doesn’t mean that the loud pipe makes me accident proof but if I can be heard within 20-30 feet, I’ll stay with the Yoshi’s!
I do not on a bike.I have never ridden one.However,I look forward to “Rolling Thunder” each year in Washington, DC.It’s a sight to behold. I hope that they will not silence the Harley’s, which is American as apple pie. If an individual is creating a nusiance in his neighborhood, He should be dealt with.
YES, THEY FORCED THIS ACTION!! IDIOT BIKERS WHO AT TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THEIR FELLOW BIKERS MAKING ALL THE NOISE THEY CAN WHERE EVER PEOPLE ARE!! TOWN MAIN STREET ETC ETC. HOW STUPID!! YOU WANT TROUBLE? MESS WITH THE TOWN FOLKS. THEY MAKE THE RULES! DUMB LOUD BIKERS!!!
YES!! THEY FORCED THEM TO ACT ON THIS MATTER!! IDIOTS WHO CROSS THE LINE AT TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THEIR FELLOW BIKERS!! MAKING ALL THE NOISE THEY CAN IN TOWN AND SHOWING OFF THEIR LACK OF INTELLIGENCE
I have ridden a motorcycle for 30 years and all I can say it is about time!
There is no reason to run straight pipes or alter the exhaust to make it unbearably loud. To be sitting in my yard and hear motorcycles that are 2 miles away or to be walking on the sidewalk and to literally have your ears hurt due to some bikes is ridiculous! Anybody who believes that loud pipes are a safey issue is an idiot!
I have 2 Harleys and yes one of them has drag pipes and the other is stock. Yes it is loud when I want it to be but at least I ride with both wheels on the ground and I sit in the seat and not on the handle bars like I have seen with these crouch rockets. I remember one day I was on a 2 lane highway and was getting ready to switch lanes. I checked my mirrors for traffic coming up the lane I was ready to switch to and just as I was going to make my move I heard a bike with non stock pipes. If this guy would have had stock pipes I would have cut right in front of him because he was in my blind spot. So yes loud pipes saved this guys life. If we all use common sense when we ride there should not be a problem.
I HAVE A LOAD BIKE, AND I LOVE IT. I PAY MY TAXES AND I FEEL I HAVE THE RIGHT TO RIDE THE ROADS AS I FEEL FIT. THIS COUNTRY IS ROAMING WITH OPINIONATED PEC—HEADS THAT WANT TO BE HEARD IN THEIR OWN MANNER OF SPEAKING.
SAME PEOPLE TELLING US NOT TO DISAPLINE OUR KIDS AND WHAT OR WHAT NOT TO LISTEN TO ON OUR TV,S AND RADIOS. SAME PEOPLE TELL US TO WEAR OUT SEATBELTS OR BE FINED, WHEN OUR SCHOOL BUSES DON’T HAVE SEATBELTS, AND IN THE SOUTHERN STATES YOU CAN PACK 10 HEAD OF FARM WORKERS IN THE BACK OF A PICKUP W/NO SEATBEALTS. THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE….
I think the biggest problem is the cost to replace OEM exhaust systems. I priced a complete OEM system for my 1500 intruder and it was about $2000.00 just for parts compared to less then $500.00 for aftermarket.
Bikers (both Vtwin & Metric) really need to start working together to make a stand.
1 in 48 people in the US own a bike and there were more than 1.1 million units sold in the past year.
As a female that rides almost daily in Dallas, you can definitely hear my Harley from 200′ away and I want it that way.
When people tell me that bikes are dangerous, I tell them that my greatest danger are the people in cars, with their windows up, AC & radio on and yapping on their cell phones. They don’t usually notice me until I roll on my pipes or honk as they weave into my lane.
I think Zoom hit it on the head, it’s all about people and not the pipes. Unfortunately, the “look at me” crowd gets all the attention they want with their obnoxious behavior as they blare down the street. As someone who is actually in New York, I can tell you that there are bikes that are as loud as fire trucks (and we have the loudest fire trucks in the world). Add to that the echo off a hundred skyscrapers and you can understand why NYC made the move. And the louder they are, the more likely they are to rev their engines at the red light while you are sitting at an outdoor cafe, drowning out all conversation. Or wake you up 20 stories above the street at 3 am. And, FYI, the ordinance does apply to loud cars, bars, construction, etc. too.
And to everyone who has a story about almost hitting someone in their “blind spot,” there’s no such thing. It’s an “I didn’t care to turn my head and actually look for traffic” spot. Loud pipes aren’t a substitute for paying attention, imho. And likewise, they aren’t going to make the SUV cagers on their cellphones with the AC blasting and the radio on pay any attention to us either.
So while I think banning aftermarket parts is going too far, I certainly understand why the majority of non-riders has gotten fed up and this trend is only going to spread.
I’ve been riding for fifty years now and I still get upset and my nerve ends tingle when a group or an individual wants to get noticed with the straight pipes. I tried it back in the early sixties but didn’t enjoy the noise and back then you got a $30.00 citation for loud mufflers. I think the fines of today are too cheap and should be raised.
Hugh,
Texas
ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING TOPIC!! I must agree with the minimally louder pipes. Matter of fact I just asked me hubby to “upgrade” my pipe on my Rocket ZX6…It can rumble when needed, yet can also be pleasantly quiet when needed. I use common sense especially in traffic…I am somewhat shy by nature but throw that shy hat off when it comes to my life being on the line while “playing in traffic”…. LOVE THE SOUND OF THE MELODIC DEEP RUMBLE BUT NOT THE EAR SPLITTING RUMBLING!
– that being said I’ve been caged next to the rap music with the window vibrating and deep bass rumbling. It’s certainly more of THAT on a daily basis than a loud pipe or two.
…1 thing is for absolute certain..I can lay on my horn all day on my bike when swerving outta harms way….AND IT DOESN’T MEAN A LOT…BUT LET ME THROTTLE MY BABY AND MY PATH SUDDENLY GETS CLEARER!! Yes, I wanna be heard for those cell phn users who cant SEE ME!! Hubby rides a ‘Busa, and if not for his loud pipes, I’ve personally witnessed him nearly being taken out if he had not revved his pipes. Cagers dont see as well as HEAR us coming.
ok 1 last thing…loud pipes save lives but Jesus saves souls.
What it all boils down to is a lack of courtesy and respect for other people. It doesn’t matter if you are talking about cigarette smoke, indicating your turns or noise. If it is offensive or unhealthy or dangerous for someone else then you need to consider that. It seems to me that people are just getting fed up with other’s blantant disregard for their rights. Hence, the increase of incidents of “road rage”.
I doubt there is a big difference in safety. Someone in their car with the music blaring, talking on their cell phone, smoking a cigarette, AC on high etc, is pretty unlikely to hear anything outside the car.
I love the sound of my Harley but I try not to make excessive noise when I travel through residential areas or city streets. To make extra noise I would probably have to be speeding, anyway. Many areas have banned exhaust brakes on trucks and there is really little difference.
How about if everyone just considers others once and a while?
Dennis, you are right on point. true true….common courtesy is the bottom line.
I understand that people can be annoyed by the excessive noise but when riders don’t goose the power ever 10 feet to gain attention, a loud pipe is not that rediculous. The law shouldn’t be able to keep people from making their bike the way they want it. It should be able to give people tickets who hot dog it down the street.
My Ducati ST4s has a set of Fast by Ferracci Fiberglass cans that are about as loud as the stock exhaust. The cans are loud, but I don’t think that they are that loud!
I have no problem with the sound of many bikes. Yes it is the extreme ones that tend to cause major earthquakes and those are the ones that could be tempered a wee bit. But I did not see a mention of loud diesel trucks too. I am not one to say “Well his is loud too!” I am one who likes to see fairness in all applications tho. Come on, I have to shut the windows to my apartment with a Dodge RAM rolls by.
I think a large part of the problem is not really the loud exhaust (which some are too loud)but people not using good judgement when riding .If you are in a residential neighborhood or in a congested city street sitting beside a motorist you do not have to constantly rev the engine (most annoying and yes i ride) just ease along until you are out of town or away from the subdivision.Then enjoy the music you paid for.
I ride a fat boy with Vance and Hines Big Radius. Others have commented that they are loud, but they are certainly not straight pipes. People need to understand that straight pipes hav eno baffles and if they heard they would surely know it. Aftermarket pipes are made to rumble a bit more than stock pipes. Liek others have commented, I do not heada up the throttle repeatedly to get attention, but I like the deep throated ruimble the pipes give me over the stock models. What the community really needs is a solid set of guidelines that grounded in reality and not subjective opinion as to what is quiet and what is loud. And then the communty needs to start enforcing manufacturing codes so that no new pipes louder than the regualtions are manufactured. How can you not grandfather in people who have already spent hundreds of dollars on a set of pipes?
I have been riding for over 36 years and I intend to “live” to ride for as long as I can. I have 2 grandchilden and 2 daughters. Yes I am female and I am 51. LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES and I am living proof of it. The so called authorities on it say you can only hear the pipes when the person is leaving or passing you. That is not true. I had them put on my bike, at the dealership before I even took my bike out once I bought it. People do not look for bikes and they say if they hit them – I didn’t see them. Well they hear me before they get a chance to hit me. Granted I stay out of the area’s where they say they want to ticket the loud bikes – but if we have to listen to jack hammers – dump trucks – semi’s – and trust me I have nothing against truckers – then if riding a pipe is saving my life when I’m out on the bike. I’m going to do it. And especially when I’m 2 up. I have another person that I have to worry about and I’m going to make sure that they hear me way before they get a chance to hit me. My pipes are not straight pipes – but they are what the dealership put on with enhancement of power for the bike. My bike is a bagger so it doesn’t have a lot of power to get out of the way at higher speeds. There is a rev limiter and trust me it works. With my grandson on the back of my bike – I will use my pipes to the best of thier ability to make sure none of these unattentive cage drivers change lanes and end up on top of me. If you take the cell phones out of cars – and give back the ability for the drivers to actually pay attention to what is going on around them when they are driving. Then just maybe I might decided that I don’t need the loud pipes – but until then – LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES. And I have lasted 36 years as proof.
Our city has just enacted laws to curb loud car audio systems. If the system is heard more than 75 ft from the offending car a expensive ticket is issued. I’m sure it won’t be long and loud cars, trucks and motorcycles will be regulated in a similar manner. Long exposure to loud pipes can destroy hearing as can loud music in the confined area of a car. Something to think about. My personal feeling is that sound level should be measured at a specified distance from the source with calibrated DB meters. This takes any thing subjective out of the judgement.
Yes, I do ride…
Loud pipes are obsene to the ears. The pipes would not be so obnoxious if the riders didn’t try to make them as loud as possible by hard acceleration of revving the motor..all to get attention. I say give them the attention and write out a noise summons, fine, and inspection that pass a noise requirement
The real problem is this country is getting a very old population in the past the old cranky crowd was in the minority now in the Majority and we all know they love to bitch esp. if they know they can get away w/ it. Loud pipe if nothing else save lives people don’t pull in front of noisy semi’s exactly for that reason.Does any body remember when CA. ban Harley cause their production bike was to noisy If you want to quite down the neighborhood lets get rid of the Lawn mowers, then stop the loud semi’s,.A motorcycle is in your hearing range WHAT maybe 5 second if that.As for a comment made by another the choppers next door DO NOT just run for a half hour they are air cooled the bikers would not risk damage to their bikes But I’ll bet he’ll run that damn mower at 8 am on a Sun/Sat. and not care about his neighbors..
I think most of us are in agreement that it’s the lack of consideration that is the root of the problem . I have Vance & Hines Baggers on my Nomad and enjoy the added power that they gave me . They’re a little loud for me so I may have to custom modify my baffles to tone it down a notch .
I think a cheaper investment in safety would be better horns on most bikes . One’s they can actually hear when we need them to .
Unbaffled drag pipes are too much and if / when ridden inappropriatly should be fined . Just don’t cause trouble for everyone !
Shhhhhhh…..be verrry quiet….I’m hunt’in wabbits…………..
I ride a Heritage with Stage One Kit and slash pipes. they rumble nice at idle and are loud on acceleration, but when going thru a small town etc, I idle it down to keep it as quiet as possible. My experience on a busy weekend in a crowded town, my exhaust noise keeps the people from walking in front of me. Also had two incidents recently where a car would have pulled out in front of me from a side street, if it werent the fact I let the pipes roar to get their attention. These politicaly correct studies are all washed up. I ride two up and me and mine just putt as we enjoy riding. What people do not like is the atimidation of 6 or more Harleys riding in formation. Some idiots will break into the line just to show you they can.
And yea this does get attention. I think the law makers are complainers are bored and looking to their own attention by complaining, solution go get a Harley join us and enjoy the fun lifestyle. Most bikers are good decent law abiding tax paying citizens.
For Doug – I also have a Nomad with V&H Baggers and I admit they are a little loud, but try them with the baffles out! I tried it for a little ride to work and my head was hurting when I got there! You can also try an air horn by Rivco. They make one specifically for Vulcans. It’s saved my arse on more than one occasion.
As for the these crazy noise regulations, instead of talking about it, let’s do something about it! I talk with my congressman and Senator of my State in the hope that this won’t happen where I live. Or even better, let the grass roots biker organizaions that have lobbyists in Washington do it for you. I joind the AMA and ABATE, and that’s how I will make myself heard!
I beleive there are more important things to worry about than loud pipes ON motorcycles!I gets harder to survive in this country evey day and the Government needs to pay more attention to whats more important! All americans are not RICH !!! And by the way, Ban those damn high pitched leaf blowers that wake me up and go on for HOURS!!!!!!!
Gary Hope….I agree with every word you said and couldn’t say it any better.
I have a set of performance slip on’s on a VTR….I too love the sound of a 90 degree V-twin. No time at all for HD’s with straight pipes…just makes them sound like a Massey Ferguson in addition to run like one. Those are the clowns that piss off joe car driver and give every one else a bad name.
Some jerk early on in the form called us “exhibitionists” … to that, I offer an equally intelligent come back – “Screw you!”
No need for loud pipes or racing bikes in the city, lets hope, the hd nuts and speeders, do not pass on their genes, and a parent who buys his 16 year old a bike that does 120, should be neutered, and have his driving privilege revoked for excess stupidity.
Me again! I ride a Harley-Davidson Superglide with Vance&Hines with NO baffles,it’s music to me! I don’t make a habit of riding around the block over and over again just to make noise, if someone is doing that ,CALL the cops! But if all you self rightious people can’t deal with 10 seconds of MY music from my Harley then your life must be really boring, if thats ALL you have to gripe about!!! Oh ,by the way, been to any tractor pulls lately?
I agree that some bikes exhausts are pretty loud. However, I feel this way about them…..If you can’t see me at least you can hear me! I have had some people tell me that my pipes are loud but on the other hand those same people have said that they didn’t see me but they did hear me coming. I for one want to keep my loud pipes! They are a safety issue.
I dont agree with this at all. I believe loud pipes save lives. I have had it happen to me many of times in california. If it was not the loud pipe i would have been in a jam!! I will be getting tickets because my loud pipes will not come off!!
Strange how the vast majority of high mileage riders /long distance riders who average 20, 30, 40 or more thousand miles per year all have stock pipes.
And they don’t seem to rely on loud exhaust systems to save lives. Yet ride more than 90% of the folks who insist that loud pipes are necessary.
To say loud pipes save lives is a bit hokey. To admit there is a bit of ego and vanity at play when it comes to putting aftermarket exhausts on a vehicle is probably a lot more accurate.
I live in New Hampshire a state that has a motorcycle noise level law and there are more fatal motorcycle moose and other animal colisions than there is in the state of maine that does not have a motorcycle noise law!!! and there are a lot more moose in maine!!! What dose that tell you? I ride a new harley that is quiet but will not be for long!!I realy think safety is a lot more important than a loud (but not rediculosly loud)motorcycle.That is my feeling
Have been riding since the mid-60s. I respect those who ride respectfully and are fully appreciative of the enjoyment their two-wheeled steed brings. The mystique for some extends to loud pipes and chrome. No proble4m, but, in my world all loud pipes due is aggravate and antagonize. They do NOT save lives; show me the stats. Frankly, they cause folks in their cans to have little respect for the bulk of us just going about our business and putting 15K plus miles per year back and forth to work and the occasional road run.
I’m 53 years young and I have been riding bikes for 43 years. I have had the pleasure of riding many types of motorcycles in my life,and I am proud to say that that my current bike is a 2001 Honda CBR600 F4i.I thought that I wanted an after market slip on muffler for it so I bought one and put it on. I took it out for a trial run and before I could get back home, I had to put my earplugs in my ears to keep from busting my eardrums and I wear a full face Bell helmet. Needless to say,I removed the slip on and put the factory muffler back on. Now it sits and idles like a fine tuned Ferrari.The point I’m trying to make is that it should be left up to the individual as to how much noise they are willing to put up with,not what some bureaucrat says.I know that some think that all that noise automatically equates to horsepower,but with a bone stock engine that is not ALWAYS the case.My engine is stock and it redlines at 14,400 rpm. I don’t turn it more than 12,000, but at 12 grand in sixth gear I’m running 167 mph.I was riding with a friend and he was on a highly modified F1 Yamaha and after he caught up with me(he gave me a long head start)his speedometer was reading 168 mph and mine was reading 166 mph so I split the difference and settled for 167.Another point i need to make is even with a stock muffler turning 12 grand I couldn’t even hear myself think. So that goes to show you that you can make almost any engine as loud as you want to. It all depends on how you ride. And believe me, I love to stay on the gas!!!!!!!!!!!
First, I don’t understand how these laws can only target motorcycles, and not any loud vehicle. There are many more cars with loud exhaust, loud music, as well as numerous diesel light trucks with exhaust brakes and loud pipes. And this excludes the trailer trucks. Motorcycles are being picked because they are an easy target, but certainly not the biggest problem.
Second, loud pipes can be controlled in confined spaces. You can drive it without maxing the sound when needed. People are just stupid.
I have one bike with drag pipes and one bike with stock HD exhaust. People bitch about both, seems it’s more about the motorcycle than it is the exhaust.
It’s about time for restrictions like these. I drive bikes and have had very powerfull hot rods, but you could never hear me comming, stealth is allways best it keeps you out of trouble with the law.
There is another problem with loud pipes. I live 3 houses from a corner with a 4 way stop you try and sleap or intertain with the constant noise from people that feel the need to be recognised how juvinal.
I’ve never understood why a person would take a perfectly well muffled motorcycle and turn it into a screaming banshee. Wind noise is hard enough on my hearing so why would I want to endure the sound of an unmuffled motorcycle kilometre after kilometre? It is truly unfortunate that inoffensive motorcycle enthusiasts have to be tarred with the same brush due to the anti-social appetites of the “look at me” crowd.
lrb
OK People, what about the loud obnoxious car boom boxes? WHat about the complete disregard for my sanity when I have to listen to some idiotic tunes blasting from useless stero equipment? My pipes have saved my life so go knock on someone elses door and leave me alone.
I remember back when I just got my drivers/riders license and there used to be some kind of “common sense noise laws”. The so-called legal mufflers that they sell today, even for cars and trucks, are way too loud. I used to get “excessive noise” tickets for my cars, and they were QUIETER than the cars today!!! I won’t even ride with anybody with loud pipes because “I” don’t want the attention drawn by them. As for the BOOM BOXES, well, we’re just going to have a society of deaf kids to deal with. Any rant’s on diesel pick up trucks with those straight “stacks” blowing all that “beautiful clean soot” into the air???
the Gov in all states need to go after all the yound adults who put those NON Stock pipes on their Toytas(sp?) and those other Japan cars. Those make ALOT more noise then bike pipes do
50 years riding. Dirt, track, commute and tour. My 2000 Buell S3T (dresser by Buell standards) with Bub pipes, 65k miles and pro and DIY maintenance, will make noise or not. The bike is powerful enough to get thru town just above a conversation. Hear the pipes you want before buying and never make pipe in residential areas!
Pipes louder than diesels or off road tires do alert the cages around you of your presence.
Stifle the noise too much and the deaths from cars swerving into the path of motorcycles will sky rocket.
Riding 47 yrs. now, it is always the custom bikes with straight pipes, no mufflers or baffles, factory 55 DB is OK
with me, no straight pipes please ! People have a right to limits on noise
emissions, until it is enforced then SOS. Enforce the law on loud pipes, Denver has the right idea.
I live near the Appalachian Trail. Walk the trail, climb to the top of one of the mountains and just sit and listen. You won’t hear cars that sound like boom boxes. You seldom hear a truck using a Jake Brake. What you do hear for miles and miles are motorcycles with loud pipes! I do agree that loud pipes may make enough noise to let drivers know you are around. I have used the throttle to get attention a few time when I couldn’t find the horn. Like I said in my original comments. The problem is more the rider than the pipes! Please ride quietly in the right places so the rest of us can chose the pipes we want!
I think rattler shoulde his speedo checked. An F4 (especially stock) wouldn’t go 167mph if you dropped it out of a B52….
Comment for Pete– I offer you the same intelligent come back that you offered to someone else in this forum– SCREW YOU TOO!!! I learned a long time ago not to engage in a battle of wits with someone that is unarmed. You believe what you wish about how fast my F4i is because the guy that I was riding with couldn’t believe it either,and he was riding in the lane next to me.I did say that my engine is stock, internally that is, but what I didn’t say was that I was enhancing the high level of technology that Honda developed for this particular motorcycle. I can plug in my lap top to a certain component on this bike and tune it to run just about any way I want it to. Can you do that to whatever it is that you ride?
while you all toss your opinionated crap at each other, those “do-gooders” laugh at you and laugh all the way to the bank with the money they keep finding ways to take from our wallets. Look around your city, state legislators and see how many laws they are passing restricting your freedoms, fining you and then spending that money of THEIR special project that benefit the few. They won’t legislate against the manufacturers cuz they have the money to fight back so they pick on us knowing we’ll wind up fighting amongst ourselves because we’ll defend our “OPINIONS” against each other instead of banding together to fight for our rights against their socialist rob the working stiff and whittle one more right away from us. If loud pipes are the problem why allow them to be made, if loud boom boxes are the problem why allow them to be made, if anything is a problem why allow it to be made? Because they can tax the materials, then they tax the sale, then they “tax” the rider who uses them… and do any of you, honestly now, really think the amounts of the fines are reasonable? I see “real” crimes committed and fines are way less then that… hell drunken killers in a car get a slap on the hand, bail out and do it again and again. Come on folks, quit fighting with each other over your opinions and regroup here. The real fight is over our rights… and yes, people have a right to be free of “loud” and obnoxious sounds of all kinds but there’s a right way and this is the wrong way.
And stop the name calling for pete’s sake… it only reflects on you and robs your “opinion” of any real meaning.
Rattler…. A 600RR that’s running real good will do an honest 165+.
The RR is substantially more motorcycle than any F4. My comment stands…get your speedo checked…
In the mean time – Enjoy your fantasy.
I’ve been riding for a while now and have sportbikes and cruisers w/and w/o loud pipes. I truly believe that it is the preference of the rider, not the legislation, that should determine if they should use loud pipes or not. How many times have you heard a bike ride past and thought “that’s a nice, quiet bike.” Or do you get goosebumps when you hear the rumble of a v-twin and think “now that’s the sound of a sweet ride.” Americans have fought and died for us to have choices. And one of those choices is to have the loudest bike you want to build. Yeah, you may go to a bike show/rally and see the tricked out colors on the customs. But they don’t send chills up your spine until they roar into life like a hungry beast waiting to devour the souls of those that want to take away our “freedom of expression.”
I think most of the people here complaining need to be bit*h SLAPPED! You live in the US of fricken A! Stop being a tree huggin hippy liberal! I don’t fight for this country to have some douche fight to take away my freedom (SEMPER FIDELIS)! I have been around bikes all my life. My father, family and family friends all rode Harley’s and guess what?? They all had aftermarket pipes. Most aftermarket pipes (not straight pipes) contribute to safety, performance and overall thrill of the ride. For people who are complaining, get a life, or a hobby. I ride a sport bike now and do not discriminate towards any rider. I wave to everybody I pass. Sorry to all the V-Twins, I love them, but they are the loudest, even without aftermarket pipes. So cruisers stop hating and likewise to metric riders. Us bikers need to stick together. If they want to pass noise ordnance laws, do it only in city areas and use a certain decibel level. They do it with truckers and their Jake brake, so why not anything that makes noise! why single out motorcycles. Now stop the b*tching and unit as people who share the same basic passion…. RIDING, no matter how its done!! Any body has a problem with that, come talk to me.
- President of Coast 2 Coast “City of Angels”
Hey, you crybaby lawmakers !!!! There are alot more things for ya’ll to worry about in this world, other than what someones bike sounds like. Bottom line is, “LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES”. This will be an ongoing argument for years to come. I’ve always had pipes that have had a deep rumble and they have saved my butt more than once over the years, from some idiotic driver who doesn’t pay attention while driving, especially if there’s a motorcyclist coming up beside him or her. Be seen and heard is a real fine combination for any biker !!!!!! Besides, the morons who are trying to change the “PIPE” laws, probably don’t even ride anyway !!!!!!
If every one has not noticed, these “control” laws are coming from the same type of political infrastructure. Denver and New York, and most of California, are ruled by Secular Regressives. These people are NOT liberals, they are statists, whose ambitions are to rule, not to serve. Those of you who found more onerous rules to be a “good thing” are in self delusion, as it will not be that long before those who you believed to be on your side, are making laws to deprive YOU of your freedoms. Colorado elected a “democratic” governor, senate, and assembly, and the first thing they did, after numerous pre-electoral promises, was to push through more taxes and more laws to satisfy their all comsuming need to be in charge, to show the world that they are in CONTROL…
It doesn’t matter what you enjoy, there will always be others, who take offense and want to pass laws to contstrain you. Here is it motorcycle exhausts.. other forums, it’s gun control, others it’s cigarettes, and on and on.
Wheter it be those on the left or right, democratic or republican, what we
need to do is to elect those to whom the concept of personal freedom is not some thing to be erased from this country, who do not belive in the socialist or facist hive mentality.
They will always pick an issue where something is misused by a small minority to rule the majority, so it’s up to you to stop it before we will have to hear the Gestapo refrain of.. Show me your passes.. you can not travel with your your papers…
This is not a joke, it’s what this country is sliding down towards… Yesterday, cigarettes, today motorcycle exhaust, tomorrow ???
Victory Rider
I Love Loud Pipes
A love song for the Denver City Council
Window rattling, earth shaking,
Stomach churning, ear-drum-busting
Loud pipes
Alarm starting, backfiring,
Flame-throwing, head-throbbing
Loud pipes
Snorting, snarling, rip-roaring,
Feel-em in your guts, kick-em in the nuts
Loud pipes
Hear them clear across town,
What the hell was that, an Earthquake?
Loud pipes
Get off your cell, pay attention,
Roll up the window, watch out for that bike
Loud pipes
Loud pipes thundering
Through the valley
Up the hill
Down the highway
Into my soul
Singing the song I love
I love those loud pipes
Copyright 2007 Bill “uglicoyote” Davis
To #80… Finally, someone who can envision the real issue here: Limitation and regulation of personal freedom! Well said, sir!
I think loud pipes are ok if you don’t show off in cities or where they are lots of people. If you don’t get on it you really can’t tell how loud they are. But they are always some who mess things up for everybody. Be cool and keep your loud pipes.
Safe riding saves lives. It is the poor rider who depends on his noise and someone else’s reaction to save him.
Stock pipes are already louder than every other car on the road. By pushing this loud pipe thing, riders have annoyed everyone to the point that we will get what we deserve. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get legislated down to be as quiet as cars.
To Ryan, comment #8: Sorry to hear about your friend, one rider lost is one too many.
I ride a Kawasaki ZZR1200 with stock pipes. Last April I was riding in the mountains when I came around a turn and spotted two deer standing in the middle of the road. This was at 12:30 in the afternoon on a bright, sunny day. I came to a stop and we just stood there looking at each other. OK, what now? I revved the engine, thinking it might scare them off, but no reaction whatsoever from the deer. I honked the horn, at which they jerked slightly but remained where they were. Not until I rolled a little closer did they bolt up the embankment. Many animals have much better hearing than humans, so I am sure they hear us long before they see us. And still they don’t run away. Evidently, noise made by machines is not something wildlife relates to as being dangerous.
To Victory Rider, #80: I don’t care if the polititians are liberal, conservative or whatever their motives are. When I ride up behind a bike with obnoxiously loud pipes, I try to pass that bike as soon as possible, becaue when I’m in front of him, I CAN’T HEAR HIM! When driving your car, think about the last time a loud bike passed you. Where was that motorcycle by the time you saw it? Right next to your front fender, he had just passed you, right? Which way do exhaust pipes face? To the rear. which way does most of the noise go? To the rear! DUH! Which way do sirens and horns face? To the front. Makes sense, huh?
Riders who rely on their pipes, thinking the car driver AHEAD of them is going to hear the noise going out to the rar of their bikes are making a fatal mistake. We humans rely much more on our eyes than our ears. What does the car driver say after he knocks the motorcycle rider off his or her bike? “I didn’t SEE him.” They never say, “I didn’t hear him.” I’m not saying that loud pipes don’t save any lives at all, but according to decades of research in Europe (MAIDS, 2004), New Zealand (University of Auckland, 2004) and the U.S. (”Hurt Report”, USC, 1981) lack of visibility (not audibility) is the single biggest problem other drivers face when dealing with motorcycles on the road.
For God’s sake people….When is everyone going to stop yapping about “Loud pipes save lives” and all the rest of the self righteous bulls***?
The only thing that saves lives is safe riding. Admit it….You put the pipes on because you like the sound!!! I did….and so did everyone else I know.
Even if you get a few more HP out of it ..which is rare….it’s seldom enough to justify the cost.
In fact, according to the MAIDS study, modified motorcycles were the only bikes OVER-REPRESENTED in the crash statistics! In other words, bikes with loud pipes crash more often. Wow! So do those loud pipes cause crashes? No, of course not. But the type of rider who puts loud pipes on his or her bike does, because that rider puts him- or herself at a higher risk by relying too heavily on those pipes as a crash deterrent. Fact is, and it doesn’t really matter what your personal opinion is, loud pipes just don’t work very well in preventing crashes. See the statistics. Failure to see the motorcycle accounts for more than two-thirds of collisions between cars and motorcycles. It’s absolutely incredible (and scary) to read so many comments from riders who think that the car didn’t pull out in front of them because the driver heard them coming. With windows rolled up, engine, tire and wind noise, stereo on, A/C blasting, the driver conversing with a passenger or talking on the phone, other traffic noise etc., and most of the noise from your exhaust pipes annoying the driver BEHIND you, the driver of the car in FRONT of you definitely didn’t hear you, but much more likely SAW you coming. Of course, we’ll never know for sure unless we turn araound, pull the driver over and ask them if they heard us or saw us first…
I do not own/use a four wheel anything! I have also owned a Harley since my first at the age of 14. I currently ride a 2000 Yamaha Road Star with 110,000 plus miles on it(purchased may,2000 w/1 mile on odometer). I have been involed in many tangles with “cages” with fault heavy on both sides. Loud pipes, at one time were very effective in alerting motorists of our presence, but not so since the cell phone! I have yet to understand how anyone can profess to the safe operation of anything while trying to eat, drink a hot liquid, unfold & read (try) a map, text message/dial and talk on a cell phone, and gesture with the “free” hand. (and take care of small humans too) Yes, I can see where my loud pipes might annoy some, but I have metal holding my left leg on because of a “soccer mom” and a SUV. Even Police can be seen driving with one in their ear. I’m sorry, but if someone is going to pilot a 1 1/2 ton bullet, I think they should at least have to attend to it first and gossip farther down the list of priorities. Yes, women should always have one with them, just not implanted in their ear. (or anyone else) May is motorcycle awareness month, but that’s not enough! The stats are just that, numbers. These studies must begin to accvount for all parties involved. As to type of “cage”, age of driver/occupants, activity at time of act, etc. Yet, the first question of DPS (et al) is “were you wearing a helmet” ? How is that going to answer the question of “did the driver see me”? But,, If they legislate my pipes, the same bill better cover “music” volume, strings of slow moving cars etc, voices shouting from cars etc. I mean if they are going to bring on a fascist state, lets make them do it all at once so we can see who the bad guys really are, and not just one group at a time to slowly slide theirselves into control. This is MY country and I will still defend it (right, wrong, indifferent) at any time. I will not have it stolen from within by labeled as a “group of” because of special intrests. Ok, you can shoot me now, I know you don’t have the heart to eat me. RIDE SAFE
Just a (another) thought, try this out, it’s from the U.K. (may have to right click and “save image as”) Thanks and please, RIDE SAFE!
oops.
http://www.skilledrider.com/downloads/howclose.mpeg
To ZZRBiker,
In the peoples state of Denver, it does not matter if your pipes are loud. The law is stated as “if you do not have a stamped certification” on your pipes, you will get fined. The point of all of this is simple. Those in “charge” of these city states are looking at motorcycles as a source of revenue. They do not like motorcycles or those who ride them, most likely because the image they present is one of the “Marlon Brando” rebel, who will not turn over their minds to the hive mentality. Can you understand the point.. they are using “noise” as an excuse to screw with motorcycles and those who own and ride them. Noise is not the issue in Denver, conformity is.
I have no problem with cops ticketing those bikes or cars with obnoxious pipes, and using a formula based on reality, but I have a very large problem with those morons who don’t want to be bothered with fact, but want to wrap theirselves in some fantasy of “well you pipes are after market, so we are going to fine you 500, no matter how loud they are”
Capish ????? This is an issue of people who have to control anything which is outside of their hive mentality pretense of reality. That is the what occurs in the peoples republik of denver..
WHen are the so-called rebels going to stop the with the “they hate us motorcyclist” mantra. The powersport industry is huge and good for business. In my 45years of riding I’ve never felt I was restricted in any way. Helmet law? I would never ride without a helmet, never have.
Also, try visiting Yellowstone when the H-D groups are rumbling thru the park. You won’t see many animals along the road. A small group were photographing a moose and her calf until the H-D riders with their obnoxious noise spooked them.
The loud pipes nonsense is just that-nonsense. Typical cruisers are heavy and slow, they don’t manuever well to avoid incidents. FYI, lots of us “quiet” guys put a 120db high frequency air horn on our bikes, it will wake the dead.
It’s all a load of crap! Motocyclist bring alot of money to alot of communities. I wonder if Sturgis will have laws like this?… NO! They would lose millions in revenue.
If I want pipes that keep the Dumb A** car drivers seeing me then I will ignore the law.
I suggest everyone contribute to your local ABATE chapter and let them fight the legislatures.
It’s about time we started cracking down on these a-holes who like to make noise.
Have you ever seen a guy getting ready to get on his motorcycle putting ear plugs in because he apparently doesn’t want to hear his own noise or the noise of the idiot in front of him? I’ve seen it several times and it just makes me think “What an a-hole”
Loud pipes don’t save lives. I’ll run over a meathead with loud pipes just to quiet him.
Loud pipes are preferred by macho morons on toy bikes, especially the dirt variety. They shift ten times in fifty feet just to annoy. My bike is more powerful than most of the toys that I see guys and gals riding, but it’s quiet. I frequently am complimented by motorists both on the bikes appearance and its quietude. And riding a bike is dangerous folks. If you need loud pipes to survive, maybe you should buy a Corolla and stay off the road with the responsible bikers.
So some one wants to run over people with loud pipes. Sounds like a law suit if he ever does it, now that he has admitted to the whole world he wants to. Must have a lot of money. Quiet pipes have caused me to be run over at a stop sign before. Have you ever watched people on cell phones these days. I wonder where their mind is, not on the bike in front. If we stop loud pipes, lets also stop the use of cell phones. Loud pipes only make you aware of your surroundings, and interrups that phone call. I use to be against them also, till being run over.
Comment by Rick March,22,08
I’ve loved my Yoshimura performance exhaust. Motorcycle exhaust comes in all types of configurations, and from most major bike manufacturers such as Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Yoshimura exhaust sets the standard in race-proven exhaust systems and motorcycle exhaust. This is definitely a must have racing accessory; offering you chrome plating, titanium and carbon fiber along with a Zyclone baffle that will lower sound level along with eye-popping good performance.
I live in an area where motorcycles like to ride and I hardly ever hear a motorcycle that is quite most are loud and we can’t even enjoy our home much less our backyard. Why should I have to live with such loud and inconsiderate people they would never put up with it if it was coming through their neighborhood. As far as saving lives they scare my when they come up on me while I am driving. Plus they set off car alarms in their wake. There is a reason for mufflers so people can eat in resturants and hear what the other people are saying or just to enjoy their homes.
Loud illegal motorcycle mufflers are just that, illegal. If you think someone has an illegal motorcycle exhaust then call your local police department and ask them for enforcement. Usually there is a ticket and fine to pay for having an illegal exhaust system on your motorcycle.
…AND I GUESS YOU ARE SOME OF THE ANNOYING PEOPLE WHO TALK ON THE CELL PHONE EVERYWHERE YOU GO..SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU!! ..IM GONNA CALL FOR BACKUP.. CAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A LAW AGAINST THAT!!
Hmmmm what a interesting bunch of comments. I received a citation in Denver complete with fine and a one year probation. I never ride downtown, basically, I don’t find it very interesting and it is full of disrespectful frightened people. That day I had, because my employer was sponsering a fundraiser at the Rockies game and all employees were asked to attend. I was pulled over, by a cop on their FLHTP, because he was curious about my pipes (NOT BECAUSE I WAS MAKING EXCESSIVE NOISE). They didn’t have the EPA stamp hence, I was given a summons. What I have read on here is tolerance by some and outright intervention with total disregard to an individuals constitutional rights by others and beyond….complete with the threats to do bodily harm by others.Sad affair people.
There are obviously extremists in both camps. Making laws do not solve problems and is a weak, lazy and mean spirited attempt to deal with a situation. Education, tolerance and respect go along ways on both fronts. What comes out of some peoples minds and their actions and the impact on other peoples lives is more offensive, to me, then the 3 to 6 seconds of passing sound. The sound goes away…. But uneducated thinking and actions stay with us for a very long and disturbing time.
Very interesting and broad range of input here. I live on a road that is famous as a natural beauty road and a very popular destination ride for bikes (and bicycles and cars as well). In the warm months we hear a lot of motorcycles. I can tell you that the very loud bikes are without a doubt infringing on my space and my rights. Bad karma and shame on them. This argument that some of you have adopted about being heard for safety is utterly absurd. The notion that it can be solved by everyone just being tolerant or with proper education is also absurd. You can’t possibly think that you’re going to change that many people. It’s all ridiculous. The people who are the offenders here are in fact offensive to much of society, rules must be made. If you ride a loud bike you are offensive if not also breaking laws. Loud bikes suck.
you should have the right to ride with whatever pipe you choose. just like with everything else there are idiots, but where is legislation going to end? Also if there is no performance gain on straight pipes, why dont they run mufflers on nascar? just my 2 sense
Rather than making new laws, let’s have police enforce all the laws we already have that they don’t enforce (like the noise laws already on the books).
Your rights end where others hearing begins.
If you feel “unsafe” because other drivers/riders can’t hear you, honk your horn. THAT’S WHY IT’S THERE. If you feel you manhood is threatened with a small “meep meep” motorcycle horn, install a LOUDER HORN, not louder exhaust.
If you STILL feel unsafe, stop riding. You don’t have a “right” to ride. Your “permission” to ride ends when your loud pipes offend a single person. That’s why we have noise regs on the books for cars, buses, motorcycles and every other form of transportation. Heck, there are even laws on the books against LEAF BLOWERS.
It’s your job to ride responsibly. Just as it’s the car drivers job to DRIVE reasonably. Just because the driver doesn’t do their job, you’re not justified in not doing yours. Being responsible, also means being courtious…not just in how you ride, but in how much NOISE you make riding.
Sorry about the Noise saves lives excuse. Last time I looken in my physics book sound travels behind a moving object. Therfore the only way to effectivly use your loud obnoxious sound is to point the exhaust forward! Besides if riding a quiet bike is that dangerious than maybe they shoud be illegal to be on the road. Snmall cars should have loud exhausts on them because they are so small a truck cannot see them! We are in the process of evaluating every law pertaining to motorcycle exhausts and determining how to rid the streets of the noisemakers. By inserting the phrase “factory installed or equivalent” in the law it would take care of it. All legal exhaust systems have an EPA tag on them that corresponds to the stiker on the frame of the motorcycle. No way for you to get out of it. ABATE and the AMA know this it the end of the road if this was included into the law. Sorry the few ruined it for the many again! This group is leaing the way at: http://www.calmusa.org
I’ve been riding 4 a little over a year. I’m not surte if my pipes are “legal” or not. probaly not. they are loud—when I want them 2 B. There are more than a few occasions when those pipes have saved me from being a grease spot on the roadway.People don’t look 4 bikes on the road unless they ride themselves or know some1 that does. They don’t know any better but that doesnt help us any. I’ve had 2 many brothers and sisters get seriously injured beacase they were not SEEN & HEARD!!! I will B the 1st 2 agree that some fellow riders take it way 2 far-wrappining them out as loud as they will go. I occasionally like to wrap mine out, but i dont do it all of the time. A lot of my buddies have been cited recently for pipes and helmets. I honestly feel that not being hard on it and wearing a DOT helmet has kept me from being in the same boat as my friends. As far as mechanical aspects go, if you ride an old bike (1977 and older) a lot of those bikes were not equipped to run pipes with baffles in them back then. If you put baffles in some them, the backpressure created by doing so could result in a number of engine problems including but not limited to to blown headgaskets. I think that if it was not original equippment on the bike when it came from the factory, it should not be required. That is unless the law enforcement agencies would like to spend the money for a rebuild when we have to tear it down to replace the blown gaskets. And yes guys, I actually do know what I’m talking about. My brother is a certified harley tech. and i help him in the garage every chance i get
loud pipes are a throw over from those wanting a more race sound, and more power. And on the track they sound fantastic. But in the town they are not desirable. For those who have a medical condition they are very painful to hear, and break their concentration in traffic. To the rider they damage the Central Nervous System and make you tired faster, and can cause the body to cook the digestive system [reference NSDS theory]. I drive a VFR and in my year they mapped the engine out correctly where there is no benefit to a new fuel computer, or pipes. Great mid range sound but quiet in the city. Low and High pitched sounds are more unidirectional and hard to tell where they are coming from. I prefer to assume the driver cant see me and use my horn if i need to let them know i am there. I have been riding since 1967 and never had a bike/car or bike/animal crash.
“LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES!”
Why is there not a similar discussion regarding cars and glass packs or high-amp subwoofers? Straight pipes are obnoxious, but so are cages with modified exhaust. This smacks of municipal revenue enhancement through discrimination.
If the City if Denver and the state of Colorado doesn’t want my tourism dollar I guess I’ll spend my money at the Cody Stanpede and then make my way up yo glacier.
Theres a lot to see in Colorado but a ticket and a $500,00 fine drops the fun meter
My (older),previous bikes were 4 Cylinder, Japanese Bikes. My last two bikes have been Harley’s. My last bike had stock exhaust,my
current bike has Screaming Eagle exhaust.I can tell a big difference in the way cars notice me on the road,as far as being aware of me on my current bike. In my case, I believe “reasonably” Loud pipes do save lives. My bike is only “excessively loud” under heavy acceleration.
I feel that the local laws banning pipes are totally ridiculous. I feel that people should be able to customize their bike(s) however they choose. I can understand restricting pipes that give off bad emissions. But the noise factor shouldn’t be that much of an issue. The biggest problem that I have with the NY state law about being able to hear it over 200 ft. is that who can really judge how far 200 ft is by driving down the highway? But anyway, another reason that I don’t agree with it is that cars and trucks get aftermarket pipes all the time and where I live, trucks can be much louder than the bikes.
If the states are just going to be dicks about motorcycles and the aftermarket pipes, than maybe I can offer one suggestion to the exhaust companies. Make pipes that are emissions friendly, but offer with all pipes a silencer for people to put on. Maybe that way, people can take the aftermarket pipes through inspection and not get in trouble there or on the street.
It is not an issue of the rider’s rights. Bikers are the lone contributors to the permeating noise in our communities. I live in a nice neighborhood, but when a Harley gets on the highway near my home, we can hear it for a couple miles. Out on the Monterey Bay sailing, the roar is heard city wide, one side of town, the other, the highway.
I have a train horn.. maybe you would like me to bring it to your next family barbecue.
Have any of you ever been to SOuth Dakota. You guys have no clue that 90 % of the Motorcycles leave the dealership with their exhaust modified to supposedly give it the distinct Harley sound. What the heck does that mean? We live here and have to listen to the racket the bikes are making all summer long especially when the Ralley in Sturgis starts. There is nothing legal about the exhausts on these bikes.Granted there are a few that did nothing to make it louder but they are few and far in between.
As per the Federal Noise Emission Standards the 90% of bikes should never even pass inspection.
These guys with loud bikes aren’t “real” men. If they were they would be considerate of others and wouldn’t need infantile actions to prove something.
Where have all the genuine gentlemen gone?
I wonder how many of these “Loud bikes save lives” people wear helmets? Those are what REALLY save lives. That is a proven fact. I see people all the time with no helmets, wearing t-shirts, with a person on the back the same way. Then I see guys on the quiet Yamaha or BMW touring bikes all decked out in riding gear, they look a whole lot safer.So, what’s smarter?, having a loud bike and hoping you don’t get hit, or being prepared for it if you do?
it’s not the 1 in 50 who are loud~! It’s the 1 in 50 who are not loud!
In Ramsey County Minnesota they have e noise ordinance on cnty rd 68,(maplewood) Why not in Marine on St. Croix, Mn on cnty rd. 4? The loud pipes just don’t stop.