Loud Motorcycles

[SB 405]

I read a story in this mornings LA Times titled "Making Bikers Pipe Down" The story is about a Laguna Beach Officer that patrols Pacific Coast Highway on weekends pulling over bikers with lound exhaust. Okay no big deal right? Thing is this Officer uses a decibel meter purchased by the LBPD and makes the rider rev the engine in idle to record the numbers. I'll quote the paper here "Laguna Beach uses the California Highway Patrol's citable threshold of 95 decibles" The story then goes on to talk about a rider pulled over for a reading of 117 decibles. So now I would like to ask everyone how often do you enforce this law? I'll give you my two cents on this....I'm a major fan of auto racing and other motorsports and attened about a dozen events throughout the racing season and have no problem with noise (hell I expect it) However I can't tell you how much I hate to hear these loud bikes on the streets. I've also been on the phone in my office (window closed) many times and had to stop talking because some dude is opening up his bike on the freeway on ramp outside my window....any thoughts guys?

[TheForceCHP]

Is the reading at idle or at a certain RPM?

I have been riding for about 6 months and am a member of a couple of sites. One of the reasons that i stay away from the beach on my bike is because bikes are targeted(not bashing, i understand why they are frowned upon). I know guys with my same bike that have been pulled over for their pipes and then the officer learns that they are stock pipes and either lets them go or something else. Just posting some observations.

In regards to loud pipes. Yes, i agree that they can get annoying and the worst offenders are the Harley's. I am not a fan of loud exhaust so i don't worry about this, but i think that it needs to be inforced. I worry that 95 decibles is a little low, but i would need to hear a 95 decible exhaust to make a final opinion. Basically i like the law in some ways, but not others

[SB 405]

The Officer takes the reading at a normal cruising RPM. Not sure about bikes but my car runs between 4000-4500 RPM at cruising speed.

[Mac]

I would imagine the reading is taken using the SAE J-1287 standard - 20" from the pipe at a 45-degree angle. This is the standard for exhaust noise testing. RPM at testing is specific to each bike, and there is a reference book that lists the test RPM for every manufacturer. The RPM is usually measured by a mechanical device best likened to a tuning fork - it rests on the seat or rear fender, and has a small metal antenna-like device that is extended to a certain length. When the correct RPM is reached, the "antenna" oscillates in a circle, and the reading is taken at that point.

There are lots of little quirks and parameters to taking a proper reading - if you're interested in reading all about it, Google "SAE J-1287" and you'll come up with it.

[Tom]

I happen to be very familiar with J-1287 - when the 96 decibel limit hit the OHV scene. Personally, I totally disagree with it..the test has far too many problems to be accurate. The rpm testing you mention is listed in the MIC manual (motorcycle industry council) The test RPM is based on 50% of the redline RPM. I will say the Feds (park rangers) have been doing the tests for years now....never seen or heard of a Chippie doing one.

Tom

[Mac]

I happen to be very familiar with J-1287 - when the 96 decibel limit hit the OHV scene. Personally, I totally disagree with it..the test has far too many problems to be accurate. The rpm testing you mention is listed in the MIC manual (motorcycle industry council) The test RPM is based on 50% of the redline RPM. I will say the Feds (park rangers) have been doing the tests for years now....never seen or heard of a Chippie doing one.

Tom
That's where I'm familiar with it from also (OHVs), and I agree with you that there are problems as far as accuracy - a lot of variables. I've seen the test RPM spec'ed as 50% of redline or 50% of the RPM at which the bike makes max HP. And yeah - the fed and state park rangers have the equipment and training, but I've never seen any CHP trained or equipped to do the tests.

[Tom]

Mac, heres my new baby!

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9115/sandhill0073ln.jpg

[SB 405]

It's taking awhile but I seem to be getting my answer.....not very often,if at all.

[Mac]

It's taking awhile but I seem to be getting my answer.....not very often,if at all.
That's pretty much the answer. We don't have the equipment nor the training to do enforce dB levels, per se. We do, however, write the section for modified exhaust, which basically says that anything other than what came stock on the car/bike is illegal. That law covers every one of those obnoxious "Ricky Racer" cars with their ridiculous beer can exhausts, and every Harley running those equally obnoxious straight pipes. I can tell you that that section DOES get written.

Funny how the paper says they're enforcing "the CHP's" sound level.....it's actually in the Vehicle Code, we don't set things like speed limits, decibel levels, etc. The legislature may seek our department's input on such things, but that's about as far as it goes.

Tom - NICE BIKE! Are you strictly a "moto" guy, or do you trail/dez ride?

[Tom]

Mac, I'm a moto guy that converted to trail rider several years ago. I still moto but I really enjoy trail/enduro stuff now. Every year I slap on the paddle tire and hit Glamis for my desert fill. As you can see I also switched to the four stroke craze, this being my second four stroke.

We are still able to do both moto and trail up here but losing both fast. I miss some of the tracks and trails down south...wher do you ride? My buddies went to Bean Canyon a couple of weeks ago..near Gorman..I am still recovering from my surgery but my return is coming very soon. What do you ride?

Tom

[Mac]

I'm a thumper rider also, Tom - I PM'ed you. Still lots of places left to ride in SoCal, as long as you like the dez! MX tracks are withering away, but there are still more than a few around.

[x MAIT]

I'm sure that the City of Laguna Beach is much safer thanks to the efforts of that officer. I wonder how many fatals on Laguna Canyon Road have been prevented by this crackdown.:lol:

[SB 405]

A portion of Laguna Canyon is so bad it's been given the nickname Blood Alley by some.