Loud Pipes Bill goes to the Governator's desk in California

[GTS_Rider]

Debated whether to just post to Region 1, but I'm thinking a good loud pipes discussion travels well across State boundaries. Also, as one State passes a law, many others eventually follow. This is a watered down version of an earlier bill that originally was to require motorcycles to pass smog testing. Now it's just a required EPA sticker on new bikes exhaust systems after 2013.

It'll be interesting to see if the Governator signs it. He's on his way out and has lots of biker-buddies after all. Here's the LATimes version of the story from 'much loved'    Susan Carpenter:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/08/motorcycle-noise.html

Motorcyclists who swap their bikes' stock exhaust systems for so-called loud pipes may be more likely to get a traffic ticket under a California bill that passed the Senate on Monday. SB 435, also known as the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act, gives law enforcement officials the ability to cite noise pollution violations under the California Vehicle Code, reinforcing a 27-year-old federal regulation that is rarely enforced.

Under the proposed law, motorcyclists pulled over for other traffic violations could also be cited for illegally noisy exhaust pipes and fined $50 to $100 for a first violation -- a fix-it ticket that could be dismissed with a proof of correction. Subsequent offenses would result in fines of $100 to $250. The bill, which has also passed the Assembly, is headed for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign. It would apply to motorcycles and after-market parts from the 2013 model year forward.

"The noise pollution caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality of life issue across the state," SB 435's author, Sen. Fran Pavely (D-Santa Monica), said in a news release issued Monday. "Basic common sense and decency dictates that when a motorcycle drives by and sets off every car alarm on the street, that is too loud.

"Additionally," Pavley said, "many of the modifications which are aimed at making a bike louder -- for example removing the catalytic converter -- also make the bike exponentially more polluting. This has direct, measurable and negative impacts on public health."

SB 435 is a watered-down version of a bill first introduced in the senate in February 2009. The earlier version of SB 435, which had also targeted illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems but for emissions violations and would have required biennial smog checks for motorcycles, met too much resistance from bikers' rights groups and was amended last year.

The retooled version of SB 435 focuses only on exhaust-pipe-tampering and bikes that exceed the EPA-regulated 80-decibel limit for bikes manufactured since 1985. While an illegally noisy exhaust often goes hand in hand with a bike that exceeds allowable emissions, the 2010 version of SB 435 does not specifically address the smog-forming pollutants resulting from illegally modified bikes. It does, however, hold the potential to also reduce emissions -- if it's enforced.

According to the Air Resources Board, which backed the smog-check version of SB 435, motorcycles account for less than 1% of vehicle-miles traveled in the state yet account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions; swapping a compliant tailpipe equipped with a catalytic converter for one without emissions controls can emit as many as 10 times more smog-forming pollutants per mile.

-- Susan Carpenter

[zer0netgain]

My thoughts....

SB 435, also known as the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act, gives law enforcement officials the ability to cite noise pollution violations under the California Vehicle Code, reinforcing a 27-year-old federal regulation that is rarely enforced.

Well, if Arizona set any precedent (thus far), California cannot do this.  

"Basic common sense and decency dictates that when a motorcycle drives by and sets off every car alarm on the street, that is too loud.

It's also more probable that the asshat with the car alarm has it set too sensitive.  I find car alarms 100 times more annoying than any HD or D&D exhaust noise.

"many of the modifications which are aimed at making a bike louder -- for example removing the catalytic converter -- also make the bike exponentially more polluting.

Legally, this is a challenge for aftermarket exhaust systems.  Now that bikes are coming with catalytic converters, it is illegal to remove them.  You want aftermarket exhaust?  It must work with the existing emission control systems.  You can change your car's muffler and tailpipe, but you can't remove the CC.

[JamesG]

Would be a good source of revenue. Which I hear Kalifornia desperately needs...

[HipGnosis]

According to the Air Resources Board, which backed the smog-check version of SB 435, motorcycles account for less than 1% of vehicle-miles traveled in the state yet account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions; swapping a compliant tailpipe equipped with a catalytic converter for one without emissions controls can emit as many as 10 times more smog-forming pollutants per mile.

That doesn't add up.  It'd ONLY account for 10% of the emissions if ALL of the bikes came with cc's and ALL of them were removed, which is HIGHLY improbable.

[Brad1445]

Denver passed a similar law. I take off in second gear and short shift when I see the po po on the Busa ( two brothers pipes)


Now go bash but the majority of offenders including myself inside the city are sport riders. Crusiers seem to like the suburbs.  

[DogBoy]

Susan Carpenter is really on the job with this article. The proposed legislation only applies to bikes manufactured after January 1, 2013. The exhaust systems must have "a label affixed onto the motorcycle or exhaust emission system indicating that the motorcycle or exhaust emission system
meets the noise emissions standards." Same applies to aftermarket exhaust systems manufactured after January 1, 2013 for use on 2013 and newer motorcycles. There is no provision for sound testing or emissions testing.

The Governor has not indicated whether he will sign this legislation into law.

How could Carpenter, or her editor, leave out when the proposed law goes into effect and which motorcycles it applies to? The article is misleading.

Anyway, the exhaust just has to have a label or stamp, as most stock exhaust does now, stating it meets noise emissions standards. I believe the UK has a similar requirement and aftermarket pipes sold there come with the language stamped into the pipe.

[thatguy]

What kind of oil should I use?

And dogboy it's way easier to amend an existing law than to implement a new one. Beware of the foot in the door.

[DogBoy]

What kind of oil should I use?

And dogboy it's way easier to amend an existing law than to implement a new one. Beware of the foot in the door.

I hear what you're saying but this isn't a law yet and similar efforts have failed in the recent past. BTW, there are existing laws that could have been amended but weren't.

[chornbe]

Well, if Arizona set any precedent (thus far), California cannot do this.  

The laws are on the books; enforcement is possible already, regardless of precedent. Dust them off and use what's available. "It's easier to use the power you have than to seek new power."

It's also more probable that the asshat with the car alarm has it set too sensitive.  I find car alarms 100 times more annoying than any HD or D&D exhaust noise.

With all due respect, please turn in your crack pipe.

Legally, this is a challenge for aftermarket exhaust systems.  Now that bikes are coming with catalytic converters, it is illegal to remove them.  You want aftermarket exhaust?  It must work with the existing emission control systems.  You can change your car's muffler and tailpipe, but you can't remove the CC.

And this is a federal statute, unable to be circumvented at the state or local level. The issue here is that not every bike is (yet) mandated to require cats and this law can't be used where cats weren't OEM equipment.

[bluepoof]

If you're a California resident and would like Arnie to veto this, here's a link to the AMA Action Alert where you can contact the governor's office.

http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=16039911&type=SW&show_alert=1

My personal belief is that printing it out and mailing it has more effect than email, but email is better than nothing!

[antvq]

So who knew that BluePoof was running open pipes on the BMW  



 

[Norwegian Blue]

According to the Air Resources Board, which backed the smog-check version of SB 435, motorcycles account for less than 1% of vehicle-miles traveled in the state yet account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions; swapping a compliant tailpipe equipped with a catalytic converter for one without emissions controls can emit as many as 10 times more smog-forming pollutants per mile.


 That doesn't add up.  It'd ONLY account for 10% of the emissions if ALL of the bikes came with cc's and ALL of them were removed, which is HIGHLY improbable.

I think you're missing the point -- the sentence expresses two different thoughts: the first is that motorcycles account for only one percent of miles traveled but account for 10 percent of the pollution, and the second is that swapping out pipes can increase pollution tenfold. The ideas are related but not dependent on one another. That said, were I the editor I think I would have split that sentence into two for clarity instead of separating them by a semicolon.

Susan Carpenter is really on the job with this article. The proposed legislation only applies to bikes manufactured after January 1, 2013. The exhaust systems must have "a label affixed onto the motorcycle or exhaust emission system indicating that the motorcycle or exhaust emission system
meets the noise emissions standards." Same applies to aftermarket exhaust systems manufactured after January 1, 2013 for use on 2013 and newer motorcycles. There is no provision for sound testing or emissions testing.

The Governor has not indicated whether he will sign this legislation into law.

How could Carpenter, or her editor, leave out when the proposed law goes into effect and which motorcycles it applies to? The article is misleading.

I'm a little confused by your question. She says in the article "It [the law] would apply to motorcycles and after-market parts from the 2013 model year forward."

Personally, I'm saddened that such a law is in the works but I'm also not surprised.

The old adage "Your right to swing your fists ends at the tip of my nose" applies; too many people have become amazingly selfish regarding the use of loud pipes with a "screw 'em if they don't like 'em" attitude. Alas, it seems passing a law is the only way to get through to these people.

[thatguy]

And this is a federal statute, unable to be circumvented at the state or local level. The issue here is that not every bike is (yet) mandated to require cats and this law can't be used where cats weren't OEM equipment.

No vehicle is mandated to have cats. Only to pass emissions standards. A cat is a method used to do so and if they are OEM it is illegal to remove them.

[DogBoy]

I'm a little confused by your question. She says in the article "It [the law] would apply to motorcycles and after-market parts from the 2013 model year forward."

The law goes into effect on January 1, 2013 and applies to bikes and parts manufactured after that date, not the entire 2013 model year as stated in the article. Many motorcycles aren't produced throughout the year. One model run is produced and then the assembly line is retooled for another model. Several models for 2013 model year will have been manufactured before Jan. 1 of 2013 so the law would not apply to them.

[UFO]

Pfffft, I'd take the risk/pay the fine.  Freakin' cruisers running straight pipes are far more of a nuisance IMO, JHC they are loud and annoying.  

[bluepoof]

So who knew that BluePoof was running open pipes on the BMW  
 

It's not just open pipes; it's ANY aftermarket exhaust.  The bill would require a stock exhaust on any motorcycle from 2013 on.   I would like to continue having the option to purchase third party parts.

[DogBoy]

It's not just open pipes; it's ANY aftermarket exhaust.  The bill would require a stock exhaust on any motorcycle from 2013 on.   I would like to continue having the option to purchase third party parts.

You will still have that option.

From the final version of the bill sent to the governor.

(d) (1) This section is applicable to a person operating a motorcycle that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2011 2013,
or a motorcycle with aftermarket exhaust system equipment that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2011 2013.

Bold added by me.


Read the whole bill, with ammendments, here:

http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0401-0450/sb_435_bill_20100809_amended_asm_v91.pdf

[bluepoof]

You will still have that option

Perhaps I'm very dense.  The AMA summary says, "The California senate passed SB 435, known as the "motorcycle exhaust bill," which would require stock exhaust on all model year 2013 and newer motorcycles. "

[chornbe]

No vehicle is mandated to have cats. Only to pass emissions standards. A cat is a method used to do so and if they are OEM it is illegal to remove them.

Sorry. You know what I meant.

Net effect: same.

[DogBoy]

Sorry BP, I'm going with the official language released by the State of CA.

It might be a case of sloppy updating by the AMA lobbyist or staff as one of version of the bill, or a past bill, may have included the stock exhaust mandate. This bill does not. The AMA press release from June just says "PA-compliant exhaust systems".  

[twotrackhero]

Sign that dam bill aready!!!

I got caught behind a group of jackasses on a 5 mile detour the other day   their bikes were so freekin loud I couldn't even hear my I pod on full blast. Now I Imagine there is already a law availble to shut them down for a high decibles from their bad ass pipes, but I would think that that would be a fixit ticket rather than a fine   Im sure their just after additional funds   Maybe the DMV should make it mandator for those guys to sit thru the south park episode about their cool pipes maybe they would get the hint, seeing its a cartoon and all.

[atadaskew]

So I can run open pipes on my Vespas as long as they have an EPA stamp on them?

[thatguy]

Sign that dam bill aready!!!

I got caught behind a group of jackasses on a 5 mile detour the other day   their bikes were so freekin loud I couldn't even hear my I pod on full blast. Now I Imagine there is already a law availble to shut them down for a high decibles from their bad ass pipes, but I would think that that would be a fixit ticket rather than a fine   Im sure their just after additional funds   Maybe the DMV should make it mandator for those guys to sit thru the south park episode about their cool pipes maybe they would get the hint, seeing its a cartoon and all.

How many of your bikes have stock exhaust?

[twotrackhero]

How many of your bikes have stock exhaust?

All of them with the exception of the YZ which has a FMF Q2 ( under 93 db with a US forestry approval)
 

EDIT: I don't have a problem with aftermarket pipes that add a little performance and a better tone, but a straight pipe busting everybody's ear drum for a five mile radius  

[thatguy]

93 dB my ass. Ever been tested? You might be surprised.

[twotrackhero]

93 dB my ass. Ever been tested? You might be surprised.

I guess you don't ride in  any national forests, tested regulary by the jolly green giant

[Kraz]

I think in Great Britain you can have aftermarket pipes, as long as they're compliant to the standards of the country - I believe they must be stamped to show that they are.

I would think that something similar could fly here - aftermarket slip-ons that aren't that loud, but lighter and less restrictive should be allowed, IMO.

[marc11]

You know we can argue the merit of this bill and we can dissect it 100 ways, slant it anyway we want, but the bottom line and the the one thing we should all be concerned about is more and more laws are being drafted to specifically target motorcycles or being justified because of motorcycles.  We have seen recent increases in legislation toward reckless driving/riding proposed after motorcycle chases and more and more we are seeing legislation being proposed targeting noise.

We failed to police ourselves and as such we will be policed by well the police.  It may be a fight to get these laws passed, but the more asshats rip down those country roads where they thing no one lives, rev engines at red lights and generally act like FTFY jerks with overly loud pipes a wave of public outcry will get these laws enforced sooner than later.  And the one main thing I am seeing, the trend to which may be the one issue which pushes it forward is the "green" card, if it is bad for the environment to swap out our exhaust then the entire country gets behind it.

[1KPerDay]

Loud Pipes Bill

I love that guy. Eats a lot of chili.

[thatguy]

Motorcycles are a target for such misguided legislation because we're small enough to bully but big enough to use as revenue. This crap of public relations is just that. We'll be seen as miscreants and outcasts by the general public no matter what we do. Now don't see this as my condoning misbehaving because it's not. Motorcyclists are just an easy target. The one's they're targeting are a small part of riders but stand out enough to be used against us as a group. And how to you propose that we "police ourselves?" Every time you see a bike without OEM exhausts we chase them down and give 'em a piece of our mind? Please.

[marc11]

And how to you propose that we "police ourselves?" Every time you see a bike without OEM exhausts we chase them down and give 'em a piece of our mind? Please.

Yeah that is what "police ourselves" means, clearly YOU get it.  We should stop each other and berate one another for our loud bikes and so on.  

Or, perhaps a more open minded person would see this as meaning we shouldn't encourage the use of overly loud pipes, stunting in public, aggressive riding, etc we should be more aware of where we ride and how we ride, we should be helping younger riders understand the impact of riding like an asshole in residential areas and so on.

When we are in a group of riders and someone acts like that, on road or off road, or they have a straight pipes in your riding group, then hell yes, by policing ourselves it means, saying something to that person, seeing if we can make them aware of the damage they are doing to all riders and riding areas (in the case of off road).

Is that so hard to do as an individual?  Nope, and if all of us did so, the message would be made and more often than not followed.  

You gain more by leading by example than by pissing and moaning when legislation is targeted at us.  You say it is because we are small and easy to bully around, I say bullshit on that, it is because every asswipe that rips down a road in first gear at 9000 RPM with a D&D pipe, or every cruiser that sits at a red light next to some soccer mom revving the snot out of his bike brought these laws to us.  Every asswipe that wheelies down the highway brought this on and we are a riding group have done nothing to curb this behavior, quite the opposite, we encouraged it.

[thatguy]

I guess we must agree that we disagree. No need to bring on the sarcasm. It was a legitimate question.

[marc11]

I guess we must agree that we disagree. No need to bring on the sarcasm. It was a legitimate question.

Sorry yours read sarcastic to me.

[thatguy]

Fair 'nuff. Wasn't my intention. I'm anti-government anyway so I'll be against everything. Workers of the world untie!!!!!!!!!!!

[onedollarjuana]

Every asswipe that wheelies down the highway brought this on and we are a riding group have done nothing to curb this behavior, quite the opposite, we encouraged it.

Absolutely!  Peer pressure is the only sure way to curb objectionable behavior.

[Dan K]

Won't this just increase modifcations of existing pipes?  You can yank the insides of a stock exhasut, remiving baffles and cat, but it will still have the stamp...  ??

- Dan

Oh, and I am against crazy loud pipes that set of car alarms from over 100 feet away...

[Kraz]

Absolutely!  Peer pressure is the only sure way to curb objectionable behavior.

The people who are into wheelies in public ride with others who like that stuff for the most part anyway.  Do what you can, I'm not saying you shouldn't, but it won't go far.  I'm for chasing down asshole pipers and givin' them a piece of your mind.

And oh yeah, I'm against car alarms that I can year over 100 feet away.  I'm woken or bothered by alarms more often than pipes.

[DogBoy]

Absolutely!  Peer pressure is the only sure way to curb objectionable behavior.

If I remember correctly from high school, peer pressure only creates more objectionable behavior.  

[Tar Snake]

Maybe the DMV should make it mandator for those guys to sit thru the south park episode about their cool pipes maybe they would get the hint, seeing its a cartoon and all.

That was funny thanks, you watch the whole episode from the link. I like that they go BAWAWAWA when they talk. until then I'd never actually seen an entire South Park.

Not sure how I feel about the law, surprised only by how long it's taken to get to this point. I thought it would have been here sooner and in reality I think in the past if a cop really knew his stuff he could tack on a fix it if you couldn't prove (via the stamp) that you had an EPA compliant exhaust?

All my bikes since ~1990 I've always ran the stock pipes anyway.

Growing up my parents probably instilled a little more consciousness about noise and how it affects others because we lived in apartment buildings that my parents owned. We didn't have to be silent, but my Dad had much more leverage with a loud tenant if his kids weren't being maniacs all day.

Once bikes are quieted down I say we go after annoying neighborhood dogs next! I live in a condo complex that sounds like a pound at some points if a dog being walked sets off all the other ones on the block. I often think "what were you people thinking?!" keeping huge dogs on small patios.

[paddy_crow]

Once bikes are quieted down I say we go after annoying neighborhood dogs next! I live in a condo complex that sounds like a pound at some points if a dog being walked sets off all the other ones on the block. I often think "what were you people thinking?!" keeping huge dogs on small patios.

There are already laws on the books to address this. Just call the police and register a barking dog complaint.

[veefer800canuck]

Motorcyclists who swap their bikes' stock exhaust systems for so-called loud pipes may be more likely to get a traffic ticket under a California bill that passed the Senate on Monday. SB 435, also known as the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act, gives law enforcement officials the ability to cite noise pollution violations under the California Vehicle Code, reinforcing a 27-year-old federal regulation that is rarely enforced.

So they are going to pass a law that says it's illegal to break this other law?  

[Andrew]

So they are going to pass a law that says it's illegal to break this other law?  

Yep that about sums it up

I for one love the sound of a well tuned machine, but not if it is loud.
There is almost no better sound than a 6V92 with the header pipes open, but thats only on the shop could not run it on the road.


There seems to be a group thing in the Vtwain crowd to do with being loud and shaking the ground.
One of my coworkers, who rides an american Vtwain, and  I were talking about why I wore a HI VIZ lime green jacket and had extra running lights on my BMW. She remarked that the BMW was too quiet and I might get run over  and how her HD needed to have exhaust work done (by the dealer) to make it sound like it should. "Well it's a Harley they are suposto be like that"  No sense even trying to continue the conversation at that point

[J Paul]

Anybody who thinks a 6v92 sounds good must be deaf-thank God the ear raping oil leaks are long out of production. Even a Kawi triple with unmuffled chambers sounds better.

[Andrew]

Actually I liked the sound of my Kawasaki triples when they got up on the pipe

Yes the 6V92 was a big pile of dog shit as a power plants go, but they did sound great when run with the header pipe from the cyl head to turbo off

[Walker]

According to the Air Resources Board, which backed the smog-check version of SB 435, motorcycles account for less than 1% of vehicle-miles traveled in the state yet account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions; swapping a compliant tailpipe equipped with a catalytic converter for one without emissions controls can emit as many as 10 times more smog-forming pollutants per mile.

Without having read the whole thread, I call particular BS on this 'fact'.  It is immediatly suspect because it came from CARB, the same assholes who have successfully banned any decent fuel container such as a NATO jerry can and now you can only buy the craptastic CARB compliant fuel containers that are sure to leak half of your fuel on the ground before you can pour it in.

[Walker]

How many of your bikes have stock exhaust?

My bike has the stock pipes.  I really like having 'stealth mode' on my bike... I can run 47 in a 35 down the main drag through town in 5th gear reving really low without anyone giving me a second glance.

That being said, we have a noise dosimeter out at work, I think I'll have our industrial hygenest test my bike for me.

[Walker]

Yeah that is what "police ourselves" means, clearly YOU get it.  We should stop each other and berate one another for our loud bikes and so on.  

Or, perhaps a more open minded person would see this as meaning we shouldn't encourage the use of overly loud pipes, stunting in public, aggressive riding, etc we should be more aware of where we ride and how we ride, we should be helping younger riders understand the impact of riding like an asshole in residential areas and so on.

When we are in a group of riders and someone acts like that, on road or off road, or they have a straight pipes in your riding group, then hell yes, by policing ourselves it means, saying something to that person, seeing if we can make them aware of the damage they are doing to all riders and riding areas (in the case of off road).

Is that so hard to do as an individual?  Nope, and if all of us did so, the message would be made and more often than not followed.  

You gain more by leading by example than by pissing and moaning when legislation is targeted at us.  You say it is because we are small and easy to bully around, I say bullshit on that, it is because every asswipe that rips down a road in first gear at 9000 RPM with a D&D pipe, or every cruiser that sits at a red light next to some soccer mom revving the snot out of his bike brought these laws to us.  Every asswipe that wheelies down the highway brought this on and we are a riding group have done nothing to curb this behavior, quite the opposite, we encouraged it.

Well good luck with that.  Let us know how it works out for you.

[swimmer]

  for the guy quoted at the end of the article.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_motorcycle_noise

[stevent]

I like the stock pipes on my bike stealth mode is defo the way to go..................


Oh wait I forgot it's a Harley......(ahem) Fuck stock pipes! Loud Pipes save lives!!! stop De' Gub'ment from infringing on my right to be an obnoxious noisy asshole DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 



(ahem)....like I was sayin.....