NPR on Biker Persecution in AZ

[Penforhire]

80 dB doesn't sound right.  Isn't the federal new-vehicle limit something like 93 dB ?  Anyway, anything stricter than federal limit is utter bullshit to me.  And enforcement should include loud music and lawn mowers.

[Tar Snake]

Sitting at the Satisfied Frog in CC can be deafening. Many of the H-D guys just fire up their bikes as they leave and rev them to the moon. I suppose in the "biker community" this identifies you as a good rider or something.

Now that H-D has Fuel Injection and computers they just need to alter the exhaust note from Potato-Potato to Small Penis- Small Penis.

Noise issue solved!  

[dm_gsxr]

Now that H-D has Fuel Injection and computers they just need to alter the exhaust note from Potato-Potato to Small Penis- Small Penis.

Noise issue solved!  

I seem to remember reading that the EFI on the bikes won't let it idle low enough to get a potato-potato sounds any more. That was back when I had an EFI HD.

Carl

[steve.ski]

Now that H-D has Fuel Injection and computers they just need to alter the exhaust note from Potato-Potato to Small Penis- Small Penis.

Noise issue solved!  

LOL! Freaking hilarious...

Perhaps they will try to Patent the sound? Can you imagine the lawyers trying to get that one to fly in court?

[ben1364]

R1150RTMark wrote in part, "...IIRC, for a noise ordinance to have any 'teeth', the testing has to be done at 'X' feet from the source. And if the source is an engine, the law has to specify the relative throttle position - or maybe even rpms...."
 
I can understand what you said about testing standards up to the point about throttle position and RPM.  It seems to me that if the standard is 80 db, it is just that regardless of throttle position or rpm.  Am I wrong?

[steve.ski]

R1150RTMark wrote in part, "...IIRC, for a noise ordinance to have any 'teeth', the testing has to be done at 'X' feet from the source. And if the source is an engine, the law has to specify the relative throttle position - or maybe even rpms...."
 
I can understand what you said about testing standards up to the point about throttle position and RPM.  It seems to me that if the standard is 80 db, it is just that regardless of throttle position or rpm.  Am I wrong?

There are a TON of variables when doing LEGITIMATE noise testing. Distance, throttle position, surroundings, etc. For example:

http://www.ama-cycle.org/news/2003/ABATEnoise.asp

Here are the Arizona State Laws pertaining to motorcycles. In essence, Cave Creek is trying to set standards that are not in concert with the State.

http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=AZ

Best thing to do here is join the AMA. More of these laws are coming.

Actually, the best thing is to keep the bikes quiet.

[atypical1]

Two take-aways for me:

1. I sincerely hope that I have better things to do when I retire than sit around bitching about loud pipes, car stereo's, etc. Yeah, they can be kinda annoying but I can always find much better things to do than worry about them (like ride!). These folks in Carefree, AZ sound like their pretty well off. Why aren't they out traveling or playing golf or something?

2. I sincerely hope I never live anywhere where the cops have nothing better to do than put mics on their cars to track noise.  

[hazra]

LOL! Freaking hilarious...

Perhaps they will try to Patent the sound? Can you imagine the lawyers trying to get that one to fly in court?

Uh... if I remember correctly, they did try to patent the po-ta-to po-ta-to rumble sound when Honda first came out with the single crank pin Shadow.. and failed. http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/st_org/iptf/articles/content/1998101101.html Try this link for a synopsis (turns out it's more recent then I thought).

Singling out bikes is pretty common here in PA as well.  On rt 32 along the Delaware river last year (or maybe it was the year before) I was riding towards Washington's Crossing when I saw a "Muffler Inspection" sign.  Around the next bend there were two leos sitting on one side of the road, and three or four more in a parking area on the opposite side, waving only motorcycles in.  I pulled in, got off and removed my helmet.  The leo asked for my license, registration, and proof of insurance.  I gave him these which he looked at, looked at my inspection sticker, and thanked me as he gave them back.  I took note that not once did he look at my pipe, and none of the other officers even glanced at the exhaust on other bikes in the lot, no matter the make or noise level of the bike.  While I was putting my credentials away, I asked him what was going on.  A more senior officer heard me and rushed over, explaining that they do this all the time, and that while they were singling out motorcycles today, the following Tuesday they would be pulling over commercial vehicles, and it was just easier to do one type of vehicle at a time.  Later I called up an old friend who is a local cop not far away, and he told me that they only stop motorcycles, and the story was a cover due to recent bad press about the practice - which started due to the high volume of bikes on that road and the excessive exhaust noise.  Good ol' boy net in PA strikes again.  In my opinion, for the most part the volume doesn't bother me, but enforce it evenly or don't do it at all.  A fart can on a Subaru WRX is substantially louder than any of the Harleys in my neighborhood.  Too many people getting their undies in a twist about nonsense.  Make a standardized test part of the annual inspection process or leave it alone... of course, I like the sound of controlled combustion...

[malbojah]

 
I'm totally serious when I say I've come close to buying a paintball rifle at Wal-Mart and using it to plug those a**holes when they literally rattle the glass in my windowpanes while driving by!
 
Scott

I keep my paintball gun in my truck so I can shoot my boss' cars and trucks as he leaves the shop every night. Everybody inside gets a great laugh out of it. It's very stress relieving.

[Nailer45]

enforce the law on all vehicles or get even more bad press coverage...Yes i have an aftermarket slipon can on my VFR but its not loud at all,it adds a deep rumble to the exhaust note...I do hear some bikes go thru town that are so loud its crazy...Harley riders in my area are bad about open strait pipes as i have 2 bars less than 2 blocks from me and at 2am its not unusual to woken by harleys racing down my street..

[roadrailer]

Two take-aways for me:

1. I sincerely hope that I have better things to do when I retire than sit around bitching about loud pipes, car stereo's, etc. Yeah, they can be kinda annoying but I can always find much better things to do than worry about them (like ride!). These folks in Carefree, AZ sound like their pretty well off. Why aren't they out traveling or playing golf or something?

2. I sincerely hope I never live anywhere where the cops have nothing better to do than put mics on their cars to track noise.  

So you'd rather live somewhere where the cops have lots of robberies, rapes, and murders to deal with?  

[Dichotomous]

my friend with VERY sensitive ears and hatred for loud noises and such (he gets mad if I turn my stock stereo over 4) has an old triumph bonnie with a 750cc kit and straight pipes.  its beyond unreasonably loud.  so it doesnt always make sense.  then again he wont turn the bike one without earplugs, but its still likely over 90-100dB with those in

[atypical1]

So you'd rather live somewhere where the cops have lots of robberies, rapes, and murders to deal with?  

Well, that is not exactly what I said but to some extent, yes. I live in San Diego. Not crime free but not a battlefield either. I cannot imagine the cops here having the time to do petty work such as monitor noise levels. I much prefer that to no crime and bored cops. But that is just my $0.000002.

[jpred]

In last weekend's edition of USA Today there was a short article with a dateline of Carefree Az. Two city councilmen got into a heated argument that ended up in a fistfight in the council chambers. Yep, it was over a preposed ordinance on motorcycle exhaust noise.

[R1150RTMark]

In last weekend's edition of USA Today there was a short article with a dateline of Carefree Az. Two city councilmen got into a heated argument that ended up in a fistfight in the council chambers. Yep, it was over a preposed ordinance on motorcycle exhaust noise.

A dollar says one of them owns a Harley with straight pipes.