Bill Would Limit Motorcycle Noise - Riders Say Loud Pipes Save Lives

WMUR ^ | 10:46 am EST February 8, 2005

[martin_fierro]

Bill Would Limit Motorcycle Noise Riders Say Loud Pipes Save Lives

POSTED: 10:46 am EST February 8, 2005

CONCORD, N.H. -- A bill before the Legislature is aimed at making motorcycles quieter.

The bill would make motorcycle exhaust pipes or engines that produce more than 110 decibels of noise illegal.

Police said the measure would make it easier to enforce noise limits at events like Laconia's annual Bike Week. But enthusiasts said louder engines make a bike flashier and safer because others can hear the machine coming.

Currently riders can modify their exhaust systems as long as the sound stays under 106 decibels -- similar to the noise emitted by a snow blower.

A car horn is about 110 decibels.

[martin_fierro]

Not exactly sure on which side of this the "Motorcycle Safety Activists" come down on.

[martin_fierro]

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[rellimpank]

--I firmly believe that no motor vehicle should make more noise than a sewing machine--

[Tijeras_Slim]

Just get a set of FIAMM horns for that part of town. 132dB.

[theDentist]

Well, having once ridden, I agree, louder let's 'em know you're there. I just hate it when someone starts his cycle at 5:00 am for work, and lets it idle there for 25 minutes, waking the whole neighborhood.

[speed_addiction]

I have a loud D&D Full Exhaust Sytem on my crotch rocket. The loudest pipe for Sportbikes out there. There have been times when someone goes to cut me off and completely ignore or don't hear the horn and I have to either brake hard or swerve. On the other hand, if I pull in the clutch and wind it up a couple of thousand RPMs it never fails to get their attention. Believe in loud pipes. The most common excuse for a hitting a motorcyclist is, "I did not see him." If that is the case, then I at least hope they HEAR me.

[Gingersnap]

I've heard both sides of this argument (literally). From everything I know, the visual impact of a pulsating headlamp is way more effective in alerting drivers to a bike. People keep their windows closed now and are distracted by car stereos, phones, and the AC noise.

It's simple to attach the doohickey that makes your light pulsate (and cheap). It really alerts those scary folks who never seem to notice a left hand turn signal.

[AdamSelene235]

Loud Pipes Save Lives

Only if you point them forward.

[satchmodog9]

The motorcycle traffic has made my neighborhood almost unbearable to live in for eight months out of the year. It has gotten to the point of me loathing anyone with a bike. Between the bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles, the poorly mannered and lawbreakers have turned my area into a fast developing slum. I am all for fast cars and the whole American freedom thing, but have some respect for other peoples right to peace and quiet and their private property. It was quieter in Chicago.

[blackie]

Ban the banners!

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

"...Just get a set of FIAMM horns for that part of town. 132dB..."

Tried to install some on my sportbike a few years ago. FIAMM horns are not a "plug n' play" arrangement and will require a decent amount of electrical work for the horns to work. Perhaps they have recently introduced an easier solution. I would rely more upon powerful horns than I would on exhaust noise. The main reason is that that pipes are pointed in the WRONG direction for threats that can kill ya'.

In terms of exhaust pipes, I prefer to zip along in near silence. A quiet bike makes riding more pleasurable for ME and my fellow motorcycle pilots. I even utilize N.R.R. 33 earplugs to further take the harsh edge off the wind noise and flutter. Mid-range traffic noises and reasonable conversation are completely unaffected.

~ Blue Jays ~

[pt17]

When I was younger, I felt the need to let people know I was there with loud pipes. These days, I feel the need to hear my stereo/CD and not the motorcycle. Hit em with "disturbing the peace" when they get so loud that people complain.

[killjoy]

Only if you point them forward.

Car drivers regularly ignore the sirens on emergency vehicles and some motorcycle riders think they are somehow going to do what the local ambulance can not do. LOL! If loud pipes were that effective, they would have them on fire engines. They don't.

[Melas]

That's got to be the dumbest thing I've heard all day. What a way to ruin a motorcycle.

[SFC Chromey]

Already laws that address this. If the officers don't or won't enforce them it doesn't help to add more laws to the books.

I ride a Ducati, so of course I love the sound thru my non-stock pipes. At the same time, Kalifornia has a law against pipes louder than 95db. I've seen a few riders get nailed with that.

[SFC Chromey]

Sewing machines are too slow!

I can picture it now...

And there goes Rusty Wallace on his Swingline, neck to neck to neck with DaleJr blazing the track on his Kenmore Elite3 Stitch-matic!

[Hank Rearden]

Just get a set of FIAMM horns for that part of town. 132dB.

Some of those Fiamms draw a lot of current, from what I've been told, and some stock alternators may not put out enough juice.

I installed miniature airhorns on both the Harley and the Honda - they're very loud and easy on the electrical system. Wind up almost instantly, too; no significant delay in making da noise.

[Melas]

What these articles never mention is that motorcycles aren't cars. There is a much greater disparity between the maximum and minimum noise emitted by a cycle than a car.

In layman's terms, a cycle with even straight pipes can roar like a dragon when the throttle is wide open, or it can purr along disturbing no one if you're gentle with the throttle.

[JoeSixPack1]

Simply stated - H-D will deny your motor warranty if you modify the stock exhaust. Period.

It keeps the yuppies from losing control of reality.



The last words you will hear before buying an aftermarket exhaust system ---
"Hey, is your bike running???"

[killjoy]

In layman's terms, a cycle with even straight pipes can roar like a dragon when the throttle is wide open, or it can purr along disturbing no one if you're gentle with the throttle.

Unfortunately, there are way too many riders out there who feel the need to make their bikes 'roar like a dragon' when in residential neighborhoods. Since the biker community has done nothing to police itself, it is not surprising that laws are going to be used to crack down on the noise.

There are a two guys in my neighborhood that love riding around in low gear at high rpm. One is a dual-sport and the other a hardley with open pipes. I have talked to both of them about it, and they both say they should not do it, but they continue to make pests out of themselves. I don't think it should be a law enforcement issue, but they are asking for it.