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Law would crack down on roaring motorcycles (Another reason to hate California)
MSNBC ^ | 21 September 2010 | ALEJANDRA MOLINA

Posted on 09/22/2010 12:56:11 AM PDT by Terrence DoGood

"As the popularity of motorcycles increases, loud pipes become offensive to the general public out there," Scott added.

The roaring motorcycles -- primarily Harleys -- have led to a bill that would target motorcyclists who remove factory-installed emission control devices mandated by the federal government and replace them with custom, aftermarket parts that often make their bikes louder and more polluting.

SB 435 had been approved by the state legislature and now is sitting on the Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk. The Harley-riding governor has until Sept. 30 to sign the bill into law or veto it.

If the governor puts his stamp of approval on the measure, motorcyclists would be required to post a visible, unaltered Environment Protection Agency stamp to confirm the exhaust system is clean burning and does not exceed 80 decibels -- about the same noise level as a vacuum cleaner. The stamp would only be required for motorcycles and aftermarket parts made after 2013.

"The noise caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality of life issue across the state," said state Sen. Fran Pavley, a Democrat from Agoura Hills. "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

First-time offenders would be fined up to $100; tickets could be voided if the owners bring their bikes back into compliance. Subsequent infractions would be subject to fines of $100 to $250.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; harleydavidson
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To: Paytriot
Do you ride a motorcycle?

I have owned several starting with a stroked and bored Honda 50 which I was 14 ... almost 50 years ago.

I have photos of my father riding through town standing on the seat of his harley ... back in the thirties.

221 posted on 09/22/2010 12:38:30 PM PDT by SeeSac
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To: Paytriot
You do not have to tell me that I have a right to ride.

You do not have a right to ride. You have to get a license ... at least on public roads.

222 posted on 09/22/2010 12:40:55 PM PDT by SeeSac
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To: RFEngineer
I’m too busy texting and steering with my knees to worry about any jackhammer on wheels.

You need both knees to steer?

223 posted on 09/22/2010 12:41:49 PM PDT by SeeSac
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To: savedbygrace

It’s illegal to wear hearing protection while operating a motor vehicle in most states.


224 posted on 09/22/2010 12:42:30 PM PDT by Melas
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To: gunsequalfreedom

Is that you “bike” then?


225 posted on 09/22/2010 12:43:42 PM PDT by Paytriot (Live long and prosper)
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To: Melas

“Perhaps you should take more bikers on their word instead of claiming to understand us better than we understand ourselves?”

So you have data to prove that loud bikes have lower death rates by car T-boning than other bikes?

I read an amusing book that my son insisted I read. It was called “Company” by Max Berry.

In that book it was relayed that there was an experiment with Monkeys - they would feed them - and then every now and then they would offer them a banana through the cage - if one of them took it, the whole cage of monkeys got an electric shock. THen they started adding new monkeys and taking old ones out. Whenever the new monkey would reach for the banana - the rest of the monkeys would beat the crap out of him to avoid getting a shock.

Soon all the old monkeys were gone, and it was all new monkeys - the new population had never experienced the shock - still whenever a new monkey reached for a banana the rest of them beat the crap out of him - not knowing why - because “that’s the way things have always been done around here”

I submit that guys buy Harleys and give ‘em loud pipes, not because there is any practical reason, but because “that’s the way things have always been done around here” and they just want to fit in with the rest of the monkeys.


226 posted on 09/22/2010 12:47:32 PM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: RFEngineer

that figures


227 posted on 09/22/2010 12:48:28 PM PDT by Paytriot (Live long and prosper)
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To: bikerman

I have four vehicles and can buy anything I please. I’ll pass on the bikes though as I’d prefer to watch my kids grow up.

Not sure what the connection is between an annoyingly loud modified bike and a police car or ambulance though.

I don’t own a cell phone. I think people talking or texting while driving should be charged with reckless driving.


228 posted on 09/22/2010 12:49:40 PM PDT by utax
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To: SeeSac

“You need both knees to steer?”

Certainly not. I perch my coffee on the other one.


229 posted on 09/22/2010 12:49:43 PM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: SeeSac

make up your mind...


230 posted on 09/22/2010 12:51:16 PM PDT by Paytriot (Live long and prosper)
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To: RFEngineer
So you have data to prove that loud bikes have lower death rates by car T-boning than other bikes?

See, you're not comprehending. I told you in an earlier post that I don't believe that loud pipes make me any safer. I fail to see why you're asking me to defend what I've already refuted. In the same post, I also explained why I like loud pipes, and it has nothing to do with getting the attention of others.

231 posted on 09/22/2010 12:53:00 PM PDT by Melas
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To: Paytriot

My point was, “bad drivers” are a given, a fact of life that aren’t going away. One has to protect oneself from them whether on a motorcycle, a bicycle or a car.

It is not an excuse why bad things happen more often to motorcyclists. Its like taking a knife to a gun fight...


232 posted on 09/22/2010 12:57:28 PM PDT by DB
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To: Melas

how would there be any data anyway? if he is daydreaming and having a fantasy about real men on motorcycles and not paying attention to his driving while his car wanders into my lane and i blast the throttle and wake him uyp before he hits me, then nothing would happen so there would be no data.


233 posted on 09/22/2010 12:58:34 PM PDT by Paytriot (Live long and prosper)
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To: Melas

“I also explained why I like loud pipes, and it has nothing to do with getting the attention of others. “

You said “nostalgia” right? Well you are nostalgic about other people with loud pipes for getting the attention of others. You’re one of the old monkeys in the experiment.

I don’t even care about loud pipes - and I don’t support new laws against them, nor do I care if people ride motorcycles or not, or wear a helmet.

I don’t even know what I’m doing on this thread anymore.....lol


234 posted on 09/22/2010 1:00:55 PM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: DB

gotcha. and, as you say, one has to protect oneself from the bad drivers. and just like the loud obnoxious replies on this post get the most attention, the loud obnoxious bike gets attention on the road and drivers are apt to come out of their daydream fog and wakeup for that moment.


235 posted on 09/22/2010 1:01:49 PM PDT by Paytriot (Live long and prosper)
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To: Paytriot

“how would there be any data anyway?”

Some bikes have loud pipes some don’t. Is there any difference in intersection collisions that can be attributed to having/not having loud pipes?

“if he is daydreaming and having a fantasy about real men on motorcycles”

This might be true if there was a correlation between “real men” and motorcycles that would be true. Oh yeah, and I’d have to be gay.

Maybe you have data on gay guys hitting on you when you are on your motorcycle versus when you are not at the gay bar?

It’s all about objective data.


236 posted on 09/22/2010 1:05:55 PM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: martin_fierro

hooligans ping, svp.


237 posted on 09/22/2010 1:06:33 PM PDT by Don W (I keep some folks' numbers in my 'phone just so I know NOT to answer when they call...)
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To: Paytriot

“just like the loud obnoxious replies on this post get the most attention, the loud obnoxious bike gets attention on the road “

I made this point already on this thread!


238 posted on 09/22/2010 1:07:33 PM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: RFEngineer

You’re still here because you are still enjoying yanking chains, and I’m still here because I am easily entertained.


239 posted on 09/22/2010 1:11:27 PM PDT by PalmettoMason (Jesus had twelve followers... and one of them turned out to be an FBI Agent.)
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To: Paytriot

“gotcha. and, as you say, one has to protect oneself from the bad drivers. and just like the loud obnoxious replies on this post get the most attention, the loud obnoxious bike gets attention on the road and drivers are apt to come out of their daydream fog and wakeup for that moment.”

Interesting. OTOH, a loud obnoxious mc rider cannot hear anything around him either! There goes some safety margin for the rider.


240 posted on 09/22/2010 1:12:05 PM PDT by SeeSac
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