No loud pipes if you live in cali.

[fudgie]

Guess they will have to drill out their baffles! 

New California Law “Muffles” Motorcycles 364 September 29, 2010 | By : Patrick Garvin
 
Earlier this week, California Governor (and motorcyclist) Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act (SB 435), originally introduced by state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica).

What does this bill mean to bikers in California? It means that all motorcycles produced after January 2013 will be required to have a visible EPA stamp that ensures the exhaust is clean burning and doesn’t exceed a noise level of 80 decibels. For those bikes not displaying the stamp, fines of  $100 for the first infraction and $250 for subsequent violations will be imposed.

“The noise caused by illegally modified motorcycle exhaust systems is a major quality-of-life issue across the state,” Sen. Pavley said. “Basic common sense and decency dictates that when a motorcycle drives by and sets off every car alarm on the street, it’s too loud.”

It’s interesting that motorcycles are the only target in the bill’s 80-decibel limit (which is roughly as loud as a vacuum cleaner). A point could be made that an equal amount of noise is generated on a regular basis from car alarms, police and news helicopters and loud car exhausts. Is this a case of motorcyclists being unfairly targeted again — or is it a matter of a few morons racking up their pipes in residential neighborhoods and tarnishing the reputation rest of the motorcycle community?

Regardless of how you feel about the new law, it will ensure that the state’s 800,000-plus registered motorcycle owners adhere to both noise and air pollution standards. Please leave your comments here. We’d love to hear what the motorcycle community has to say.

http://www.motorcyclepartsandaccessoriesblog.com/2010/09/29/california-motorcycles-get-muffled/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=october-newsletter&utm_term=california_muffled_articl_1

[Titan]

My wife just told me that this doesn't amount to anything since, according to the Mayan calendar, nobody's gonna be around after December 21, 2012!

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2012_n.htm

I ain't buying it. Neither does she. Just sayin.

[CajunRider]

Just for motorcycles???  That's F'ed up. 

Someone needs to get a group of vehicles (cars, trucks, mo-peds, anything EXCEPT motorcycles) with nothing but straight pipes, and ride in front of the Gov's house every 15 minutes 24/7 until they repeal that law. 

[solo1]

Unfair if it targets only motorcycles.  Of course it will be easy for a LEO to check.  He won't have to crawl under a vehicle to look if the law included cars and trucks.

However, probably 98% of Harleys have straight through pipes.  This crap about police and fire sirens (needed) train whistles, (required by law), semi's,(hard to muffle big deisels) etc, is just a smoke screen.

We've been asking for unfair laws and now we're surprised because we're getting them.

I've been against straight pipes ( no baffles) ever since my dying wife was wakened by them every morning by some SOB Harley rider.

My .02 (and no one will EVER change my mind!)

[sugerbear]

i agree with you solo1. diesels CAN be very quiet.  law should include obnoxiously loud stereos also.

my sons has one i can hear two blocks away. little "tuner" cars also.

i like quiet

can we also include the "horse laugh" woman next door??

[Jess from VA]

Simple really ..... just don't buy a 2013 or later bike.... ever.

[B]

Oh! You said horses laugh... Thought you said horses@$$ ... Thought you lived by the Calif Governor there for a minute. LMFAO!

[alph]

80 db!!  that's a joke!!  i've heard farts louder then that!!  next thing is ticketing people up the A$$!!  that'll help the california deficite!!

[fudgie]

80 db!!  that's a joke!!  i've heard farts louder then that!!  next thing is ticketing people up the A$$!!  that'll help the california deficite!!

Found this in the comments. No I didnt snopes it. 

Here are some common sounds and their decibel levels:
110 dB = baby crying
50 dB refrigerator
50 – 75 dB washing machine
50 – 75 dB air conditioner
50 – 80 dB electric shaver
55 – 70 dB dishwasher
60 – 85 dB vacuum cleaner
60 – 95 dB hair dryer
65 – 80 dB alarm clock
75 – 85 dB flush toilet
80 dB ringing telephone
110 dB baby crying
90 – 115 dB subway
120 dB ambulance siren
130 dB jackhammer, power drill
130 dB percussion section at symphony
140 dB airplane taking off
95 – 110 dB motorcycle
110 dB symphony concert
110 dB car horn
110 -120 dB rock concert
112 dB CD player on high
117 dB football game (stadium)
150 dB firecracker
157 dB balloon pop
162 dB fireworks (at 3 feet)
163 dB rifle
166 dB handgun
170 dB shotgun

[Oldswimr]

unenforceable at best. Good luck California.. Would the last sane American out please bring the flag?? 

[fstsix]

We are all Criminals!!! For every new Law these Stupid @#%^%%$$# Lawmakers add we should take 10 old Laws OFF the books!.....Missing on Fudgie's list the Most important LAWBREAKING noisy ordinance breaking Loud!! annoying THING ever !! So loud when next to my Valk you Cannot even hear the Valk LAWNMOWERS!!!!! That's right folks YOU are breaking the Law ever time YOU Mow your Lawn!! check your CCr's in your city, Years ago my neighbor called the Cops on my Son when they were in our garage playing music in his band (think that what it was ) , I asked the Cop regarding the ordinance and he said legally you should NOT be able to even hear any noise from Your home if parked in the street in a car in front off your house and he said check the town, and sure enough Lawn mowers were listed    The only Loud thing that should have a Mandatory Muffler in Ca Is Nancy Polosi  we would have so much more peace  

[MAD6Gun]

  I have to say it guys. We only have ourselves to blame for laws like this. Like a lot of guys I am a fan of a good sounding sometimes louder finely tuned engine. BUT. There is a place and time for that loudness. And its not at midnight in the middle of a housing subdivision. I remember that asshat that lived down the street (that my dad mentioned earlier). Every morning he would come down the street at 6:30 with his opened pipe Harley not caring who he woke up, including my sick mother.

 I have Viking pipes on my Valk. When wound up that can be loud. But when I come and go in the morning or late at night I make it a point to short shift to keep the noise down. WHY you say. Because I respect my neighbors. It boils down to that my friends. RESPECT.
 
 Do I agree with this law. NO FREEKING WAY. Its bull. It unfairy targets motorcycles. They should go after cars,trucks and loud sterio's as well. IMHO.......... 

[solo1]

I would like to point something out, something that I've had experience in. I was a councilman from 1991 to 2004 in my city.  Noise from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and train whistles, are all legal.  you also won't be stopped for having straight pipes.  The citizens haven't complained (yet) because our town isn't a  magnet for motorcycles.  If the citizens don't care one way or another about loud noise, the elected officials don't cram it down their throats.  This is the way government is supposed to work (EXCLUDING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and California state government)

In most reasonable towns and cities, the same applies.  If there are complaints, ordinances are passed to satisfy complaints.   Keep in mind that it's generally not the pols but the people that get ordinances passed.  Of course the politicians won't let a good opportunity pass when it comes to bragging about 'solving' people's problems.

We, as motorcyclists, are in the minority.  If enough citizens, the majority, are pissed off enough about the noise, unfair ordinances WILL get passed.

Don't blame it all on politicians, we, the riders, are the ones that cause the problems.  Pointing fingers at other noise sources is kinda like what politicians do, we shouldn't be doing it.

Again, my .02 and, again, you won't change my mind.

Oh, I almost forgot.  I won't change anyone's mind here and I know that too.

[fstsix]

As wee know all States and cities have their own laws, And i also get irritated by Straight pipes and i am in Agreement with you guys, Having Viking exhaust i could not stand the noise and installed Samson Silver Bullets to lower the noise,,,i like to hear the Supercharger whine I had been warned in Chesapeake VA having owned property down there, My concern is Profiling the motorcyclist and pulling over the innocent without probable cause..as far as Lawnmowers> http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hv6wJALj2RYJ:www.towngown.net/downloads/presentations/Noise%2520Ordinance.ppt+Ch

[Psychotic Bovine]

  I have to say it guys. We only have ourselves to blame for laws like this. Like a lot of guys I am a fan of a good sounding sometimes louder finely tuned engine. BUT. There is a place and time for that loudness. And its not at midnight in the middle of a housing subdivision. I remember that asshat that lived down the street (that my dad mentioned earlier). Every morning he would come down the street at 6:30 with his opened pipe Harley not caring who he woke up, including my sick mother.

 I have Viking pipes on my Valk. When wound up that can be loud. But when I come and go in the morning or late at night I make it a point to short shift to keep the noise down. WHY you say. Because I respect my neighbors. It boils down to that my friends. RESPECT.
 
 Do I agree with this law. NO FREEKING WAY. Its bull. It unfairy targets motorcycles. They should go after cars,trucks and loud sterio's as well. IMHO.......... 

asshat?

[big turkey]

Move out of that God Forsaken State before it slides into the Ocean.

I like my pipes loud and my state that does not pull such crap.

Progressives like to Utopianize the rules that are never perfect.

Loud Pipes are my form of free speech.

Al

[Momz]

California hell,... try Royal Oak MI.
I went to one of their bi-weekly bike nights with three of my HD riding friends and I was on my Goldwing 1100.

Looking for a space that all four of us could park together, when all of a sudden a cop appears and tells us to give him our licenses, registrations and proof of insurance.

We were stunned as to why we were being ticketed. But we all got excessive noise tickets. I will admit the HD riders did not have OEM exhausts, but my GL1100 was completely stock (and wisper quiet). Needless to say we left Royal Oak immediatly.

The HD riders paid their tickets, but I decided to fight that ticket. When it was my turn in front of the judge, he informed me that since the others all paid their thickets, I should have done the same. I told the judge that my bike was parked in the courthouse parking lot with the OEM exhaust. I asked that he step outside and have a listen to my bike. The judge said that I was in contempt of court,....and that he would never second guess a police officer.

This incident has cost me almost a grand in lost wages, fine, court costs, and contempt of court charges. My recomendation is to avoid Royal Oak MI, and refuse to spend a single dime in that city.

[fstsix]

Ok OK !! so now we please the Government (BTW that at one time was We the People) Now if we make every thing too quite ie "Cars motorcycles" It can be Dangerous also....electric cars may have too have new LAWS to make them heard for Pedestrians,,, i rest my case   this just goes to show Too many laws will destroy our freedom and keep congress around as a circus show. http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=silent-but-deadly-electric-cars-may-2009-10-14  read the comments pretty funny

[paps350]

Alot of valid comments on this topic. I ride a 97 Standard with Two brothers pipes. I love the sound of them but I also ride as courtious as I can when riding down Main St. or a residential street. My ride can be ridden without alot of noise and that is what I try to do.
BUT,, when I am in certain areas that I won't disturb others I LOVE THE NOISE.
  As to the tree huggers in Ca. that pushed this,800,000 bike owners are alot of votes. I know Ahnold is done after this term but that would be a large block of votes and that is what it is all about to a politician.
  Unfortunately I think we all will see this kind of stuff getting passed in various states.

[fudgie]

Cali & Royal Oak MI. Added them to the list.