How my Valkyrie measures up against Calgary's new noise bylaw - UPDATE May 31

[Gryphon Rider]

The City of Calgary recently passed a vehicle noise bylaw that will start being enforced May 31.  The bylaw says that your vehicle can't be 96dB or louder.  The system they use is much like photo radar, where they have a vehicle parked on the side of the road and an officer operates the equipment.  When you drive/ride past their Noise Snare, it measures the sound pressure in decibels, and if your reading is 96dB or higher, it photographs your licence plate and you are mailed a $200 ticket.

Today (and again this coming Wednesday) they invited motorists to drive by the Noise Snare, accelerating from 30 to 50 km/h (18-31 MPH) and then be told their reading.  Using second gear and full throttle, my Valkyrie with cut piggies and rear baffles drilled measured at 96dB, which would just barely warrant a ticket when they start enforcement.  I'll have to keep my right hand in check when passing parked cars.  

UPDATE MAY 31:

>>>Yesterday (Wednesday May 30) I went back and tested again, accelerating from 30 to 50 km/h, except this time I accelerated at my normal rate.  My Valkyrie measured 95dB, just under ticketing level.   

Don't be surprised if a municipal government near you is going to pay attention to the success of the Noise Snare system in
Calgary with an eye to implementing a similar bylaw.  From a political and enforcement standpoint, this system (bylaw and equipment) is a no-brainer.  Unlike a check-stop using the SAE standard for measurement (this procedure is used in Edmonton), which is specific to motorcycles, you only need one officer who doesn't need to be a full policeman because he isn't pulling anyone over, the law doesn't single out motorcycles, it can be set up any place that a single car can be safely parked at the side of the road (including residential streets with sleeping babies/motorcycle-haters), and the noise-intolerant public can be told something is being done.

I am taking a wait-and-see attitude about whether I like this bylaw or not.<<<

[cookiedough]

I doubt the cobra exhaust would make under 96 db let alone 100.  I wish they did something like this in the states where I live but a little higher number say 100 or 110 db.  If they did, 90% of all HD's would be off the road.   

[Chrisj CMA]

Where did all these people come from that are so offended by a motorcycle that we now have to have sound traps like speed traps...........I so wish the governments ALL OF THEM would just say "we dont care not our problem, if you are offended get over it"  and move on to real problems government and law enforcement should be handling

[art]

Its all BS.They are after motorcycles but what about all the big pickup trucks with very loud exhaust an the little cars with the trashcan mufflers?

[Gryphon Rider]

Its all BS.They are after motorcycles but what about all the big pickup trucks with very loud exhaust an the little cars with the trashcan mufflers?

In this case the system doesn't discriminate against bikes.  Cars and trucks will get ticketed too if 96dB or greater.

[Patrick]

When I was young I liked loud exhaust and usually drove around with uncapped headers most of the time.. But,, now,, things have changed.. I hate loud exhaust !! But, I mean LOUD exhaust.. When the noise becomes obnoxious like most Harley riders like,, I think a few tickets are in order..

[PAVALKER]

I've had my share of somewhat louder pipes.... and my Valk has cut piggies with tips on now, but some exhausts are way too loud and OBNOXIOUS.   

[Jess from VA]

I think what would be a great idea, instead of a decibel meter, would be to have a bullshit meter installed in Congress, white house, and all Federal departments.  Use a Cray computer, and have some really loud diesel train horns, and when it goes off, the pubic is automatically informed, and the bullshitter is fined and/or fired, and the agency or department loses a percentage of it's budget. 

Probably a good idea to have it in all news and newspaper rooms too.

[Paxton]

Both my bikes are fairly loud. I always avoid reving the engines near other houses. As I am approaching my house I develop speed
then, I coast into the garage.

I live in a busy canyon road by a slight uphill. Everyone either flies by or down shifts and "steps on it" to make the hill.
As you would imagine, the noise can get to you.
Notwithstanding, I prefer the noise over the dust generated by so many vehicles.

[Jabba]

I am not a fan of loud pipes.   Never have been.  It's a big pain in the ass when some tiny dick show off on a bike comes THUNDERING down my road at 10 PM and wakes the whole house up.  Then I can't sleep again till 3:00 AM when I have to be up at 5:00.

Loud pipes don't save lives... they bother people.

Now, any of ya'll that know me know I am not one for more laws.  I say let them have their loud pipes, and let me make a game of throwing tomatoes at them anytime after dark.

I have been throwing rocks at loud stereo boomy cars for years.  I have hit a few too.  The people inside never know.

Jabba

[bscrive]

I , as well, do not care for loud pipes but this to me is just another tax grab. 

Just like the red light cameras, this will not benefit anyone except the city. 

Just give us the right to throw tomatoes at them like Jabba suggested.

[Paxton]

Rotten eggs are more effective. Don't ask me how I know. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

potato cannon!!!!!

[jer0177]

I think what would be a great idea, instead of a decibel meter, would be to have a bullshit meter installed in Congress, white house, and all Federal departments.  Use a Cray computer, and have some really loud diesel train horns, and when it goes off, the pubic is automatically informed, and the bullshitter is fined and/or fired, and the agency or department loses a percentage of it's budget. 

Probably a good idea to have it in all news and newspaper rooms too.

Even a Cray couldn't handle all that computation (although the Cray is 3rd on the list now, the "K Computer" in Japan is ranked first, and it's quite a bit faster - the K is rated at 10.5 petaflops max, the Cray is 1.7), and I don't even think the K could!!

Besides - all of the gov't would end up fired.  But then again, the work would be getting done more efficiently!! 

[cookiedough]

When I was young I liked loud exhaust and usually drove around with uncapped headers most of the time.. But,, now,, things have changed.. I hate loud exhaust !! But, I mean LOUD exhaust.. When the noise becomes obnoxious like most Harley riders like,, I think a few tickets are in order..

couldn't agree more.  My neighbors 2 HD's should be banned.  He cranks them up at 2 a.m. to go to work, let's them idle at times for like 10 minutes before taking off, revs the piss out of them, and they of course wake us up and everyone else and also has rattled a few pictures on our walls they are that loud.  I can literally hear those aftermarket P.O.S. pipes 2-3 miles outside of town.  He's one of those loud pipes save lives A-holes and just because my I/S is all stock OEM, at least I can hear my tunes cranking away unlike his much more expense and better radio system of which doubt he could even hear since I rarely hear the radio while he rides since it would not be heard very well.

[spurliner]

I doubt the cobra exhaust would make under 96 db let alone 100.  I wish they did something like this in the states where I live but a little higher number say 100 or 110 db.  If they did, 90% of all HD's would be off the road.   

I don't think so. I ran my Harley through that test run in Calgary today. Stage 1, Ness big air, PC111, Vance and Hines big ovals. In 2nd gear---88db.

[wdvalk]

what ever happened to freedom?

[solo1]

what ever happened to freedom?  QUOTE

I would imagine that all the folks who have their freedom of peace violated by loud pipes are asking the same question.

Whether you like it or not. more legislation is coming to stop loud straight pipes.

"We have met the enemy and they is US"  with apologies to , crap, can't remember what cartoon character said that!   Old age is a creepin up.

[Bob E.]

I doubt the cobra exhaust would make under 96 db let alone 100.  I wish they did something like this in the states where I live but a little higher number say 100 or 110 db.  If they did, 90% of all HD's would be off the road.   

I don't think so. I ran my Harley through that test run in Calgary today. Stage 1, Ness big air, PC111, Vance and Hines big ovals. In 2nd gear---88db.

My buddy just bought a new 2012 Street Glide.  Riding behind him, me on my Valk, I can barely hear his bike.  All stock, HD's are pretty quiet.

[Bob E.]

what ever happened to freedom?

What ever happened to common courtesy?  The absense of if is what leads to these types of laws.  I have to agree with Solo1 on this one.  This is an issue where one's freedom infringes on another's.  Someone's gonna win and someone's gonna lose.  And on something like this, it's pretty easy to pick winners.

[Romeo]

what ever happened to freedom?

Without responsibility, there is no freedom.

[Chrisj CMA]

Its all the lawyers fault.  (Sorry Oss) Before lawyers got involved with EVERYTHING if that inconsiderate one described above fired up his HD at 0-dark-thirty more than once you could complain "disturbing the peace" a cop would check it out and probably fine him for disturbing the peace.....

Now, he gets a lawyer they test his bike check the laws and there is probably no max decibles so the lawyer gets it thrown out because you cannot PROVE it was too loud.  So then the start of max decibles and testing exhausts.

Get rid of the lawyers......do some good smack-downs on the few idiots and leave the rest of us alone

[MAD6Gun]

 I have a neighbor that has a straight pipe Harley. EVERY time he comes home he comes down the street full bore and when he hits the small curve in the street he pulls in the clutch and revs it. EVERY freeking time. Its so bad that if I'm in the front room watching TV I cant hear it when he goes past. It pisses me off to no end. He has no common courtesy for any of his neighbors.

 Now, I have Viking pipes on my Valk with the baffles in place.  They can be loud when I crank it up but I don't do that in neighborhoods. My dad used my bike for the AMA noise test and it pasted. I don't remember what the test was you would have to ask him. Its also getting that the Harleys dealers will not install "drap pipes" on bikes anymore. I saw this poster in a local Harley dealer....




                 "Loud pipe cost rights"

[solo1]

Chris , it's not exactly the lawyers fault.  Indiana has a muffler law.  Ft. Wayne has a noise ordinance, New Haven has a noise ordinance.  None of these ordinances are enforced.  Most are poorly written.
The attitude seems to be that it's not worth the trouble.

The AMA has worked up an ordinance that works.  So far, one state has adopted it.  It is based on DB but is lenient enough to allow decent nice sounding pipes, see my son's thread above.

This 'in your face' STRAIGHT pipes will ultimately ruin it for all of us and cause unreasonable laws.  California is a good example.  New Hampshire tried it too but went to the AMA suggested ordinance instead because of some hard working motorcycle riders there.

Riding without a helmet should be our right;  Making excessive noise is NOT our right.

[Jess from VA]

Truth is, is most localities with noise ordinances can be enforced, and certainly are not tied to any Db level for exhaust.  The way it usually works is.... if we have to come out one more time, the fine will be $500.

(Perpetually) barking dogs are not as loud as straight pipes, and I have closed down a dozen of them.  There is also usually a quiet after 10PM rule that can also be used.  If they are reluctant to enforce them, just keep calling and lodging a complaint every time (esp if you can point out the exact ordinance(s) to them).  And writing a letter (registered/certified) to your local chief of police with a copy to the local district attorney can also get some action.

I also used to print up my own official looking notice for neighborhood noise offenders and placed them in the mailbox (illegal, at night unseen), or in the front door.  

We are your neighbors.  We are very unhappy with your motorcycle exhaust noise (barking dogs for hours on end without reason other than neglect) at all hours of the night.  We have jobs and children which require us to sleep at night and get up early.  We your neighbors are all entitled to peace and quiet in our own homes at night.  We draw your attention to (Faifax County noise ordinance XXXXX, including a fine of up to $500 per occurrence).  We do not want to involve the police and courts, but this is to notify you that if you do not cease this offensive behavior, we will begin to call in complaints every time you wake us from our sleep.  And we have started to keep detailed logs of each time you do so for when we are called as witnesses at your court hearing.  Thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation.  

It works better than you might think.  We, was just me, but the offenders didn't know that.  And I was pretty sure that many neighbors felt the same as I did.

You are also generally entitled to ask that your complaint be kept anonymous (until and unless you are needed as a witness at a hearing).  I had one notable exception where the owner thought he could come over and intimidate me from making further complaints..... he left considerably more intimidated than I was.

[sugerbear]

lets don't forget the crotch rocket up the street from me, that acccelerates by me house.

loud pipes, 10,000 rpm(or so it sounds). several times a day. just as bad as the "other" brand.

it's not as bad as it used to be, but i still hear semi's on I-70(1/2 mile away. jake brakes and all.

[cookiedough]

I doubt the cobra exhaust would make under 96 db let alone 100.  I wish they did something like this in the states where I live but a little higher number say 100 or 110 db.  If they did, 90% of all HD's would be off the road.   

I don't think so. I ran my Harley through that test run in Calgary today. Stage 1, Ness big air, PC111, Vance and Hines big ovals. In 2nd gear---88db.

My buddy just bought a new 2012 Street Glide.  Riding behind him, me on my Valk, I can barely hear his bike.  All stock, HD's are pretty quiet.

Agree, that is why I said around 90% or so of HD's are modded with loud pipes being way too loud.  I have only heard a handful of HD's with stock pipes though where I live.  Yah, I have seen stock HD's with nice sounding pipes, not quiet, but not obnoxious either.  Unfortunately, I have to live by one who compensates for his small tally wacker with loud pipes.  

[Patrick]

A neighbor with loud pipes at 2 in the morning,, and,, his house hasn't burned down yet ??

[cookiedough]

A neighbor with loud pipes at 2 in the morning,, and,, his house hasn't burned down yet ??

Don't tempt me.  Anyone else would complain to the police dept. since his pipes have at times shook the pictures hanging in our bedroom/hallway wall since only about 25 feet from his driveway.  Hard to sleep at night and get back to sleep once woke up around 2 a.m. (nearly 1-2 times every week) with the windows open it is much worse.  He's a dick to put it bluntly and the rare times I have talked to him he always pisses me off even more enough so one of these days I am going to put him down for good.   I come home from work at night around midnight but my other neighbors rarely hear me pull up since I am polite turning down my radio as approach the neighbor's houses with my quiet OEM I/S exhaust pipes.  My other neighbor's bedroom windows are only about 14 feet away from my garage and they have commented on how quiet my cycle is at nights and glad of it since they also routinely leave their bedroom windows open along with their 3 year old daughter rarely waking up with me coming home at night. 

[Rams]

Personally, I don't like loud pipes and if I am riding with someone who has them, I'm either out front or way behind.  I don't have anything against reasonalby louder pipes but, there has got to be a limit.  Run open headers on the strip. I don't care but if I have to listen to them, they should not hurt my hearing.  Some do. 

As with most things in life, extremist are the reasons we get new freedom restricting changing legislation.  I agree with that HD poster, those with loud pipes are gonna be the reason we all have issues.  Very similar to the stigma all motorcyclist are harnessed with from motorcyle gangs and crotch rocket burners.  Gives us all a bad name.

[jer0177]

A neighbor with loud pipes at 2 in the morning,, and,, his house hasn't burned down yet ??

Don't tempt me.  Anyone else would complain to the police dept. since his pipes have at times shook the pictures hanging in our bedroom/hallway wall since only about 25 feet from his driveway.  Hard to sleep at night and get back to sleep once woke up around 2 a.m. (nearly 1-2 times every week) with the windows open it is much worse.  He's a dick to put it bluntly and the rare times I have talked to him he always pisses me off even more enough so one of these days I am going to put him down for good.   I come home from work at night around midnight but my other neighbors rarely hear me pull up since I am polite turning down my radio as approach the neighbor's houses with my quiet OEM I/S exhaust pipes.  My other neighbor's bedroom windows are only about 14 feet away from my garage and they have commented on how quiet my cycle is at nights and glad of it since they also routinely leave their bedroom windows open along with their 3 year old daughter rarely waking up with me coming home at night. 

Sit just out of view inside your room at night waiting for him to come home, with your Red Ryder BB gun in hand.  Pop him a few times each time he does it, and see how long it takes for him to stop. 

[Valker]

Freedom? I dislike loud pipes, but what about my freedom to get a sick child finally to sleep only to be scared awake by the loud crap! FWIW, I'd support running flex pipes from the end of your pipes up and into a helmet so you could enjoy the noise and your head would effectively quiet your vehicle enough for the rest of the folks to enjoy it.

[wdvalk]

settle down there old guys,not endorsing super loud pipes,just seems like there is a law to control every little thing in this world today,and thats not freedom,just because you dont like something does not mean there should be a law against it,when you old guys drive 45  in a 70 and get in my way I dont like it,but I dont think it should be against the law

[tonyfan70]

Just reading this made me remember a while back in my old house....
 
Neighbor had an older Ford powerstroke, the really loud rattly version. He liked start it really early and let it run for cursed ever...warming up I guess. Probably had no clue what the extension cord hanging from the grill was for. Anyway, I got pretty tired of it. I'm not complaining about the noise itself, momentary noises don't really bother me,  but letting it run for hours pisses me off.

One night I brought my Freightliner Classic with a 500hp Detroit home and parked it in the street at the edge of the property line, closer to his house than mine.The rig doesn't have straight pipes, thank God, but it does have daul stacks and 800,000 miles so it's not whisper quiet either.  Kicked it up onto a nice fast idle, manually switched on the very loud engine fan and went to bed. After 12 hours or so of that going on I  went out and shut her down.

Oddly enough, he began starting his little truck and leaving within a minute or two after that.

[Jabba]

Us "old guys" are not asking for anything but courtesy. 

Your rights end where mine start.  getting woke up at night by a dick in a loud whatever is just inconsiderate.

Jabba

[wdvalk]

Well if you old guys didnt go to bed at 530 pm we wouldnt have an issue

[tonyfan70]

Well if you old guys didnt go to bed at 530 pm we wouldnt have an issue

hmmm, everybody works the same shift and sleeps at the exact same time in your neck of the woods huh? Must be nice.

[Jabba]

You wouldn't be happy if we woke you up at 4:30 or 5:00 am while you sleep in. 

And It's more about the kid.  When they get awake... Your night is over.

It's simply rude to bleed the side effects of your liberty onto someone else's peace. 

Jabba

[wdvalk]

Have kids also,but I dont expect the world around me to be perfect,or to conform to my wants or needs,one mans freedom is anothers pain in the ass,and vise versa.For you to expect everybody else to conform to your beliefs is ignorent.We have too many laws already putting a pinch on our freedom

[Jabba]

Have kids also,but I dont expect the world around me to be perfect,or to conform to my wants or needs,one mans freedom is anothers pain in the ass,and vise versa.For you to expect everybody else to conform to your beliefs is ignorent.We have too many laws already putting a pinch on our freedom

Dude... I said there should NOT be laws.  Read my posts.  I said it was inconsiderate of people to ride around waking up the neighborhood.  Inconsiderate.  I also said go ahead and ride up and down my street.  You're free to.  And I'll chuck tomatoes at you, and we'll get along famously.

The REASON some people want to make more laws, is BECAUSE of inconsoderate embeciles who think people are impressed with their expression of little dickdom.

Jabba