Motorcycle Exhaust Noise Alert

From Freedom Sturgis Freedom Fighter Rogue via Associated Press)
Blll SB435 has been before the California legislature for some time and various motorcycle groups have been involved in its discussion, most opposed. The California State Senate yesterday voted 21-16 to pass SB435. The bill makes it a crime to operate a motorcycle manufactured after Jan. 1, 2013, that fails to meet federal noise-emission control standards. Motorcyclists whose vehicles lack the proper U.S. Environmental Protection Agency label would be subject to a fine.
Opponents of the bill say many aftermarket exhaust systems meet emission standards but aren’t labeled, meaning law-abiding riders could be unfairly ticketed If this bill is signed into law by the governor you can expect it to be tried in other parts of the US. Will this bill affect you or someone you know? If you live in California and or know people who do, have them write, e-mail or phone the Governor’s office and ask him not to sign this into law. If you do Not Live in CA contact the California governor and let him know you have seen his television ads about visiting California and are considering not to go to his State if you can’t ride your motorcycle there because of this law. The fact that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger owns multiple motorcycles does does not mean he will not sign this bill into law.

30 Responses to “Motorcycle Exhaust Noise Alert”


  1. 1 Brauchi Aug 31st, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Welcome in the present tense! 🙂 … it seems the US are trying to catch up

    Cheers from Europe,

  2. 2 Wikked Steel Aug 31st, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    I see a brisk market in counterfeit EPA stickers…

  3. 3 MC Aug 31st, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    We just wan’t to be free to ride our machines and not be hassled by the man! And get loaded.

  4. 4 Raging Bull Aug 31st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
  5. 5 Woody Aug 31st, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Well, this should certainly improve 2010-2012 model year Harley sales in Cali. Sad thing is a small minority of obnoxious jerks brought it down on everyone (per normal). Thanks so much! Heck “those” riders even got ridiculed in a Southpark video, gotta be a milestone to be lumped in with Sally Struthers & talking poo 😉

  6. 6 Lyle Aug 31st, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    Yeah, and bikes pictured like the one above are the reason why.

  7. 7 Don Aug 31st, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    Well, hopefully after the state goes broke, which ought to be any time now, they should have a lot less money for enforcement, and in turn, this will go the way of Joan Claybrook.

  8. 8 skully Aug 31st, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    loud pipes save lives..or at least it wakes up teh texting armenians in landrovers

  9. 9 David Aug 31st, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    YEA !!! Can we make this retroactive to cover all v-twins built from 1913 ? Then I dont have to hold my ears everytime some bastard wants to ride by with his throttle wide open as well as his PIPES!!!

    SSDD: David

  10. 10 Rogue Sep 1st, 2010 at 6:43 am

    If this becomes law you can expect other states to follow.

    If you live in California and or know people who do, have them write, e-mail or phone the Governor’s office and ask him not to sign this into law. If you do Not Live in CA contact the California governor and let him know you have seen his television ads about visiting California and are considering not to go to his State if you can’t ride your motorcycle there because of this law. The fact that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger owns multiple motorcycles does does not mean he will not sign this bill into law.

    There are already laws on the books to handle the indivuals that violate noise ordiances. It is up to law enforcement to do that.

    This specific law is designed to make money off of motorcyclist.

  11. 11 Mike Greenwald Sep 1st, 2010 at 7:20 am

    SB435 is many things to many people. The permanent EPA “tax stamp” may concern you. I think that the loss of the ability to travel unimpeded is a greater loss. Some communities will use legislation such as this as a pathway to gathering more Federal funds to bail out their misspent budgets or failed infrastructure. Other communities will use this type of legislation as a stepping stone to restrict or eliminate motorcycling as you know it. This bill is not about “loud pipes”. This bill is about the government controlling you and motorcycle manufacturing and design. The implications of this bill are worldwide.

  12. 12 PJ in Fla Sep 1st, 2010 at 7:50 am

    This is purely and simply another way for Government to get into our lives and make money. If they can stop you for loud pipes the stop goes downhill from there. It’s all about the money.

  13. 13 disturbedvn Sep 1st, 2010 at 8:11 am

    Wow after reading this I realize why it is happening, All of the worlds problems are solved and now the government is moving on to smaller issues. It brings me great joy to know we are now living in a world of peace, no homelessness, everyone is back to work and all nations now work together as one.This is a great way to wake up, Thanks Cryil for bringing such great news now i will begin to plan my trip to ride across the USA..Now that I think about it I would have to push across the USA because, the IRS took all my money, Gas is over priced, cant find a cheap egg to have for breakfast ,all the small towns that i once rode through have been boarded up because of the lack of jobs, and now i wouldn’t want to get a ticket for doing the only thing that has kept most of us sane during all this , RIDING!

    Remember when government was for the people???
    They have a new slogan now: GOVERNMENT….. AHHHH F#UCK THE PEOPLE !

  14. 14 Poppymann Sep 1st, 2010 at 9:21 am

    @disturbedvn
    Are you channeling the Kills?

  15. 15 Mac Sep 1st, 2010 at 9:37 am

    When stupid repetitive laws are passed, sometimes you need to stop and peel back the onion to see what is really going on. EPA stamp and noise laws have been on the books approx 30 years. In CA I believe there are 7 motor vehicle code laws regarding noise and tampering with stock pipes. SB435 is a redundant law AND is secondary, meaning the cop has to stop you for something else besides pipes. So why the big push? In following the supporters and reviewing letters received (in support) it was extremely apparent that Senator Pavely’s office was working with CARB (Mary Nichols), Noise-Off, a Boston Councilman (who passed a similar law but so far no enforcement) and the EPA, particularly Ken Feith.

    Ken Feith heads up the EPA office of Air and Radiation. He was first appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1979; Mr. Feith is very well known and respected through out Europe. He postponed his retirement for a single purpose, to go after motorcycles. Ken Feith, his replacement Catrice Jefferson and William Battye (Managing Partner of EC/R); have raided 9 after market motorcycle exhaust manufacturers. There is a legal reason whey they raided 9 and not 10…but that would make this email too long.

    In a letter, from the EPA office of Air and Radiation, signed by Ken Feith and Catrice Jefferson; (quote) “Our meeting with you was our first planned series of meetings with manufacturers of bikes and after market noise control components in order to determine the state of current technology and problems that may exist in complying with the existing regulations and possible U.S. harmonization with the forthcoming global regulations from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Working Party on vehicle safety and environmental regulations (WP-20)” End Quote.

    The U.S. (your government) has signed onto and agreed to be part of the UN Regulations. What our
    government wants to do is put AMERICAN BIKERS under United Nations European control. This is not about noise or pollution…learn and fight back. BOLT and MRF are heavily involved in the battle. I would suggest going to the MRF website for more information…united we stand…you know the rest

  16. 16 The Supreme Team Sep 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Rogue,
    Thanks for putting this together. It is imperative that people contact the governor to stomp this out before it’s even considered. Being the enormous riding state that we are, loud pipes DO save lives. With the ridiculous amounts of traffic, compounded with the enormous amount of idiots on the road, being heard is often your only hope to alert some of these clowns, and even then it doesn’t work.
    I’ve had people (as I’m sure many others have) in stopped traffic, weave the nose of their car over just to keep me from splitting the lanes on a city street. I’ve laid my bike down on a small industrial street because a guy pulled a 3 point turn in front of me, I’ve physically put my hand out to keep a van coming into my lane from knocking me off my bike…all at low speed when the pipes were not lit up. Yet, when I get on it, I see those folks that thought about coming over into my lane, quickly jerk back into theirs.
    Skully’s comment could not be more true out here, and I’m sure it holds true in every major demographic.
    I’d rather be heard and irritate you, than have you apologizing to my family in court.

    Then again..we’ve got celebs bitching about leaf blowers waking them up in the morning, so God forbid we impose upon somebody’s sleep. Maybe we can impose a sound ordinance on irritating celebrities too.

  17. 17 Dave Blevins Sep 1st, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Rogue and Mike Geenwald are 100 percent correct.
    This is not about loud pipes, we already have laws for that (stamped clearly into your factory exhaust & posted on your MFR tag) and law enforcement (cops, DOTs, etc) in place to enforce it.
    This is about trying to squeeze more revenue & make politicians seem worthwhile and productive. Total crap legislation.

  18. 18 Jeff Nicklus Sep 1st, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    …… This bill is not about “loud pipes”. This bill is about the government controlling you and motorcycle manufacturing and design…..

    Truer words were never spoken!

    We estimate that 5-6% of the total cost of each of our motorcycles are costs directly related the Government Compliance crap we deal with on a daily basis!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  19. 19 Rogue Sep 1st, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    The following is from the AMA

    UPDATE: California Senate Bill 435 (motorcycle exhaust) is on the Governor’s desk
    Contact the Governor today!

    On August 30, 2010, the California Senate passed SB 435 by a vote of 21-16 and is on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. Despite state Senator Fran Pavley’s (D-CA-23) claims, the bill will do little to address excessive sound or reduce emissions, and is still unfairly targeting motorcycle owners.

    In a letter, dated August 5, 2010, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) sent a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to veto SB 435. To view the governor’s reply, click here. In response to the Senate’s passage of SB 435, the AMA sent a follow-up letter, dated August 31, 2010, to the governor, continuing to urge a veto.

    As written, SB 435 is not practical in a real world traffic stop situation due to the inconsistent location of the federal label, making it difficult for law enforcement to locate. These labels can be positioned on different locations depending on the type of exhaust and/or style of the motorcycle. This will result in improper and unwarranted citations.

    Furthermore, after-market exhaust systems are not always louder than stock systems and can be installed for a variety of legitimate reasons. Stock exhaust can wear out over time, be damaged, unavailable or prohibitively expensive. If signed into law, motorcyclists, and motorcyclists alone, will be forced to purchase Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, while automobile drivers will continue to be allowed to install exhaust components from non-OEM sources.

    This bill is discriminatory and punitive. It will serve only to drive up the cost of ownership for every rider while doing little or nothing to actually address the issue of excessive motorcycle sound. Please contact the Governor’s office today and request a veto of this unfair legislation.

    The fastest way to reach the Governor is to call, (916) 445-2841. You can also send a pre-written message immediately by following the “Take Action” option and entering your information. The AMA encourages riders to personalize their message.

    To view an AMA press release on SB 435, click here.

    For those who want to do more, please utilize AMA tips and tools available at on our website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Get Involved, or for direct access, click here. If you are on Facebook, become a fan of the AMA at Facebook.com/AmericanMotorcyclist.

    Please write or call the governor today and urge him to veto SB 435. Thank you for your active participation and efforts to encourage your friends and family to do the same.

  20. 20 Rogue Sep 1st, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    To got to the AMA site so you will be able to use the click here feature go to http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=16039911&type=SW&show_alert=1

  21. 21 Woody Sep 1st, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    Well said, Rogue, and thanks for the contact info!

  22. 22 Mr. Bad Ass Biker Sep 1st, 2010 at 5:31 pm

    Holy crap man,

    I just bought a bike and took off the exhaust, it sounds bitchin’ especially when I crack it open riding down my block when I come home loaded late at nite. I hate this propseal. Who casues this $hit?!

  23. 23 David Sep 1st, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    MBAB it’s people just like you that causes this problem……and it’s the aging population that’s listening and complaining….The Govt. already has laws in place for manufactures and now it coming to that after market courtesy of your or someone else’s grandma.
    I’m not for sure on the techicalities but here in Texas if the exhaust exits behind the factory footpegs its legal.
    Jeff can correct me if I’m wrong.
    But really guys I’m getting older and tired of having my ears bleed when everyone just wants to hear their pipes echoing down the street or through the neighborhood.
    If you give John Q. Public a break most of the time then your loud pipes may just be able to save your life at the right time.

    SSDD; David

  24. 24 Mediaguy Sep 2nd, 2010 at 3:35 am

    Loud Pipes save Lives: BS, this law is because all of you bad asses running around with straight pipes thinking you’re cool. I like a good sounding pipe. Straight pipes are stupid and do nothing for the performance of your motorcycle. You want to be a rebel and be “free”! Well your actions are causing these problems.

  25. 25 Mike Greenwald Sep 2nd, 2010 at 7:22 am

    Mediaguy,

    This bill, SB435, has nothing to do with noise.
    SB435 has nothing to do with your preference for a good sounding pipe nor straight pipes.

    You purport to have some attachment to media. I would suppose that propaganda purveyor would qualify you for that nom de plume.

    We all know that bad asses use silencers.

    The actions that are causing are causing this legislation have nothing to do with motorcycles, nor motorcycling, nor noise.

    Mediaguy, you are pursuing resolution through belief in falsehoods. Kindly, research what forms your opinions and separate those from facts. Your conclusions, as espoused by you, are convoluted and patently false.

    Know this; your misrepresentations will destroy any modicum of success that you would ever hope or pray for. You should use all the cards in the deck, if you have them, and quit betting on aces and eights.

    Mike Greenwald.

  26. 26 burnout Sep 2nd, 2010 at 10:06 am

    Has anyone here read about Toyota installing a speaker under the hood of the Prius providing NOISE so pedestrians can HEAR IT COMING DOWN THE STREET!!!!!!! peace

  27. 27 Mr. Bad Ass Biker Sep 2nd, 2010 at 10:59 am

    @ Burnout-

    Let’s hope we can get to where HD has to do the same and most bikes and cars are electric. Then our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will have a chance. Want to hear loud, cool noises? Get some headphones and crank it up!Remember, lift with your back, global warning is a hoax and this Nov. vote for candiates backed by big oil. Amnesia rocks!

  28. 28 Jeff Nicklus Sep 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    David,

    Never heard of that “Law” before. The only “State Law” that I am aware of is the noise emission (dB) regulations. The accetable dB level here in Texas seems to be different depending on the City and County you live in and the person who has you stopped on the side of the road.

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  29. 29 Michael A. Sep 4th, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    Will be interesting to see if the major aftermarket exhaust manufactures put a class action lawsuit together. This bill would kill one of their major markets overnight.

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