Schwarzenegger tells motorcyclists to pipe down, signs noise bill

Motorcyclist and governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed his name to a controversial motorcycle noise bill. SB 435, also known as the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act, gives law enforcement officials the ability to cite noise pollution violations under the California Vehicle Code, reinforcing a 27-year-old federal regulation that is rarely enforced.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 435 to make California consistent with federal law in respect to motorcycle parts, pollution and noise standards," said Matt Connelly, deputy press secretary for the governor.

The law, which goes into effect for motorcycles and aftermarket parts from the 2013 model year forward, states that motorcyclists pulled over for other traffic violations could also be cited for illegally noisy exhaust pipes. A first violation could result in a fine of $50 to $100 -- a fix-it ticket that could be dismissed with proof of correction. Subsequent offenses would result in fines of $100 to $250.

SB 435 requires motorcycles to maintain their federally required emissions equipment on both original and aftermarket exhaust systems, including a readily visible EPA stamp that certifies compliance.

"Our motorcycle-riding governor clearly recognizes that a few bad apples on our roads are infringing on the rights of others with their illegal, attention-seeking loud pipes," said SB 435 author Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) in a news release issued Tuesday.

SB 435 was supported by the American Lung Assn. It was opposed by the Motorcycle Industry Council and the American Motorcyclist Assn., both of which recommended the J-2825 standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers "as a fair, practical and economical enforcement tool," according to an industry spokeswoman. J-2825 is a stationary sound test and specifies the type of sound meter to be used.

-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Stephen Wyatt]

This is a good law, anyone who opposes it is either horrifically stupid, wholly uneducated, a greasy high school dropout, or all 3..............period.

[S. Bowen]

Loud pipes save lives, huh? What a crock! That's right up there with 'helmets kill people.' Show me one study that shows loud exhausts on motorcycles decreases motality rates. All loud pipes do is irritate those around you, and embolden politicians to pass more laws because we can't police ourselves. Grow up, and quit screwing everything up for the rest of us who love to ride and don't need a blasting exhaust to make us feel good about it.

The way to save lives is better motorcycle training in the US. This would most likely require a graduated licensing based on the rider's experience on the road. The more experience, the larger and faster bike allowed. Riders can also help themselves survive by wearing truly functioning safety gear. Bright colors, and real crash protection.

Putting loud pipes on a bike ridden by an undertrained, overly aggressive, beanie helmet, tennis shoe, T-shirt wearing idiot is not going to save anyone's life. But then, Darwin does work in fairly predictable ways.

[Ruff Ryder Soldier]

I ride a motorcycle and I have mixed views on this topic... I ride a sports bike... my bike has a stock muffler... I got tired of being harassed by CHP and police about my after market muffler on my other Quiet bike... my bike was tooooo quiet, and the distracted drivers never knew I was their even though I ride my motorcycle like a car... meaning I use my signals, I ride the speed limit and cars, trucks and buses would come into my lane... WTF, Im in the lane how do you not SEE me??? so far as Harley's I never understood why they are allowed to be loud as they want but the sports bike cant be half as loud,,, that had me scratching my head... you mean to tell me you wont give a Harley a sound ticket cause its a Harley even though its 3 times louder than my pipe on my sports bike... to me thats just targeting a specific set of people who ride sports bikes cause many POLICE officers and other professional WHITE men ride Harleys and I dont see them getting pulled over by the police... so my point is.... just like everyone else... if this sound issue has not been an issue this long, why bother now? isnt there more important issues to resolve in California other than a few seconds that someone is inconvenienced? meaning, the only ones who complain DONT RIDE, if they did they would understand its not just about someone showing off, its about safety... louder pipes does bring attention to your bike which reduces the risk of having an accident... no one can dispute that... however, what is loud? who makes the standard? the truth of the matter it will ALWAYS be something that someone will complain about... the issue is not mufflers its Harley vs. Sportsbikes it seems like this law only focuses on sports bikes because I can not see a California with quiet Harleys, I just dont see that happening... this law is not cut and dry. Police will use one excuse to pull you over and then do a full inspection on your entire bike... but I never see them do that to modified expensive sports cars on Rodeo drive with full tinted windows, no license plates, lowered etc... laws are only focused on lower class. the people who have money and live in wealthy neighborhoods wont be affected with these laws... then you can target trucks that makes allot of noise, garbage trucks, school buses etc. a vehicle cant be like a mouse depending on the engine size and the muffler. I dont feel a muffler should also set off car alarms but thats not the LOUDNESS thats the lows setting off alarms. there are sports cars on the road that sound louder than a motorcycle but I bet those cars will NOT be tested, targeted or pulled over. This gives more amo to police to harass people who have a hobby or riding sports bike when the law is clearly targeting Harleys..... now did I read the law wrong... does this law only apply to motorcycles made after 2013 or does it apply to ALL motorcycles? cause I got pulled over for having a loud muffler but the idiot CHP had the judgment to say it was loud even though there was no measurement... the inspection does not do motorcycles so I had to put my old pipe back on... once I got the ticket signed off, I put the modified muffler back on... why? cause it was saving my life. I only changed the muffler so people would know I was present, not to show off. and having a loud muffler brings police attention to you... my bike now has the stock muffler and people are laughing at me... but I know that if the CHP stops all of us, ill be the one that wont get a ticket or get your bike towed... CHP an police are very cocky, they bend the law and they also violate your rights when it comes to riding motorcycles... eg. if your muffler has been modified sometimes they will take your bike... WTF, your supposed to get a ticket not get your bike taken... but that is not a law... but they will still do it occasionally. I want to get another muffler on my bike cause I want people to know im next to them or approaching the intersection, drivers are distracted, dont pay attention and they are constantly veering into the lane occupied by motorcyclist... but, I dont want the headache of wondering if Im going to be harassed by the police every time I ride. people who dont ride have no idea what is needed to stay safe... and for the idiot who mentioned about honking your horn... it is safer to rev your engine to get noticed when moving through traffic than it is to honk the horn on a bike because you dont have to remove your grip to rev the engine... honking your horn will take your hand off of the handle bars which is unsafe. FYI

[percy choate]

ONCE AGIAN A POLITICIAN STICKS HIS NOSE IN THE PEOPLES BUSINESS. I USED TO LIKE ARNOLD BUT AS TIME GOES BY HE BECOMES MORE AND MORE LIKE THE GIRLY BOY THAT ,HE USED TO HATE . WELL THE YEARS BEING HATED HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL AND OLD ARNY HAS DISAPPEARED . HE HAS ABANDED THE VOTERS AND IS NOW ONE OF THE ELITE DEMS . I DON'T GUESS HE GAVE MUCH THOUGHT ON THIS SO JUST FIGURED THAT HE WOULD GREASE THAT SQUEEKY WHEEL AND EVERY THING WOULD DISAPPEAR . WELL ARNOLD THAT SQUEEKY WHEEL JUST GOT LOUDER YOU DIDN'T FIX ANYTHING . NOW EVERY ONE CAN CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE FIRST THEY DON'T SEE THEM , SECOND THEY ARE JUST PISSED THAT THEY HAVE TO SHARE THE ROAD . IF THEY HAD THEIR WAY THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES ON THE ROAD . THE SPOILT LITTLE JERKS DON'T STOP TO REALISE THAT OTHER PEOPLE PAY TAXES( INCLUDING ARNOLD )TOO . BOTTOM LINE IS I WANT TO BE SAFE AND SAVE LIVES .I HAVE A LOT MORE TO SAY , BUT TILL NEXT TIME

[percy choate]

I USED TO LIKE ARNOLD A LOT BUT AS TIME GOES BY HE HAS TURNED MORE INTO A GIRLY BOY , AS TIME GOES BY . WHAT THE HECK HAS HAPPENED , YOU SUPPORT THE SISSIES MORE THAN YOU SUPPORT THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR YOU . THERE IS NO WONDER THAT CALIFORNIA IS STILL LOSEING ITS WAR AGAINST ECONOMICAL DESTRUCTION .SO I GUESS YOU GO AHEAD AND MAKE ALL THE LAWS YOU WANT , THAT WAY THE CRY BABIES CAN BE HAPPY WHILE WATCHING CALIFORNIAS BUSINESSES FAIL .

[Tom Kirth]

How many lives are saved when the Harley nerds rev at every stoplight? I'll tell ya' what, try using a horn if you need to make a noise in an emergency. If you're too scared to ride your bike without a loud exhaust, you shouldn't be riding.

Bottom line is that it's hard to take people seriously that whine about safety, but don't wear safety gear.

[L. Ortega]

All I can say is that it is just another un-enforcible law on the the books so another politician can claim to have done something during their stay in office.
You are all familiar with the cell phone law right. So much for enforcement, at least I'm not driving down the road with a cell looking like a facial tumor while watching a dvd, or, tuning the stereo and putting on a face in the rear view mirror
and having breakfast while arguing with the kids, and all this at the same time! and then have the audacity to claim to be distracted by my loud pipes! I'll worry about my pipes when they enforce the cell & texting laws for those mobile four wheeled offices.

[Sean R. Harrison]

Susan you are moron to speak on matters you know nothing about and Arnie you are a hypocritical idiot.

Sean R. Harrison
Editor
Off Da Chain Magazine

[2-me]

The only thing I've taken from this new bill is that only models from 2013 and foward will be effected,so that means my 74' Shovelhead will still be "polluting" those highways and city streets with out penalty. Oh yea and by the way Long Beach, Belmont Shore in particular already has an ordnance in place for loud pipes,along with many other beach communities. So the long and short of it really means the state will try to collect money any way they can even if it means jobloss and the closure of multi-million dollar after market exaust companies that create revenue for the Govrnator's Collifornia. When the dust settles the sound you hear will still be the state that everyone wants to complain about but wont move away from kissin my 74' chopper ridin ass....

[Kathy Hartman]

Loud pipes save lives. People don't see motorcycles. They don't look for them. If we have loud pipes...they will hear us and not hit us. Arnold's action will increase the motorcycle fatalities and accidents in the future. Guess he didn't think about that. He needs to send everyone back to drivers education and teach them to look for motorcycles since they won't be able to hear them anymore.

[Chris]

This new law actually gives law enforcement less power to enforce vehicle noise violations. Instead of using a decibal meter and standard, they have to pull over a biker for another reason altogether and simply verify that the EPA label is intact. Pretty lame, but typical political BS.

[paul]

WOW. NEVER knew California had so many crybabies Noise Pollution "B/S"this is funny. Yes people will lose there jobs and Arnold still has done nothing to help the little guy just looks out for the rich. For all you Emos out there its our freedom to do whatever the hell we want to our bikes well it was out freedom .... Thx for nothing Arnold

[mammatus]

1. You can be hiking 12-18 miles from a freeway or highway and still hear these pipes. I guess that will let me know where they are, and avoid accidents that entail a 40 mile radius.
2. Military planes flying overhead are quieter.
3. There is nothing rebellious, hip, freedom-loving, righteous, manly or even faintly assertive about riding a motorized bicycle down a road --- a road built by others, going to a place ANYONE CAN GO.
4. Get a new hobby.

[No Noise]

Thanks to Senator Fran Pavley who worked very hard to get this bill passed into law!!

Thank you because now there is a law that law enforcement can work with to stop those polluting and LOUD pipes. Now neighbors can enjoy their peace and quiet. Now, the air can be a little cleaner. Thank you Senator Pavley and thanks to Gov. Arnold for signing the bill into law.

[dan]

Thanks Arnold! Hope they start handing out tickets to all the joyriding kooks at neptunes net. J.Thur please move back to Arizona ASAP.

[leslie]

@ J. Thur-
While I see where you're coming from, those laws stand for your own protection. California is too heavily populated to allow everyone to be flying by the seat of their pants so recklessly as you chose to do. Maybe we want you to wear a seat belt so we don't have to clean your guts off the side of the road when someone talking on their cell phone, with tinted dark windows and loud music playing doesn't seem to hear your motorcycle and takes you out on the freeway. By all means, take your loud a** motorcycle to Arizona where you can be as reckless as you please.

[papajuliet]

J.Thur: I hope this will be helpful. Good luck. "Hell" will at least be quieter.

http://www.realtor.com/arizona/nbselaz.asp

[Tom]

You're defecating me, right? I replaced my stock pipes with performance pipes. Yes, they're louder - reminds me of Mad Max's police cruiser. But I get a lot better performance and have noticed a significant improvement with other drivers noticing me, which I appreciate. One thing I do notice as I'm lane-splitting is the number of cars with only one person in it. If only 1/4 of those people drove motorcycles, freeway congestion would be a thing of the past. Sure, some of the Harley's a little load, but so are the blaring car stereos and many of the large trucks/semis that go up and down my residential street. You going to shut them down, too. How about those load kids at the soccer games and chatty Mommy's? Can we shut them up, too? It doesn't matter what you do; you're going to annoy someone. Do we need to regulate everything we do? Send these worthless politicians back home this election season. They pass foolish "feel-good" laws like this, but can't pass a budget.

[J.Thur]

This new law is a clear indication that our Governor is desperate to get California out of debt. So did he happen to think about the aftermarket companies who make these pipes? Now they are going to loose business, and probably go out of business, and more jobs will be lost.

This is just another way this state, is becoming a policed state! I can't wait to move back to Arizona, where I can carry a gun if I so happen to choose to. I can have my windows tinted as dark as I want, on all of my windows, I can talk on my cell phone and shoot my guns outside beyond city limits. Its funny I lived in Glendale, Az for Six years and in that Six years I received one speeding ticket.

I have been back in California for Four months and have now received my Third ticket from this Policed state. One for my windows being tinted to dark on the front, another for driving with no seatbelt (My choice by the way) and the third for doing 70 Mph in a 65! In Arizona you are allowed to drive 10 Mph over the speed limit without getting a ticket! I hope this state goes to Hell.

[T. Squ]

"And as far as IQ tests, there ought to be an IQ test for bikers that act as though the world's foremost priority should should be the safety of dimwits that split lanes at 65 MPH".
I will be more than happy to submit to any IQ test as long as cage drivers are required to also submit, and the horse power of their vehicles is restricted to the same number as what ever their IQ comes to.
I have a feeling you and those that agree with you couldn't then get a license to ride a skateboard.

[T. Squ]

"Only a thoughtless idiot thinks pipes aren't a problem, and in the very rare case where a loud pipe MIGHT HAVE saved one life, how many are lost to heart disease and other issues from noise pollution. Go ahead ya wanna-be biker thugs and shake the windows and eardrums of all of us victims in our houses.........you wouldn't understand this law if it was explained to you six ways from Sunday. THANK YOU, Arnold. You amazed all of us with signing this one. By the way, the renegade cops in Oakland asked for loud pipes because they WANT THEM LEGAL and don't want to enforce common sense noise laws. I would NOT POINT to a renegade department of a handful of motor cops as any sort of proof that earsplitting pipes have any value.''

I see, anyone who disagrees with your view of the world is thoughtless, an idiot, a thug, or a renegade.
You have got to be a flaming liberal. I really cant think what worse excuse for a human being there could be.

[Phillip Kavanaugh]

What a bunch of over sensitive wimps. Let's all have a good cry about it

[Mario Fortuna]

I have ridden for four decades and know that if a motorcyclist hits or gets hit by a car it is because they were not being hyper-vigilant. Safety is strictly up to the bike rider. I am tired of Neanderthals who prevent everyone from enjoying an outdoor meal in any tourist town in CA; like in Ojai where I live. You can't have a normal conversation w/o some 50 year old yahoo revving it up like everyone wants to have thier peace and quiet destryoed just so they can listen to some open pipes. Cite 'em and fine 'em and confiscate the bike after three citations for noise abatement violations. Grow-up...no one except another yahoo likes to listen to some immature wannbe's POS, you just think they do.

[papajuliet]

This morning a CHP Motor-Cop was hit and injured wonder why? Thanks Arnold you Idiot!

Loud Pipes Save Lives! Should have an I.Q. test for the idiots that run down Bikers and say "I didnt see him"!!!!

Posted by: Streets | September 30, 2010 at 09:47 AM

Streets: I was curious about your assertion that this accident involving a CHP Motorcycle Officer had something to do with loud pipes. It doesn't. It appears that the driver of the silver Toyota PU deliberately targeted and struck this Officer. The loudness or quietness of his pipes had NOTHING to do with this attack (it wasn't an accident). Once again the Loud Pipe Crowd connects dots that aren't connected. Still waiting for that study that equates loud exhaust systems with improved safety. Well? And as far as IQ tests, there ought to be an IQ test for bikers that act as though the world's foremost priority should should be the safety of dimwits that split lanes at 65 MPH.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/niceandquiet

[Don Bowman]

You gotta SALUTE the courage of the governor to side AGAINST his riding buddies and sign this watered down (Pavley originally back-covered all motorcycles to 1983 which would have ended the noise and chaos much faster) however still valuable law. Only a thoughtless idiot thinks pipes aren't a problem, and in the very rare case where a loud pipe MIGHT HAVE saved one life, how many are lost to heart disease and other issues from noise pollution. Go ahead ya wanna-be biker thugs and shake the windows and eardrums of all of us victims in our houses.........you wouldn't understand this law if it was explained to you six ways from Sunday. THANK YOU, Arnold. You amazed all of us with signing this one. By the way, the renegade cops in Oakland asked for loud pipes because they WANT THEM LEGAL and don't want to enforce common sense noise laws. I would NOT POINT to a renegade department of a handful of motor cops as any sort of proof that earsplitting pipes have any value.

[T. Squ]

I've never been close to an accident with any motorcycle, but living along the main drag in Long Beach/Belmont Shore I am DAILY disturbed by the noise they make. Great law, let's hope the police enforce it.

Posted by: Hyrum Nielsen | September 30, 2010 at 12:03 PM
I will make it my business to ride down Ocean Blvd and 2nd St from now on when I'm in long beach.

[Hyrum Nielsen]

I've never been close to an accident with any motorcycle, but living along the main drag in Long Beach/Belmont Shore I am DAILY disturbed by the noise they make. Great law, let's hope the police enforce it.

[J Stomp]

streets you little b..., you aint no rider. I slap ur face

[Yeah]

Well, I'm an anti-regulation guy and like to be free to work on my own stuff, especially my car.
BUT THEY BLEW IT.

The straight pipes crowd kept gaming the rules and getting pals is the highway patrol + local PD to let them off. It wasn't too hard since the way the old rules were written required lugging a sound meter around; even then the tickets could be challenged. But the difference between a sporty high performance system with a nice growl and d*mn straight pipes or hollowed-out mufflers is obvious a mile away ... and that's why the punks like straight pipes.

Arnold left one thing out - there needs to be a separate fine for really loud - the ones which are deliberately as loud as possible which is easy to tell if you look inside the muffler. That fine oughtta be "we get your bike and you get one with pedals" plus a the 10,000 people they were blapping the pipes at each get to smack them upside the head (open hand, not fist or elbow). A week or two later when they can walk straight again they'll get to figure whether it was worth it.

[J Stomp]

T Shaq........simmer down now. Lol.

[papajuliet]

This new law is not the only tool being brought to bear against this silly, retrograde "lifestyle". There class-action lawsuits in the works. The noise from an illegally equipped Harley, and 80% have been modified (according to the AMA), is just noise, as in noise pollution. The Chopper Culture has truly proven themselves to be unable to regulate themselves. And now that people are fed up with the damage and degradation caused this self-centered special-interest group, all the bikers have to say is "police state". Had the Chopper Culture exhibited a modicum of concern for others we wouldn't be having this conversation. How is it that I have been riding for 40 years and never been in an accident involving another vehicle? My pipes aren't loud. Why is it that the most common motorcycle accident reported is a single vehicle accident? How do loud pipes prevent that type of accident? The "Loud Pipes Save Lives" line of
BS is just that. It's a way for self-centered miscreants to justify their community peace-shattering hobby without taking an responsibility for their poor driving skills. Riding a motorcycle is a high risk activity, and involving everyone within a 1/2 mile radius in your imaginary safety is just plain rude and stupid.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/niceandquiet

[T. Squ]

If loud pipes do not increase driver awareness as you claim, explain please the Oakland PD motorcycle cops petitioning to have the stock Harley Davidson exhaust systems modified to be louder?
These motor patrol officers stated that the stock exhaust were so quiet they dramatically increased the chance of being hit by a inattentive cager.
Before you allow you fear and hatred of bikers to overwhelm your reasoning you should learn to ride a motorcycle and spend a little time out on the road.
You'll soon come to realize that what you have been doing behind the wheel of your cage has been putting bikers in danger every time you drive.

[dazzle]

riders with loud bikes have the intellectual capacity of juvenile thugs that drive around blasting rap through their cheap subwoofers. this is one of the few laws in california i wholeheartedly support, and will enjoy calling the cops on every obnoxious child-man i see with a loud bike now. mufflers were a great invention you luddites, so use one or pay the penalty.

[T. Squ]

"Loud pipes DON'T save lives! Safe, defensive driving saves lives. I welcome this new law. One of the reasons, Harley riders change their pipes is because the Harley engine is a low-tech piece of sh#t and they think that opening up the exhaust will make it perform."
Here you have the opinion of the uninformed.
I have been riding street bikes for more than 40 years and more than 1/2 that on Harley Davidson motorcycles.
I can state from personal experience that Loud Pipes Do Indeed capture the attention of inattentive cagers. I see it every day while riding my loud Harley on the freeways of LA.
Riding a Harley Davidson is not a speed contest. That's the reason Harley doesn't produce bikes to market to idiots like you that think the greatest thrill in life is to end up dead as a roadside decoration or hood ornament.

[craig]

Finally. The state's population density is at a point that a selfish few can seriously disburb the majority. Now, lets hope the cops enforce it.

[Streets]

This morning a CHP Motor-Cop was hit and injured wonder why? Thanks Arnold you Idiot!

Loud Pipes Save Lives! Should have an I.Q. test for the idiots that run down Bikers and say "I didnt see him"!!!!

[Dave]

"LIVE TO RIDE AND RIDE TO LIVE". I purchased my Harley in my 40's because I have always wanted one and yes I modified the exhaust for a better sound. I recently had a neighbor leave a note on my car that my Harley was too loud which FYI I never ride fast in my neighborhood and this was my first ride in 2 weeks. A police officer came to my house and was totally cool and said that most cops ride loud Harleys and not to worry and just maintain slow speed in neighborhood which I do. As far as the comment THAT every middle aged man has bought a Harley due to mid-life crisis is bull----. If you knew how to ride and enjoyed what we enjoy each and every time we get on our bikes and hear and feel that rumble we sit on THEN you will never know how much COOL it is to just go our and RIDE. You either can't afford a bike, your wife won't let you have one, you can't ride or plain and simple your just a jealous KOOK with a mini van or SUV who is married to a soccer mom that drives to Target, Trader Joes, School and soccer games. Wow what a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How about STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BchGirl]

I hope it's enforced regularly especially in the beach cities. Safety? PLEASE! You guys just want to annoy the crap out people like the attention seeking brats you are. Go get some attention from your mommies and leave the rest of us in peace! The motorcycles that drive by are so loud they drown out conversations, TVs and wake up kids napping. It even made my niece cry because she was so startled. People should be able to have their windows open and walk around thier own neighborhoods without being subjected to arrogant inconsiderate jerks who rev their engines on purpose.

[David McCrary]

should be retroactive not starting MY 2013.

[Mongo]

Instead of banning loud bikes and cars, how about banning stupid soccer moms driving Honda Odysseys and Toyota Sienas? They are FAR more dangerous -- yapping on the cel phone, distracted by the brats in the back seat and usually sleep deprived and buzzing on caffeine.

4 accidents in the last 4 days in my area -- all four of them were soccer moms driving into a ditch, running a red light or running over a bicyclist.

[T. Price]

Bravo, Governor, bravo! Now, what can we do about the music (if that is what one calls it) blasting us from the car beside us at the red light?

[observer]

Motorcycle riders are usually idiots that do not care about others let alone themselves. they are loud and annoying.
If they would have some respect for others it would be SOOOO GOOOD!!!!
Let us see what the riders would say if someone was to annoy them with what they were doing.... ex. beating pots and pans over their head when they are trying to sleep!

[don]

Arizona here i come, this is a police state, and im sick of it. all the people complaining are non riders who talk on cell phones and are the same people who run into us and say im sorry i didnt see you

[don]

Has my pipes ever caused a single death? no but its saved me! i guess he forgot his bike in the terminator?????

[don stuhr]

How much money did Arnold make on the Harley in the Terminator? And with no helmet? He just lost my Republican Vote. Im sorry to ever have voted for him by this, ill just buy an older bike. THANKS ARNOLD. Now ill vote independant!

[THUMPER]

C.O.C.---U.S.Defenders Program
to Action!!!

[Dave]

The law should have also made it illegal to sell any aftermarket exhausts that do not meet the noise standards of 86db. Then, companies could be fined in a big way if they ignore the law.

Loud pipes DON'T save lives. Well trained, alert motorcyclists that drive defensively, save lives. Most motorcycle accidents are from motorcyclists running into another vehicle, especially at intersections. Loud pipes do nothing to minimize these types of accidents. Only safe, alert riders save lives.

[Dave]

Loud pipes DON'T save lives! Safe, defensive driving saves lives. I welcome this new law. One of the reasons, Harley riders change their pipes is because the Harley engine is a low-tech piece of sh#t and they think that opening up the exhaust will make it perform.

Now, maybe HD will start building motorcycles that are reasonably quiet AND have decent performance. Otherwise, we need a merger in the industry..... can you say, "Honda Davidson"? LOL...

[papajuliet]

Ok Jack- I don't think a loud bike has ever hurt someone. Unless you include the general degradation of our communities caused by this recent (20 years +/-) fad where every pathetic middle-aged man in America needs not just a Harley, but an illegally equipped Harley to get through their midlife crisis. I would call the 24/7 bombardment of illegal noise harm or hurt. I'm tired of hearing how bikers are "really nice people". Nice people behave nicely. Self-centered faux-barbarians behave like.... You guessed it, Bikers. The noise your ilk loves so much is really not welcomed by most people. And people like scooterbluz: because there are other creeps that disregard other peoples' rights with " fartcan mufflers " it's OK to bombard the world with illegal Harleys. It's possible that the boomcar cretins AND the Biker miscreants both suck. In fact they do.

One thing at a time. Today illegal Harleys, tomorrow self-centered miscreants in general.

[scooterbluz]

Give me the STINKING ticket. I won't be changing nothing on my bike until I don't get woke up by those fartcan mufflers on your Honda Civic. And your look at me thumping stupid stereo.