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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: GopherIt

I’ve always wanted to make that ride up to DC but its a bit hard to schedule. Maybe next year if I get away...it looks like an amazing time.


61 posted on 09/22/2010 4:32:59 AM PDT by Terrence DoGood
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To: utax

I rode motorcycles of many types for 26 years and traveled a lot on them(average 25 or6 thousand miles/year). I did not like loud bikes because the constant roar wore me out on a long haul. I got off of them “for good” when I made my fourth trip to the hospital. Well “for good” ended when the price of gasoline went to $4.39 but now it is a Honda Reflex. It doesn’t roar.


62 posted on 09/22/2010 4:35:21 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: zeebee
Many motorcyclists intentionally modify the exhaust as a safety precaution. The loud noise informs cars if their presence, since most cars do not see motorcycles.

I wired my car's horn to blare constantly when the engine is running for the same reason. No accidents yet, so it must be working!

Oh sure the neighbors might be a tad upset when I leave for work at 5:00AM, but it makes me both manly and safe so screw them.

63 posted on 09/22/2010 4:35:26 AM PDT by whd23 (Every time a link is de-blogged an angel gets its wings.)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

I believe that loud bikes are compensation for low testosterone. Kinda like pit bulls.


64 posted on 09/22/2010 4:38:31 AM PDT by freedomfiter2
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To: RFEngineer

I drove the Al-Can on a CB 750 a quarter century ago. It was a great ride. I didn’t scare any old ladies.


65 posted on 09/22/2010 4:39:05 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: Terrence DoGood

Loud pipes = gangsta rap. Deal with it.

Try a little personal responsibility in that cup of freedom your drinking from.


66 posted on 09/22/2010 4:40:05 AM PDT by RGSpincich
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To: Neidermeyer

So your position is that because of one idiot who happens to live next door to you, who must have grown up without a mother to instruct him in manners and common decency, what I have to say on the subject is “not substantiated”?

I have been riding a motorcycle, in one form or another, since I was 16 years old. As I am now 62, that would make 46 years of riding experience according to my math. I can substantiate for you the fact that a loud, deep, throbbing sound will attract the attention of a driver in a car long before the extremely bright reflection of sunlight glaring off the surface of a 700 lb., black and chrome machine heading right towards them ever will, and that’s not to mention the bright headlights that the bike is required to have burning at all times in most states.

Why do you suppose that emergency vehicles have sirens? Shouldn’t the brightly painted vehicles with all of the flashing lights be enough to keep some idiot from pulling directly into their lane of travel?

Unless you ride one, STFU and go sit down.


67 posted on 09/22/2010 4:41:42 AM PDT by Rearden (Deo Vindice)
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To: poobear

You’re.


68 posted on 09/22/2010 4:44:03 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: jla

I seem to hear some petulant envy there.


69 posted on 09/22/2010 4:45:35 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: Terrence DoGood

Many are clearly exceeding a reasonable decibel limit. I rode bikes for years and love them but in our downtown some of the bikes are so loud you have to pause your conversation.

I am not for making them quiet as a purring Honda but there are limits and I am not a communist for supporting them.


70 posted on 09/22/2010 4:45:46 AM PDT by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience.)
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To: Joe Boucher

My plastic gas can has a breather hole. I have a drill and a little plug.


71 posted on 09/22/2010 4:47:00 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: Terrence DoGood
invading illegal alien hordes destroying the state, OK... loud pipes, off with their heads
72 posted on 09/22/2010 4:48:11 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Terrence DoGood

“I’d wager I’ve left a bigger mark than you my friend.”

You are free to think so. How quickly you went from “everyone is a wimp but me on my Harley” to practically posting your resume. Seems like “loud pipes” applies to more than motorcycles.

Like many folks in the BWI area, your Harley quickly loses it’s allure stuck in DC traffic on a summer day.

Since you brought it up, thanks for your service, and you’re welcome for mine. I hope you find success in the civilian world - but don’t ride your Harley to the interview....


73 posted on 09/22/2010 4:48:40 AM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: RFEngineer

No.


74 posted on 09/22/2010 4:48:55 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: TChris
Bikers like loud exhaust because it's the audio equivalent of giving the world the finger.

You should stick to subjects that you know something about. You're not psychic and have no idea how or what bikers think. I doubt you even know any real bikers.

75 posted on 09/22/2010 4:49:29 AM PDT by Melas
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To: RFEngineer

Leave the psychologizing to the Liberals. They have so much to compensate for.


76 posted on 09/22/2010 4:49:39 AM PDT by arthurus (Read Hazlitt's "Economics In One Lesson.")
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To: arthurus

Sure multiple sources.
Type in; obamas mom in law santeria
You will get a boat load of sites who reported it.
Also that shelf ass Michelle is furious as it just MAY bee unseemly.


77 posted on 09/22/2010 4:50:06 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) Less gubmint is best gubmint.)
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To: Terrence DoGood

I want a tiny government that’s out of our hair, but I can hardly express my level of contempt for those guys who go blasting that noise across everyone else’s property.

In this case, good for CA!


78 posted on 09/22/2010 4:51:42 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: TChris
Many motorcyclists intentionally modify the exhaust as a safety precaution. Oh come on. This is FR. Don't be insulting. We've all heard that excuse; we all know it's BS. Bikers like loud exhaust because it's the audio equivalent of giving the world the finger. It's annoying, rude, selfish and juvenile. Yes it violates the rights of others just like any other disturbance of the peace does. Some motorcyclists have actually matured beyond 16 years old and think of others. Grow up and use a muffler. Some people have sleeping children, jerks. (Yes, that goes for your 20-ft-tall, 140 dB pickup too, junior) Personally, I wish all of them were sentenced to Guantanamo sleep deprivation treatments for a month or so. (Quit whining and deal with it, wimp. That goes for your 4-year-old too.)

As a biker (riding for 55 years), I have to agree with you. Very loud pipes are the stuff of adolescent behavior (e.g. like noisy, irritating, spoiled brat children), hurt the image of motorcycling and are harmful to people's health. I don't know that I'd send them to Gitmo, but I'd certainly fine their a$$ big time.
79 posted on 09/22/2010 4:51:52 AM PDT by pt17
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To: arthurus

That’s not the point.
Some govt. Goober put their noses into our business as they have tried to do in everything.
Get the damned govt out of our business and off our asses.
Fire the whole lot of these teet suckers.
Put their sorry asses in unemployment lines.


80 posted on 09/22/2010 4:52:31 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) Less gubmint is best gubmint.)
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