Gotta love California....🏁🏁

[Chupaca]

The blog for my trade association, Automotive Service Councils of California has a thread going about loud vehicles. Somebody found the following on the AAA webpage and posted it:
California Vehicle Code sections 27201 and 27202 established the following:

A noise limit of 92 decibels applies to any motorcycle manufactured before 1970. A noise limit of 88 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1969 and before 1973; 86 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1972 and before 1975; 83 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1974 and before 1986; 80 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1985.

Motorcycles registered in the state that are manufactured on or after 2013 or have an aftermarket exhaust system manufactured on or after 2013 must have the federal EPA noise emission label affixed to it in order to be operated, used, or parked in the state.

However, in order for us to enforce these regulations we are required to have a calibrated decibel meter! Psss..... we don't have calibrated decibel meters.

What we do have is section 27150 (a) which requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with "An adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise."

So what is excessive and unusual noise? If we can hear it from a distance of 50 feet, at freeway speeds, with our windows rolled up, and it is still uncomfortably loud, that is enough for us to stop that motorcycle for excessive exhaust noise.

After digesting this, does anybody agree that we should start a movement to get the dummos in Sacramento to fund calibrated decibel meters?

[Easy Rider]

After digesting this, does anybody agree that we should start a movement to get the dummos in Sacramento to fund calibrated decibel meters?

First, the complete absence of a muffler should be good enough evidence that the rules are being violated.

Second, I believe it is the responsibility of the person or company that sells and installs after market parts to be sure they are legal.

Why should I pay for a meter when I have stock pipes ??

[JerryB]

Hi Easy Rider,

Re: Why should I pay for a meter when I have stock pipes ??

I'm with you. Something about the old adage 'Be careful what you wish for.'

Back in the '70's I attended a few meetings when Oregon was bringing in emission testing. I was driving a 1965 Porsche and that car was never designed to have low emissions. The state employees at one meeting stated that any car could pass the standards that they were proposing. The local Porsche club set up a pre-legislation test & virtually none of us with the older cars could pass the proposed standards. After that, and with a good effort at lobbying, we got the standards relaxed for our older cars.

Jerry Baumchen

[Grandpaspeed]

Another reason I don't go to California

[311tomcat]

After digesting that, I think those "dummos" should be voted out of office!!

[Bob Denman]

I've got no dog in a "Left Coast Fight": but

[bluewoo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAH5P5fSTas

Since I was 25 Ive had stock exhaust on everything - no need for noise, I like it quite.

Past 12 years I wear hearing protection at work so I'm very sensitive and enjoy normal exhaust.

[johnsimion]

"in order for us to enforce these regulations we are required to have a calibrated decibel meter" - nothing you quoted says this is your problem. Unless you are the police, why would it be your problem to enforce the regulations? I agree with Easy Rider, it's the responsibility of the person that sells and installs aftermarket parts to be sure they comply. And nobody with a normal stock muffler has anything to worry about. Those who do have a problem know exactly who they are.

As for police enforcement, I used to be a municipal prosecutor in a small town and we had no difficulty enforcing a similar law about loud cars. In this case, the cops will probably warn first based on what they hear, then give a ticket, then if the recipient fixes the muffler they throw the ticket away, then if not they find somebody with a decibel meter. Don't tell me there are no decibel meters in the entire state of California. This gives the police something ironclad and unambiguous for the hardcore, obstinate violators. This isn't really that hard OR stupid.

[canamjhb]

Nothing unusual. I wonder, do newer bikes really display EPA noise stickers.....? I can't find one on my bike. I know California has different emission limits but didn't know about the noise limits. And......Seventeen Mile Drive bans ALL motorcycles regardless of noise level. Guess the good folks of Carmel don't want to have to deal with the likes of us bikers..... Here in Arid-Zone-A we have a little town of Cave Creek that has a lot of good biker bars and lunch destintions. But to get to Cave Creek you have to ride through the town of Carefree. I havn't been there for a long time so don't know current situation. But there was a time when Carefree posted "warning signs" for motorcycles right below the speed limit signs. The noise limit in town was 80db and the fine for exceeding that was $750.00...... .....

[Highwayman2013]

California is not much fun.

[Chupaca]

Nothing unusual. I wonder, do newer bikes really display EPA noise stickers.....? I can't find one on my bike. I know California has different emission limits but didn't know about the noise limits. And......Seventeen Mile Drive bans ALL motorcycles regardless of noise level. Guess the good folks of Carmel don't want to have to deal with the likes of us bikers..... Here in Arid-Zone-A we have a little town of Cave Creek that has a lot of good biker bars and lunch destintions. But to get to Cave Creek you have to ride through the town of Carefree. I havn't been there for a long time so don't know current situation. But there was a time when Carefree posted "warning signs" for motorcycles right below the speed limit signs. The noise limit in town was 80db and the fine for exceeding that was $750.00...... .....

Interesting thing is they do not smog bikes of any kind here nor do they check noise levels. Kinda "on the books" rules/laws. Now when they do there will be a mad scramble to find those cat units everyone trashed or left behind at the show...And they are not cheap nor is a stock muffler..

[LeftCoast]

Lol it’s not that bad most of the time. Police don’t enforce the 10 or so leaf blowers that come through the street every week that are obnoxiously loud and most police I know would really rather get involved with something other than a loud muffler.

[Bfromla]

Careful they might calibrate the radar guns while they are at it

[mrgrtt123]

That is one of the most annoying rules ever.

[jaherbst]

The blog for my trade association, Automotive Service Councils of California has a thread going about loud vehicles. Somebody found the following on the AAA webpage and posted it:
California Vehicle Code sections 27201 and 27202 established the following:

A noise limit of 92 decibels applies to any motorcycle manufactured before 1970. A noise limit of 88 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1969 and before 1973; 86 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1972 and before 1975; 83 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1974 and before 1986; 80 decibels applies to motorcycles manufactured after 1985.



Motorcycles registered in the state that are manufactured on or after 2013 or have an aftermarket exhaust system manufactured on or after 2013 must have the federal EPA noise emission label affixed to it in order to be operated, used, or parked in the state.

However, in order for us to enforce these regulations we are required to have a calibrated decibel meter! Psss..... we don't have calibrated decibel meters.

What we do have is section 27150 (a) which requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with "An adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise."

So what is excessive and unusual noise? If we can hear it from a distance of 50 feet, at freeway speeds, with our windows rolled up, and it is still uncomfortably loud, that is enough for us to stop that motorcycle for excessive exhaust noise.

After digesting this, does anybody agree that we should start a movement to get the dummos in Sacramento to fund calibrated decibel meters?

Chupaca for the next Governor of the state of California!

Jack

[Easy Rider]

That is one of the most annoying rules ever.

Are you talking about noise rules ?
If motorcycles don't have to follow the rules, why should any OTHER vehicle ??
Think about a busy highway if ALL the vehicles had no mufflers.

For those of us that value our daytime naps and a good night's sleep......the rules are not annoying at all.
What IS annoying is that they aren't better enforced.

For those people who are SICK and sleep is required, excessive noise could literally KILL them.

[Chupaca]

Easy there folks this is for us who live here to duke out....as everything else it will get nowhere unless they can TAX it. Last smog test for the cars I had I was told that they no longer smog anything. They simply verify that the emissions lable attached to the car matches the equipment on the car...If your older vehicle does not pass you can show proof of attemps to repair and they will pass you anyway. I also think they no longer smog the poluters anymore anyway....

[LeftCoast]

The smog stations have been one of the biggest rip offs ever here, a lot of shady operators taking advantage of people, coupon battles with hidden fees etc. the sooner those guys go out of business the better imho.

[Motorcycledave]

I think a good start to solve this and other problems that
California has, would be to vote OUT all the good ole boys
that make laws that are unneeded and unwanted by the
citizens......
Only my opinion, and yo know about opinions... everyone has one.

[2dogs]

This entire discussion is a moot point. LE in mexifornia whether state, county or city are all lacking the funds and manpower to address loud exhaust. Boom boxes and the loud thump thump irritating noises they produce are over ridden by the necessity to respond to crimes of a greater nature. Vehicle accidents, assaults, domestic violence, shootings and home invasions are constantly ongoing and require a higher degree of attention than an irritating noise ordnance. Wish it were not so, but that's the way it is.

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

This entire discussion is a moot point. LE in mexifornia whether state, county or city are all lacking the funds and manpower to address loud exhaust. Boom boxes and the loud thump thump irritating noises they produce are over ridden by the necessity to respond to crimes of a greater nature. Vehicle accidents, assaults, domestic violence, shootings and home invasions are constantly ongoing and require a higher degree of attention than an irritating noise ordnance. Wish it were not so, but that's the way it is.

I think the politicians are afraid to go after those that are at the root cause of many of those problems, ca. criminals vote

[Big F]

but California is broke and can't afford decibel meters????????
BIG F

[r1100rider]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAH5P5fSTas

Since I was 25 Ive had stock exhaust on everything - no need for noise, I like it quite.

Past 12 years I wear hearing protection at work so I'm very sensitive and enjoy normal exhaust.

i agree and it seems to be a requirement if you own a Harley to make them stupidly loud I hate it it's not necessary

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

i agree and it seems to be a requirement if you own a Harley to make them stupidly loud I hate it it's not necessary

Anyone remember the south park episode with loud bikes & harley riders?

[LeftCoast]

Anyone remember the south park episode with loud bikes & harley riders?

I saw that about a month ago. I was on the floor laughing at parts of it