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California Endorses EPA Compliant Exhaust Systems
A key California State Assembly committee has endorsed a proposal to require motorcyclists to have EPA-compliant exhaust systems on their model year 2011 and newer motorcycles, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
On June 28, the Committee on Transportation voted 8-4 to approve Senate Bill 435, introduced by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Oxnard-Los Angeles), which would make it illegal to ride a motorcycle on the road built on, or after, Jan. 1, 2011, that doesn't display a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) label certifying the exhaust system meets sound emissions standards.
Riders caught riding model year 2011 or newer motorcycles without this stamp would be issued "fix it" tickets by law enforcement officers.
The measure now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
"Many EPA labels are very difficult to locate on motorcycles," said AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris. "This proposed law could lead to a flurry of tickets for motorcyclists who have legal exhaust systems on their machines with EPA labels that can't be easily seen. It's unreasonable to expect a law enforcement officer to easily locate an EPA label, and it's simply unfair to expect a motorcycle owner to partially dismantle an exhaust system alongside the road to prove the label exists.
"Requiring that a motorcycle display a readily visible EPA label isn't the correct way to address concerns about excessive motorcycle sound," he added. "The only objective way to determine whether a motorcycle complies with sound laws is for properly trained personnel to conduct sound level tests using calibrated meters and an agreed-upon testing procedure."
Haris suggested that concerned California motorcyclists contact their state lawmakers and urge them to reject Senate Bill 435. |
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Taylor Motors is proud to be a sponsor of Big Bike Weekend! Right now the Taylor family is offering special values on previously owned vehicles, including most major brands, each one covered by either the remainder of the original factory warranty or the exclusive Taylor Motors 12 month/12,000 Service Protection Plan. |
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Another new vendor for this year is Iron Angel Roadwear. They formerly owned Renegade Classics of Santa Rosa and now operate an on line store. Their goal is to provide sexy and comfortable biker clothing for all women riders.
Iron Angel Roadwear is bringing their on line store with their line that includes heavenly pink helmets (from full face to half) and helmet accessories, sweatshirts, t-shirts, gloves and leather apparel.
Save on shipping and make your purchase at Big Bike Weekend. Visit Iron Angel Roadwear ahead of time and let JoAnn know what you're interested in purchasing. |
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530-222-5522 or 530-547-4722
View Real Estate Differently
Life is full of choices. Ride with the Real Estate Group. Introducing the world's first real estate motorcycle division created to provide a unique buying experience by letting you view properties with the freedom of your motorcycle. YOUR RIDE. YOUR HOME. TM |
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The Current Code on Pipes
By Monty Hight, Retired CHP Officer
As with most equipment violations, exhaust systems have specific limitations and requirements. I am going to lead off by saying that many people hold different opinions on how loud is too loud, but the following is what the California Vehicle Code basically states. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA (dbA is the decibel level). Motorcycles manufactured before 1970, the noise limit of 92 dbA. After 1969 and before 1973, 88 dbA. After 1972, and before 1975, 86 dbA. After 1974, and before 1986, 83 dbA. After 1985, 80 dbA.
Basically, according to the vehicle code, the newer the motorcycle the lower the decibel level. That may not, however, always be the case. All motorcycles manufactured for sale in California meet the requirements when they arrive at the various dealerships. There is a section that further states that it is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale a new motor vehicle that does not meet these requirements. The issue usually starts when the purchaser of the motorcycle immediately removes or modifies the factory equipment and replaces it with a system that does not comply with the lawful sound level.
There are many reasons why motorcycle owners change the exhaust system on their bikes. Performance is generally given as the reason, but the specific loud rumble of the exhaust pipe, tends to have something to do with it as well. From the moment that we took a clothes pin and used it to hold on the playing card against our bicycles spokes, we wanted that noise. Regardless of the reason the exhaust system was modified, if the decibel level is above the lawful limit, quite simply, it is unlawful.
So what is a decibel? Basically it's a unit of measurement for expressing how loud something is. Zero being silent, to 130 which is reported to be at the average pain level. Several years ago, I was a CHP training officer and as part of our prescribed annual vehicle code training, I procured a decibel reading device and provided training to officers as to, in general, how loud is too loud. There is no way that I can explain in the written word how loud, for example 90 decibels is, other that I am able to, as are most people, to know when a exhaust system has been modified to increase its decibel level. With all that being said, I have several friends that ride Harleys and the majority are all too loud and I voice my concern that they are subject to a citation. So now comes the question, when does someone get a ticket for their vehicle being too loud? As with most vehicle code violations, the officer uses his or her own discretion. I can only speak for myself when it comes to the issuance of a citation. While on patrol, if I hear a vehicle in my vicinity before I see it and or the sound causes vibration in my vehicle, I will make an enforcement stop. If I stop a vehicle for an unrelated violation and it happens that the vehicle has too loud of an exhaust system, I will issue a citation allowing the driver to correct the violation.
What about all of the passenger vehicles with the very loud, booming, stereos? The law states that if the sound can be heard from 50 or more feet from the vehicle, it's too loud. There are so many equipment violations, that if there is an interest in these, I would happily address them in a separate article.
The best rule of thumb is that before you decide to modify your vehicle, you check with your local police department or CHP. There are many aftermarket products that when you read the small print, indicate that this product may not be legal in California or for on highway use. Safety and Service is the CHP mission and issuing citations for equipment violations is part of that mission. |
Volunteers Make the Difference
Big Bike Weekend's Board relies on its dedicated, hard working and enthusiastic Team Leaders to create an event for you to enjoy. Thanks to STAR, individual members of Redding HOG, Freedom Riders, Blue Knights, Shascade Wings, American Legion Riders, MIAP, Motor Maids, NorCal Dual Sport, Scooterville and community members for all taking an interest in working on the event. If you, your friends, co-workers, family and neighbors would like to volunteer for this year's event please complete the volunteer form on the website. |
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Focus Should Be on Crash Prevention
U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) has introduced a resolution urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to concentrate on motorcycle crash prevention and rider education instead of lobbying state lawmakers to enact mandatory helmet laws, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
The resolution is in response to a statement made by NHTSA Administrator David Strickland in May reemphasizing Congressional testimony he gave in March when he stated that the core component of NHTSA's motorcycle safety plan is
to increase helmet use and "anything the Congress does that would support the movement of riders into helmets would be efficacious of safety."
The resolution, which was introduced on July 1, supports efforts to retain a federal ban on the agency from using taxpayer dollars to lobby state and local legislators. Reps. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Tom Petri (R-Wis.) co-sponsored the measure.
The anti-lobbying language was originally written into the Transportation Equity Act approved by Congress in 1998.
"It is the job of Congress to protect the rights of the states and also the freedom and individual responsibilities that motorcycle riders across the nation enjoy as they travel the open roads of America," Sensenbrenner said.
The AMA's Moreland thanked Sensenbrenner for his efforts.
"The key to reducing motorcycle injuries and fatalities is found in the implementation of strategies that prevent the likelihood of a crash from happening in the first place," Moreland said. "We are pleased to see that Rep. Sensenbrenner and his colleagues who back his resolution are mindful of the importance of motorcycle crash prevention, and the pursuit of rider education as a primary means to reduce injuries and save lives," he said.
Sensenbrenner's resolution notes that federal law currently states: "No funds appropriated to the secretary for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall be available for any activity specifically designed to urge a state or local legislator to favor or oppose the adoption of any specific legislative proposal pending before any state or local legislative body."
The resolution also states that federal lawmakers support efforts to retain the lobbying ban, encourages continued growth in motorcycling, recognizes the importance of motorcycle crash prevention, and encourages the traffic safety agency to focus on crash prevention and rider education "as the most significant priorities in motorcycle safety." |
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You Gotta Wear Shades
A key component of motorcycle safety gear is protective eyewear. As the summer sun shines longer during the day we need to protect our eyes. Harley-Davidson Performance Eyewear will arm you with that ability.
Harley-Davidson's commitment to using the latest technology is clear, as every pair of H-D Performance Eyewear includes patented Sola Sunlens lenses. H-D partnered with the industry leader in optical technology known for their unrivaled capabilities in innovation and engineering-to offer the best visual accuracy in the industry.
Independent tests confirm that our lenses excel in the three specific areas of optical performance:
* REFRACTIVE: The lens' ability to focus the light rays.
* RESOLVING: Degree of lens clarity.
* PRISMATIC: Deviation in vision caused by the sun's rays.
These specific areas are especially important for motorcycle riders as the ability to see clearly and without distortion are crucial to applying the fundamental safe riding technique "SEE" as taught in motorcycle safety courses.
The following essential features come standard with all Harley-Davidson Performance Eyewear products:
* 100% UV protection
* Made from unique optical grade materials
* 6 times the impact resistance and durability of standard Polycarbonate
* Hydrophobic properties reduce the lens' surface tension to repel water, dust and oil
* Non-polarized lenses to avoid glare and double-vision created by looking through polarized lenses and Lexan windshields or faceshields
* Anti-reflective properties to minimize distracting glare wile riding to avoid eye strain and fatigue. Visit our Big Bike Weekend Sponsor Redding Harley-Davidson. |
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Big Bike Weekend Registration
Big Bike Weekend opened registration last week. We're giving our registrants more ways to win $$ with an additional poker run on Sunday. For our riders coming from out-of-town, no need to get back on your bike for a Friday poker hand. We'll keep you on the site for a poker walk ... you'll have time to visit booths, watch the Oakland Police Drill Team performance on Friday and be ready for staging for the Police Escorted Green Light Remembrance Ride following the Public Service Memorial.
We're changing things on Saturday and moving the Bike Show Competition to later in the day. The Bike Show Competition is a ride in show with 14 classes ... North American Stock, North American Mild Custom, North American Full Custom, Import Stock, Import Mild Custom, Import Full Custom, Sport Bike, Scooter, Novelty, Vintage, Touring Stock, Touring Mild Custom, Touring Full Custom and Radical. Staging will be on the upper level ramp of the Convention Center. The rules and application will be posted on the website in the next few weeks. The public is coming to see the bikes ... show off your ride and enter the show. Maybe your bike will be the winner of this year's People's Choice.
We'll also be keeping the stamp competition to give you ways to win the same amount of money as if you had gone on a poker run. We'll give you list of activities to earn stamps. All it takes is 1 stamp and you can go into the drawing for a $100 VISA card. |
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