Thanks again to the loud pipes crowd...

[dcstrom]

You know how much I love noisy cruisers... I make a point of being outta town for Rolling Thunder. Now they are testing for and trying to figure out what to do about bike noise in national parks. What bikes you may ask?

http://www.npr.org/2012/06/25/155727756/no-warm-welcome-for-motorcycles-in-national-parks?sc=emaf

 

[sail2xxs]

I'm glad the park service is being somewhat scientific about this, rather than just banning bikes from national parks. I love bikes, I love the sound of a good running engine, and I appreciate a sweet exhaust note, but I think some folks get carried away. Here in downtown DC, it's not unusual to hear noisy cruisers purposefully blip the throttle hard when running between buildings - just so they can hear the echo. If you've spent any time on Skyline Drive, they do the same thing in the tunnel. I am a live and let live guy, but I'm far less willing to "let live" when a small group of thoughtless people being intentionally obnoxious could potentially limit my opportunity to enjoy my motorcycle in some of America's most beautiful places. Motorcyclists in general get stereo-typed enough as it is because of the actions of a few boneheads (thinking also of the stunt-riding sport bike guys popping wheelies in traffic at 90+ MPH).

Chris

 

[imrubicon]

Loud pipes save lives!
imagine what learning to ride the bike could do?

I hate to say it but Im almost in favor of DOT mufflers and the wave it if bike over certain age as finding old ones are harder .
But Im more in favor of freedom for all even those I disagree with

 

[terrysig]

I'm in the crummy situation where my dirtbike riding area (right out my backdoor) is in jeopardy because all the neighbors have asked the municiplaity for a ban of the riding area due to noise. I can actually understand since it is a narrow valley with houses at the top of one side. I live right on the rim. One further block away on both sides of the valley are major roadways. One a residential blvd (my side) and the other side a four lane highway.

You can definitely hear dirt riding.

ALTHOUGH NOT WHEN F-ING BIKES WITH STRAIGHT BIKES ARE RUNNING ON EITHER ROADWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try to get non riding neighbors to understand the difference.

I'm strongely in favor of noise restriction of bikes, both dirt and street.

 

[merchant]

I'm glad the park service is being somewhat scientific about this, rather than just banning bikes from national parks. I love bikes, I love the sound of a good running engine, and I appreciate a sweet exhaust note, but I think some folks get carried away. Here in downtown DC, it's not unusual to hear noisy cruisers purposefully blip the throttle hard when running between buildings - just so they can hear the echo. If you've spent any time on Skyline Drive, they do the same thing in the tunnel. I am a live and let live guy, but I'm far less willing to "let live" when a small group of thoughtless people being intentionally obnoxious could potentially limit my opportunity to enjoy my motorcycle in some of America's most beautiful places. Motorcyclists in general get stereo-typed enough as it is because of the actions of a few boneheads (thinking also of the stunt-riding sport bike guys popping wheelies in traffic at 90+ MPH).

Chris

Well said. ::026::

 

[houndman]

. . As for the Rolling Thunder, I suspect that thousands of any kind of motorcycles in one place will make noise, a lot of it. Its a good thing to have a choice to leave town when others that are doing their thing that I don't like are around. The national parks are not prompted by Rolling Thunder in DC about noise, its about parks like Yosemite or other wilderness that one would rather hear the nature than the urban noise makers, for shit sake, DC is a metropolitan area.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Which is exactly why all of my motorcycles's exhaust are completely stock. I've not heard any complaints about stock exhausts, ever.

BTW: it has not been legal to modify exhaust/intake and make the bike louder and/or pollute more since the late 70s, it just isn't enforced. Read the back of your owner's manual. Look it up if you doubt it.

Here in PA, a few years back, all the kids with Asian cars with fart pipes and removed emissions equipment got a rude awakening and had to make them compliant.

It's only a matter of time before all bikes must pass. Mine will always pass, assuming it did as new. I have a few Harley owners for co-workers or acquaintances. Most of them buy the "loud pipes save lives" line; odd how most of motorcyclist's danger comes from the front and sound travels out the back of loud pipes. But like the "Abate" discussion, there is no discussion.

 

[lewisclarke]

My dirt bike is around 86db. That's loud enough.

 

[nondairycreamer]

I recently wrote a letter to the head dick of National Parks, Southeast, in Atlanta. I pointed out to him that I have noticed over the past 30 years fewer older people visiting and fewer incidences of wildlife along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This I think is caused by an atmosphere more akin to the local cruising strip and hangouts for adolescents. I pointed out to him that enjoying the peaceful quiet is impossible because it no longer exists and I can no longer enjoy visiting the parks. Also that as a visitor I am not allowed to play musical instruments or use fireworks for the same reasons that loud exhausts should not be allowed. But a large segment of motorcyclists are allowed to enter with excessive noise and that many of the exhausts do not have spark arrestors. Either condition could be cited and would help remedy the problem. The park rangers have that authority. There has been in the media reports of loud pipes being turned away from western parks but this jackass wrote back and told me there was nothing he could do. Another political hack too busy polishing his shoes. I'll be talking with my congressman soon and writing others. I hope some of you will join me. Actual letters are more impressive than email.

 

[houndman]

You know there are bigger fish to fry than the issue of loud motorcycle s, the possible can of worms opened by the complainers may make them wish they never "summoned" the go vernment to resolve some noisy vehicles. Let the individual parks manage themselves! Let them decide on what they allow for the best of the park and it's environment. Instead of going to the legislative branch of government to try and have them dictate how it will be for everyone. This sounds like a bunch of people who can't stand the sound of any cruiser no matter where they hear it.

 

[RedRocker]

You know there are bigger fish to fry than the issue of loud motorcycle s, the possible can of worms opened by the complainers may make them wish they never "summoned" the go vernment to resolve some noisy vehicles. Let the individual parks manage themselves! Let them decide on what they allow for the best of the park and it's environment. Instead of going to the legislative branch of government to try and have them dictate how it will be for everyone. This sounds like a bunch of people who can't stand the sound of any cruiser no matter where they hear it.

This! +1

 

[dcstrom]

You know there are bigger fish to fry than the issue of loud motorcycle s, the possible can of worms opened by the complainers may make them wish they never "summoned" the go vernment to resolve some noisy vehicles. Let the individual parks manage themselves! Let them decide on what they allow for the best of the park and it's environment. Instead of going to the legislative branch of government to try and have them dictate how it will be for everyone. This sounds like a bunch of people who can't stand the sound of any cruiser no matter where they hear it.

The point is there is no need for motorcycles, or any vehicle, to be obnoxiously noisy ANYWHERE, except on the race track. The focus of this story is on parks because the noise is more noticeable there. Most states have noise laws on the books, I don't see much enforcement going on. If laws were enforced, the noise wouldn't be a problem in parks or anywhere else.

If individual parks want to manage noisy vehicles they can, but they would have to deal with a lot of pissed off riders if they don't know a particular park is going to ban them. A blanket rule would be better. Maybe eventually those guys would get the message and stop their frankly selfish behavior that reflects badly on all motorcyclists - with joe public at least. Besides, there are other methods of penis enhancement available these days!

 

[imrubicon]

The answer was posted .
We dont need more rules and laws . Just enforce the ones we already have on the books. Stock pipes are not bad and are legal so enforce what is already a law and we all could be happy????
More laws screw it up for everyone, the guilty and those just trying to live

Just a thought ::009::