HB-95 New Motorcycle Laws.... UGGH!

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

"...I. No person shall operate a motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than [106] 95 decibels..."

Note the change from 106 to 95 decibels: The quieter requirement is demanded by many automobile race tracks in Europe and the US.

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Would be funny to calibrate your law-required tachometer to read 2800RPMS when you're at 1000. In fact, it's the sort of thing that would be very easy to enable/disable with the flip of a hidden switch...

LEOs couldn't miss the difference between 2800-RPMs and an idle of 1000-RPMs.

Originally Posted by WeirsBeachBoater

"...Noise is Noise, but to ban any and all aftermarket exhaust is too far..."

I agree that banning aftermarket exhaust isn't right, but the new tachometer requirement is begged by unwieldy demands on law enforcement within the old law.

Regardless of the State of one's residency, measuring motorcycle noise needs to have some practical measure: I suggest the presence of ripples on the surface of a cup of coffee supported on the ground by a doughnut at 25 feet.

The old law requires complexities reminiscent of a Romulan plot—hence these unworkable changes in the new proposal.

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

LEOs couldn't miss the difference between 2800-RPMs and an idle of 1000-RPMs.

APS...

That proves my point.... Lets say the LEO is suspicious of the bikes tach reading. The bike just doesnt sound like 2800 RPM.

The problem is he cannot definitively say exactly what RPM the motor was spinning at the time of the test. He can only state that it was his opinion the motor wasnt spinning at the proper RPM. This invalidates the test, and wastes the time of the LEO and the courts should the LEO decide to write the ticket anyway!

Noise tests do not need to be made into a big production...... or require gyrations from the LEO's...

You need a calibrated Inductive Tachometer, a calibrated dB meter, and a tape measure!

1. Attach tach to spark plug wire, adjust tach for appropriate number of cylinders. (Note: this can be any spark plug wire. It doesnt have to be #1 cylinder) Spark plug wires are easily accessable on most V-Twin motorcycles.

2. Measure appropriate distance & angle off motorcycle. Place dB meter at appropriate spot.

3. Take a reading of the ambient noise level as noted by dB meter. This may be important for court.

4. Rev engine to 2800 as indicated by calibrated tachometer

5. Note dB meter reading and issue the pass/fail.

It doesnt have to be that hard or expensive.... I swear the politicians could screw up replacing a lightbulb!

Requiring morotcycles to have a tach or completely stock exhaust is just assinine!!

Woodsy

[Woodsy]

I wont even get into the fact that this law ONLY targets the V-twin (Harley) crowd!

Woodsy

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

I wont even get into the fact that this law ONLY targets the V-twin (Harley) crowd!

Woodsy

Not being totally bike-savvy myself, how do you come to this conclusion? It seems like the law applies to bikes in general, not just the Harley crowd, but perhaps I missed something key.

[Woodsy]

Brk...

At 2800 RPM the V-twin motor is right in the middle of its powerband.... I dont think there are many Harleys that rev over 5000 RPM. They are tractor motors after all...

Your run of the mill 4 cyl crotch rocket doesnt get to its powerband until 7000 - 8000 RPM. They can rev as high as 13,000 RPM! A piped crotch rocket would be very quiet @ 2800 RPM.

Woodsy

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Brk...

At 2800 RPM the V-twin motor is right in the middle of its powerband.... I dont think there are many Harleys that rev over 5000 RPM. They are tractor motors after all...

Your run of the mill 4 cyl crotch rocket doesnt get to its powerband until 7000 - 8000 RPM. They can rev as high as 13,000 RPM! A piped crotch rocket would be very quiet @ 2800 RPM.

Woodsy

Very interesting, makes sense now that you spelled it out.

I'm (obviously) not a rider, but it's been on my to-do list for several years

I do have this un-biased comment, though, the "loud pipes" crowd is pretty fugging annoying the majority of the time. The "loud pipes save lives" argument would only seem to apply to anything approaching directly from behind, for the most part it really comes off as a cross between a "look and me" and an "F U" statement.

Although I've never kept valid statistics, I can't recall the last time I heard a crotch rocket with an insanely loud exhaust.

Hard to say if this is the result of a specific anti-V Twin beef, or an attempt to just target the law towards the most common offenders. (I realize it may be hard to distinguish between the two statements.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Very interesting, makes sense now that you spelled it out.

I'm (obviously) not a rider, but it's been on my to-do list for several years

I do have this un-biased comment, though, the "loud pipes" crowd is pretty fugging annoying the majority of the time. The "loud pipes save lives" argument would only seem to apply to anything approaching directly from behind, for the most part it really comes off as a cross between a "look and me" and an "F U" statement.

Although I've never kept valid statistics, I can't recall the last time I heard a crotch rocket with an insanely loud exhaust.

Hard to say if this is the result of a specific anti-V Twin beef, or an attempt to just target the law towards the most common offenders. (I realize it may be hard to distinguish between the two statements.

I agree with BRK on this- there are few things more annoying than a straight piped V-Twin (let's be realistic most of them are HDs). I don't think it is anti-HD sentiment, people just don't want to get blown off the porch when a bike goes by (and yes I have riding a HD since well before it was fashionable to do so).

Woodsy is right on with the equipment- I don't have a tach, never did, never will- the LEO should supply that.

[Cobalt 25]

To me, loud pipes are the number one reason for people to dislike motorcycles. I had straight pipes when I was 21 years old and have since grown up. I wish riders with loud pipes would figure out a different way to be noticed, because that seems to be ultimate in self-centeredness.

I'm a life member of the American Motorcycle Association and have watched this debate for many years. The personal freedom argument pales in comparison to the obnoxious assault on one's senses that these bikes produce, IMO.

This new law may have some aspects that will be difficult to enforce, but each state needs to address this issue. Aftermarket exhaust systems are fine as long as they can comply with the appropriate db levels.

Wouldn't it be nice if we in the motorcycling community could influence all riders to be reasonable about noise levels, then we wouldn't need these laws.

Peter

[VitaBene]

Maybe it is because I am an old fart, but I don't like thru-hull open exhausts on boats either. It is no different than straight pipes on bikes- ew ew ew Mr Cotter pick (look at) me!

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Cobalt 25

To me, loud pipes are the number one reason for people to dislike motorcycles. I had straight pipes when I was 21 years old and have since grown up. I wish riders with loud pipes would figure out a different way to be noticed, because that seems to be ultimate in self-centeredness.

I'm a life member of the American Motorcycle Association and have watched this debate for many years. The personal freedom argument pales in comparison to the obnoxious assault on one's senses that these bikes produce, IMO.

This new law may have some aspects that will be difficult to enforce, but each state needs to address this issue. Aftermarket exhaust systems are fine as long as they can comply with the appropriate db levels.

Wouldn't it be nice if we in the motorcycling community could influence all riders to be reasonable about noise levels, then we wouldn't need these laws.

Peter

Well said. Personally, I hope the law passes. The noise drives me nuts.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

.... I swear the politicians could screw up replacing a lightbulb! .....

No problem, 1 to hold the bulb and a few hundred to turn the building.

[106] 95 decibels on the decibel meter

That part is unenforceable if that is the actual text. What kind of DB meter? Is that a meter referance to 20 micropascals often referred to as "absolute" sound level? What is the weighting (designed frequency response) of the meter? Remember, 95 decibels is not a measure of loudness, unless we assume something, it is a ratio.

IMHO, badly written and dumb!

[Channel Pirate]

They will have bike week knocked down to 5,000 motorcycles in the next few years at this rate

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

What kind of DB meter? Is that a meter referance to 20 micropascals often referred to as "absolute" sound level? What is the weighting (designed frequency response) of the meter? Remember, 95 decibels is not a measure of loudness, unless we assume something, it is a ratio.

IMHO, badly written and dumb!

Para IIA above stated ...

II-a. No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of [106] 95 decibels on the A scale, when measured in accordance with the provisions of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice ANSI/SAE J-1287 annual report on “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles".

So, like the boat SPL RSA, it's dB-A and thus 0 dB = 20 micropascals. Still requiring a "functional" tach and outlawing aftermarket exhaust is dumb. Who cares so long as the sound level is met ? I wonder if these wonderkids will do the same thing for loud cars ? So sorry Walker etal, only factory exhaust allowed in NH ! I believe other states require MC muffler manufacturers to certify their product(s) meet certain SPLs. Why can't NH do the same ?

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Para IIA above stated ...

II-a. No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of [106] 95 decibels on the A scale, when measured in accordance with the provisions of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice ANSI/SAE J-1287 annual report on “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles". ...?

Thanks Mee-n-Mac, I missed that part.

On another note, most home lawnmowers would fail those requirements.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

On another note, most home lawnmowers would fail those requirements.

Ssshhhhh... let's not give the "wonderkids" any more to think about !

[SIKSUKR]

Saw this article on WMUR's website:

Bikers Revved Up Over Pipe-Muffling Bill
POSTED: 10:32 am EST January 22, 2009


CONCORD, N.H. -- The state wants to muffle loud motorcycles, but riders said the bill will cause them hardship.

State Rep. Judith Day, of North Hampton, N.H., said she sponsored the bill after 1,000 voters in her town signed a petition asking for further limits on motorcycle noise. Current law says motorcycles can produce up to 106 decibels, but the new law would limit the noise coming from the tailpipes to 99 decibels. The fines would also increase from a maximum of $300 to $1,000.

About 120 people showed up to the bill's public hearing on Wednesday, most of them against the change. Opponents said the new limits would cost bikers and dealers money to change their motorcycle tailpipes and could hurt Laconia's annual motorcycle week, a major economic event for the Lakes Region.

[NoBozo]

Every NEW motorcycle sold has to meet certain Federal sound requirements. I don't believe dealers are permitted to change out the stock mufflers at the time of sale of the NEW bike. (I could be wrong).

I've always wondered where ALL those shiny new Harley mufflers go, after the owner buys aftermarket mufflers and puts them on the bike. Maybe they are still in the garage. NoBozo

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Every NEW motorcycle sold has to meet certain Federal sound requirements. I don't believe dealers are permitted to change out the stock mufflers at the time of sale of the NEW bike. (I could be wrong).

I've always wondered where ALL those shiny new Harley mufflers go, after the owner buys aftermarket mufflers and puts them on the bike. Maybe they are still in the garage. NoBozo

That's exactly where they are, in the owners garage. Every year the stock pipe has to be reinstalled so they can get their inspection sticker. What a joke/scam that is.