Angeles Crest warning!

[buymenow00]

Here's a message that came from the SVRider.com forum:


Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 07:41:27 -0700

From: "Marc Cook" <marc.cook@VERIZON.NET> | Block Address | Add to Address Book

Subject: A warning for riders on Angeles Crest (was: calling So Cal Riders)

To: sv650-l@LISTSERV.HAWKGT.COM

Just a warning to you Los Angeles riders who fancy a go at the Crest: If your bike has a modified exhaust, be really careful. Why would I say this?

Yesterday --a weekday, y'all! -- minding my own business and using the road to actually go somewhere, I got pulled by a complete jerk of a CHP. I saw him up the road in a turn out and rode past him right at the speed limit. One a silver FZ1. In an Aerostich. Nice old guy, minding his own business.

He pulls out and follows me, intentionally sitting in the blind spot
right behind the FZ, following a bit close for my comfort. I'm riding
smoothly and right at the speed limit. I motion to him as if to ask, "Would you like to go around?"

He turns on the lights. Great.

He says he stopped me for a loud exhaust. The FZ is fitted with a Lazer slip-on exhaust with the db attenuator, a very quiet system. He insists I remove my helmet, and then begins writing me up for wearing ear plugs and having a modified exhaust. In the process of all this, he asks me to start and rev the bike. He judges it to be too loud standing some 15 feet away, with his helmet still on. I don't see a decibel meter anywhere on his
person.

He explains that there's a zero-tolerance policy on the Crest of
violations of this nature. Huh?

Frankly, a guy going about his business on a nearly stock-sounding FZ1 is a far, far cry from a squid going 75 and crossing over the line -- or any of the cars that passed us at the turn-out, going 65-plus, and jamming on the brakes when they saw the cop. This is motorcycle harassment, pure and simple, and I'm going to fight the ear-plug ticket. There's no way one
narrow-minded cop has the right to ruin my hearing. (And, yes, I know about custom-molded ear plugs that are legal in CA, but I fail to see how they're functionally different from standard foam ear plugs.)

Just a warning, y'all.

[Natedawgg]

This makes me so mad!

I hate this shit.

[Bugg77]

What a big fat bunch of bullshit!!!

I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it is just a little funny that this happens a couple weeks after that Sportbike thrashing article in the LA Times

[ersigh]

Bah, I don't see how that person can not win fighting it ...

Is that cop going to pull over all those cruisers that come MEGA LOUD stock? What fucking kind of bullshit is that??? What a FUCKTARD!!!!!

:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Valkula]

Sounds like one of those "officers" that has a negative "tude" towards bikes in general and/or needed to write some citations. NOT COOL!
BTW, all stock motorcycles, regardless of type, have to adhere to the same DB requirements when manufactured.

[Natedawgg]

But what are the specific laws that apply to motorcycle "noise"?

[mistermiata13]

BTW, all stock motorcycles, regardless of type, have to adhere to the same DB requirements when manufactured.
But what are the specific laws that apply to motorcycle "noise"?

I have done a little research on this topic, since I'm currently fighting an exhaust noise ticket for my Subaru Impreza WRX.

The relevant California vehicle code is V.C. 27151. Here is the text from the DMV website:

"Modification of Exhaust Systems

27151. (a) 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 of ( )1 the vehicle so that the vehicle is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 27150 or exceeds the noise limits established for the type of vehicle in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200). ( )2 No person shall operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system so modified.

(b) For the purposes of exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 pounds, other than motorcycles, a sound level of 95 dbA or less, when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1169 May 1998, complies with this section. Motor vehicle exhaust systems or parts thereof include, but are not limited to, nonoriginal exhaust equipment.

Amended Sec. 10, Ch. 92, Stats. 2001. Effective January 1, 2002."

This basically means that if you're vehicle (bike in your case) meets the 95dBa requirement, you can get the ticket dismissed. The V.C. 27151 ticket is technically not "correctable, " meaning
you will have to pay the bail first, then fight it to get the money back. Don't let the court tell you it can't be contested.

BTW: ALWAYS contest your tickets by written declaration (via mail) before you take time off and go into court. Check out Ticket Assassin (http://www.ticketassassin.com/index.html) for useful info on fighting any ticket.

Here are some other useful links with text too long to post. Pay particular attention to SB 1081, which specifies that the ticket can be dismissed if your bike meets the requirement.

CHP Exhaust Noise Bulletin (http://www.vfaq.com/BADSM/CHP-Exhaust.html)
SB 1081 (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1051-1100/sb_1081_bill_20010723_chaptered.html)
DMV V.C. Section 27151 (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27151.htm)

See, I can be productive at work!!

Enjoy!

Aaron

[buymenow00]

Aaron - take a look at VC 27202...there is a table of motorcycle specific limits...for bikes manufactured after 1985 the noise limit is...80db!! My ass can make sounds louder than 80db, so I know that my Yosh is waaay outta line here! Also, there are other code sections that specifically prohibit the transfer or sale of any vehicle that is not in compliance with these regs, which could be a big problem if you sell your bike with an aftermarket can...It seems that the buyer could come back after you if they ever got in trouble for it!

Kalifornia...ain't this a great place?!

Also, don't forget that there are also CARB (Calif. Air Resources Board) to comply with that no doubt prohibit the modification of any system related to emissions control...like exhausts! No doubt most exhaust systems come with a little disclaimer "For Off Road Use Only"....I know mine did!

[mistermiata13]

You are correct! I guess I missed that one.

At any rate, you can replace the stock exhaust and fight the ticket that way. Thats my plan with the WRX, since it probably wouldn't pass with the catless system that's on there now. You can always argue that the officer used subjective judgement and did not test according to the standard before he wrote the ticket.

Aaron

[buymenow00]

Yup, the one time I fought my ticket, the cop actually showed up! I made my argument that from the point where he spotted me, to the point where he stopped me, would have required him to go at an impossible rate of speed to catch me in that distance...the judge gave me the benefit of the doubt!! Woo hoo! Always fight, because if you don't, you lose for sure!

How do you like the WRX?

[mistermiata13]

I love the WRX! I got it in December and have spent twice what I paid for my bike on it so far! For reference, I got my SV650S used for $3500.

It's fast in straight line and very stable in the curvy stuff. I drove it up to Big Bear 2 weeks after I bought it, when the ground was wet with rain and it totally set me at ease. The AWD and stiff chassis really help. There was one turn that got impossibly sharp (>180) and I just gave it more steering and it tracked right through. Then I did a 4-wheel burnout in front of our cabin...

The car is super quick stock and it just gets better as you open up the exhaust (there are 3 cats in the stock car!). Mine is a rocket right now (just full exhaust from the turbo back, ~5.0sec 0-60) and I still haven't installed the piggyback fuel/ignition computer that's sitting in my garage (supposedly worth ~20 more hp due to better tuning of air/fuel ratios)!

So yes, you could say I like the car...

[ersigh]

I loooove the wrx ...

(i won't even go off on it) ...

mmmm ...

[mistermiata13]

If anyone ever wants a ride in the WRX, I'd be glad to oblige. But it means I won't be able to ride the SVS to our meeting place. It's loud and fast, but you guys are used to that!

Aaron

[Burst]

You better watch out. We may just take you up on that offer!!

:D

[ersigh]

Hmmm, well I've ridden in a WRX.

My only interest in them now would be @ an autocross event or rally racing event.

:)

[mistermiata13]

Well I'm still looking forward to my first autocross (when I get the time to go), but I probably won't be doing any rally racing, since the car is lowered and I couldn't stand to abuse it like that. They have that rally saying ,"It's not if you crash, it's when you crash." Kinda like riding a bike I guess...

Aaron

[ersigh]

Yep.

I don't think if I got an WRX that I'd rally race it, but I would like to get into it and get a car spefically for it.

I bought my car (mx3 v6) specifically for autocrossing but have never gotten to take it out. Now the shocks are blown so ... that wouldn't be as much fun ... (or maybe it would be, heh) ...

If you ever go autocrossing, lemme know ... I'd DEFINATELY wanna ride for that ... :)