This probably belongs in another forum catagory, but I only hang around in the Sportsters. It ought to stir up some action in my favorite hangout.

In another thread in this forum, badbs101 wrote: "An interesting note in the accessory catalog is that these pipes are legal when installed on a bike with a "stock motor". This means they are too loud when installed on a stage one bike. hmmmm. Methinks they are not too much quieter than SEII's and that Harley is dancing around the EPA. Very few people put just pipes on their bike."

So who regulates the level of sound from exhausts, the EPA, the DOT, or each state? If it's regulated by the EPA, who enforces it? Are there EPA cops? Are straight pipes a Federal Offense?

Seems most states have their own laws regulating our bikes (especially California. Pity the riders in the land of fruits and nuts.). Here's what I gleaned from the AMA list for the "Free State" (not) of Maryland and my observations of how they go about enforcing these laws and regulations. I wonder how strictly they're enforced in others.

1) Mirror - Left(L) Right(R) Two required by law
Observation: I guess "choppers" are exempt, 'cause I see a lot with just one or none.

2) Turn Signals - Required by law
Observation: Most "choppers" I've seen have with none.

3) Muffler - Muffler required.
Observation: Not enforced... not ever.

4) Maximum Sound Level - Maximum allowable A-weighted sound levels based on
measurement distance of 50 feet (Sec. 11.14.07.04): 1)After 7/1/75 82-86dBA
2)after 1/1/79 78-82dBA.
Observation: Yeah, right. Find a cop with a way to measure it. Hah!
I sat at a stop light in my cager and a guy and gal were in the lane
next to me. They just couldn't resist blipping their throttles and
they had the loudest set of straight pipes I've ever hear. I had to
roll the window up, and even that didn't much help. No wonder they
write such laws. What a couple jerks.

5) Handlebar Height Maximum of 15" above seat
Observation: Not enforced.

6) Earplugs Prohibited by law with the exception of: "Custom Made Earplugs"
Refer to: Section 21-1120 of the Maryland Code of Laws.
Observation: I wear a half-helmet (DOT) and I use um -- the wind noise
is murder on my hearing. Guess I'm breaking the law!

7) Safety Helmet Required by law -- reflectorization required
Observation: A "reflectorized" helmet? What the hell is that?

Maryland became a "helmet state" in the early 1990's and that
law is still strictly enforced. BUT, the majority of riders I
see are wearing "skid lids" (non-DOT) and the fuzz didn't much
seem to care. However, they've recently started cracking down
on the DOT thing. I guess the state needed the money ($70 fine,
no points).

But (Maryland riders take note), the law has a flaw. The MD law
states: para "21-1306 (b) Required headgear -- An individual may not
operate or ride on a motorcycle unless the individual is wearing
protective headgear that meets the standards established by the
Administrator." Paragraph (d) says "The Administrator (1) May
approve or disapprove protective headgear ... required by this section."
and para (3) says "Shall publish lists of all protective headgear ...
that he approves, by name and type," which he/she has never done. Ooops!

Sooo, as fast as they hand out tickets for "skid lids," riders take
it to court and it's been getting thrown out, because the Administrator has
never published a list. There is no mention anywhere of "DOT Approved."

Nonetheless, I wear a "DOT Approved" helmet with a "DOT Approved"
quick-release strap -- it's my choice. And my pipes are LOUD.

Ain't this a great country or what?

 

Various States have their own State Statues dealing with equipment requirements on motorcycles and other vehicles.

Here helmets aren't required if over 18, you only need one mirror (left side), turn signals aren't required, etc....

There is "No Acoustical Criteria" dealing with mufflers or maximum sounds level, meaning you can run straight pipes if you want, doesn't matter is the tone output is 80db, 100db, or more, it is perfectly in this State.

Also, we don't have any equipment checks, no smog tests, no emission checks, none of that.

Here is a site where you can see various equipment requirements for each State.

http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/l...t.asp?state=fl

 

Lane Splitting is legal in texas.....I will never wait in traffic again.

 

It's not legal here, so it's a good thing we don't have much traffic out here in the boondocks.

 

OldFenderGuy, great site for future reference.

Sammi

 

Lane splitting is not illegal in CA, but it is also "not referenced" in the law. Most CHP bike cops do it and the general rule is that your speed should be less then 45-50 and you should never go faster than 10mph than the traffic that you are passing. These are very loose guidelines that I've heard cops talk about. You'll never get a ticket for "lane splitting or sharing" in CA; they will call it something else - usually reckless driving, which carries nasty fines and points. Generally, as long as you aren't being an *** while doing it, you won't get a ticket. With all that said, it's pretty dangerous to do. If you ever get in an accident while doing it, you're pretty much automatically at fault. I even know of a person who was going it and some jerk opened his door right before the guy got to the car with his bike, couldn't avoid him, and crashed right into it. Messed him up pretty bad, but he was still found at fault because he was lane splitting.

I do it, but only when traffic is moving below 40mph and I'm pretty darn cautious about it when I do it. High pucker factor for this activity.

 

Lane splitting here would be hard to do (even if legal) as we don't have a single "4-lane" highway in the entire County.

Nothing but "2-lane" roads, with a single lane in each direction..

In fact, we don't have a single stoplight in the County. We do have some stop signs, but I believe we are the only County left in the State without a stoplight. LoL...

 

Ronn39 - where in this great state of Maryland are you? I'm in Montgomery County and running a set of Cycle Shacks which turned out to be louder than I thought they'd be (but still sweet) I haven't had any hassles from the cops.

Neighbors however are a different story...

 

There are very few laws down here in FL when it comes to motorcycles. It's very obvious too with the number of motorcycle accidents that happen on a daily basis. The helmet law, or lack of seems to be the biggest issue. I've read that many people are dying or getting seriously hurt in what appear to be minor crashes. The other thing that kills me is the number of riders that wear flip flops. Guess it's a good way to grind down your toes...OUCH!

 

Technically it's the law allowing lane "sharing". While your skooting down between the lanes of cars, your "sharing" the lane with evryone you go by. It's also leagal for 2 bikes to ride side by side in most of these states. Here in Washington, you can't lane share, so we stager. I actually think that's safer anyway. .02.