[sqd8r]

Soup :: Dept. of No, Really: AMA Names Terminator Motorcyclist of the Year :: 12-09-2010

I'm of two minds on this issue. On the one hand I wonder, if this article is accurate in that the bill was poorly written, where was the AMA and what exactly is it about the bill that makes it poorly written. It seems, from my admittedly quick scan of the pertinent parts, focused on noise reduction and environmental issues. Was anyone really expecting anything but restrictions across the board that would impact a extremely small group of citizens - namely motorcyclist and an even smaller number of specialty shops?

Perhaps I'm wrong on this but I don't live under a rock and I'm not an AMA member so perhaps that is the cause but tbh I have not heard that this was a major issue for motorcyclists moving forward. It was simply a long time coming, the obscene noise levels of many bikes, notably cruisers, has seen all motorcycles banned in many residential areas and many areas of cities. This isn't just a California thing, motorcycles have been banned in the old city of Quebec City for nearly a decade if not more iirc. Also on the track and on the dirtbike trails, areas where I spend my riding time, the noise restrictions are strong. Again this isn't just a Cali thing.

The restrictions don't hurt manufacturers willing to submit to testing and willing to develop a product that meets the requirements. IMO, not a bad idea. BMW and Triumph, for example, make nice sounding exhausts available in their aftermarket catalogs. I'm curious if the Ducati's meet the regs.

 

[banda]

So here's the problem. It's not a noise restriction. It's an equipment restriction. It will be totally legal to have the noisiest possible broken ass OEM exhaust, but completely illegal to have a quiet aftermarket can.

 

[DesperateSP2]

"I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle".

Manufacturers (the Big Four particularly) have been lobbying like never before to get asinine legislature like this passed.
Take the new proposed brake legislation in the EU: "middleweight" bikes (presumably from 125 to 600cc) ought to be fitted with combined brakes while only "large displacement" bikes ought to be fitted with ABS.
While I get ABS is an extremely useful safety feature, why limit its compulsory use to larger bikes? Simple: because Honda could get rich through patents (they are the ones who unleashed the horrors of CBS on the larger public after Moto Guzzi junked the idea) while at the same time keep prices of middleweight 600's (their bread and butter) sensible.
Of course manufacturers of road bikes like KTM are in an uproar since CBS is a bad idea on road bikes but a complete no-go on dirt bikes.
Politicians in Brussels are in a tight spot. Originally they felt spending more time and effort on additional motorcycle legislation was a waste of time but Honda's relentless lobbying efforts are winning the day. To appease the Japanese (Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all have large European factories, meaning they are considered "domestic" manufacturers), they are pissing off the various KTM, Husaberg, Ducati etc.
With tighter money somebody is starting to feel this may not be the most sensible idea.

 

[polePosition]

Loud motorcycles, now that rings a bell.
We have only ourselves to blame.

The F Word (Season 13, Episode 12) - Full Episode Player - South Park Studios

 

[RC51Stunna]

Its to bad the effin govenator is allowed to sign bills negatively affecting motorcylists when he's already infamous for eating shit on one and not even being licensced to operate it. :banghead

Isn't his term over yet?

Stunna

 

[LDH]

I've grown to expect it from Hardley riders, but everytime I see some assclown incessantly blipping the throttle on his sportbike into the midrange as he moves through a parking lot it just makes me want to fvckin shoot him in the kneecaps & work my way up to his head.

 

[drthompson65]

Amazing.. Simply Amazing.

 

[Jami6989]

After watching riders over the past few years, it's hard to see how ANYONE can support people who ride nowadays. Out of 100 people I see riding, only a small fraction are acting responsibly or not going out of their way to draw attention to themselves by revving the piss outta their shitbox or scaring drivers by getting too close or playing Ricky Racer on the backroads.

And the greenies are killing offroad riding but that doesn't stop anyone from buying their own land, So hit the local mx track or buy some land away from people and do whatever you want on it.

 

[sqd8r]

After watching riders over the past few years, it's hard to see how ANYONE can support people who ride nowadays. Out of 100 people I see riding, only a small fraction are acting responsibly or not going out of their way to draw attention to themselves by revving the piss outta their shitbox or scaring drivers by getting too close or playing Ricky Racer on the backroads.

And the greenies are killing offroad riding but that doesn't stop anyone from buying their own land, So hit the local mx track or buy some land away from people and do whatever you want on it.

Between the squids who run around town running their loud drilled out exhausts in first gear and those idiots on dirt bikes who see fit to piss off the locals who actually vote for land use rights I'm not surprised. Sad to see ut not surprising.

 

[Jami6989]

Between the squids who run around town running their loud drilled out exhausts in first gear

We got vendors here selling "MotoGP" cans for RC51s that blare at 110+ dbs so we don't have to look far to see the problem. My Sato Banzais are loud but I'm not complaining about any laws to limit their use. I understand it and it's gone on way too long. I just hope the Harley **** get their fair share of tickets also.