Ducati Monster Forum

This new law (http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/Breaking+News/Boston-Outlaws-Exhausts-Without-EPA-Certification/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608356?ref=25) was just enacted in Boston.

Quote:  "No person shall park, use or operate a motorcycle within the city of Boston, manufactured subsequent to Dec. 31, 1982, that does not bear the required applicable Federal EPA exhaust system label.   The Boston Police Department has the authority to fine any motorcycle that doesn't display the federally required label. All violations are punishable by a $300 fine."  :o

First NYC, now Boston...  It's only a matter of time before this happens here in MN, too.

Time to get a Bevel Drive ss with conti's  [evil]

Can they enforce that for out of state vehicles?

I know most vehicales sold in the US (if not all) must be 50 state legal. Now... some bikes are only 49 states legal...

in NYC, there is only a decibel law. the law that requires the EPA stamp has not gone through yet. if you ever saw industrialgirls slideshow, you'll see how hard it is to find an EPA stamp. this has the potential to get out of hand.

This is not good at all..!! is there any hope.. ??

"There are existing laws on the books at city and state level to enforce but the council went overboard on this," says motorcyclist Larry Cahill. "The absence of the imprint does not mean that the exhaust is loud. It just means that the manufacturer did not certify that the original motorcycle/muffler combination met the EPA standard. Oh, by the way — the certification is only valid for one year or 3,750 miles."

I wonder however if  we will have to be certifying them every year and how much it will cost..! dam..!

I think this is more due to the rough riders crowd blasting around fenway and hitting their rev limiters every 5 seconds + the cruiser straight pipe crowd than anything.

Like most laws on the books, it's there so you can get hit with " something ".  Just act respectful, don't ping it off the limiter in town, and call it a day. 

I don't know why you'd even want to ride a bike in Boston, but that's just me ... The newbury st poser crowd will likely be the only ones affected by this  [roll]

Adam

I don't even like driving the work cage in Boston, but have to.  I can't see riding there, especially Newbury St or the Fenway.

Does that mean that as long as you leave the emissions sticker on there you can do anything you want to the bike?   ;)

Well...most of you guys don't give a damn about the speed limits, so why bother with that thing here.
In Germany we have so super strict rules regarding emission and safety and helmets and everything.
Still people have two pairs of cans...one for the inspection, one for the road..
And if they catch you, you pay and finance the officers daughters education.
Maybe she will grow up and be an attorney :)

PS: Can't wait to get my 100% not road legal Termis and make some noise

This may sound stupid, but how do you know if your slipon/full aftermarket exhaust has EPA certification?

It doesn't most likely. AFAIK, only the stock mufflers are certified. All others usually say "for offroad use only" somewhere on the paperwork.

It'll be interesting for people who purchased bikes used that already had aftermarket cans. Sourcing OEM cans could become a pain in the balls.

Who is going to make us some stickers?  Who ever does will be RICH!  [evil]

that's simple.
photoshop.

exactly.

Boston is too small to police this. Besides, the roads are so fvcked up who'd care?

Most aftermarket exhausts (my BoomTubes included) do not have EPA/DOT certification -- and are for "off highway use only". 

The cost for certification isn't cheap and one would have to sell a thousand plus sets to recoup some of the costs involved. (per model and then you have to test for each displacement / model for various other bikes)  There isn't enough volume to make compliance testing viable for almost all of the aftermarket exhaust manufacturers.

Big problem that isn't being identified is this -- most manufacturers don't sell a "replacement OEM" exhaust system for the older models.   (and if they do what do they cost? $$$$.$$+) Thus are your old stock exhausts hidden in the corner now going to become valuable ala gold?  What is there isn't a replacement system available for your late 80's / early 90's make / model with the correct EPA/DOT stampings on it?  Does you vehicle then remain non-compliant and thus you can't ride it on the road anymore?

My cored S2R cans have an EPA label on them, would they work?

Really sounds like a law that will only be enforced if someone is looking for a good reason to pull you over.

Denver enacted a similar law last year and I just read this week that Arvada (Denver suburb) did as well.  >:(

Enacted in Denver to combat the guys leaving the bars at 2 am and revving the bikes around town. I ride d-town all the time, with a full Arrow Exhaust and have never had an issue. Ride like a tool and you ask for trouble...

NYC's law was not passed and is allegedly being rewritten for one reason.  Some of us organized, got off our asses, went to City Hall and Council Members offices to explain what was wrong with the law with documentation to prove our point.

I went to a bike night tonight in Santa Maria, CA, and it was a Harley thing.   Every one that left went by the shop on the freeway at full throttle on their Harleys.   Lots of noise, not much speed, but a whole lot of image was going on.   It is displays like this that bring on these laws.  Everyone is tripping out about their pipes being outlawed, well, get some quiet pipes.  I know there is this image of Ducati's and the way they sound, but as long as the bike hauls ass, I'm not too worried about it.

A similar 'sticker law' or more accurately sticker tax was enacted here in New South Wales, a state in Australia, a few years back. One local exhaust manufacturer responded by making compliance stickers available for all of their new and previously sold aftermarket slip ons.  This made a mockery of whole idea [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
In the end, the law was never really enforced, and was eventually overturned due to some fine lobbying by a few motorcycle riding senators. There are over riding (pardon the pun there) noise laws as well, but they only seem to be enforced if you are riding like a d!ck head and asking for trouble....ducsport

Good- I seriously hate stinkin open pipe hogs and squid bikes. The only purpose is a statement of total disregard for fellow citizens. Asshats.
In the cowboy days they would be strung up to teach em a lesson.
Scumbag biker douch bags.

maybe you should tell us how you really feel  :-\

Plenty of folks here running open pipes etc. Ducs, that are loud as hell as well.

Like me...

And me.

Yeah. Post that vid.  [evil]

Too Loud (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xof1BWe099A#lq-hq-vhq)

 [evil]

Ducati 916 senna dynojet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Ir2-7kZSA#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)

Does that also include Police Harleys where the EPA certification is covered by the luggage?  The many dual sport bikes that have a heat shield over the stamp or the other other legal bikes where the stamp can not be easily viewed?  How about the bike where an EPA approved system system is no longer available?  I guess off to the crusher with that one [thumbsup]  Then again, the bike with the cored stock system is OK, I guess, since it will have the EPA stamp.

I just hate open pipes w/o any baffles, that wake my up when the bars close and the slow-ass loosers gotta gas it to out run my POS pick-up. Bastards.
Yea- it's a free country- so I should be able to bust a cap in their case at a stop light- right?
The EPA emissions includes noise ratings too.
Cops don't enforce any db rating regs cause I doubt if they are issued a meter, but most likely the offenders are doctors, attorneys and lawmakers- bunch of wanna-be biker posers. They can go to hell with their cheesy no-back pressure fake pipes. I am mad.
Now a Duc is a different story- I love my Quat-D headers. But I still run mufflers- cause I'm not a dickhead starved for attention.
Chumps.
Where the hell is my blood pressure medicine!?

I'd gladly run EPA approved pipes if it would kill some of the noise made by the cruiser set.  I think it needs to be enforced on 4 wheeled vehicles as well.

I have a yosh can on my SV and have the decible killer insert.  It's really a commone sense thing IMHO.  Sprtbikes make just as much racket as hogs.

We just dosged a smog requirement in California because everyone chucks there stock exhaust (and catalytic converter in the process) first chance we get.

My SV came with the yosh can so I left it alone.  My last Ducati had the stock cans until she sold.

Are you only allowed to have a cap gun?

How is it different with a loud ass Duc?  [roll]

So anyone who runs open pipes is a dickhead starved for attention?  [roll]

Whoa, your perception of freedom is COMPLETELY out of line. If freedom means its okay for you to bust a cap in anyones ass, then go live in Afghanistan.

Open pipe  [puke]

I know my ear is damaged after riding next to a bike with open-pipe.  I just detest the guy now every time I see him and ofcourse he thinks it is a funny. My ear drums shook and I swear I had a headache from it.  I start wearing ear-plugs after that.  It just made my already horrible hearing worse. 

I see hearing-aid in my future  :'(

Just an FYI, this isn't about open pipes - it's about any non stock muffler can.  Even if its got dB killers and is quiet, NOPE, try again.

Adam

I'm an asshole with loud pipes not a dickhead

i always thought i liked loud pipes, but I really dont like loud just nice sounding. ie termi without db killers, they are just the right sound and loudness. Now drag pies with out baffels on a HD is just insane. Also its a known fact that loud CLUTCHES save lives!!!!!!!

I couldn't find any stats on how many people have been cited in Denver.

Apparently Albuquerque implemented a similar law several years ago, but repealed it.

Not on the track, but you'd be laughed off it.
Just if they ride by my house, then I'd have to add potato baffels.

Dear deaf wanna be tom cruise:
I said bust one in their engine case, I'm not a man of violence. Unless one tries to inflict violence on me or my family or my country.
The threshold of pain(causing permanent hearing damage) is 120 db. I don't appreciate it.
If you're into that, maybe you should pick up a Kalashnikov and a harley and go to Afgan.
Damn Weenies.
What?? Whaat?? I can't hear you...
Dig me, I'm a loud-ass biker guy who wears leather.

Wow. Somebody piss in your Wheaties, tuff guy?

man relax! its all in fun around here! [thumbsup]

Ofcourse!
I love you guys.
Welded baffles in my friends Gussie for free- so I wouldn't have to listen to it while we ride. That's how good a guy I am.
Must admit- open pipe Ducs sound good to me- that's the only exception. But my neighbors at 6am? Just couldn't do it to them. My open clutch is annoying to them as it is!
Maybe I gotta move to the country.

Uhhh, hello double standard.... [roll]

Um yeah, big time.   ??? 

The biggest issue I have with all these laws is that they target motorcycles *only*. That's a problem and should be addressed. Some of the loudest vehicles in my neighbourhood are garbage trucks and in NYC they come around at all hours. Cars aren't much better & nor are trucks or buses but these new laws are purely meant to target motorcyclists.

I've been saying for a long time that it was only a matter of time before our selfish desire to have loud pipes cost us our ability to fly under the radar with nice sounding aftermarket pipes.

Industrial Grrrl did some excellent research on this particular issue and discovered that it wasn't unusual for bike rolling off the showroom floor to not have an EPA stamp, imagine yourself buying a bike and getting a ticket even before you've started it for the first time.

These laws are purely a knee-jerk reaction to the community's unhappiness with how loud some bikes are, problem is that we all have to deal with the repercussions. This won't just stop at big cities.

If you have loud pipes you're the cause of the problem, your average person makes no distinction between a HD with loud pipes and a Ducati, they're all bikes and they're all too loud.

I agree- jap bike, peterbuilt, acura...
they all hurt my brain when it's too loud. The 2nd hand music thing is bad enough.
I feel dissed.
But nothing sounds crappier than a 300 lb harley dude gunning it next to me at a light.
punk asses.
unforgivable.

Mass is so smart at giving people more and more incentives to just register and insure their vehicles in nearby states like New Hampshire...

It wouldn't matter where it's registered. If you're within the Boston city limits, you're fair game.

I talked about this with a friend of mine who is a Boston policeman and he said there is no way in hell he's getting on the ground to try and find an EPA stamp.

I feel sorry for those of you that have to live in cities for a number of reasons.

All the crap goes on there and all the   [leo] are there so you don't have any options.

Me, I have my no baffle Termis and ride a few miles and can generally if I want to go 120 mph and if I see a  [leo] game on.

Some days I can ride for an hour or may be two and not even see a   [leo].

I pick the speeds I want to ride .

I think if I had to live in a city I'd kill myself .

My pipes are not as loud as the Harley riders with their drag pipes .Plus they ride in groups and that makes even more noise .

I ride alone. One bike isn't going to make much noise in the Forest. Hopefully I'll scare some Deer that might have been near the road , thinking about crossing in front of me.

Dolph    :)

BREAKING NEWS ON BIKERS SUING CITY OF BOSTON

Motorcycle Riders Seek Justice over Discriminatory Boston "Noise" Ordinance
News Release - for Immediate Release (July 10, 2009)

For more info, contact:
Paul W. Cote, ClaimsCote@aol.com - 978-535-8222 (days)
Bill Gannon, billgannon2@hotmail.com
Mike Longtin, mlongtin@comcast.net
Vince Silvia, vsilvia@thesilvias.com - 987-852-3626 (cell)
Larry Cahill, webmaster@bostonbiker.com

Boston, MA. Yesterday Suffolk Superior Court Judge Geraldine S. Hines, heard arguments today for a Motion seeking to temporarily restrain Boston's Law and Traffic Enforcement Agencies from enforcing City of Boston Ordinance Docket Number 0658, which calls for $300.00 fines on (only) motorcycle exhaust equipment not displaying a "readily visible" stamp that the system is approved by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Judge Hines stated she would take their arguments under advisement and issue a decision soon.

Until her decision is rendered, the ordinance remains in effect.

If you ride, or even park your motorcycle in Boston and the EPA labeling is not readily visible, you remain liable for a $300.00 fine.

Attending the 2:00 p.m. hearing proposing the Motion for Injunctive Relief filed on July 3rd were Plaintiffs Paul W. Cote of Amesbury, Bill Gannon of Quincy, Vince Silvia of Haverhill, and Mike Longtin of North Easton, Massachusetts. The quartet, calling themselves the Massachusetts Riders for Justice Committee were joined by long time motorcyclists' advocate Betsy Lister of Medfor, Massachusetts. Plaintiff Larry Cahill was unable to attend the Hearing but gave his full support.

Following a noontime telephone briefing from American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) Government Relations Specialist Imre Szauter and ongoing communications with motorcyclists' rights activist Bruce Arnold, the Riders For Justice retained Motorcycling Attorney Joseph S. Provanzano of Peabody, Massachusetts who passionately argued the position of the plaintiffs.

Provanzano has successfully overturned more than 300 "excessive exhaust noise" citations against motorcyclists in court systems throughout Massachusetts.

"This is not about noise as much as it is about the local 'Crown' over-imposing unwarranted authority on citizens," claimed Plaintiff Cote'. "Over 235 years ago the citizens of Boston told the British Government "no way!" Today we are doing the same by seeking the Court to declare this Ordinance to be "the rubbish it is," claimed Cote.

"I attended today to be part of the solution," stated Plaintiff Longtin," and this Ordinance discriminating against motorcycling is wrong and I'm there to say so!"

Plaintiff Vince Silvia of Haverhill, who rode into the Boston Hearing with no EPA imprint on his bike’s exhaust systems, said, "It's crap. My motorcycle has passed State inspections and five voluntary sound tests with the sound meter donated by the AMA."

"This Ordinance is nothing but the City of Boston trying to make a buck off of riders. At $300.00 a pop, 100 bikes equal $30,000.00 to them, a 1,000 bikes equal $300,000.00. This ordinance," Silva continued, "is designed to discriminate against, as City Council Salvatore LaMattina testified, 'those people' to keep riders out of Boston. This is 'revenue enhancement', in its purest form. Add onto the ticket the costs of exercising your right to due process which will cost you as much as the original ticket, not to mention that parked or not it will be a moving violation which will just jack up your insurance rates. To me that equals government sanctioned theft."

Attorneys representing the City Boston were accompanied by a Sergeant of the Boston Police Department. He did not offer any testimony during the hearing. He later conferred with Plaintiffs Cote and Gannon stating "They dragged me in just for show. I have nothing against motorcyclists."

Observer Betsy Lister of Medford, Massachusetts was impressed by Provanzano's representation of the Plaintiff's position.

Lister stated, "Attorney Provanzano was armed and dangerous exuding passion and commitment to the cause while adeptly citing chapter and verse basically illustrating how the Boston's new noise ordinance usurped and superseded both federal and state statutes and was totally repugnant!"

"Provanzano threw out more legal challenges than an 'all star' pitcher in a series baseball game with each statement being a perfect strike." Lister continued.

Recently, Cahill, Cote, and Lister visited the Boston Harley-Davidson dealership and examined all new motorcycles on the showroom floor. Because of varied production styling and components, in most cases the activists could not view the EPA stamp unless the motorcycle is partially dismantled.

Riders For Justice Committee Members are patiently awaiting Judge Hines ruling on the temporary restraining order while their lawsuit to permanently overturn the ordinance was filed on July 3rd and prepares to go to a trial before the Suffolk County Superior Court.

Motorcycle riders interested in helping fight this Ordinance are encouraged to contact Paul Cote at ClaimsCote@aol.com.


A footnote on the real issue underlying Boston Noise Ordinance 0658:

"The real issue here is neither noise nor loud pipes, and I encourage the bikers' rights activists of Massachusetts not to be tricked into fighting on those fields. The real issue here is the same as in Myrtle Beach SC, and Delray Beach FL before that: A money-hungry municipality overstepping its authority and passing discriminatory ordinances aimed at filling city coffers by penalizing all bikers for the alleged transgressions of a few."--Bruce Arnold

***

 [roll]   :'(

If where you live is anything like where I live the ABATE no helmet wearing, loud pipes save lives guys ....yes I mean the Harley crowd gave this big hammer to law enforcement and the legislatures to beat us up with.

Among hundreds and thousands of Harley bikers around here, way less than 10% DON'T run big straight pipes with NO baffling whatsoever.  I'm a lifetime biker and it hurts my ears and yes, pisses me off a little.  These, for the most part, very low performance (wouldn't pull a greased string out of a dead dog's ass) are so obnoxiously loud I just can't believe it sometimes.

Nobody loves the sound of a reverse cone Norton, or a Conti extended megaphone than I.  I run Termis with no dB killers and they are whisper quite by comparison.

Give credit where credit is due.  In the concrete canyons of NYC I can just imagine what the noise is like. We got nothing but trees and open space to reverb the noise here and it's still very offensive - even painful.

LA

if you think about it unfortunately this is a law to do away with really teh harley guys.  that is what people usually think about when they hear "loud motorcycle"  with straight pipes and such.

i have termi without baffles on my bike and though it is louder than normal, even when next to a stock harley 1200 sportster, you no longer can hear my bike at all.. and that is stock harley off the showroom floor.  wtf?

but obviously the laws are being passed to satisfy the 'rich' folks that hate to hear the motorcycles and think that those are the only loud things in the neighborhood.  any diesel box truck or garbage truck is way louder than a my bike without baffles on it and that is a "stock" truck.. wtf?

No way a "stock" Harley Davidson is louder. It had to have aftermarket pipes. A stock Harley is very quiet.

I live in a small town at the intersection of two state highways. I get deeply annoyed at jerks who feel the need to rev their engines at 2am at the stop sign outside with pipes loud enough to rattle my teeth. I personally have stock pipes on my bike since I have no desire to offend my neighbors and have never understood the attraction of noisy exhaust.

That said, the first thing that crossed my mind when I read about this new ordinance was "what a load of crap." There are tons of problems with this. I plan to go check my pipes for EPA certification, but who knows where that appears? Who's to say someone won't get a ticket no matter what, then be unable to prove in court that they didn't unbolt their illegal exhaust and replace it for show? What about loud cars and trucks?

I found myself wondering if the most pertinent part of this ordinance might not be the part about ticketing vehicles parked with aftermarket pipes. There's really no good way to tell if a car or truck has an aftermarket exhaust when it's just parked next to the street. However, a bike with carbon pipes parked on the street can be a cash machine for the city.

Look, it's not just the Harleys, it's all of us with aftermarket louder exhausts. Sure, at idle, the Harley might be far louder than the duc, but the Harleys that drive past my place are no more obnoxious than the sportbike crew. This may be because the Harley is cruising at 4000 RPM and the ducs are screaming by at twice that.

Hell, there have been exhaust contests for noisiest exhaust organized on this very board and then to imply that we're not part of the problem is just plain hypocrisy.


I don't mind the regular parade of bikes that go roaring past my house-I was aware of it before I bought the place, and I find it entertaining. But truth be told, the only bikes that I would claim stand out as quiet would be the BMW guys. Every last other make out there is just as noisy when they go pissing past the house, regardless of what style of bike it is. You might not realize it because you're on it at those speeds, earplugs in, but the rest of us sure do.

Could we please knock off the "Well, my open dry clutch and baffle-less termis couldn't possibly be part of the problem" nonsense?

 [clap] [drink]

+1.  I love the sound of my (well, for now anyways) S4R + full arrows, but never take it into town because it's just embarrassing ... Yet awesome  [evil]

Cheers,
Adam

Could we please knock off the "Well, my open dry clutch and baffle-less termis couldn't possibly be part of the problem" nonsense?

A straight piped Harley is SSSOOOO much louder than a Termi kitted Ducati of any stripe there is just NOOoo comparison.  Not even in the same dimension. 

Maybe your town isn't slam full of open pipe Harleys.  It's like the god damn space shutter blasting off for Christ sakes.  And were I live the cops absolutely ignore the Harley crowd - they can make as much noise as they want and always ride off with the throttle pinned for the first 30 mph or so.  So much noise and motors so big you'd think they'd be some power being made.

In the grand scheme of things for me it's not that big a deal as law enforcement doesn't enforce the noise ordinances.  And my Termi kitted Ducati is so quite by comparison, the LEO don't even look my way.

LA

Even if it's not loud by comparison does not mean it's not loud. I live in the SF bay area, which is a terribly popular area for motorcyclists. There are a TON of bikes here, of all kinds. You name it, it drives past my house-even the open pipe Harleys.

Better than the other guy does not mean it's any good, nor is it any excuse. From inside the hosue, and to the average layman, they are all obnoxiously loud.

The point here is the Boston legislation is based on an EPA certification stamp on a bike, not actual sound level.  Some of those super quiet BMWs would be ticketed under the present legislation because the certification stamp is under a heat shield and can not be seen.  Even Police Harleys would be subject since the stamping his hidden by the luggage.  Meanwhile, the person with the cored EPA cans  gets off scott free.  There is only one fair and proper way to enforce noise limits, and that is measuring actual noise by a standardized test procedure for all vehicles, not just motorcycles.  Side note:  The Oakland CA PD spent taxpayer money on loud pipes for their police bikes   http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com/forum/hdrcgb-beer-tent/62346-amazing-do-loud-pipes-saves-lives-oakland-police-dept-ca.html (http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com/forum/hdrcgb-beer-tent/62346-amazing-do-loud-pipes-saves-lives-oakland-police-dept-ca.html)

Say you like loud pipes because the sound, say you like it because you like the attention, but save the "loud pipes save lives" argument, it's total BS and has been refuted many many times:

http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp (http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp)

Adam

weed whackers are loud...

chain saws are loud...

motorcycles are an easier target

Would it be proper to insert a California joke here? 8)

your call ;)

So are you saying we should march an army of chain saws and weed whackers down newbury st to try and set off car alarms and look cool?

... I like where this is going  [evil] [evil] [evil]

No...

but knock yourself out. ;D

I can't explain it here.

My Termis caused two Deer that were standing in the middle of the road to take off running 100 yards before i got to them .

I was doing 80 mph and my guess is they heard me before they actually could tell by seeing what the bright light was that was bearing down on them.

I also caused a Rooster to take flight . The Rooster was right beside the road although I came upon it so fast I don't think the dumb Bird knew what was going on since I went past it doing at least 80 mph in a very rural setting.

I thought it was going to fly right into me but at the last possible instant veered off to my right thank goodness. It would have been ugly.

I like to hear loud pipes .

At one of the State Parks I like to ride through  , you can pull in a parking / picnic area which is down in a valley . On a nice Sunday afternoon , you can sit at a picnic table and in 15 minutes count 50 bikes go by .

A lot of the time there will be a dozen Harleys go by in a group and they sure make a lot of loud exhaust sounds which reverberate back and forth through the valley.

What about Barking Dogs that are kept outside and like to bark all night ?

Dolph

You can call up the police and complain about them.

Dolph -

he big thing is that absolutely none of the picturesque scenarios you described apply to the city of Boston.  It's primarily a pedestrian city and when a H-D or (whatever) comes through revving the snot out of their engine and it's echoing around the buildings it's LOUD and just plain obnoxious for everyone.  And this is coming from a guy who loves loud bikes, especially a Duc   [evil]  ;D

No one cares if you've got a loud bike outside of the city.

I lived over by Fenway for a while, and I have no idea for the life of me why you'd even want to bring a motorcycle through town - most of the people I see in Boston on bikes are posing on Newbury St or over by lansdowne.  Get a scooter and be a scooter trash ... and you can park on the sidewalk that way  8)

Cheers,
Adam

Here in NYC, this is not just about Harleys!  It's geared towards EVERYONE, with heavy pressure on the sportbike crowd as well!.  I got a ticket myself for straightpipes on my Monster, on July 4th while stuck in traffic on a closed down highway while my bike was idling in stand still traffic at the time.   My bike wasn't loud at the time, but I was pulled over because I was on a moto by a  Highway Patrolman who walked over to me, then proceeded to inspect my bike from top to bottom, stuck his "spring whip" into my exhausts and gave me a ticket for no baffles.  This had nothing to do with my bike being loud!  It's about $$$$$$$$$$$

The point is this law, the same as was tried but so far failed here in NYC, is about  ticketing PARKED MOTORCYCLES! this is just another means of revenue!
Parked motorcycles are not loud!!!  And there are new bikes coming from the factory in which you cannot easily find the EPA stamping (BMWs, the new Honda CBR, and MANY OTHERS), some times dismantling the exhaust system would be necessary to find it, or they are placed in areas where a cop or traffic agent will never find them and you will be ticketed.  The EPA stamping was never designed for this purpose!  In fact the EPA noise regulations of which all these other new laws are based upon are only applicable for the first year or 3730 mi of ownership of the bike.

"CFR Title 40: Protection of Environment
PART 205—TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION CONTROLS
§ 205.152   Noise emission standards.
(3) Street motorcycles must be designed, built and equipped so that, when properly maintained and used, they will not produce noise emissions in excess of the levels specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, for an Acoustical Assurance Period of one year or a distance of 6000 km (3730 mi) after the time of sale to the ultimate purchaser, whichever occurs first."


Also, why aren't tuner/boom cars or trucks being targeted in Boston if it's about noise?

I live in NYC on a very loud block in Manhattan.  I have motorcycles coming in to park their bikes in a 24 hour garage across the street from me, as well as rental cars being returned by idiots that just stop in the middle of the street because they don't know how to park and then cause havoc to the drivers behind them.  I'm next door to a fire house, (which I will never complain about because it's my choice to live here, and they have already come to my aid when I needed it for a medical emergency in about one minute)!  The one noisy thing that recently bothers me everyday it the garbage truck that comes to the post office every morning at 4:30 !!!!!!!!!!!  THAT IS MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE THAN ANY MOTORCYCLE QUICKLY PASSING DOWN THE BLOCK!

my $0.02

^ [clap]

As others have said, the problem with this law is the method of enforcement, not the desired effect. Given the increased popularity of motos it was only a matter of time before governments started tackling noise issues.

Also, most cities probably already have decibel ordinances on the books...Seattle's is 95db at 10 feet I believe (or something close). They should just start enforcing that if they're so worried...and target ALL vehicles.

Personally I don't think loud exhausts alone piss people off...but how they are used does. I see bikers (mostly HDs with straight pipes) in downtown all the time revving their bikes at stop lights, then hammering it off the line when the light goes green. It is ear-splitting loud...and pisses people off, so they complain. Last time I was in Tuscon I stayed in a hotel by the U of A on Speedway...I was woken up several times by ass hats revving their bikes at 2 in the morning...this also pisses people off (including me).

If people with loud motos would be considerate of others this likely wouldn't be an issue. The Monstrada has loud exhaust...I wish it were quieter, but I like the look so it is what it is. I know this, so I try to keep the revs down in town and generally ride it as quiet as possible when in neighborhoods or downtown.

That said, I also agree that garbage trucks are crazy loud...as are buses around here. They're far more annoying than a passing moto IMO, but that's just my perspective.

I work in the Theater District at a nightclub.  I take my moto in whenever possible because I can find a parking spot MUCH more easily.  When I cage it in, I typically have to park in a garage which costs me $15 at a minimum. Since I live out in Waltham, a scooter is totally unreasonable for the commute, and public transportation closes down before I leave work (typically at about 3am.)  I'm pretty sure the cab ride one way would cost more than the parking.

I think that Boston should be encouraging motorcycles within the city as opposed to putting tighter restrictions on them.  I'm sure if you asked the average Boston resident which they'd prefer, easier parking within the city or lower noise, 9 out of 10 would choose easier parking.

I used to live in Waltham and I worked in the Park Plaza building, right by the theater district. I got stuck at work one night until 3am. $60 before tip in a cab.

I see everyone has pointed out noise issues with things like trucks, buses, etc, yet no one has mentioned the real noise issue that truly plaugues modern society. Yes, there is one single source of noise that is far more obnoxious than any exhaust. Worst of all, this noise is nearly impossible to quiet once it has started and few people are comfortable making any attempts to shush the noise or to even complain. As opposed to increased restrictions, this noise has actually become more and more socially acceptable throughout the past decade.

Yes, I am talking about children. Honestly, who would possibly rather listen to a screaming toddler than a dry clutch? At least when a complaint is filed, you can actually reason with the moto rider. Not so with the child. Once it is crying, there is no stopping it. Even worse would be to try to reason with the mother or expect her to actually make some attempt to silence its vociferating spawn.

Truly, if we want to improve noise levels in America's cities, we must begin to impose restrictions on the single, true threat to a comfortable and quiet life. We must place restrictions on city children, with heavier ticketing for infants and strict punishment for teething!!!

 [clap] [clap] [clap] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

I love you

EPA approved child muffler:

(http://www.rumproast.com/images/uploads/duct-tape.jpg)

Just read this gem from the article and had to LOL:


 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Yeah, without those 5-10 bikes per night Hanover st. would be a sanctuary of quiet contemplation and reflection  [laugh] [laugh]

Adam

I strongly believe you are wrong in this. People just don't like other people's noise, no matter what's causing it or why.

The EPA stamp issue troubles me...

Here is the location of the stamp on a stock pipe:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3725020733_8544f12599.jpg?v=0)

What [leo] is going to take the time to look for it?

Throw panniers on this bike, or even worse, other bikes by this same manufacturer conceal this even more.

...reason #463 to not go to Boston.   ;D

you mean reason #197,463 [thumbsup]