Ducati Monster Forum

I just got my license renewal form and there was a pamphlet attached warning of a pilot project arming law enforcement officers with a sound level meter. I went on their website and extracted this text.

Pilot Project on the Measurement with a Sound Level Meter of the Noise Generated by Motorcycles, Moped and Motorized Scooters
The three-year pilot project on the control of the sound level of motorcycle, moped and motorized scooter exhaust systems aims to gather information on the implementation of control measures. The project is expected to begin in the summer of 2012.
Since the introduction of the 1998 prescribed standard, technologies related to motorcycle, moped and motorized scooter exhaust systems have evolved substantially. Some of the new systems, while they meet federal standards, can be noisier than the system originally installed on a motorcycle, moped or motorized scooter and can therefore be in violation of the Highway Safety Code. Some of these systems can also represent a source of distraction for roads users due to their sound level.

Measurement method
For the purposes of the pilot project, measurement of the exhaust system sound level is performed with sound level meters approved by the SAAQ and used by peace officers who underwent the required training. This new method was developed by the SAAQ, the Ministère des Transports and a Université Laval researcher. The method is based on the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2825 standard and adapted to make its implementation easier and ensure reliability.
The pilot project will make it possible to check the validity of control parameters according to this new method, before amending legislation and regulations.

Are these enforcement methods used anywhere else?

They use a similar test here in NH for vehicle inspection.

They just changed all the equipment requirements for the inspection stations as well as sound limits.

It will be difficult to duplicate the requirements for the test on the roadside IMO

Here in MI with all of the ridiculously loud Harleys around, I don't think that will be an issue here, thank goodness! 

Here in Columbia S.C, the only areas where they check are the trendy parts of the city. The result is no loud Harley's in these areas. They just continue to ride their loud bikes everywhere else.

Yeah, they dont care here in the "Motor City" haha.  They flood everywhere!!

Wow something like this that did not start in California.  We usually are the first State to push new enforcement methods.  I really do wonder what the chances are of running my Zard pipes (when they get here) even with the DB killers I fear getting nailed just for the modification.   

I read the procedure for their roadside test and there are way too many things they can do wrong thus giving people plenty of ammo in court.

I agree...but let's not turn this into a 'law or politics' thing.

Please. ;D

Crap... I also live in Quebec and I was just considering buying a pair of slip-ons for my 696. Now I'm not so sure. Sucks to be a Quebecker  [thumbsdown]

Don't let this deter you from buying your slip ons, for now its just a big show and besides if you don't uncork them they will be below limits for sure.
I will take some measurements next week to see how loud my uncorked arrows are and post the results.

As long as i can get a "Poutine" here in Quebec, i ain't moving. [laugh]

"Some of these systems can also represent a source of distraction for roads users due to their sound level."

some would say that's the point.

Now, we wouldn't want to distract people from talking on their cell phone now would we.....

 They might slip with their mascara brush and blind themselves!

 [drool] [thumbsup] 

They started doing this last summer in Oakville, Ontario too.

Whats is it? You and Duc Girl seem to think they're pretty good and i'm kind of hungry.

A mushy mess :P

when I visited Montreal for F1 back in '05 I think it was...I went out to the Orange Bowl biker gathering and there was a moto cop there who pulled what was basically a dowel out of his boot to put into my pipes ( I had high mount carbon FBF Forza pipes that had very little baffling in them at the time) for to check for baffles after hearing me pull up ( I deliberately did one of those decel backfire woof pops when pulling in). Was me and my 2 buddies ( a yellow VFR with a Staintune pipe , and a 'Busa with a full Yosh tri-oval system) and we made a bit of noise coming in after a local explained how harsh it was ( authorities wise) for to have aftermarket pipes on a bike when we ran into some locals that refferred us to the gathering the night before. The encouraged revelry got the attention of the cop and he was going to do his inspection till he got to the back of our bikes and we said to him "US Citizens" and he read the plates ( all legal Maryland plates). He then put the rod back in his boot and walked off and some other locals were wanting us to crack off some woofs and revs...LOL

They are talking about it on the Blue Ridge Parkway as well.  I definitely won't be under their limit.

JM

Think of a Dirty Sanchez, but pour on some pork or chicken gravy.
Oh, and add french fries.

BC.

Like this?

http://dudefoods.com/dirty-sanchez-baja-burger/ (http://dudefoods.com/dirty-sanchez-baja-burger/)

its a heart attack on a plate but ohhhhhhh so good. its simple but if the 3 ingredients are not just right it doesn't work.
french fries covered with cheese curds covered with gravy.
There is a Lebanese place near by that covers all that with Shish taouk chicken!!!!!!!! [drool]

(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u662/scaramanga3/Poutine_zps1db3be25.jpg)

i [drool] ok I'm off to "la belle province" to get some for super tonight [thumbsup]
But after I'll have to eat salad for a week!

Do you guys have fried shrimp PO Boys in Quebec

If you guys want to discuss food...

take it to NMC.

Yeah, I was looking into baffled Leo Vince Carbon... probably not the loudest one out there but that new testing procedure got me thinking...

It's my understanding that because i'm a girl ......police really don't bother about me   :-\ the only time a cop stop me it was to say that my bike was cool and he  congratulated me for riding such a bike ......"   [leo]  [thumbsup] nice  bike, but  be carefull now  [leo]"

But every time I cross a cop I always make sure to press the clutch so the bike turn at 1500 rpm instead of 5000 ! ;D

ok so i tested my pipes(arrow shotgun full) with and without the db killers.
Legal test limits for  a 2 cylinder is 100db @ 2500rpm.
without db killers i got about 98dB @2500rpm's. With the killers in i got 90dB @ 2500rpm and 94dB @ 3500rpm. I tested with the meter inline and at the required distance from the pipe. Keeping in mind that these tests are not NASA certified , i'm convinced that with the db killers in i would have no trouble passing. However, without the killers in.... i'm borderline.
note:i have drilled three extra holes in my db killers making a them little louder than stock db killers. So what i'll do is leave them uncorked and budget for one ticket this summer. Pipe sounds too good to muffle.
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u662/scaramanga3/IMG_4894_zps0d088575.jpg)
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u662/scaramanga3/IMG_4897_zps5be05f4d.jpg)

We always called the fat salads. Great after a night of drinking!!

When Eric had my bike at the shop he was testing out his equipment. He said my pipes passed, but my clutch failed.  [Dolph]

My bike doesn't stand a chance in that case.

I have been told it is heading in the direction of inspecting the stamping on the mufflers for compliance. Thats why im hanging on to the stock pipes and running carbon cans until told to change. I have already friends turned down for missing reflectors. The feds are pulling the noose tighter.

What state do you live in? The reason I ask is in regard to reflectors. Those are only required be the Fed, to be installed on all new production bikes. My state does not require reflectors. My state does not even require turn signal lights be installed on a bike. This was the case before the state did away with vehicle inspections.

I'm in Delaware, they have been turning down Harleys with no reflectors and loud pipes. I thought last time I  was going to fail on my carbon cans but at last inspection I just squeaked by on noise level. I have been told they are preparing to require stock pipes and will be requiring factory or an approved a stamp on the pipes. 
 Tim

I am in Kalifukya and ALL bikes built in 2013 (and newer) are required to have stamped exhausts and NO modifications to the emissions systems.  Lucky for me my 2013 was built in 2012 and did not come with a stamped exhaust. 

I wonder what effect this is going to have on new motorcycle sales........

I can see the people that really want aftermarket exhaust will keep the OEM pipes for inspection time and will go through the hassle if swapping them out.

Not just hassle, expense.  In Kalifucya there is now a $100.00 ticket going to the first offense and $250.00 for each additional offense.  Modded bikes will be cash cows for the State.

Peeps will buy new motorcycles and core the stock pipes thats what.

I am sure you are right.  Sadly I did not buy my Zards to be louder (I prefer stealth in the canyons) I bought them to be pretty.  They sound great but with the DB killers in I am certain it is nearly as quiet as stock. 

Cash cow, taxes, income for the state is the real thing they are looking at.

Stamped pipes?  No problem!  The previous owner took care of that by lowsiding on both sides.  Stamping is an illegible smear.

JM

Hi everybody!
Last friday, at my mechanic class with my schoolmates and teacher, during a good part of the course we read the procedure's documentation of SAAQ and we spoke (and laugh a lot) about this sonometer project.
The recommendation in this document seem like a joke, and what the [leo] should observe when he's using sonometer making giving tickets like "impossible".
My teacher, schoolmates and me decided to keep a copy of this law document under the seat just in case.

Here's the SAAQ link for this law document for those of you who can read french: http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/securite_routiere/vehicules_technologies/projets_pilotes/sonometre/mesurage_motocyclette.pdf (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/securite_routiere/vehicules_technologies/projets_pilotes/sonometre/mesurage_motocyclette.pdf)

And for DMF's friends cannot read french, i’ve done some translations, beause it’s really funny!
Btw this is my personnal translation, this not the real text, even if i done my best, i still have a lot to learn in english formulation. If you needed, to assert you’re right do not use this translation, use the french text in link below this is the real law’s code in QC. It will be translate by the government when testing period will be done.


Here the hilarious page 6 where the text relate environnemental needs to proceed :

Testing site and environnementals conditions during test should be as follow :

5.1   The site must flat and free from reflective objects (ex : vehicules, curbs, road signs, building, ‘’banks’’, trees, peoples, animals) on 2.5m distance from the motorcycle and the microphone (see A annexe pict. A.1) The operator and an assistant can be in this zone if necessary. The test can’t be done indoor. [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

5.2   The ground of the testing zone should be pavement (asphalt or solid concrete) or gravel surface. It should be free from any dirt material (like loose sand or dirt), grass.  Really!!![laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] Sorry Sir Sir but little grass stick under your boots test is not valid!!

5.3   The ground should be horizontal. The average slope do not exceed 40mm/m (4% or 2.3 degrees). This mean a slope near 2 inches every 3 feets [roll]

5.4   The space above the site should be unrestricted (no branches of tree or structures). The test can’t be done indoor.  [roll] [roll]

5.5   The speed of the wind, including gusts of wind, measured at height between 1.5m and 2m from ground, do not exceed 10m/s (36km/h) during the test. [roll] [roll] [roll] [roll]

5.6   Air temp should be between 5ºC and 35ºC *.

5.7   Air relative humidity should be between 25% and 90% *.

5.8   Sound pressure level rate A of the ambiant sound, including wind sound, should be 10dba under the sound tested. [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

5.9   If the operator or assistant need to stay near of the motorbike during measurements, they should place themself the most far away and preferably, from the motorcycle on the opposite side of the side where is the microphone.

* Weather forecast can be use for évaluation if temparature and relative humidity are accurate for testing. If needed, measurements can be done to make sure those limits are not exceeding.


And in the text too, there is a procedure of how the officier should calibrate his tools... Also complicated to be done on the side of the road. So if the gentlemen officer still can do all that stuff, i will pay my bill he will deserved it.  [leo] [beer]

ya i laughed my nuts off when i read the procedure, that's why i said there is alot of wiggle room in court.
i figure the only way they can make this work in their favor is to setup a DUI type of roadblock operation and test all that go by.It would take too long to setup properly for random stops.
The bronze in my neck of the woods will probably give a ticket even if the test was passed, they are dicks that way.
I'm more worried about cheezing off my neighbors with the noise than getting pulled over.