As our newspaper is very grass roots, several of the manufacturers and major "political" players in the motorcycle industry tend to "ignore" us. They very seldom answer our requests for assistance or information. So, it makes the job of getting to the bottom of the mystery and intrigue of any important topic a wee bit harder to accomplish.
The Moped Motorcycle Industry Council has reportedly told some dealers and others I have spoken to that they caught wind of the Federal Government attempting to rewrite a law regarding noise emission levels. I have hunted high and low and have contacted the ministry office (Transportation & Safety) only to be told there are not now and never have been any proposed changes to the noise laws under the Transportation Safety Act or through the DOT.
So...mystery number one. Where is this "rumour" really coming from?
Mystery number two is how every time I look in the news feeds lately, Luc Fournier, a member of the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council (MMIC), is present as a representative for the Society for Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) J2825 at town council meetings across Canada.
So here we are with the MMIC reportedly telling motorcycle dealers that they caught a law before it was re written - yet - no where do we see evidence of that. We have a manufacturers organization going around and promoting the SAE test that reportedly the MMIC funded - is there something going oon the we as riders are not being told?
What or who is driving this? Well if you listen to the rider on the street they think two things...that the manufacturers are trying to bolster sales of new bikes by making aftermarket exhausts completely illegal via a new noise standard or that the manufacturers are trying to get the Federal Law changed because Federal law states a motorcycle with a displacement larger that 175 CC Must be governed to 82 db. (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulations/regulations-crc-c1038-sch-v.1.htm)
In a recent article in the Caledon Express: “Three years ago, the Society of Automotive Engineers worked to create the SAE J2825 test,” said Fournier.
According to Fournier, he’s presented the test all over the country to municipalities dealing with the same issue. “The noise emission issue is rising here (Canada) and in the U.S. This is not unique to your municipality,” he said.
He also explained that the MMIC understands why municipalities are having difficulties developing policies for this particular issue. Communities are split between those who ride motorcycles as a hobby, and do so ethically, he said, and those who take advantage of the ability to create noise, and those who do not participate in the hobby and wonder what is proper, and what is excessive.
The MMIC believes this test will not only establish a way for authorities to ticket riders causing excessive noise, but will also establish a standard that will show when riders are not causing a problem, or breaking the law should council create a bylaw for authorities to enforce. They also believe this is an issue in which a small part of the riding community is causing 100 per cent of the problems, and having a set standard will ease the minds and concerns of the members of the community who don’t ride.
“We want to be part of the solution,” said Fournier. “We want to improve the image of the sport. What we want is a standardized approach. We want all jurisdictions to use the same approach when dealing with excessive noise.”
The test is simply the placing of a sound meter, a piece of equipment that can range between $700 and $15,000 according to Fournier, 20 inches from the rear of the motorcycles’ tailpipe at a set angle. The reader displays the decibel level given off by the bike. The test suggests municipalities look for a decibel level under 92 for a motorcycle at idle, and under 96-100 for certain RPM’s on bikes with differing amounts of cylinders.
To show the council what some everyday decibel levels are Fournier displayed a chart showing that a food blender is 88 decibels, a radio or television is typically 70 decibels, conversation is typically 60 decibels, and a rock concert is 110 decibels. End quote.
I personally am of the frame of mind that the MMIC and the Canadian arms of the manufacturers are trying to get Federal Law rewritten by pushing this testing standard.
It allows for higher noise levels that the Federal law does...and so would be very beneficial to the industry.
Truth be told - all aftermarket exhausts are really illegal and if you read the fine print or listen hard when they are sold to you - the pipes are being sold to you for off highway use only! And that applies be it a car, a truck or a motorcycle.
If you have information on this topic - we would really welcome it - I think all of us in the community would love to be better educated on this topic.
As always - your input is VERY welcomed! So what do you think?
In the news today:
In Nova Scotia the Retreads are making an impact as their numbers grow.
In BC the Popkum Motorcycle Track/Facilities are being hailed as very diverse.
Also in BC a Kelowna rider is dead after a crash near Beaverdell.
In the US: Harley is trying to make a decision on keeping plants in Wisconsin and the AMA announced that AMA Dragbike racing is suspended as the promoter closes the doors.
Also in the US a man who was stunting and speeding on his bike is facing jail time of 16 years but not for his riding antics - for allowing his video camera to video the Officer who stopped him.
If you are among the fortunate and you are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, IS out to get you and PLEASE, save those pipes for when a vehicle attempts to violate your right of way...
Belt Drive Betty
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