Our saviours - the MMIC

In Australia there is an article about a man and his motorcycle repair shop and how the VLAD Laws are costing him his livelihood.

In Manitoba you can be arrested with a Peace Bond as someone who MIGHT commit an offence in the future if the police suspect your patch is an "OMG" Patch.

In Bathurst New Brunswick where the Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw has been adopted there have been articles on restaurants and pubs closing citing loss of the motorcyclist's business.

Innocents always get hurt when laws are applied unfairly.

The Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaws hurt the community but so do those who behave in a way as to be deemed as show off's, those who have to wick on that throttle to gain attention.

It is a case of the many paying the price for the actions of the few, the same as it is with all other laws that infringe on freedoms and rights.

I live in Grande Prairie Alberta, I ride a stock motorcycle. I have never modified the exhaust of my bike.  And yet, I fear riding in Edmonton.  Why? Because when I am on the road, it is generally as a reporter going to an event, and time is of the essence for me.  If I am pulled over in a motorcycle ONLY noise check stop, I could be detained for upwards of an hour. My bike, I am positive would pass the test, but I don't want to be held up as I don't enjoy being late.

And, I am not alone, I know many riders that avoid going to events in Edmonton, that ride around the city and avoid the restaurants, pubs etc that cater to riders.
The charities suffer, the businesses suffer and the rider does too.

Noise is a problem in all urban centres.

Enter our saviours - the MMIC, the people who brought us the J2825 testing standard.

The MMIC, Moped Motorcycle Industry Council has taken it upon themselves to promote a motorcycle only noise test called the J2825 that they and their American counterparts paid to develop.

Apparently, they did so thinking they were helping the industry...

From the MMIC Website:
The SAE J2825 Sound Test for Motorcycles

On-highway riders and their bikes don't have to be victims of questionable sound-level checks anymore, thanks to a new procedure developed by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) in partnership with SAE International, and the Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC), as one of its funding partners.

The MIC and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) established the SAE J 2825 sound test, which will provide a quick, easy, economical, and science-based tool for accurately identifying motorcycles with excessively noisy sound emissions.

Now, law-enforcement authorities have a simple, quick, economical tool for accurately identifying motorcycles with excessively loud exhaust systems. The SAE document J2825, "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles," meets the need for a practical, consistent roadside sound test. END QUOTE

Also from their website:

BEGIN QUOTE: Sound Emissions

MMIC member companies' products meet all Transport Canada sound emission standards. The industry is working with provincial ministries to develop consistent sound emission policies across the country. The industry is committed to continue to reduce sound emissions. END QUOTE

MMIC and its member manufacturers and distributors recommend the new SAE J 2825 stationary sound test procedure for on-highway motorcycles and encourage the implementation of these standards across Canada.  END QUOTE

If that is the case - if what the MMIC claims is true, and they are committed to reducing sound emission, why is it their dealers will sell you ILLEGAL exhaust systems?

Take a look at most aftermarket pipes and you will see a stamp on them "FOR OFF HIGHWAY USE ONLY"  They are generally meant for racing applications not highway use.
When you buy those pipes a dealer will point that out to you and if you agree to have them installed to improve horsepower and engine performance, and get a fine, you and you alone are on the hook.

Inconsideration and the need to make money in business have brought us to this cross roads.
What is the answer to people learning to share this world responsibly?
I have no idea - but I do not believe that singling out our community for special stops, higher than normal fines compared to other vehicles for the same infractions...

NOISE IS NOISE and if you are going to force one segment of the population to conform to a noise rating, then it should be good enough for everyone else.

When are we going to see a noise test for ALL vehicles?

I doubt we ever will - the automotive industry does not seem to feel any pressure to reduce noise by vehicles.

So riders, it seems that because the industry created this test and endorses it, we are stuck with bylaws that are discriminatory. Or are we?

What say you?

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider