What do they consider noisy pipes?
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- Thread starter Silli
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If they gave fines for noisy pipes here, most bikers in the USA couldn't afford to ride!!!
The USA has federal noise level standards that cars and bikes have to comply with from the manufacturer. But once you buy it, you can put aftermarket silencers (or run straight pipes) almost anywhere.
Heck......the local Police have aftermarket pipes on their Police Harley-Davidsons!!
The USA has federal noise level standards that cars and bikes have to comply with from the manufacturer. But once you buy it, you can put aftermarket silencers (or run straight pipes) almost anywhere.
Heck......the local Police have aftermarket pipes on their Police Harley-Davidsons!!
So then that is it no law against noise at all as long as it came out stock and within the noise limits prescribed at the time.
The police still ride harleys??? 
The police still ride harleys???
Pigs on Hogs.
Take that as a joke, I've got a couple of very good mates in the police.
Basically you are correct. My '68 TR6 does not meet the current federal noise standards. However, it is exempt. There is a trend an a lot of communities to crack down on loud pipes. This has been brought on mostly by the V-twin crowd. The problem with enforcing the noise standards is the equipment required, the training and certification to use it, and the time it takes. LEO's have more pressing duties than monitoring noise levels of bikes.
Technically it is illegal to change to aftermarket loud pipes. They usually come with a warning that they are for off-road use only (such as racing).
But as Carl said, the police have more important things to do.
That is unless you live somewhere that has begun a crack down due to complaints over noise issues.......then the cops are watching for you.
Or, if a cop simply wants to be a jerk and can't find anything else wrong, he could nail you for your pipes. But in that case, you were probably doing something to piss them off and were asking for some type of hassle.
I live a heavily Amish area where horse-drawn buggies and work horses pulling hay wagons are common on our roads. Someone could get seriously hurt if your loud pipes spooked the horse. I normally pull in the clutch, coast by the horses, and give them as much leeway as humanly possible when I approach them. Most courteous bikers do the same.
But as Carl said, the police have more important things to do.
That is unless you live somewhere that has begun a crack down due to complaints over noise issues.......then the cops are watching for you.
Or, if a cop simply wants to be a jerk and can't find anything else wrong, he could nail you for your pipes. But in that case, you were probably doing something to piss them off and were asking for some type of hassle.
I live a heavily Amish area where horse-drawn buggies and work horses pulling hay wagons are common on our roads. Someone could get seriously hurt if your loud pipes spooked the horse. I normally pull in the clutch, coast by the horses, and give them as much leeway as humanly possible when I approach them. Most courteous bikers do the same.
The police still ride harleys???
Harley-Davidson make special police bikes with special equipment and paint schemes for sale to police departments. I believe they also get a special discounted price (although I'm not positive of that). Special equipment would be things like lights, radios, sticky tires, and beefed-up electrical systems.
In my area, the police either buy two-wheeled Harleys or the three-wheeled "servi-car" model Harleys.
It's not uncommon in the winter to see the three-wheeled Harley police bikes with chains on them in the snow. But they don't use them to chase anyone...it's mostly for traffic duty.
I think in California and some other areas, the police use Moto-Guzzi, Honda, or Kawasakis.
The Pittsburgh motorcycle police get awesome leather jackets too!! I especially like the long leather coats they get to wear in the Winter!!
The police also go to special police motorcycle riding classes where they really learn to throw these things around!!
Check out this video for an annual Police Bike Rodeo showing off their skills:
[video=youtube;SAJjCVUc3Gg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAJjCVUc3Gg[/video]
AJ, I notice the police in P-burg have side cars?
Some have sidecars, some are the 3 wheeled servi-cars, and others are 2 wheeled. You never see the 2 wheeled used in the winter. But it all depends on what duty they are on.
The cops like using bikes in the most congested areas and at rush hour traffic because the regular police cars get stuck in traffic while a police bike can weave through and split lanes or go on the sidewalk if they need to.
They also like the sidecar or servi-car models because they don;t have to take the time to put down a kickstand. Plus, it's so hilly in Pittsburgh, on those they don't have to worry about parking the bike perfectly on a hill.
The cops like using bikes in the most congested areas and at rush hour traffic because the regular police cars get stuck in traffic while a police bike can weave through and split lanes or go on the sidewalk if they need to.
They also like the sidecar or servi-car models because they don;t have to take the time to put down a kickstand. Plus, it's so hilly in Pittsburgh, on those they don't have to worry about parking the bike perfectly on a hill.
I'll bet they have a unique training program for the three wheeled rigs, both side cars and servi-cars. That would be an interesting course to go through.
Don't quote me on this for sure, but I think they only train on the two-wheelers. I could be wrong???
I get along great with the motorcycle cops and have become friends with many of them. They now wave to me when we pass on the roads since I've gone on their benefit rides for the K-9 division. Their benefit rides are the best because we get a motorcycle police escort, get to ride through red lights and stuff, and they have a terrific BBQ and give-a-way at the end. Last year I was hoping to win a Pittsburgh Motorcycle Cop T-Shirt, but I ended up with a small set of bike tools instead.
I get along great with the motorcycle cops and have become friends with many of them. They now wave to me when we pass on the roads since I've gone on their benefit rides for the K-9 division. Their benefit rides are the best because we get a motorcycle police escort, get to ride through red lights and stuff, and they have a terrific BBQ and give-a-way at the end. Last year I was hoping to win a Pittsburgh Motorcycle Cop T-Shirt, but I ended up with a small set of bike tools instead.
I am sure they do special training for three wheels. Any three wheeled rig is totally different handling, especially for performance handling. As far a s I know, only Washington state requires a separate endorsement for sidecars and trikes. In Florida, as in most states,a two wheel endorsement allows you to ride a three wheel rig. Here in Florida, you can take your endorsement test on a three wheeled rig; but if you do, you are restricted to three wheeled rigs.
Mae Lyne and I have two wheel endorsements. I did put her through the MSF sidecar/trike course. I wanted her to know how to handle it from professionals. They allowed me to audit the course with her. It was a very good course and well worth the time an money. They taught her how to make panic stops and made her fly the chair so that she would know how it feels when the rig comes up and not panic. Flying the rig and panic stops were part of her final test.
My guess is the cops have a similar training program for their three wheel riders. It would certainly make sense and add a big safety factor - and reduce liability and law suits.
Mae Lyne and I have two wheel endorsements. I did put her through the MSF sidecar/trike course. I wanted her to know how to handle it from professionals. They allowed me to audit the course with her. It was a very good course and well worth the time an money. They taught her how to make panic stops and made her fly the chair so that she would know how it feels when the rig comes up and not panic. Flying the rig and panic stops were part of her final test.
My guess is the cops have a similar training program for their three wheel riders. It would certainly make sense and add a big safety factor - and reduce liability and law suits.
I'll ask them about that the next time I talk to one.
I just assumed they did not. It makes sense though.
I just assumed they did not. It makes sense though.
anything without a stamp noisy or not ! it has to have a BS stamp on it, allthough i have to say this is only a north wales police law , the rest of the uk have there own laws ,and no were near as tough.
i had a chair out fit for years ! once you learn how to ride them you can ride very fast , and suprise the hell out of solo riders when they pass you at high speed and then look in the mirror at 110mph and can see the whights of your eyes right be hind them 
( i was much younger then ! )
( i was much younger then ! )
Chairs are fun; I enjoy riding the rig. When the day comes that I can no longer ride two wheels; I hope to be able to ride hack rig.
AJ, let me know what the cops say, please.
AJ, let me know what the cops say, please.
I cannot remember when last I saw a cop on a bike this side but then again I cannot remember when last a saw a traffic cop at all 
Good point dave..............
Don't you have them your side either Silli
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