Bob
24th August 2007, 23:57
The US motorcycle industry has expressed fears that sales will be affected by a raft of new noise laws that are being introduced.
One of the main problems is that these laws are State – not National – laws and as such are leading to confusion. As an example, in New York State, the law provides for “A minimum $440 fine for having a muffler or exhaust system that can be heard within 200 feet. However, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania., riders could be fined $150 or upwards for “drawing attention to themselves” by creating too much noise by revving their engines or hard acceleration.
But these are the tip of the iceberg. Far more worrying is the Denver regulation that states bikers could be fined $500 for putting mufflers on their bikes made by someone other than the original manufacturer, if the bike is 25 years old or less.
The stakes for the US motorcycle industry are huge. There were 1.1 million new motorcycles sold for $9.8 billion in 2005. Parts, including after-market mufflers, accessories and riding apparel, were an additional $2.8 billion.
If a law banning aftermarket exhausts can be put into place, how long before full Type-Approval is introduced, forcing bikers to buy OE kit? And if the US introduces this law, then how long before other governments follow?
One of the main problems is that these laws are State – not National – laws and as such are leading to confusion. As an example, in New York State, the law provides for “A minimum $440 fine for having a muffler or exhaust system that can be heard within 200 feet. However, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania., riders could be fined $150 or upwards for “drawing attention to themselves” by creating too much noise by revving their engines or hard acceleration.
But these are the tip of the iceberg. Far more worrying is the Denver regulation that states bikers could be fined $500 for putting mufflers on their bikes made by someone other than the original manufacturer, if the bike is 25 years old or less.
The stakes for the US motorcycle industry are huge. There were 1.1 million new motorcycles sold for $9.8 billion in 2005. Parts, including after-market mufflers, accessories and riding apparel, were an additional $2.8 billion.
If a law banning aftermarket exhausts can be put into place, how long before full Type-Approval is introduced, forcing bikers to buy OE kit? And if the US introduces this law, then how long before other governments follow?