Anyone ever been pinched for loud pipes?

[soloithtz]

If so how did it go down and what was said between you and the police? Ticket if so how much?

[jbmass]

Never have, but I know friends who have. Rt. 140 is getting bad for it but that's mostly Harley riders. I personally think Cops should find something better to do. As long as you're not being obnoxious or driving aggressively who gives a shit.

[tsanterre]

Can't say I was really "pinched" but I've been pulled over.

Wasn't on the throttle and exhaust wasn't even that loud. Cop basically was giving a warning that most aftermarket cans are not street legal. No ticket.

[Tunertype]

I've never been pulled over and have gone by lots of cops with loud pipes on my bike. I think they will only pull you over for a BS reason if they are on that particular mission(looking for it specifically).

Times I've gotten pulled over in my car was for brand new laws. Once when they just put out that cell law in CT and when they made that don't run over cops law. Both right after the law was passed and they were looking to make examples of people.

[ff36buell]

I got pulled over for exhaust sound last summer. Cop and I spoke about it for about 10 minutes while we waited for someone with "testing equipment". No measurement was taken, no ticket issued. Officer let me go with a verbal "speaking to".

Nick

[wesvailco]

-I have two, well three instances in east greenwich, RI. 1098 w/termis' (no db inserts) and speed triple w/loud pipes....twice, at late-night. the ordinance is plain and simple, argued the facts of this and that....and $150ish in fines later. LOL, non-moving violation, the next one and each subsequent is $500. i live in MA now, so I travel through much less. although, I will continue travel to harborside lobstermania for a delicious lobster dinner and the loose women to risk further punishment.
In my defense, I have zero moving violations in the past 11 years, hold a valid (H)license to operate since 1996 and have immediate family involved in law enforcement (state and local). Absolutely no leniency and I used EVERY trick and excuse in the book. If your pipes came from a dealer as an "option", they came with db inserts. If you purchased pipes and installed them yourself, your pretty much going to get a ticket IF they feel the need to pull you over and issue you an ordinance violation for excessive noise at minimum. Funny thing about the Triumph is the induction noise is pretty loud on its own, above 5k it howls...

[obsolete]

I said I was saving lives and they let me go.

[OreoGaborio]

Last time a cop pulled me over for sound, she was a hot blond & she was all like

"My review of your exhaust was right on, in my professional opinion!"

I just revved my engine & was all like"WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" and rode away.




Take my breath aaaawwwaaaaayyyyyyyy

[nhbubba]

This thread has improved dramatically overnight. That was until Oreo called Kelly McGillis a 'hot blond'.

[Falko]

I was pulled over by a group of Nazis once. Borrowed a bike from a friend who thought it was a BMW, but it was really a Triumph. Went to pull over and hit a knoll and flew into a fence and tangled in some barbed wire. Come to find out they really didn't care about my exhaust, they had mistaken me for an escapee from prison camp.

(OK, fails in comparison to the topgun reference)

[stoinkythepig]

(OK, fails in comparison to the topgun reference)

I dunno, I liked it better, no offense to the Top Gun OP, but Steve McQueen>Tom Cruise.

[NobodySpecific]

Never have, but I know friends who have. Rt. 140 is getting bad for it but that's mostly Harley riders. I personally think Cops should find something better to do. As long as you're not being obnoxious or driving aggressively who gives a shit.

The problem is with that "not being obnoxious" part. How do you define obnoxious? How does the person who's house you drive by define obnoxious? How does the cop define obnoxious? How does the state define obnoxious? People with obnoxiously loud pipes, in my experience, hardly ever realize just how loud their pipes are to other people, and they get defensive quickly. You may enjoy the thunderous rumble, but others may find it obnoxious. They don't work for you, so why should you be left alone just because you think you're not doing anything wrong?

[Kazinator]

I equate obnoxiously loud to those who drive through a busy downtown area and rev their engines for no reason other than to draw attention.
If I were a cop I would pull people over for that too.

[JohnnyV]

I dunno, with all of my bikes I always tried to be courteous in residential areas. Late at night/early morning I would try to keep the revs low in order to keep the noise down, and when entering or leaving a neighborhood, whether it was my own or a friends, I would just pull the clutch and coast whenever possible.

[Lxpony]

If so how did it go down and what was said between you and the police? Ticket if so how much?

I think you run the risk of getting pulled over for that chrome windscreen before a loud pipe.. just saying.......

[Slyder]

I use to work with a guy with an R1, dual yoshi cans and straight through baffles. He was riding in plainfield NH, picked up a caboose, and a few miles later got blue lighted. He just happened to be passing his friends garage, so he pulled into their lot. The cop told him the exhaust was illegal. The night stick got stuck in the cans and he was told there were no baffles (uhm, that round perforated tube...what's that called again?) and that he'd get ticketed if he left on the bike, and it would be impounded. He was told to change the exhaust. He then got a ride from someone else, leaving his bike there. He went back later that night and rode it home. No idea what happened after that, but this was back in 2008 or even 2007.

They never took a DB measurement, and I remember at the time we looked for laws governing sounds and from what we could tell, said cop lied to him and was full of shit. I told him to call said cops boss and complain he was harassed though he didn't.

I however have had no problem with the M4 on my 1k, or my previous 750. I'm also not one that has to continually rev the bike while sitting in traffic. I do cruise with the tach hovering around 5k though. Ridden by plenty of officers, in their cars, out of their cars on foot, etc.

[scottfromboston]

If so how did it go down and what was said between you and the police? Ticket if so how much?

If you have to ask, you're probably an asshole.

[stoinkythepig]

I use to work with a guy with an R1, dual yoshi cans and straight through baffles. He was riding in plainfield NH, picked up a caboose, and a few miles later got blue lighted. He just happened to be passing his friends garage, so he pulled into their lot. The cop told him the exhaust was illegal. The knight stick got stuck in the cans and he was told there were no baffles (uhm, that round perforated tube...what's that called again?) and that he'd get ticketed if he left on the bike, and it would be impounded. He was told to change the exhaust. He then got a ride from someone else, leaving his bike there. He went back later that night and rode it home. No idea what happened after that, but this was back in 2008 or even 2007.

They never took a DB measurement, and I remember at the time we looked for laws governing sounds and from what we could tell, said cop lied to him and was full of shit. I told him to call said cops boss and complain he was harassed though he didn't.

I however have had no problem with the M4 on my 1k, or my previous 750. I'm also not one that has to continually rev the bike while sitting in traffic. I do cruise with the tach hovering around 5k though. Ridden by plenty of officers, in their cars, out of their cars on foot, etc.

The law as of 2005:

"266:59 Muffler; Prevention of Noise. –
I. Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler as defined in RSA 259:66, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a way.
II. The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes, smoke, flame, gas, oil or fuel residue.
III. [Repealed.]
IV. No person shall operate a motor vehicle with a straight pipe exhaust system; "straight pipe exhaust system'' means any straight- through exhaust system that does not contain baffles or otherwise does not meet the definition of muffler in RSA 259:66. Any person who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $100 for a first offense, not less than $250 for a second offense in a calendar year, and not less than $500 for a third or subsequent offense in a calendar year.

Source. 1913, 81:5. 1921, 119:11. PL 103:14. RL 119:23. RSA 263:46. 1961, 205:1. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. 2004, 259:1, eff. June 16, 2004. 2005, 266:1, eff. Aug. 21, 2005."

Here's 259:66:

"259:66 Muffler. – "Muffler'' shall mean a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffleplates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gases and effectively reducing noise.

Source. 1913, 81:5. 1921, 119:11. PL 103:14. RL 119:23. RSA 263:46, IV. 1961, 205:1. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982."

[Slyder]

I remember reading that back at the time. According to that, though, he was legal. Said cop was telling him otherwise. There's definitely gray area, but those cans have baffles. They are mufflers. etc.

[Kurlon]

I remember reading that back at the time. According to that, though, he was legal. Said cop was telling him otherwise. There's definitely gray area, but those cans have baffles. They are mufflers. etc.

It's not a gray area, 'glass packs' IE perf tube is not a chamber / baffleplate system as accepted by law, it's a straight through system.

[Garandman]

I'm curious because Boston has an exhaust ordnance but never seem to stop anyone.

The F word.

[Pittenger5]

Hell, I like bikes. I LOVE bikes. But 1/2 the exhausts on the road are just too fucking loud. They serve no purpose except to be loud. I dont see why people get uppity about pipe rules. Just run a fucking stock pipe and shut up. Fuck, if 1/2 the effort was put into important social issues as pipes, there might actually be change in the world.

[Slyder]

Sure it is. Read it again.

No person shall operate a motor vehicle with a straight pipe exhaust system; "straight pipe exhaust system'' means any straight- through exhaust system that does not contain baffles or otherwise does not meet the definition of muffler

"Muffler'' shall mean a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffleplates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gases and effectively reducing noise.

The dual yoshi cans on that fellows bike meets all the reqs defined above. Does not contain, to me, means just that. It's straight through but it's got glass to absorb sound. It has a baffle.

It's gray at best. There's no clear definition. Many after market exhausts meet the reqs specified above, which clearly need to be revamped and clarified.

[csmutty]

I keep my exhaust stock for a reason. Loud exhausts are a disturbance and do nothing for street riders. They also create negative views of our sport and hobby by others. I'd rather not wake someone up when I come home at midnight from work and it's nice that my parents never even hear me come home.

You may sacrifice that chick looking at you while you cruise by, but it''s worth it. In my opinion the only place aftermarket exhausts belong is on the track.

[GearHd6]

Hell, I like bikes. I LOVE bikes. But 1/2 the exhausts on the road are just too fucking loud. They serve no purpose except to be loud. I dont see why people get uppity about pipe rules. Just run a fucking stock pipe and shut up. Fuck, if 1/2 the effort was put into important social issues as pipes, there might actually be change in the world.

Couldn't agree more. That small gain in HP is doing nothing for you on the street other than ticking off people trying to enjoy peace and quiet in their own homes. 99% of the people riding loud bikes on the street aren't using that added HP. Run a quiet aftermarket pipe or stock pipe, if you go to the track swap it for the loud one and download the matching map.