Bikernet Independent Motorcycle Noise Study

I recently was hit by Noise Freak efforts and it scared
me that in a noisy world bikers would take the brunt of their
silencing efforts. Even the AMA suggested that we cower and
hide to prevent future intrusions into our rights. A respected
Motorcycle mag editor said this to me, in defense of his notion
to be quiet and maybe they’ll go away:

“I think if our pipes exceed an acceptable level (whatever that means), and we
continue to make people (non-riders) hate us, we will reap
whatever ‘rewards’ they want to heap upon us,” he said.

I disagree. We must stand and fight for our rights or we deserve
to get our asses
beat.

I’ve run this concept by NCOM, the MRF,
ABATE, SEMA representatives, a senator and now I’m releasing it.
They all applauded the notion. Freedom fighters across the
country believe strongly that we must stay right in the face of
legislators, that if we acquiesce or try to hide, we’ll be toast,
quick. One guy said, “We’re the Indians now. We need to keep
up the fight.”

There’s another side to this issue–understanding. This
study was designed to improve community understanding of
motorcycling. If citizens know what we face and what every one
faces regarding noise, they may come to a fresh
perspective. So give it a read.

Feel free to share our Bikernet Independent Noise Study with
your community, law enforcement or legislators. Let’s hope it
accomplishes some of the following goals:

Let me know your thoughts,

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET.COM INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLE NOISE
STUDY

In a world of increased levels of constant noise and
heightened efforts to curb excessive decibel levels motorcycles
take a hit. Bikernet.com, the world’s largest web site in the
custom motorcycle industry, sought to study motorcycle noise
against constant environmental disturbances and put the
motorcycle exhaust sound into proper perspective.

Motorcycles are unique. They are the least
pervasive of all vehicles jammed onto our roads today. They
have the least protection and the best fuel efficiency ratings. We
noted the obvious; motorcycles lack bumpers,
airbags, double-wall doors or steel ceilings, yet take up a third
of the common sedan space. Motorcycles are substantially more
agile than trucks or even compacts in avoiding dangerous
situations, and bikes have but two defensive measures to
enhance their agility, visual and
auditory awareness.

For decades motorists have used the
excuse that they are unable to see a narrow motorcycle, so it’s
okay to
hit one. State legislators are currently dealing with that fallacy.
Still between 70 and 85 percent of all motorcycle/
motor vehicle accidents are caused by motorists. Plus the use of
cell phones, GPS screens, DVDs, CD players and other major
distractions are increasing the need for motorcycle awareness.
Recent statistics indicate over 80 percent of all motor vehicle
accidents occur while the driver is distracted by cell
phones, eating or other interruptions.

Much like emergency vehicles or horns, the sound a
motorcycle
makes is critical to its ability to alert motorists of its
whereabouts. That became our study criteria, and we tested four
motorcycles to determine an acceptable decibel level to allow
motorcyclists to be heard. We also discovered a recent court
case that demonstrated this contention. A woman testified she was
unaware of the presence of a motorcycle. Sound testing proved
her a liar.

We measured the decibel levels 2 feet away
from the open end of mufflers at 45 degrees. We also
discovered that some states measure decibel levels from as far as 50 feet
away. In that case, most motorcycles tested emitted less noise
than most 18-wheelers. Here’s the Federal standard: With the
bike going 35 mph at 3500 rpm, in a straight line, on a level
paved road, with no sound reflecting objects within 200 feet,
and no more than a 12mph wind. Locate your calibrated sound
meter 50 feet perpendicular to the line traveled by the bike. The
reading can be no more than 80db.

The motorcycles we tested and their results follow:

2003 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic, 1,400cc with mild
modifications and a full Screamin’ Eagle 2-into-1 exhaust
system.

100 decibels at idle

108 decibels at cruising throttle

116 decibels fully revved

86 decibels by Federal standards

2004 1200 cc Sportster with full aftermarket Samson 2-
into-1 exhaust system.

100 decibles at idle

108 decibels at moderate rpms

120 decibels fully revved

87 decibels by Federal standards

Custom 1956 Harley-Davidson, 1488 cc, with custom 2-
into-2 exhaust system with modified shorty mufflers.

102 decibels at idle

111 decibels at cruising speeds

124 decibels revved

92 decibels by Federal standards

2007 Softail Custom 1,500 cc, original from the factory

97 decibels at idle

102 decibels at cruising speed

111 decibels revved

82 decibels by Federal Standards

For reference, we measured the noise levels of cars and
trucks passing our meter at between 35-45 mph and a 10-50
foot distance. Passenger vehicles ranged in the 78-83 decibel range,
while trucks ranged from 90-92 at that distance.

We took each one of these motorcycles and
tested them in three traffic scenarios:

Passing: A motorcycle approached a
passenger vehicle with windows rolled up and radio playing (and
without). We tested the approach from both sides of the car.

Oncoming Intersection Scenario: Again, we used a
late model passenger vehicle with the windows rolled up and a
radio playing (and without). This time, both vehicles approached
an intersection and we determined if the motorcycle could be heard
across an intersection in this test vehicle.

Cross Traffic: Again, we tested whether a
motorcycle can be heard closing on an intersection from a right
angle to the oncoming vehicle approaching an intersection,
with a building located on the right-hand corner.

Conclusions:

We discovered that the stock motorcycle could not be
heard in the passing test unless the motorcycle was alongside a
moving vehicle. If a radio was playing at 80 decibels within the
vehicle, the motorcycle was nearly undetectable. A
dangerous situation for a motorcycle taking up limited
mirror viewing area.

We discovered with a radio playing, the Sportster
could be heard at just one car length behind the vehicle. The
results were almost the same for the Road King.

With the radio off, these motorcycles could be
discerned at two car lengths from the rear quarter panel. That is
a brief span of time in traffic to maneuver, if a car abruptly alters its direction.

The custom bike could be easily detected following at
five car lengths and close to seven lengths if the radio was not
in the equation.

The intersection test was the most difficult because
speed and distance are tricky to determine and control. The un-
altered Harley-Davidson was difficult to hear at all with or
without radio interference.

The modified Road King and Sportster had a fleeting
chance of being heard across an intersection to warn a
motorist. The only motorcycle that could be easily heard across
an intersection was the 1956 Custom with modified exhaust.

The final test was most interesting. Again, the stock
bike arrived at the intersection virtually unheard, whereas
the Sportster and the Road King were detected three car
lengths before the intersection. Thus, there would be a moment
of driver reaction time available, at 35 mph.

Again, the custom bike with modified exhaust was
heard over a block away from the intersection
providing the driver awareness of an approaching motorcycle
and giving both the driver and biker time to execute defensive
maneuvers prior to entering the intersection.

Our study also identified the consistency of road sound
in an industrial area in Wilmington, California, which affords
almost year-around riding weather. This street has an average
of 450 trucks passing in an hour at about 90-92 decibels.
An average of 673 cars pass hourly during peak hours at a
constant 81-83 decibels per car and maybe a half-dozen motorcycles
pass by during that same hour for a total of 30 seconds of motorcycle
noise at 80-100 decibels.

Our findings point out various considerations
regarding motorcycle noise regulations. The public needs to
understand motorcycling survival and how motorcycle noise can
save lives.

Oakland Police Department Backs Up Bikernet Noise
Study

Text: Over in Oakland they like it loud — so loud that all 45
of the Police Department’s Harley-Davidson motorcycles have
been equipped with shiny new tailpipes, ad a cost of $500.00
apiece, to rev up their roar. It seems that the cops just didn’t
feel safe on the toned-down bikes.

“There’s an old motorcycle adage that you are heard before
you are seen,” said Deputy Chief Dave Kozicki, explaining the
department’s decision to toss the bikes’ muted factory-issued
mufflers in favor of the more high-volume pipes.

Kozicki cited an accident three months ago in which an
Oakland officer riding a toned-down cycle was struck by a
motorist who said he hadn’t hear the officer approaching. But
some City Hall insiders, as well as motorcycle cops elsewhere,
said the safety argument is a stretch.

Even the folks at the national Motorcycle Industry Council
(MIC) which represents all the big bike manufacturers, were
unaware of any safety benefits from louder mufflers.

“We encourage all motorcycle riders to keep the original low
sound levels that meet the … federal sound limit of 80 decibels,”
said industry spokesman Mike Mount. “It would seem
counterintuitive that a law enforcement agency would go against
federal standards.”

Ironically, it was just a short time back that Oakland police
were called upon to crack down on noisy motorists who had
modified their auto mufflers to make a whistling screech. The
“whistle tip” pipes were eventually outlawed under state law.

Oakland’s cops had a long tradition of riding their Harley-
Davidson with the modified, louder tail pipes, hearing them the
nickname “Rolling Thunder.” But after an officer complained
about a loss of hearing and other around town questioned
whether the police force was violating the very noise standards
it was supposed to enforce, the department brass ordered a
switch to the quieter stock mufflers.

So last year, the department launched a $1,200 study in
conjunction with the city’s risk management division to
determine whether: A) the louder motorcycles contributed to the
officers’ safety, B) were detrimental to their hearing, and C)
complied with noise standards.

Kozicki acknowledged that whatever safety-related findings
the study produced were largely anecdotal. Still, after everything
was taken into consideration, the department concluded “it was
in the best interest of the officers to put more-audible pipes
back on,” Kozicki said.

Hence, all 30 of the department’s Harleys were sent down to
the central maintenance yard for a muffler makeover at a cost of
about $15,000, according to City Hall insiders. Another 15
newly-purchased motorcycles were ordered with the louder
pipes, though at no extra charge.

Oakland officials acknowledge that the noisy pipes, when
tested, averaged 93 decibels – well above the federal legal noise
limit, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

But city Finance Director Mill Nolan, who oversees the risk
management division, isn’t alarmed. “if they were riding eight
straight hours, it would be a problem,” he said. “But they aren’t.”

We received a number or responses since Bill Bish sent our
initial noise study our to the NCCOM readership. We published
many of the comments below.

OUR AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE
RECENTLY RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM KEITH “BANDIT” BALL, FORMER EDITOR OF EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE AND FOUNDER OF BIKERNET.COM, AND IN THE INTEREST OF BIKERS
RIGHTS AND IN RECOGNITION OF THE GROWING TREND OF
LEGISLATING AND REGULATING MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST SOUND LEVELS.

HE AGREES–I agree, Bill. We strapped our
helmets on in 1992 without any “real”
protest, and we are still wearing them 14 years later.
(Except in Santa Cruz County.)

–Quig

RECENTLY HIT BY NOISE FREAK EFFORTS–I
recently was hit by Noise Freak efforts, and it scared me that in
a noisy world, bikers would take the brunt of their silencing efforts.
Even the AMA suggested that we cower and hide to prevent future intrusions
into our rights.

———– no need to diminish the AMA . . .

but, We must stand and fight for our rights .

———— there is no doubt that one smelly
asshole can offend hundredsof bystanders in a way that an infinite number of quiet riders
cannot undo .

Additional testing and implementation by higher ups

———– they want noise enforcement, call the
local cop-shop. They’ve already got laws on the books, viz. disturbing the peace,
etc.

Keep the bastards off our backs

———– they’re simply jealous . . .

…freedom isn’t free: its price is eternal vigilance . . .

–BigWayne

bigwayne19@comcast.net

CAN’T SEE US–
They can’t see us, at least they can hear us. Been riding since
‘53.

–Bill

NOISE FREAK EFFORTS– Hummm. IMHO as
a motorcycle safety professional, the Number 1 issue facing the motorcycling community is noise. I do not buy into, “Loud Pipes Save Lives” philosophy. In my experience they (loud
pipes) just “piss off” the neighbors.

I do like this study though as it does support the idea that a
bike has to make some noise. But how loud is too loud?

In MD our noise levels are 80db for a bike at idle and 100
for a moving bike (2500 rpm). Your average lawn mower and a kitchen garbage
disposer sound in at around 90db, someone shouting in your ear at 110 and thunder
or a jet plane (at the ramp) at 120.

If I left my house in my quiet sleepy suburban
neighborhood at o’dark thirty and to my neighbors I sounded like a 737 taxiing down the street, my ride by those houses might look like Kevin Costner’s suicide ride by the
Confederate line in the opening of “Dances With Wolves”.

–Phil

DAILY HERALD NEWPAPER REPORTER–

Yes, being seen is a problem for motorcycle riders, but loud
pipes isn’t the answer. I’d like to see more done with headlight
modulation, passing lamps or other auxiliary lighting, reflectors,
etc be a bigger part of the discussion. Also, I always comment
upon the anemic horns that are fitted to most motorcycles, and
the need to have better horns standard on motorcycles. I use
my horn often when approaching intersections, and find that a
short blast or two will do much more to get a drivers attention
than anything else.

Also riders, especially cruiser riders, should take it upon
themselves to become more enlightened to wearing brighter
clothing. The ubiquitous black jeans, black leather jacket/patch
vest/T-shirt uniform make it more difficult for drivers to notice
motorcycles. Brightly colored helmets also go a long way to
being more easily seen.

Can you imagine if the same percentage of automobiles as
motorcycles fitted aftermarket pipes on their cars? Think of the
noise factor if that ever happened. A person couldn’t get a
decent nights sleep unless they lived on a farm in Iowa.

With more two wheeled vehicles getting on the road for
commuting duties due to high fuel prices, and the resultant
acceptance of sharing the road with motorcycles, now is not the
time to fight for noise rights that will set back that acceptance.
My worry is that the legislators will become emboldened by
using this popular issue to gain support for other restrictions
that truly affect riders in an adverse way. There will be no end
to the stupid ideas like seat belts, air bags, roll cages,
mandatory helmet and riding gear, that legislators will come up
with, once they open the door with stricter noise laws. The
motorcycle community should police itself on the loud pipes
issue, to keep the idiots at bay.

Ken Glassman

Hey Ken,

Thank you for the sharp response. I agree and
disagree. I find it interesting that you oppose exhaust sound,
but have no problem honking your horn at intersections. How
annoying is that? In some third world countries horns are used
constantly, rather than obeying traffic regulations. Just honk and
go.

You missed the point regarding autos. The point is
that a motorcycle needs to make some noise since we don’t have
air bags and double-walled doors. I’m not supporting loud cars.

On the other hand. I agree that more motorcycles may
open the door for more restrictions and we need to be careful
with our approach. I don’t agree that a moderately loud
motorcycle is offensive. There’s an indication of strength and
honor in sound. There’s something deeper to this issue. If we
decide that safety is more important than freedom, we’re in for
trouble. We’ll all sit at home surrounded by safety devices and
stare at computers.

–Bandit

BRAVO!!! (hands clapping crazy)–

Way to go!

–Vicki Noel

NOISE MEETINGS–
Hi Bandit,

I’m a member of MRF, HOG and run the local chapter of
ABATE in Richmond, VA (River City ABATE).

I’ve sat in on several local meetings related to noise
ordinances and hear the same ‘We need to tone it down’
speeches from supposed ‘leaders’ of the biker community.
Excuse my language, but my response has always been ‘Fuck
that, I want to be heard in traffic’. My D&D pipes on my Victory
Cruiser have saved my ass on more than one occasion.

What happened to the old refrain ‘If it saves one life it’s
worth it’ that the nanny types always use when adding
restrictions to our lives.

Freedom Ain’t Free,

–Steve Skeens, Coordinator

I ride a 98 fat boy approx 70 miles round trip to and from
work weather permitting. My pipes have been modified and I
consider it not just for show, but a way of keeping me safe. All
bikers will face a moment in time when they are faced with
having to make a split second decision. I have had to several
times and each involved what we politely refer to as “snowbirds”
in Florida.

Keep up the good work. I am copying the report and
posting it at work for my fellow co-workers who ride. I also am
sending to my mechanic and the local H-D dealer who is one of
my customers.

Thank-you,

–Mari “Mo” Mattox

 THIS JUST IN FROM A VETERAN MOTOR OFFICER–

Retired motor cop here. Sound travels at 750 MPH in a 360 degree radius in all directions. Sound also reflects off of objects and reverberates. Sound does indeed travel from your exhaust pipe in all directions. This is a common sense fact just go stand by the rail road crossing and listen and you will hear that train coming increasing in loudness until it maxes out at the exact time it is at your position and then diminishes in volume as it races away.

I was part of a study group of police officers that conducted noise level gathering in order to aid us in the prosecution of vehicles exhibiting excessive noise. Oddly enough once we set up our observation post and began to gather data we confirmed that one can, indeed, hear an approaching vehicle.

So, after listening and balancing our ears to adjust to the ambient noise we began to track vehicles approaching based on when we could hear a vehicle noise but not assign it to a vehicle near us. With members stationed up and down the road indicating when a louder vehicle was approaching we would visually confirm with a lidar laser radar the distance form us to them.

We found that most autos and motorcycles with stock configuration could not be heard until they were within less than 1/4 block of our location, yet modified autos of the fast and furious type could be heard at distances ranging from two blocks up to and including some at five blocks away a block is roughly 100 to 120 feet.

This study was done over several time periods and different time of day and at night. The purpose was to gather data to provide us an acceptable level in which to prosecute any persons operating any vehicle creating excessive noise.

We found the courts accepted that any vehicle heard from three blocks away and up from the listening point indicated that a vehicle was being operated in an excessive manner. Motorcycles of the Cruiser type driven normally at 2000 to 2500 rpm even with modified exhaust were not falling into that category. Yet, the throttle jockeys running at 3000 to 400 rpm in first gear were heard at distances further than four blocks. We found it is not so much the capability of producing the noise, as it is, the tendency for some fools to create it in overwhelming volume to amuse themselves, that creates the controversy.

I was struck in May 2009 on my police Harley with red and blue strobes flashing wearing a lime green jacket by a girl changing lanes who did not see me, nor did she hear me. I was cut off and lane pushed more on duty on my silent beauty in one shift than I ever was in a week of riding my off duty Harley with Python pipes.

I utilized the warning properties of sound to announce my location and impending arrival at intersections and as well as cross turning traffic while on duty by using my siren, and off duty by pulling in my clutch and rolling my throttle.

Horns are heard all day long in an urban environment they are ignored. In fact on our police motorcycles when working downtown we used whistles to grab the attention of motorists, as it broke through the ambient sound.

I was a Police officer 1976 to 2012, Motor cop six tours starting 1978 finishing 2012, retired as Chief Instructor RCMP Atlantic Police Motorcycle training 2012.

Loud pipes alert others to your presence, they can reduce the danger and save your life but they must be used responsibly.

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