Santa Clara Valley Cops given tickets for pipes

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

Harley riders are getting ticketed for no cross over pipe between the front and back pipe.The sport bikes for the noise first than they look for the stamp.The cop that my friend talked to said they are going by the pictures they see in the manufactors sales pamphlet,and most of the stopping are done by motorcycle cops.I guess they ride Goldwings on the weekend and get pissed for being passed by sport bike riders or Harley riders who wear these small helmets,since the Harley riders have been winning all the helmet law tickets they have to hassie them some other way.I guess when you carry a gun and badge you can interpret the law any way you want.I use to carry a micro recorder when I rode my Harley and when ever I got stopped "harressed" I'd pull out my recorder and the cop would stop being an ASS@@le and become Mr nice guy.Not all cops are like that just the ones who did not get any that night before his duty or even that year for some of them.

 

[OB_RobBase]

In Ocean City, MD, there is a large public parking lot close to the beach. As you can imagine it gets quite full of cars and motorcycles. The cops started ticketing bikes parked more than 1 to a space. The motorcycle guys organized mass rides of 300+ bikes, headed to the parking lot at 6:00a.m. and filled the entire lot, 1 bike to a space. Did this 2-3 weekends in a row. After uproar from public, no more ticketing of bikes parked more than 1 to a space.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the heads up!
I received a ticket for that offense twice.
First my zx-11 underneath an overpass and in court the Pig said to the judge it is louder then my harley...the judge called the service facility and the guy said it was no louder than stock. Ha beat 'em.
Then next time I payed the fine and kept ridding.
Screw em fight em or pay it but the pipe never comes off
Until they pry it from my cold dead fingers!

 

[OB_gixerbike1]

cisco, man that sucks, sorry to hear about that, maybe we could get someone to come up with a D.O.T. plate for our pipes.That would piss 'em off.

Black bus, i agree 100%, screw those sugarbritches

 

[Guest]

This has been a problem in California for owners of modified automobiles for a couple of years. Law enforcement began to issue citations for ANY aftermarket exhausts that weren't stock regardless of their sound level. Greddy - one of the largest manufacturers of aftermarket cat-back exhausts for imports certify their exhausts to be within the legal limit based on state db ratings and issued information on the state regulations and how to fight these tickets successfully. Sound level measurements are supposed to be taken a certain distance from the back of the exhaust outlet.(seems like 50 feet or so)
Greddy published information designed to outline what is needed in court in order to prove that their exhausts are well within the state regulation if measured using state guidelines. The cops just write tickets based on their own interpretation instead of taking any real measurements using a db meter and if the exhaust is within limits it can be proven in court using the state's sound measuring guidelines. I'm not sure I've explained all this clearly or accurately so it would be best to check out the link I provide from Greddy. I don't know the exact wording of the noise laws for California motorcycles compared to California automobiles but this would be a good place to start unless you are running open/race pipes or something. If you being hosed by the cops unjustly FIGHT BACK.
Here is the link: http://www.greddy.com/CHPnoisepolicies.html

ps - after going back and reading some of the info from Greddy again I have found that the same laws that apply to autos also apply to motorcycles including the db limits.
Please check this info out.

[This message has been edited by Todd (edited 29 July 1999).]

 

[OB_BullDog]

What if you don't live in California, but you go there for a couple weeks to visit on your Yosh duplex race only full system fitted GSXR (I am guessing about 125db and a little unhealthy). Will they still ticket you? or can they do nothing? need to know, should be going down there next summer.

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

The cops are not ticketing for noise they are ticketing for modification of the smog or emmission control portion of a stock motorcycle.If you look at your new Hayabusa or any new bike they have that stamped on the pipe/canister.This is a Federal Violation which is worse to fight in court.This way they are winning in court because they were losing in court by the noise issue.Another way to waste police time since they can't catch real criminals plus they have to justify the hiring of more cops and the use of funded money by the city/state/federal government.Another reason to get involve with the AMA,ABATE or any MRO in your area.My 2cents

[This message has been edited by Cisco San Jose (edited 29 July 1999).]

 

[Guest]

I guess I must not be understanding the situation then. How are the cops able to see whether you have a label on your cans or not when you are riding down the street?! I can't hardly read the label myself unless I get down on my knees and start looking hard. In low light situations - it's impossible. Also since we have no cats incorporated into the mufflers of our U.S. Busas then slip-ons would not alter any emmissions equipment due to the fact that there is none in the cans themselves. If you have replaced the stock header with an aftermarket header how in God's name would they be able to see that unless you ride around with your body work removed?! They must be going by noise levels and or pure cosmetics (doesn't 'look' stock) in order to make the initial stop and then writing up the ticket as an emmissions violation without really knowing for sure that you have altered the emmissions. Are they removing the bodywork and inspecting the header? Are they knowledgable in the devices used by motorcycle manufactures used to lower emmissions? If not then this sounds like a very easy ticket to beat due to the fact that any emmission 'violation' you are cited for is not actually documented or noted.

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

Warning for motorcycle riders in the Santa Clara Valley,city of Campbell,Santa Clara and the Santa Cruz area the local police are starting to give out tickets for modified pipes on motorcycles meaning if it is not stock or does not look like it came from the manufactor and does not have the DOT approve stamp on the pipes you're going to get a ticket.I guess they "cops" either have notthing to do or someone from above "State or Federal level" put out the word to start writting tickets.Also if you're in Santa Cruz or Capitola area you can no longer park more than one bike per parking space meaning if you try to stack four bike in a parking space that could fit one car all the bikes will get a ticket,don't know why they're doing this I guess either they do not want the bikers/motorcyclist near the beach resorts bad image for tourist dollars.Anyways one of our friend who is a cop and was riding his bike in Santa Clara got pulled over and was issued a ticket,no police wavier for him.Oh well.Sorry for the bad news just want to let you guys know what's going on in Northen California.

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

Gixerbike1 you are correct that the motorcycle community should ban together and fight some of these unjust but here in California the motorcycle groups do not ban together to fight causes that could hurt them.I know that for a fact since I belong to ABATE of California.The only ones that are doing good are AMA,MMA.The Harley riders have been asking help from the rest of the motorcycle groups in California but little responce.I guess it's from all those years of Harley riders telling other riders of brand X motorcycle when are they going to get a real bike.Anyway if all the motorcycle riders in California banned together we can get things done,but who knows.We in the MRO groups fight amoung ourself on how to repeal the helmet law.It's funny that a Hold bunch of bikers will get together and hold a rally for Jerry's Kids,Christmas Runs for Toys for Tots,and other runs but will not ban together to fight unjust laws that affect motorcycles. I guess in California motorcycle riders want fast fix like fast food.I remember I took a bunch of flyers down to the Laugin Spring Run 97 and handed out on the street conner to let riders know about the Protect run we where having at the California Capitol and alot of riders didn't want anything to do with me.At least I'm trying to do my part to protect our rights as motorcyclist.If any of you riders out there in Southern California are in San Diego stop by the Harley Dealer in downtown near the Arena and talk to New York Mike,he'll tell you what's going on with your rights as a motorcyclist.He's the president of the ABATE chapter of California.I urge all California riders to ban together and fight for our rights.Enough said.

 

[OB_gixerbike1]

Rob, thats how it should be done, if enough people raise hell, then things change.The squeeky wheel gets the grease.If enough of the bikers got together and raised hell about stuff like this, then it would stop, because they (public officials)would get tired of all the uproar and put and end to this stupid poop.

 

[OB_Dingo]

I feel for you Cisco. I just drove through Santa Clara two weeks ago heading to Great America . . . but didn't see any 'busas. I'm from the San Diego area, and a bit out of touch with the general motorcycle community. Of all the acronyms used . . . is the AMA the group that is best to join? I've not heard of the other ones you mentioned (shows just HOW out of touch).

 

[OB_emattson]

RobBase,
That is too COOL. There is strength in numbers. I hope they don't start any of the DOT only pipe or loud pipes here in Georgia! What a waste of tax dollars. California will let hundreds of illegals run up I-5 everyday and even post cautionary road signs about it, spend millions on Gay Rights, but don't let a citizen add a go-fast part to his bike. Christ, what a bunch douche-bags!!!
Nailz

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

MMA=Modified Motorcycle Assoc.located in Arizona,California,Oregon.In California there's one in most major cities.

ABATE=American Brotherhood Aim Towards Education
States:Arizona,california,Nevada,Colorado,Idaho,Oregon Wasington and other states.
Locations in California are at most major cities. Check with www.abate.org
Hope this helps out the riders in California and remember these Organizations were started by bikers and you'll see alot of hard core people that might look at you funny but they will treat you with respect.Just don't take sh#t from anyone,tell them if they want to get motorcycle support it doesn't matter what brand of bike you ride.

[This message has been edited by Cisco San Jose (edited 05 August 1999).]

 

[OB_Dingo]

Cisco, thanks for the info.

 

[OB_FalconCOP161]

I would Never give a ticket for a loud pipe. and whats with a Cop giving another cop a ticket SHEESH !!! what's this world coming to !!

Cop161

 

[OB_KawAbuser]

Falcon cop you are one of the good ones, not all cops play fair. Keep up the work on the drunk drivers, we all thank you.