NYC and your Motorcycle

[madmax-im]

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=35169
Talk about Arrogant Bastards...

[randy]

Oh, that's just effing GREAT and I'm about a month away from changing my reggy to NY. What a kick in the nuts.

[Ivan]

After reading the enclosed legalesse, it would seem to me that your exhaust need only have a baffle, and bear a EPA certification tag.

As far as I can tell, the wording of that said nothing about the exhaust itself being certified, only that it bear that marking.

Looks like the answer is to pop rivit the tag from the stock exhaust on the aftermarket exhaust. How many popos are going to know what a stock exhaust on a 79 XS looks like?

[chrisso]

Well there goes HD...

[randy]

Although after reading the bill, it appears that pre-'82 bikes won't be affected, I'm no lawyer, so it worries me. I wrote an e-mail to NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn anyway. I'm not even sure if my facts about the 'EPA sticker' are correct, but I had to get this in quick, the vote is today. I don't really give a crap if my facts are fractured. They don't give a crap about us.

Is anyone familiar with such a thing as an "EPA sticker" on an exhaust system? How about some of you dealer mechanics?

Dear Ms. Quinn;

I am writing to urge you and the council NOT to approve Int 0416-2006. As an avid law-abiding motorcyclist for over 35 years I take issue with the unfair burden this bill will put on ALL cyclists, even the ones not guilty of making noise. The so-called "EPA stickers" are non-existant except on the most recently manufactured (last 3 years)bikes that have been equipped with catalytic convertors. The only other regulatory sticker on motorcycles is affixed to the frame, NOT the exhaust system. So, the unknowing police or other enforcement officer will be ticketing EVERY motorcycle, forcing even the law-abiding owners to fight in court against a measure that has no basis in fact. BTW, I am an owner of an antique (1979) motorcycle that I ride daily. It is so old, in fact that the original exhaust system had to be replaced 5 years ago. The factory no longer makes exhaust systems for my bike, so I had to buy an aftermarket one. It is quiet. I like it that way. I also hate noisy bikes, but the noise ordinances should be enforced, not new laws made that unfairly target one of the only groups of motorists that can help abate the traffic congestion and air pollution in NYC. Please reconsider this bill. Thank you for your time.

Randy Rago

[CatatonicBug]

I can only imagine what would happen if the Patriot Guard was going through NYC for a funeral and the cops decided to get a wild hair up their butts...

[randy]

CatatonicBug;

You got me wondering what these guys are going to be doing to comply:

The Fire Riders - NYC Firefighters' bike club http://nycfireriders.com/Members/redhotexhaust.html

The Blue Knights - Nationwide Law Enforcement club, couldn't find a NYC chapter but I have seen them on the road in NYC.

[madmax-im]

Randy...I dont know what y'all will do if this thing passes.Its highly discriminatory against only one segment of motorists.To think that the fine for 1st offense would be $1000 and impounding the bike...its F***ing blackmail.Personally I dont ride in the city,but if I did I wouldn't stop if a cop were to try and pull me overAnd as I mentioned elsewhere DO NOT ride in the HOV lanes in NYC as thatt will get you pulled over and ticketed as well.Bloomberg is an @$$holeBTW I've never seen an EPA sticker but I have seen an EPA stamp embossed into the metal on the muffler

[CatatonicBug]

CatatonicBug;

You got me wondering what these guys are going to be doing to comply:

The Fire Riders - NYC Firefighters' bike club http://nycfireriders.com/Members/redhotexhaust.html

That sure isn't a very active website. The last newsletter they have posted is from July, and the last piece of news is from August. You would think that this group would be rather hot on this issue (no pun intended).

[randy]

As far as the HOV lanes go, I have always used them and never been pulled over for it. The HOV signs in fact say 'motorcycles permitted'. So I don't know where that rumor got started. That comment about Bloomberg, however is NOT a rumor!

I just conatcted the president of the NYC chapter of the Fire Riders to get his take on the issue.

[latexeses]

Good luck back there with that one. These idiots out here in the capital building see that and they will be falling all over themselves to have something more restrictive here.
Yesterday our legislature decided they could get around the 2/3rds majority vote needed for a "Tax" increase by simply calling it a "FEE" increase. Nice, Huh?

Rodger

[madmax-im]

There was a big discussion on my ST forum about the fact that NYC was getting Federal Hwy $ but not complying with the Fed'l laws allowing motorcycles to use the HOV lanes.So before you do it again pls check on the legality of doing so.I sure hope I'm wrong ..but this was not a rumor

[madmax-im]

The latest

I just got an email from the AMA...the measure Int 0416-2006...pertaining to the EPA sticker and OEM exhaust...has been deferred...which means "the issue is not dead but will not be considered anytime soon"

[randy]

Ms. Quinn took my advice?

hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

[madmax-im]

Ms. Quinn took my advice?

hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

YAY Randy! Way to go...BTW I too was able to email her