New Hampshire is trying to pass a bill for loud pipes. This could effect you the rider that enjoys and supports Laconia as well. Please read and tell a friend!
HB 95, in my opinion, will be harmful to all who ride motorcycles. Below is the entire text of the bill.
It is my hope that we can start gaining support for killing this bill. That support can come in one of two ways: 1. E-mail committee members (I’ve attached a word document with committee members and, if available, their e-mail addresses. 2. When a public hearing is held, have people come and speak against the bill.
This afternoon I learned from an inspection station that one does not need to have a tachometer installed to check decibel levels on a motorcycle and I’ve also learned that modifying an exhaust system may be necessary as laws change and bikes age and that it does not mean more noise is emitted.
Lynne Ober
State Representative
Hudson, Litchfield, Pelham
HB 95 – AS INTRODUCED
2009 SESSION
03/01
HOUSE BILL 95
AN ACT relative to motorcycle equipment and noise levels.
SPONSORS: Rep. J. Day, Rock 13; Rep. Henson, Rock 13; Rep. Kepner, Rock 15
This bill:
I. Prohibits motorcycle exhaust modifications.
II. Reduces permissible motorcycle noise levels.
III. Increases maximum fines for motorcycle noise violations.
IV. Requires motorcycles to have functioning tachometers.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
09-0234
03/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine
AN ACT relative to motorcycle equipment and noise levels.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Motorcycle Muffler Modifications. Amend RSA 266:59 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
V.(a) No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle in any manner.
(b) No person shall drive on a way a motorcycle that has after market equipment installed to replace the muffler.
(c) Any person who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.
2 Motorcycle Noise Levels. Amend RSA 266:59-a to read as follows:
266:59-a Motorcycle Noise Levels.
I. No person shall operate a motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than [106] 95 decibels on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at 2,800 revolutions per minute for one and 2 cylinder motorcycles and 3,500 revolutions per minute for any motorcycle with 3 or more cylinders.
II. No person shall pass for the purposes of the inspection required by RSA 266:1 any motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than [106] 95 decibels on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at 2,800 revolutions per minute for one and 2 cylinder motorcycles and 3,500 revolutions per minute for any motorcycle with 3 or more cylinders.
II-a. No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of [106] 95 decibels on the A scale, when measured in accordance with the provisions of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice ANSI/SAE J-1287 annual report on “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles.”
III. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than [$300] $500.
3 New Section; Equipment of Vehicles; Motorcycles; Tachometer. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 77 the following new section:
266:77-a Tachometer. No person shall drive on a way a motorcycle without a functioning tachometer. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2010.
