We
just got back from a trip to three adult-choice
states. You all know the feeling of freedom when
you cross the state line and can choose whether
or not to wear the helmet. As it was 95° and
sunny you can imagine what my choice was.
On
Election Day (November 2) I want you all to
remember the feeling of having to put that
helmet back on when you return to Michigan. I
won’t preach any more, but remember that when
you are in the voting booth. And if you don’t
research your candidates and make an informed
decision when you vote, think about the
difference you could have made next time you tug
that helmet on.
Back
to the subject that will make some of you throw
this article away: noise. Don’t get me wrong: I
am not advocating that everyone ride an electric
motorcycle. I like a throaty exhaust; I put a
Vance and Hines on my Buell, re-jetted the carb
and put a K&N filter on it. Runs great. But we
need to separate the issue of noise and noise
enforcement.
I
don’t want someone to look at my exhaust system
and issue me a ticket because it does not look
like stock (anyone that remembers the older
Buells remembers that the OEM muffler was
basically a truck muffler).
Thus
I think that the standardized test (SAE # J2825)
for measuring motorcycle noise is a better idea
because it will prevent law enforcement from
arbitrarily checking pipes based on looks. This
way they will have to get the right equipment
and actually measure the noise, then compare the
noise to set standards. Takes the guesswork out,
and before issuing any tickets they will have to
have actually measured the sound level of your
bike and produce the results in court.
We
just received the sound meter that the American
Motorcyclist Association had granted as part of
their sound awareness program. We are in the
process of learning how to use it properly and
how to gain good, accurate, repeatable results.
This
test is easy to administer, uses simple
equipment, thus there will be no excuses for law
enforcement to not use this system. The test is
done at a controlled RPM, so there is no excuse
for anyone revving the snot out of your bike,
which not only protects you from getting a
ticket wrongly but also protects your bike. if
you don’t have a tach, no problem, because the
sound meter kit includes a mechanical tach that
simply sits on your bike and measures the engine
RPM by measuring the pulse frequency.
We
will be at several local events so you can get
your bike measured. For free. Brought to you by
ABATE of Michigan in conjunction with the AMA.
Next
month I will be summarizing what we learned at
the Motorcycle Rider’s Foundation (MRF) Meeting
of the Minds. This is held every year towards
the end of September; the location varies so
that everyone from around the country has a
chance to attend. This year it is in Peoria, IL.
They will be covering what is going on in the
different states as well as what is happening on
a national level.
By
the way, Michigan has the honor to host this
premier event next year. The dates are September
22 – 25, 2011. As soon as you get your 2011
calendar, mark down the date. OK, you probably
won’t remember, but don’t worry; you can be sure
I will remind you.
Here
is how to get in touch with us:
1.
Call the state office at 248 685-9150
2.
Log on to our Website:
www.abateofmichigan.org
3.
Visit a local ABATE meeting (log onto the
Website for the nearest location)
Vince Piacenti
Treasurer
ABATE of Michigan
