Based upon my own first hand experiences riding motorcycles, I can say without a doubt that Loud Pipes do save lives! I have been in many situations, particularly when I am splitting lanes, where revving my engine and making noise got cagers to notice me and make way.

I have been in other situations on streets and on the freeways where cagers have had their windows rolled up, talking on a cell phone, and it appeared to me that they would switch into my lane. Again, revving the engine and making noise got them to notice that I was there.

The key to not getting hit by a cager while riding your motorcycle is to be seen by the cager. In some circumstances you have to force them to see and hear you.

The reason I am putting this article in the Biker Laws section of my Blog is simple. The law as it currently stands, prohibits you from modifying the stock exhaust system of your bike and creates a maximum decibel (noise level) at which your motorcycle can run in most States. Some cities even have their own noise ordinances.

I recently read an article where some cager was bashing bikers with loud pipes, and that loud pipes are a nuisance. The problem is that most motorcycle accidents are caused by cagers who fail to see motorcyclist. Loud Pipes will definitely get the cagers attention.

With that being said the choice is up to you. As a lawyer I cannot ever advocate not following the law. However in this particular instance having loud pipes may save your life. You need to check your own local laws to determine what you can and cannot do with respect to after market pipes and maximum noise levels.

There are no laws that I am aware of that prohibit you from installing an air horn of the type that are on Big Rig Trucks! This may be a viable alternative to loud pipes. If you see a cager who is not paying attention and that may hit you, blast your air horn! That will get their attention.

It’s all about being legal on your motorcycle and being safe.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. , Copyright 2006

The post Do Loud Pipes on Motorcycles Save Lives? I Think So! first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.

I have seen some crazy laws in my time, but the “Noise Control Ordinance of the City of Malibu” takes the cake.
The ordinance in a nutshell makes it unlawful to make any noise which offends reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivity. I am not kidding.

Here are some select parts of the ordinance:

ARTICLE IV
PUBLIC PEACE
CHAPTER 2
NOISE

4204.Prohibited Acts.
A. Unnecessary Noises. The unnecessary making of, or knowingly and unnecessarily permitting to be made, any loud, boisterous or unusual noise, disturbance, commotion or vibration in any boarding facility, dwelling, place of business or other structure, or upon any public street, park or other place or building, except the ordinary and usual sounds, noises, commotion or vibration incidental to the operation of said places when conducted in accordance with the usual and normal standard of practice applicable thereto and in a manner which will not disturb the peace and comfort of adjacent residences or which will not detrimentally affect the operators or customers of adjacent places of business.

D. Engines, Motors and Mechanical Devices Near Residential District. Except as provided in paragraph G of this Section regarding construction-related noise, the sustained operation or use between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of any electric or gasoline powered motor or engine or the repair, modification, reconstruction, testing or operation of any automobile, motorcycle, machine or mechanical device or other contrivance or facility unless such motor, engine, automobile, motorcycle, machine or mechanical device is enclosed within a sound insulated structure so as to prevent noise and sound from being plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from such structure, or within 10 feet of any residence.

E. Motor Vehicles. Racing the engine of any motor vehicle or needlessly bringing to a sudden start or stop of any motor vehicle.

Basically what Malibu is trying to say is that Bikers are not welcome there at night. Unfortunately for Malibu it would appear that their ordinance is violative of the United States Constitution, and the California Constitution.

Simply starting your motorcycle in Malibu, at night would violate the ordinance!!

Beware, this ordinance is so subjective and vague that simply riding your motorcycle in Malibu at night may bring a ticket. I look forward to being able to challenge this ordinance if the situation presents itself to me.

I ride through Malibu all of the time. I doubt that this kind of ordinance would survive a California or Federal Constitutional challenge; however you never know what a Court will do.

You can see me pictured above with a friend, on a ride in Malibu “during the day.” I am in Malibu all of the time. I wonder if they will stop me on my Electra Glide?

This article is a simple warning. If you are riding through Malibu at night on a motorcycle with loud pipes or even stock pipes, you can look forward to getting stopped. If you do, give me a call at 818-584-8831 ext. 1. I would like to be the first to challenge this ordinance!

Ride Safe.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. , Copyright 2006

The post You Better be Careful Riding Your Motorcycle through Malibu, California Between the Hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am first appeared on Biker and Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog.