Exhaust noise level?

[handy00man]

Can anybody give me an idea of the decible level of a '94 Shadow VT600 with Cobra drag pipes with no other modification? I have no way to measure it.

The reason I ask is that Myrtle Beach SC has implimented new restrictions

d. It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance to operate within the city limits any type of motor vehicle that has exceeds a measured noise level of more than 89 on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at idle; or

e. It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance, to operate any motor vehicle of any size and regardless of the year of manufacture:

1. That is not equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation, free of defects and modifications, and that prevents the escape of any 54
excessive or unusual noise, or
2. That has a muffler system that is equipped with a straight pipe exhaust
system (regardless of the presence of baffles), or
3. That has a hollow core muffler, or
4. That has a muffler that is labeled for off road closed course competition
use, or
5. That has a muffler system that has a cut out, bypass, or similar device
designed or so installed so that it can be used continually or intermittently
to bypass or otherwise reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of a muffler or muffler system, or
6. That has a muffler system that has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust.

[AngryHatter]

89 decibels is as loud as a power mower.

[Pastor Ron A]

Lawn Boy, Craftsman, or Yard Man?

[RadioDave]

Honda, of course.

[liv4fishin]

It will be less than 89 db at idle at a 45 degree angle at 20 inches. Past idle, forget about it. Drive responsibly, you will be fine. JMO though.

[echotango]

When I read your post, I was struck by what was missing. You quoted only the portions of the ordinance you thought relevant. Big mistake. When you read the whole ordinance you will see that your Cobra Drag Pipes are illegal by definition regardless of noise level. Read section c 4 lines 59,60. Note that this is not a traffic offense. It is a criminal offense.


1
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA ORDINANCE 2008-77 1
COUNTY OF HORRY AMENDMENT 2
CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH 3
IN CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 14-62 (c), AN ORDINANCE 4
AMENDING (17) TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES 5
THAT DO NOT HAVE REQUIRED EPA LABELING COMPLIANCE OR THAT 6
EXCEED ESTABLISHED SOUND LEVELS; TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION 7
OF ANY MOTOR VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANY 8
EXHAUST MUFFLER APPROVED BY THIS CHAPTER; THE VIOLATION OF 9
WHICH IS A MISDEMEANOR; AND TO DECLARE VEHICLES IN 10
VIOLATION TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND IMPOUND, TOW AND 11
STORE SUCH VEHICLES UNTIL THE VEHICLES CAN BE REMOVED FROM 12
THE CITY LIMITS WITHOUT OPERATION IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. 13
14
IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED THAT SECTION 14-62 (C) 17 OF THE CODE OF 15
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH IS ENACTED AS 16
FOLLOWS: 17
18
14-62 NOISE 19
20
(c) Noises prohibited unnecessary noise standard. The following acts, among others, are 21
declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, but said 22
enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive, namely: 23
24
(17) Motorized vehicles not in compliance or operated to create noise. 25
a. For purposes of this section, a muffler system is a combination of components 26
that provide for the enclosed flow of exhaust gas from the engine exhaust port to 27
the atmosphere, so that engine noise and noxious emissions are suppressed. 28
29
b. The motor vehicle found in violation under the provisions herein may not be 30
driven or operated within the city limits, and constitute a public nuisance when 31
found in the city limits, and may be subject to impoundment and immediate 32
towing to prevent operation as a nuisance vehicle. The police hold on the release 33
of the vehicle is deemed satisfied when the owner pays all applicable towing and 34
storage charges, and redeems the vehicle with the apparent and present ability to 35
remove the vehicle from the city limits without operation within the city limits in 36
violation of this ordinance. 37
38
c. It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance to operate within the city limits a 39
motorcycle manufactured after December 31, 1982, that is not equipped with an 40
exhaust muffler bearing the Federal EPA required labeling compliance applicable 41
to the motorcycle's model year, as set out in Code of Federal Regulations Title 42
40, Volume 24, Part 205, Subpart D and Subpart E; or 43
44
d. It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance to operate within the city limits any 45
type of motor vehicle that has exceeds a measured noise level of more than 87 89 46
2
on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 47
degree angle while the engine is operating at idle; or 48
49
e. It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance, to operate any motor vehicle of any 50
size and regardless of the year of manufacture: 51
52
1. That is not equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation, free 53
of defects and modifications, and that prevents the escape of any 54
excessive or unusual noise, or 55
2. That has a muffler system that is equipped with a straight pipe exhaust 56
system (regardless of the presence of baffles), or 57
3. That has a hollow core muffler, or 58
4. That has a muffler that is labeled for off road closed course competition 59
use, or 60
5. That has a muffler system that has a cut out, bypass, or similar device 61
designed or so installed so that it can be used continually or intermittently 62
to bypass or otherwise reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of a muffler 63
or muffler system, or 64
6. That has a muffler system that has been modified in a manner which will 65
amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust. 66
67
f. Regardless of Subsections a - e above, it shall be unlawful to operate any motor 68
vehicle within the city limits so as to make any loud or unnecessary noise that 69
results from any one or more of the following actions by the operator to create a 70
per se loud and unnecessary noise: 71
1. Misuse of acceleration or braking power that exceeds tire traction limits, 72
sometimes known as "burn-outs", "burning rubber", "laying down rubber" 73
or "peeling rubber". 74
2. Excessive acceleration or deceleration while in motion where there is no 75
emergency need. 76
3. Rapid acceleration by means of quick up shifting of transmission gears 77
with either a clutch or manual transmission or automatic transmission. 78
4. Rapid deceleration by means of quick downshifting of transmission gears 79
with either a clutch or manual transmission or an automatic transmission. 80
5. Racing or revving of engines by manipulation of the accelerator, gas 81
pedal, or carburetor in applying fuel to the engine in a greater amount than 82
is necessary whether the vehicle is either in motion or standing still. 83
6. Operation of the vehicle by intentionally applying unnecessarily excessive 84
acceleration from a stationary position, or unnecessary, deliberate or 85
intentional bursts of acceleration while moving in a non-emergency 86
situation. 87
88
89
90
91
This ordinance is effective upon second reading. 92
93
S/John Rhodes___________________ 94
JOHN RHODES 95
MAYOR 96
ATTEST: 97
98
S/Joan Grove________________ 99
JOAN GROVE, CITY CLERK 100
101
1st Reading: November 25, 2008 102
2nd Reading: December 9, 2008 103

[handy00man]

Actually I did see that part and I am concerned about it but I am also confused as to how they will enforce it considering that not includeing big touring bikes and sport bikes then 90% of the bikes I see on the road have "straight pipes". And this includes poeple who live and work in Myrtle Beach. So in other words most of the people who live at the beach with bikes are now illegal.

I also am confused on the part about EPA labeling. Unless the newer bikes have it then I have never seen it on a bike. Also from what I have researched so far, there is no proceedure for having your bike tested and getting the labeling for an older bike. Not even if you have a stock exhaust, much less an aftermarket system.

[prtzlogic]

It's all about the money. If the voters in your state don't take control of things quickly, soon you will be California-ized...

[dwmitchell61]

Originally Posted by prtzlogic

It's all about the money. If the voters in your state don't take control of things quickly, soon you will be California-ized...
[img][/img]

Uh, those of us native to Oregon call it "Californicated"....