IMPORTANT : California Law SB435 Loud Motorcycle Exhaust Pipes

CaliDuc said:

Hi Theefiveoh,

I very much agree with all your observations. As you state "If you read CVC 23130(a)(2), it says your bike's exhaust isnt to exceed 86 dbA", so that may be an issue for a Panigale with TERM' anywhere in California !!!

I am indeed a Life Member of the 1199 Foundation.

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I don't even think stock pipes are safe under the current and soon-to-be law because of how loud they are. All of us still sporting our stock pipes should locate our "label" on your bike or pipes so you know where it is in case you get pulled over.

A $50-$100 fine for the first time? Now, I'm no billionaire but, I wouldn't worry about it unless I actually received a citation for it.

Besides, that's just a "fix it ticket" and it's easily possible to get outta even paying the fine.

I'm not in California but, here in Texas, I've gotten tickets for tint, license plate violations and illegal exhaust on cars and had them all dismissed.

It's really just a reason to pull you over and check you out.

You are riding a $20K+ motorcycle... a damn $50-$100 fine for an illegal exhaust is the LEAST illegal thing you will ever do while riding it on the public roads.

pedrin said:

I can't imagine them enforcing this law, they would have to get ride of 90% of the harleys and that is an American institution...

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I can. This is all about generating revenues for a cash strapped state! Need to fund more social programs and no politician wants to "raise taxes" so poof - they come up with a hidden tax under the guise of "pollution control".

I've gotten out of receiving at least 3 speeding tickets by having other illegal mods. Goes like this: I get pulled over for speeding, I get off the bike, act sanely and respectfully, and then they say, "I'm not going to write you up for speeding, but you need to relocate your plate and go back to your stock turn signals.

Basically, I think LEOs just want to give a ticket to justify that they did something between the hours of x and y and as long as you don't act like a ...., they'll write you up for the smallest infraction they can.

As for the stock exhaust--it's only a matter of time before I get a fix it ticket for that. And if it really is way over the limit, Ducati is going to have a mess on their hands.

thomaskenyon said:

A $50-$100 fine for the first time? Now, I'm no billionaire but, I wouldn't worry about it unless I actually received a citation for it.

Besides, that's just a "fix it ticket" and it's easily possible to get outta even paying the fine.

I'm not in California but, here in Texas, I've gotten tickets for tint, license plate violations and illegal exhaust on cars and had them all dismissed.

It's really just a reason to pull you over and check you out.

You are riding a $20K+ motorcycle... a damn $50-$100 fine for an illegal exhaust is the LEAST illegal thing you will ever do while riding it on the public roads.

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With respect ..

Your in Texas ( which I think is a great place ) .. we are talking CALIFORNIA.

just my .cents from experience ... IN CALIFORNIA. Before I start on this one, I know my options - which are : If I can not observe and abide by the laws of California then I am free to leave and live elsewhere. I love California and so I enjoy my freedom enough to abide by the law *or* be prepared to pay the price.

To put this into context, it is not about the money, concerning the Ducati .. it is more like a $40,000+ on the road price toy rather than a $20,000+ motorcycle ( 1199 Tric - with every DP extra). Even then it is a reasonable priced toy. It is all about the principal.

I am simply stating if you want a performance exhaust in California (which I do) then it makes sense to know what the score is and deal with it accordingly.

$50-$100 fine is what it is, *However* it is never this price it is always more as in California they add a ton of extra fees on the ticket. For example I got ticket for talking into my cell while driving - first offense, got a ticket priced at $20 when in reality when I came to pay the bill it was $200+ dollars. Now for an exhaust "fix-it" which will also be stuck on one as second infraction, then one has got all the time and hassle for putting new pipes on and going down the DMV, etc.

I would always recommend being polite to Peace/Police Officer, however, if you unlucky to get a young officer - forget it, they are the worst with the most to prove ! It is not wise to assume it is "easy to get out of a ticket" in California for anything !!!

Prior to this I had a 100% clean license. Then there is the insurance issue, I have a decent car ( insurance goes up ), multiple bikes (when my 1199 Tric arrives) and a boat (in SF) .. guess what due to a simple fine all my insurance goes up .. worst off was my BOAT !!

Remember we are talking California and in my case the Bay Area, California is progressive in many things and above all enforcement of the law on the roads is one of them and very much so for folks who have money.

AntiHero said:

I've gotten out of receiving at least 3 speeding tickets by having other illegal mods. Goes like this: I get pulled over for speeding, I get off the bike, act sanely and respectfully, and then they say, "I'm not going to write you up for speeding, but you need to relocate your plate and go back to your stock turn signals.

Basically, I think LEOs just want to give a ticket to justify that they did something between the hours of x and y and as long as you don't act like a ...., they'll write you up for the smallest infraction they can.

As for the stock exhaust--it's only a matter of time before I get a fix it ticket for that. And if it really is way over the limit, Ducati is going to have a mess on their hands.

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+1 Agreed.

Delta One said:

I think my bike has a sticker on the headstock (next to the VIN) that says it's tested to 104 Db. You guys not got one of those???

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Yes it does.

But that's irrelevant if they make up whatever number they want as 'the standard'.

Theefiveoh said:

My advice, don't ride like a .... and don't be a .... to the cop if/when you get pulled over. 9 times out of 10 if you are respectful, honest, and aplogetic to the cop, he likely won't give you a ticket. Unless you get pulled over by CHP, then you're .......

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what state do you live in?

I live in Southern California and if you get pull over, doesn't matter how polite you are, you will get a ticket 9.5 times out of 10

falco said:

what state do you live in?

I live in Southern California and if you get pull over, doesn't matter how polite you are, you will get a ticket 9.5 times out of 10

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+1 so true..

iiiofiv said:

If you are military - leave your license and registration in your home state! If you are here for more than (I think) 90 days, you're supposed to get your insurance for where the bike is operated - regardless if you are military or not.

If you are not military, you're screwed because you have to pay California sales tax on the purchase price in order to register it. I think if the vehicle is less than two years old it's original purchase price and value price if it is greater than two years old. YEP. You will end up paying sales tax twice if you are already registered outside CA. Check out http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm for more details.

Welcome and let us know when you get here. We'll start a NORCAL/SOCAL Panigale thread.

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I recalled in the past when I moved back to California from Hawaii with my car was purchased at HI state as new, I only pay sales tax once at Hawaii state. If the CA law hasn't change provided you own the vehicle for more than 3 months or 6months(I think) at the state you belong to, you shouldn't have to pay for any additional sales tax. Like what iiiofiv mentioned tho you do need to convert your driving license and registration to CA if you plan to stay more than again (I believed) is 90 days. BUT again who know when you actually move your vehicle/bike to CA!

So this tricolore is going to be difficult to get by at a Laguna Seca trackday isn't it?
Incidentally
I was getting by at Laguna with my 1098 S with full system with the inserts installed!

then they complain when a Prius hits someone cause you cant hear them. Libs are the worst

(1) Existing federal regulations require a motorcycle manufactured
on and after January 1, 1983, and exhaust emission systems for those
motorcycles, to meet specified noise emissions standards and require
that a label be affixed onto the motorcycle or exhaust emission
system indicating that the motorcycle or exhaust emission system
meets the noise emissions standards. "Sticker on the bike"
This bill would make it a crime for a person to park, use, or
operate a motorcycle, registered in the state, that is manufactured
on and after January 1, 2013, or a motorcycle, registered in the
state, with aftermarket exhaust system equipment that is manufactured
on or after January 1, 2013, that does not have the above label, and
would make a violation of this provision punishable by a specified
fine, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program by creating a
new crime. "Bikes manufactured after 1/1/2013 with no sticker on the pipe becomes a crime"
The bill would require the person to whom a notice to
appear is issued, or against whom a complaint is filed, for the above
violation, to provide proof of correction. The bill would authorize
a court to dismiss the penalty imposed for a first violation if the
person produces proof of correction to the satisfaction of the court.

Looks like if your bike and exhaust was manufactured prior to 2013, you're half way home. Still have to abide by EPA and local noise codes, just don't need a sticker which makes enforcing difficult, authorities would have to prove that your vehicle violated some code. The sticker provides an immediate justification for a ticket, you got a sticker? No? here's your ticket.

I urge everyone to join AMA, they are the only group that really fights for us on this type of stuff.

Seriously though, just peel the OEM emissions sticker and slap it on your Termi.

RANT WARNING!!!


For those of you in California hassled by these moronic laws get out there and vote against the ludicrous legislation (and the fools writing it) taking away YOUR individual liberties for the "fictious greater good". The idiots running the governments don't know what's best. Look at the mess we have now in the US and Europe!

Soon the CA shipped 1199's will have the Japanese version cans.

Nimbus said:

Soon the CA shipped 1199's will have the Japanese version cans.

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I don't doubt this because while the conversation seems to be focused on adding Termis and dealing with the consequences...I may be wrong but I think the stock cans at WOT exceed 86 dB.

Nimbus said:

Soon the CA shipped 1199's will have the Japanese version cans.

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Oh HELL NAW!!!! I'm moving if this happens.

As I read the federal standard manufacturers are only allowed 80 db(a), but the conditions are pretty specific. 15m to the microphone. Approach at a steady rpm determined by formula, then peg the throttle at a specific point and pull through max power for 10m. Measuring equipment and conditions rigidly governed.

Basically...it's not a static test and would be impossible to verify on the roadside.

The "label" isn't a sticker. By federal law it must be tamper resistant so that removal destroys or defaces it. Typically it's engraved into the muffler shell so that it can't be removed and placed onto another muffler. Sometimes it's a metal tag riveted onto the muffler.

I'm sure Ducati figured some way to game the federal requirements to get the Panigale through. Point is, it got through and as long as you maintain the OE pipes you're legal in all 50 States. You might have to show up in court to argue the point, but you'd "win" eventually. (I say "win" because after all the legal fees and ........ nobody actually wins in court!)

I'm sticking with stock cans even though New Mexico isn't too bad about noise. Why the hell would I spend $3500 to get 10 horsepower I don't need and a bunch more noise and attention I don't want?

falco said:

what state do you live in?

I live in Southern California and if you get pull over, doesn't matter how polite you are, you will get a ticket 9.5 times out of 10

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I got pulled over today by LAPD on Hollywood Blvd, I was nice and polite and just let them run my information which was all in order, after they were done, they admired the bike and said theyve never seen one before....... they let me go THANKFULLY