Excessively loud straight pipe are pretty pointless. But what about a nice aftermarket race exhaust that just mildly breaches the noise ceiling? Hmm...this could get interesting.
The AMA recently sent out a press release explaining a situation that could be, well... both good and bad. Unlike the off-road and dirtbike industry, we are still free to enjoy a somewhat loud exhaust. After all, they do save lives. Sure, an unpacked pipe is utterly obnoxious, but if it makes motorists at least mildly aware that something is disturbing their phone call, lunch and radio station selection we might live to ride another day.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has devised a mobile sound test procedure to stifle us, however. The noise measurement requires holding a calibrated sound meter at a 45-degree angle 20 inches from the exhaust of a running engine. The SAE recommends a decibel limit of 92 dB at idle for all machines; This seems a bit low considering the current EPA regulation is 80 dB for stock exhausts.
What measurement device is being created to measure allowable car stereo levels or those stupid fart cans on every mid-nineties Honda Civic, you ask? Apparently they're not as much of an annoyance.
On the positive side, at least police won't be able to legally issue tickets based on what they claim to be an "illegal exhaust."
More on this as it develops...