California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 435 yesterday that will authorize state law enforcement to ticket motorcyclists who have swapped out their stock pipes for non-EPA-approved aftermarket exhaust. The new law will make it a crime to operate a motorcycle manufactured after January 1, 2013, that does not meet federal noise-emission standards. Motorcycles will be required to display a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) label certifying that the exhaust system is clean burning and does not exceed 80 decibels. First-time offenders will face fines up to $100 while subsequent infractions can run up to $250.
The bill is meant to target motorcyclists who remove federally mandated, factory-installed emission control devices and replace them with custom aftermarket parts. Aftermarket pipes generally increase power output, but they are also usually louder and less environmental-friendly. The EPA’s position states that … Details