Kern Off-Highway Vehicle Association
LESS SOUND - MORE GROUND - Are you part of the problem?
The biggest enemy of off roaders is noise. You may or may not realize the impact your loud OHV exhaust has on others. Even starting it up in the neighborhood after you wash it may be making some enemies. Most people won't say anything to you (directly) but they may remember you when they go to vote, or send a donation to the Sierra Club. It is a law in California (where else) that your exhaust must meet a 96 decibel sound limit. Your YZ 450 is too loud. Your WR 400 is too loud when you remove the baffle. Almost every (aftermarket) exhaust system sold is too loud for you to legally ride on public land!
Recently (the last 3 or 4 years) a few manufacturers have been making "Q" series or quiet pipes. FMF was the leader, and Big Gun makes a quiet core as well. The FMF "Q" is legal on public land. If a system says it has a "forest service approved" spark arrestor, it still may be too loud, and the result could be a fine from the Forest Service. That is nothing compared to the bad image you give of riders to everyone within earshot.
The quieter the better. KTM stock mufflers are excellent and legal. Maybe others will follow that example before we are all relegated to spinning doughnuts in a parking lot, instead of riding in the forest or desert. So, unless you are riding only at the track, out of public view, you are hurting us all with a "race" pipe. Save your money for suspension work or a set of new tires - you'll go faster! (quietly)
NOTE: Brento's Cycle Center (in Bakersfield- 661-322-moto) is offering 20% off quiet exhaust systems. This makes it hard to have an excuse for that loud pipe.
