Decibles

[christi1284]

I need some suggestions!!
I was just told the db rating was dropped to 92 or 93, last I knew it was 98!!! I am about ready to spend a fortune on my pipes for my banshee and from what DMC Exhaust and Toomey and FMF say the lowest I am going to get is about 96db. What is the actual DB rating currently and also i could use some suggestions for pipes.
My banshee has a high compression head, the jugs and the case have been ported, and I have carbon fiber reeds. I have been told T5's would be the best but I was also looking into the DMC 916.....any suggestions?

[Dune Dude]

christi1284,

Your question is simple about the noise yet, the answer is going to be complex: 

This is good information for all the other riders in Oregon 

This language above is right out of the 2010 Oregon OHV Guide.
The State of Oregon is 99 dB or below depending on vehicle and location (ORS 467.030).

Motorcycles  99 dB

Front Engine (SUV or Truck)   95 dB

Mid & Rear engine (quad,sandrail)   97 dB

Two areas that have different sound requirements:

Sand Lake Recreation Area   97 dB

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area   93dB

The confusion comes in on motorcycles at 99 dB and quads at 97dB statewide.  Then to make it more fun the requirements for class I vehicles says muffler under 99dB.  So, Class I and III vehicles are 99 dB and less.   This is what the LEO's are looking for. 

To your specific vehicle:  Banshee  If you plan to ride trail areas around the state you would want to be 99 dB or lower.  If you plan on riding in the Dunes, Coos Bay to Florence area, you need to be 93 dB or less.

Now for some more confusion.  All law enforcement agencies will give you a 2 dB fudge factor.  This is for the variances of testing in the field.  So for example, if you are tested at 101dB at a trail area you are OK and if you tested 95db in Winchester Bay you are OK. 

Did I lose anyone yet? 

The test is conducted according to MIC Standards.  The meter is placed 20" from the pipe, at a 45 degree angle and at a horizontal plane to the top of the exhaust outlet.  The atv is tested at the manufactures recommended rpm.  This rpm varies from bike to bike.  The rpm recommended is around 1/2 of the maximum rpm of the bike.  All Banshees are the same and are tested at 3750 rpm.

As far as which pipe to go with I will leave that up to our Banshee riders.

My recommendation is to get the quietest pipe possible.  Noise is our biggest enemy to keep riding areas open.

T.I. also has a sound meter provided by OPRD.  If you would like to get sound checked let me know and we can make it happen before you head out to your favorite riding area.

DD   

[SANDDEMON]

CHRISTI1284,
HI,
 I recommend Cascade Innovations Silencers behind  T-5 header pipes in there Show Chrome. Big money but worth it.
check there web site out.

I own 2 Banshee's, one Blue one Black.

 My Blue Banshee motor has T-5 header pipes and Cascade Silencers, the motor is a 4mm long rod with a cheetah cub cylinder and a cool head - 38 mm keihin carbs. On 110 race gas it pulls 82 HP on the Redline Racing Dyno.  I keep the silencers packed regularly. They make it on my sound meter, and I have never been checked at the dunes. They see the Cascade Silencers and wont bother me.  Cascade sells the packing cheap and its precut to fit. Cascade Innovations is in Boring Oregon, they have a great website. Get there show chrome pipes and silencers. It's worth it. This combo makes me the happiest for power/torque and over all riding. Pulls hard from low to high RPMs.

My Black Banshee motor  is a 4mm long rod , stock cylinders with a dune port by Red Line Racing, cool head and 35 mm Keihin carbs. It pulls 63 HP on his Dyno on 110 race gas. It has FMF SST pipes and FMF silencers. It also makes it and have not been ticketed with that set up. This set up has good mid range with lots of power.
My quad pictures are on this sight if you want to see that set up on a Banshee.

TOOMEY RACING makes a HUSH KIT 2.5 for there pipes, according to them it drops the sound 15 - 18 dbA tested by our own Oregon Sate Beach Rangers. And works with Modified Banshee motors.


 CPI PIPES in frame AND SILENCERS ARE  EVERY LOUD =  a ticket .
I used to run this set up  , but got tired of being deaf even with a helmet on 2 days later. They make high RPM and lots of power.
I have also ran Toomey T-5s and toomey silencers they are to loud also.= ticket
use the Hush Kit 2.5  on this and you'll be ok
 Good mid range power.

My group of friends run mostly Banshee's, those running Cascade silencers dont get tickets. NUFF SAID.

SANDDEMON

[Dune Dude]

Good info SD!  Any Toomey I tested in the sand was 99 or louder.

[SANDDEMON]

DD
Stock Toomeys?
 Did any of those tested have the Toomey Racing Hush kit 2.5 on it?
Have you checked the Toomey header/Cascade silencers too? Cascades website says they'll pass ...........
cant hear my Banshee next to a 4 stroke .


How did ONDA get hit with 93?
 What s the national = 99?

[Dune Dude]

Sanddemon,

No, I have not checked one of those.  They sound (get it sound) like a great pipe.  The quieter the better.

The difference between a 4-stroke and 2-stroke sound is the wave created.  The 4-stroke produces a longer wave that travels farther than the 2-stroke wave.  That is why when you hear the two go up a dune side by side the 4-stroke sounds louder.

I have not heard of a national sound limit.  I believe the States set their own standards.  California went to 96 dB a few years ago.  Racing events had a higher standard of unlimited for a while but, then because of noise pressures have reduced the limit down to 101dB or even 99 dB with some considering lower dB's to keep the race active in a sensitive area (areas close to homes etc.)  The OMRA and MRA have considered lowering Oregon's standard to 96dB.  They are constantly fighting closures because of noise issues.  It is a haters favorite tactic to further their cause.

I believe that the ODNRA went to 93dB's in 1994 when they established the noise buffer in Florence.  I was told the proposal was posted and they received no negative comments about it from riders.   

The other problem with the noise level in the dunes is how it is tested.  Your ATV is only tested at around 1/2 the max operating rpm established by the manufacturer.  However,  most of us do not operate our ATV's at 1/2 throttle, especially when climbing dunes.  The inherent composition of the sand requires us to ride at a much higher rpm than we would on dirt trails.  So, the perception is we are all too loud in the sand. 

I have heard that the manufacturers are looking into a full throttle test for sound.  This would be a better bench mark of how loud we actually are.  No details have been worked out.   And then where so you set limits?  What can the pipe manufactures do?  All I know for sure is the limits will be coming down in the future.  It will be one of the only ways to keep riding areas open and one less bitch for the haters. 

DD   

[SANDDEMON]

Thanks D.D.
For all this info.
  Amazing society accepts so many noisy venues and our quads get hammered with a low db limit.
ModQuad had a silencer project I saw a few years back in there shop. I hope Mike brings it out in the future , if the claims are accurate  for db reduction...we will  need it.
not surprised by nobody responding in 1994 to the decibel reduction, not many folks understand or own a decibel meter.  The world is a very noisy place. Always amazes me how people pick one sound as bad and loud and others are not bad or loud yet they are. They should carry a sound meter with them.... . I would also like to educate the public on every day noise levels.

I agree on buying the quietest pipes you can . IT is our future.
 I just ordered more packing  from Cascade Innovations for my  Silencers. I also ordered new honey comb inserts as mine were starting to plug up. I repack several times a year, if you pull them apart you can see how fast they burn out. Every one should do this often as it will keep the quads quieter and performing there best.

One more thought;
Just about every Rifle Range in the State  has or is fighting over noise issues, some have had success in winning and stayed open.  What about contacting the club presidents for tactics and info?
One club won by a Grand Father  clause. It was there first,.
Another club won the noise battle and is now fighting the Lead hazard issue. The Greenies gotta try everything....

D.D.
WHY DO THEY SOUND CHECK AT 20" ?
NOBODY'S HEAD IS DOWN THERE WHEN I'M RIDING.


S.D.