Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

m.o.r.e. from by Russ Sanford ti o ON THE ~ CITATIONS w SUBJECT OF z There h~s been an increasing number -' of citations issued to off-road vehicle U (ORV) enthusiasts in the pasl couple of >- years. Many of Ihese are brough t 10 my U atten tion and in some instances we have been able to find reiief. Now, wait a minut,: I didn't say, and I certainly don't mean to imply, thaI we can gel a tickel "fixed". There is no way in which we can provide any form of relief for a ticket or cilation thaI has been approprialely and properly issued. So, if you deserved the tickel, don'l waste my time and yours. w COMMON CITATIONS TYPES OF There are generally four categories of incidenl in which ORV enthusiasts are given cilations. These are improper equip men t, improper licensing, trespass, and violation of written-permission ordinances. The first th ree are violations of slale laws and the fourth is a violalion of ordinances adopled by some cities and counties. Let's discuss them one at a lime. 1. IMPROPER EaUIPMENT Spark ATTestors: Perhaps the most prevalen l cause of improper eq uipmen I cilalions is the lack of a sui lab Ie spark arrestor. Slate law does nOI diclale the use of spark arrestors but il does grant the delermination to the agency having jurisdiction over the public lands which are involved. In California, the U.S. Forest Service demands the use of a U.S. F.S .-approved spark arrestor on any motorcycle operaled in the National Forests, on a yearwaround basis. In some areas, the local U.S.F.S. rangers will issue cilations for lack of a spark. arrestor even when traveHng on hard-surfaced roads, whereas other areas will invoke the policy only when operating on trails or in a cross-country capacity. The safes I bet is to always keep your U.S.F.S .-approved spark arrestor intact when traveling in or through any National Forest. Should you be lOuring through a National Forest on an established highway or freeway wltiJe operating a streel-Iegal and currenlly licensed mOlorcycle, there is no need for a spark arrestor. If given a citation under these circumstances, contact me at once. Other agencies, such as the BLM and some local governmen ts may also require a spark arrestor when traveling cross-country or off-the-road. This may sound ridiculous in certain parts of the desert, but if that's the law you had better comply with it. The land-use a~ncies expect you to be knowledgeable of the laws before you use the publi<; lands, therefore ignorance of the law is not an acceptable excuse. Mufflers and silencers: Effective as of 1 July 1972, it became mandatory that all off-road vehicles meel Ihe following noise crileria when using public lands in other than sanctioned compe titive events: a. Any ORV manufactured on or afler January I, 1972 and before January 1,1973 - 92dbA. b. Any ORV manufaclured on or after January 1, 1973 and before January 1,1975 - 88dbA. c. Any ORV manufaclured on or after January 1,1975 - 86dbA. It is unlawful 10 sell or offer for sale a new mOlorcycle which does nol meet this crileria. Therefore, if you have an unallered muffling systeln in good working condition on a 1972 or later model ORV, you are undoubtedly meeting the requirements of Ihe law. If you have in any way modified or altered your exhaust system, you had better have il checked to verify Ihat you are legal. There are several places which will check your exhausl syslem for you. One of the besl is Mr, Alan Smethurst, 38634 Carolside, Palmdale, CA 93550. You can reach Alan at (805) 947-8027 (Members of M.O.R.E. will receive a tremendous discounl upon presentation of a currenl MORE Membership Card. Don't forge I to ask for your MORE discoun t. You'll be amazed!) You can be given a cilation by any Peace Officer, including Fire Chiefs, Game Wardens, Forest Rangers, etc., for violation of Ihe muffler/silencer requirement so be prepared. 2. IMPROPER LICENSING '::."Th~, !;t!{ftl.i-rf~_Yc;,hls:le,Cqtle.

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