Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128368
~----;-:----Happe------=---ningS~in Mo-,-------torcyc~ling Duiet. Down! An off-highway vehicle (OHV) sound education program spon- sored by BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC)/FMF teamed up with state and regional motorcycle clubs to help riders in Florida reduce excessive exhaust noise emission levels on both private and public lands. The Florida Trail Riders (FTR) and Tallahassee Trail Riders (lTR) joined forces with the BRClFMF Racing at the 2005 Hard Labor Creek Hare Scrambles to perform the SAE J-1287 "20inch" sound test on both all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes. The race was hosted on private land by Ted Everett, owner of the 2000-acre Hard Labor Creek Plantation and Game Preserve. The crew offered courtesy sound checks for those attending the hare scramble. Copies of the Motorcycle Industry Council's Official Sound Test Manual were presented to club officials as they prepare to enforce sound limit restrictions statewide at events and for casual riding on public lands. Don Amador, the Western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, states: "I want to thank Jack Terrell of FTR and John Wheeler of TTR for their leadership in helping the sport address excessive OHV exhaust noise in Florida. This is the first time for our sound education program to be in this state. "I was impressed by the genuine interest by both ATV and dirt bike riders to learn how to become members of Team Stealth," Amador continued. "It also helped to have the gang from Race Tools on hand to repack mufflers for those systems that needed maintenance. Most riders don't know that standard packing can blowout in the first 10-20 hours of operation. "Helmets off to riders in Florida who are joining the 'ride quiet' bandwagon. This is important for the future of the sport as excessively loud OHVs continue to be cited as our number-one landuse conflict. "I want to thank those in the Industry who have donated extra support in 2005 for the rider education programs of BRC's Trail Stewardship Module," Amador added. "Kudos to FMF Racing, Motorcycle Industry Council, Stockton Honda/American Honda Motor Corporation, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Kawasaki Motors Corporation, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Weekend Warrior Trailers, Suburban Ford, FOX Racing, Motion Pro, Maier, SDG, Maxxis, Top One Oil, Clarke, Dunlop, Travelcade and Cycle Gear." (Above) Don Amador prepares to do a sound check. (Left) Amador demonstrates the sound check on an ATV. New Ride for Champ World Superbike Champion James Toseland took the opportunity to try out a new ride in the pre-event festivities leading up to the opening World Superbike event of the season in Qatar. Here, he takes a camel for a spin for the photographers covering the event. 92 MARCH 9, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS