Myrtle Beach police offer bikers free muffler checks

By Thema Ponton
WBTW News 13 Reporter
Published: September 30, 2008

The fall Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally starts Wednesday, but the Myrtle Beach police started free sound checks on Tuesday.

Police want to make sure that if you’re riding through the city on your bike; your pipes are not in violation of the city’s new ordinance that says 87 decibels is as loud as they can be.

Dozens of motorcycle riders rolled up to the sound check at the Law Enforcement Center Annex to find out just how loud is too loud.

Police recorded the year the bike was made and whether it was a stock bike or after market.

Bikers lined up two at a time with only one bike getting tested while the other was turned off.

Myrtle Beach police built two special wooden devices to make sure they were measuring the sound 20 inches from the pipes at a 45-degree angle.

Police said the purpose of the checks is to educate bikers on the new ordinance, not write a lot of tickets.

“We’re not going to issue tickets at this time, we’re giving a warning, right now our major emphasis is on education, letting people know what the law is, what is the maximum allowable decibels and they need to get it fixed if they’re going to be in myrtle beach.“ said Capt. David Knipes.

Spencer Jackson, who lives in Surfside Beach, said he came to get his bike checked out to see if he has to avoid riding in Myrtle Beach.

“You know if I can’t drive in Myrtle Beach, I’ll go down to Surfside or Garden City or someplace and stay down there.“ said Jackson.

Jackson said he didn’t think his bike would pass and said he cannot afford to have adjustments made.

“I’m stuck in a position right now the way this bike is set up that’ll cost me a lot of money to make it go back to where it will probably pass.“ said Jackson.

When Jackson’s bike was checked, his suspicions were confirmed.

The Myrtle Beach police officer conducting the check told Jackson, “The legal limit is 87, yours is 91.6.  I would suggest, having that fixed.“

Knipes said 91 motorcycles were checked, 45 where in compliance with the ordinance, 46 were not in compliance.  The highest dB reading was 104.3.  The lowest dB reading was 75.8

The courtesy sound checks continue Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Annex on Mustang Street.