Irvine, Calif., August 21, 2006 - The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) announced today the publication of the 2006 edition of the MIC Stationary Sound Test Manual for Off-Highway Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. This manual is part of MIC's comprehensive effort to protect off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities by promoting the responsible use and wise management of these vehicles on public lands.
"Making this information available to all OHV users, state and federal agencies, and other OHV stakeholders demonstrates MIC's commitment to support responsible OHV recreation," said Pamela Amette, MIC Vice President.
The tremendous growth in OHM and ATV sales in recent years has drawn greater attention to the need for effective noise control on public lands (primary OHV riding areas). Many states are expanding their OHV noise enforcement effort to combat threatened land closures due to the increased number of OHV noise complaints.
Since first published by MIC in 1980, this manual has been an essential tool for the effective and economical enforcement and evaluation of in-use, off-highway motorcycle (OHM) and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) sound levels. The stationary sound test procedure in this manual has been approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is recommended for in-use noise control.
The MIC Sound Test Manual serves as the primary source for the RPM test data that is required to conduct the stationary sound test. The manual provides other important information such as sound basics, sound test equipment, how to conduct the test, and the complete stationary sound test procedure. The manual also encourages riders to always use a spark arrester, and to keep their sound down by maintaining their exhaust system and reducing their RPM and speed when around non-riders.
Where no state or local sound limit exists, MIC recommends a maximum in-use sound limit of 96 dB(A) for OHMs and ATVs, based on the stationary sound test procedure. MIC further recommends that the sound limits established by organizations who sanction competitive events be followed.
The MIC will distribute 8,000 manuals to state and federal land management agencies, OHV clubs and organizations, and organizations sanctioning competitive OHV events. For information on how to obtain a copy of the manual, please call the MIC at (949) 727-4211, ext. 3045 or the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) at (800) 348-6487.
The MIC is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV parts and accessories and members of allied trades located in Irvine, California.