Sometimes things change for the benefit of all, and other times, just because.  Until recently your friendly forest ranger would check and see if your silencer had markings on it stating it was an ?approved" spark arrestor.  Then they would poke a coat hanger inside of it and if it hit something and stopped, it was considered an ?approved" spark arrestor, then you were sent on your way.  As a group we've gladly complied and have made sure our bikes are equipped with spark arrestors before riding on public land.  Besides, the few minute delay isn't such a big deal since none of us wants to start a fire in the forest.

Now image the horror if you showed up to race an Enduro and the forest service said you couldn't race because the United States Forest Service spark arrestor on your bike was not approved!?  This isn't some hypothetical situation and in fact it recently happened at the Checkpoint Enduro in Southern California.  

Disqualified racers were angry.  In the case of Big Gun exhaust systems the end cap is clearly marked U.S.F.S. approved spark arrestor.  This is where we get down to the nitty gritty of spark arrestor legalities.  Big Gun's spark arrestor has passed the $1,700.00 U.S.F.S. test in the San Dimas, CA facility qualifying it as certified but White Brothers paid for it.  You see, Big Gun buys the certified spark arrestor from White Brothers and has permission from White Brothers to use it on Big Gun pipes.  Apparently this isn't good enough for the forest service. 

Maybe I missed something somewhere but isn't the object of a spark arrestor to keep the unit from starting fires?  Sure it is, but in this case the law is the law and there's no room for compromise.  With the F.S. drawing a line in the sand saying something to the effect that your spark arrestor is approved but doesn't have the proper labeling makes it illegal.  At the time of this writing guess what makes the Big Gun silencer legal?  A new sticker!  After a quick look at my XR650R with a big Gun spark arrestor it has the White Brothers number (WB2001) already stamped on it.  Guess it needs a new sticker saying that White Brothers made the arrestor. On a side note: Big Gun has their own spark arrestor that is being tested by the F.S. and should be on new pipes soon.

Something that smells kind of fishy about this abrupt letter of the law enforcement is the fact that the Check Point Enduro almost wasn't.  Environmental groups and local residents tried to keep the event from happening.  They didn't succeed but it makes one wonder what was going on behind the scenes in the F.S.   

Most stock trail bikes should have an approved spark arrestor on them.  Just look at the silencer to be sure and if you don't find a U.S.F.S. spark arrestor marking contact the manufacture and find out if your model motorcycle came with an arrestor.  If you own one of the closed course competition motorcycles such as an YZF, CR, KX, YZ or RM the stock exhaust system will not have a spark arrestor.

If your 4-stroke motorcycle has one of these aftermarket pipes you need to contact the manufacture because it seems they also either have no spark arrestor certification or use another company's spark arrestor.

• BBR, not qualified.  Just sent in an application for qualification.
• DRD is not qualified.
• Stroker uses a KS250 qualified spark arrester without proper labeling.

Recently I was riding one of my favorite areas that Smoky Bear is known to frequent.  When I had a strange encounter with some other riders that pulled up, stopped and asked if I'd seen the Ranger?  He was just here a few minutes ago I replied; you guys are legal aren't you?  Yeah, yeah but those guys are always looking for a way to keep us from riding.  At the time I thought if you're legal why would you hide from the Forest Service?  Now I'm thinking they might have been on to something.  This could be the start of a slippery slope where your bike gets checked for any modifications, but I hope not.

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We're not done yet! 

Noise levels are being enforced in California.  Dirt Bikers in other states outside of California should take credence to what has transpired in C.A. since other states have a tendency to follow what C.A. does.

Right now the C.A. vehicle code states the maximum off highway vehicle decibel level (db) is 101.  This is also the max db level for an AMA sanctioned off-road event.  If your concerned your pipe might be too loud contact the manufacture and ask them.  Each motorcycle is tested at a different RPM so your guess is as good as ours if your bike is too loud or not.  It's unclear at this time if random field tests will be performed in general riding areas but you can just about count on it before racing on public land. 

More Stuff? 

From what we hear an environmentally friendly coolant will be required soon.  How they plan to check and enforce this is beyond us.

You need to carry your bike registration with you while riding your motorcycle. This one has been around for a long time but for the most part hasn't been enforced. This is an easy one to take care of.  Photocopy your registration and use a shipping label pouch, like the one's you see on the boxes from United Parcel Service, and attach it under your seat.

Mike Hobbs

October 2001