MAINE: Bikers caught in the middle

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.sunjournal.com/letters/story/921533 Bikers caught in the middle By Gerry Labrie Published Oct 09, 2010 12:00 am | Last updated Oct 09, 2010 12:00 am There has been a lot of talk about loud motorcycles as being both good and bad. There are issues with this in many forms.

I have been a biker for about six years and love the ride and freedom if brings. There are also some issues I find with being on a motorcycle that those who don't drive motorcycles don’t realize. Drivers of other vehicles need to pay more attention to motorcycle riders. At least, if bikers have loud pipes, other drivers can hear them.

Bikers cannot ride to auto parts places to get replacement mufflers. We have to go to a dealer. But when the manufacturer decides it is no longer going to make a particular exhaust system, bikers have to go after-market.

The choice between getting something that looks good and fits a bike is not easy. Plus, to find an exhaust system that has mufflers is even more difficult, so many bikers run an exhaust with baffles. But then, if they get stopped, they get ticketed for loud pipes; and if a biker doesn't have an inspection sticker, which he or she cannot get for a bike with baffles, will get another ticket for an uninspected bike.

We are caught in a Catch-22 here.

Gerry Labrie, Auburn