A bikini bike wash is one way Sturgis residents earn money from the rally (Photo: Ken Bingenheimer)
Is Sturgis, SD, a noisy place during the current motorcycle rally? Do Harleys roar? Yes, of course they do, and in the entire Black Hills region that roar translates into dollars.
South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds was not overly distraught then Tuesday when he learned he had been named to the monthly "Noisy Dozen" list put out by New York-based Noise Free America.
The group's press release had this to say:
Mike Rounds, the governor of South Dakota, has won this month's Noisy Dozen award from Noise Free America for participating in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota held from August 9 to August 15, 2010. On August 9, Governor Rounds rode in the 8th annual Mayor's Ride at Sturgis. The Associated Press reports that the Sturgis event, in its 70th year, is "expected to attract as many as 750,000 people, making it home to the highest concentration ever of chrome, leather, and tattoos."
In reality, the Sturgis event is probably the largest concentration ever of lawbreakers. And Mike Rounds, the governor of South Dakota, gave aid and comfort to this massive lawbreaking.
The federal Noise Control Act of 1972 states that it is illegal for motorcyclists to remove or alter their exhaust for the purpose of making additional noise. Also, the Act limits motorcycle noise to 82 decibels. In 1983, the EPA enacted a label match-up program, which requires that motorcycles have a stamp proving that the factory exhaust has not been altered.
Noise Free America's director, Ted Rueter, stated that "clearly, most motorcycles on the road today have illegal exhausts. Many people seem to think that motorcycles are naturally noisy; this is not the case. Motorcycles are quiet when they leave the factory; they are obnoxiously loud because of the deliberate, illegal actions of their owners."
According to Rueter, "instead of celebrating ear-splitting noise, the governor of South Dakota should deploy the state police to issue hundreds of thousands of citations to noise violators. Governor Rounds is condoning the world's largest concentration of noise criminals."
According to a report from the Rapid City Journal, Gov. Rounds is unrepentant.
“We don’t mind a little noise out here in South Dakota, whether we’re riding Harleys or shooting the state game bird,” Rounds said. “I can take the criticism, I guess. I think I’ll continue to ride.”
Meanwhile, at a press conference held in Sturgis by Mayor Maury LaRue and various motorcycle industry representatives, this year's rally is going very well, with vendors reporting significantly higher numbers than last year and some setting records in sales. The city also has numbers reflecting high attendance: the volume of sewage removed from the city's portable toilets was up 17.5 percent as of Tuesday.
For photos from the rally, please see the slideshow below.
Related articles:
Destination Sturgis: Joining the motorized river
Living with the Sturgis rally: The residents' perspective
Living with the Sturgis rally: The merchants' perspective
Sturgis rally 2010: Pee Wee Herman leads Legends Ride out of Deadwood
Sturgis rally 2010: Baddest Bagger in Sturgis competition at Full Throttle Saloon (with photos)
Sturgis rally 2010: Cruising Spearfish Canyon
Sturgis rally 2010: She rides her own (with photos)
Hoka Hey award ceremony held at Broken Spoke at Sturgis rally
Sturgis rally 2010: SD Guv rides and wins Noisy Dozen award
Comments
South Dakota's Governor, Mike Round, is not concerned with the noise of loud motorcycles, so South Dakota's citizens are not likley to see any relief from the noise as long as their elected officials see it as "the sound of fun".
That noise of roaring Harleys can be heard all over the country, not only South Dakota, and is the sound of the blatant violation of motor vehicle exhaust noise laws. That law, NC 20-128, and Federal law, CFR 40-205, is violated regularity in North Carolina and rarely enforced. Motorcycles with loud, and obviously illegal, exhaust systems are passed routinely by the state authorized inspection stations and ignored by police. Noise Free America is correct in urging the enforcement of these laws.
Hey Mike,
Want to talk about the law??? What about all the illigals driving unsafe beater cars without registration, insurance or evan drivers licenses. A lot are drunk or stoned or breaking any number of other vehicle code or other laws. Some are here to plot terrorist attacks. And, all illeagles break the fedral immigraton laws every day that they are here. Want to start enforcing laws? Start with some of the ones that keep us safe before worring about the stuff that just annoys you a little.
Some motorcycles are too noisy but New Yorkers need to mind their own business. When the noisy bikes come to the canyons of New York City, then they can carp and legislate until the bikers decide to go elsewhere.
Harley riders are a bunch of gangsters. They are fat, stupid and lack good taste. They pretty much typify what the American male has become.
TO ANONYMOUS, When was the last time 700,000 noise hating hippies, with their
mouths full of tofu and bean sprouts did anything for a state and towns like the bikers do for South Dakota. Fire departments, church's, Police departments, Schools, parks,
and the total economic impact on the area are staggering. The people you are talking
about donate millions to help the needy at this event alone. You need to get a life and
know your facts before opening your (more than likely unemployed mouth).
wow! - and you are a narrow minded, bitter sad person - how on earth can you lump the entire Harley riding community into such a ridiculous statement and rather race prejucied as well and I am not even an American! I'm from New Zealand.
I wonder what would happen if you said that same comment regarding a specific ethnic minority? You would rightly be charged - but I guess abusing (as well as gender discrimination) the whole populace is ok?
And yes I ride a Harley, have ridden just about every other make as well and its not obnoxiously loud, though I agree there are many (not just Harleys) that are, I am not a gang member nor am I fat, I am well educated and run two businesses and employ over a dozen people and I have, in my opinion, impeccable taste.
And just who are you anyway to judge other peoples tastes and the way they choose to live their lives? It would seem you are the only obnoxiously loud thing on here!
You really must be a sad, lonely and very bitter person - I feel sorry for you.
Your right in that not all Harley riders are the same. But you are wrong in that the noise IS obnoxiously loud. And, your wrong that riders of other model's of bikes do the same noise as Harley riders do. I have never seen a Suzuki or Kawasaki with illegeal loud modified mufflers.
There may be a few exceptions to the rule out there like maybe you are. But the majority are not like you. And, the majority of other bikers that ride other model bikes are responsible riders that do NOT change their mufflers to annoy others.
Noise is noise. Stop the noise. Respect the peace.
Hey Annonomous,
You don't know what the _ _ _ _ your talking about. You don't even ride so, how could you. I have a lot of friends who burn rice (ride Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki etc..) All have modified exhaust. You DIMWIT. Get off the page.
P.S.
I have 2 Triumph motorcycles and a Harley. All my bikes are loud and wish you lived next door.
Ha ha ha ha - how funny. Noise Free America needs to 'get a life'. Great come-back from Governor Rounds, though - bringing up hunting. Noise Free America is probably against that too.
I wonder who the Douche bag "Anonymous" is that's calling members of the police, firefighters and military a "fat, stupid bunch of gangsters". Probably the same stupid moronic nut that "works" for noise(fun) free America. Do a little research before you start calling all your favorite celebrities criminals as well you stupid Crackhead.
We are well educated, business owners, doctors, lawyers, community leaders and public officials. We have smoking hot wives, beautiful children, well groomed lawns, and the hottest, fastest, loud and proud motorcycles on the road. We appreciate the open road, beauty of hitting the Black Hills every year. Our families the best things we've ever done. Our friends, the family we've chosen for ourselves. $4000 I left for you this year during the 70th annual Sturgis Rally. It's not a biker gang..... It's a family reunion! Get back on your couch with your hamburger casserole, chubby wife, lazy kids or get with the program. Sounds like a bitter bunch of envy to me. Ha!
My suspissions are confirmed---Noise free america is run by a bunch of ass clowns
First of all, DON'T KNOCK IT IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED IT. I know a few hundered bike riders and they own a variety of motorcycles. Some are louder the others but all agree that "LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES". If you don't like the noise stay away! no ones forcing you to listen to it. If the town and the people of Sturgis didn't like the event it wouldn't have lasted for the last 70 YEARS!!! So for all you little whinners who are getting your panties in a bunch about bikers and and their loud pipes, I have to say the same thing to you as I would say to those who complain about our great country, If you don't like, GET THE F$@K OUT!!!
The Harleys are a symbol of a country in decline- fat, lazy, stupid, and mean. The riders are old fat fools to buy into that image and to buy those outdated poorly made bikes.
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