I agree. This sounds a lot more like a police issue than an issue with a particular brand of motorcycle (Harleys in this case). I like the sound of a properly tuned Harley, and I agree with the sound being safe. I also am very irritated with a55holes that rev their open-piped bikes to kingdom come because they think it's cool.

It is very hard to make a single law that works for everyone. I have an older Japanese car that is not yet smog excempt. I have done a few things to it, and have to put it back to stock to smog it. Incidentally we tested it just for fun. It runs cleaner, has more power and gets better mileage setup in 'illegal' mode so WTF is this law for anyway?

This whole thing is obviously not about lowering emissions. Rendering classic cars that rarely see road use undriveable would probably make a minimal difference in our pollution. I would bet that most 'classic' cars that fit in this category (on average) have less miles on them than your average Bay Area commuter's 2 or 3 year old car.

As silly as it might sound, having automakers sell new models every 2 years instead of every year would make a phenomenal difference - less manufacturing, less ships and trucks transporting these new models, imagine how much fuel would be saved and how much pollution would go away! It would of course never happen for two reasons: 1) People in power would stand to make less cash and 2) People fear change.

Anyway.. Sure is a nice day out.

-Jacob