EPA Proposes Legislation To Ban Aftermarket Exhausts

Proposed legislation from the Environmental Protection Agency is aimed at stamping out the use of aftermarket exhaust systems. Or at least that is what language in proposed rulemaking legislation implies. That shouldn’t surprise most people, but what is shocking is that we aren’t talking about exhaust systems for street-legal vehicles; the proposed laws could be interpreted to pertain to off-highway competition motorcycles. The bill, introduced in regard to greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy for heavy-duty vehicles could possibly make it illegal to convert a motor vehicle certified for on-highway use into a vehicle to be used in off-highway competition.

Yes, this would mean that you would no longer be allowed to install an aftermarket racing exhaust on your sportbike to convert it for closed-course racing, or track-day riding. Can you imagine watching Cameron Beaubier, Josh Hayes, and Roger Hayden whispering down the front straight at Road America, Laguna Seca, or Circuit of The Americas? Wouldn’t quite be as exciting would it?

Here is your chance to help take action to make sure this bill doesn’t pass without more precise language that would protect a consumer’s right to modify their vehicle for off-highway purposes: Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) says bills have been introduced to both the House of Representatives (H.R. 4715) and the Senate (S. 2659) that clarify the intent that vehicles used solely for competition and off-highway use would not be subject to the anti-tampering provisions of the Clean Air Act. The Bill is supported by Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Bill Posey (R-FL) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and Senators Richard Burr (R- NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Dean Heller (R-NV).

Learn more and find out how to contact your Senators and Representatives go to: http://www.arra-access.com/action/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f45324%2frespond