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OHV SOUND EDUCATION COMES
TO LORETTA LYNN’S RANCH
Positioning Quest Type-1 Sound Meter per
the SAE-J1287 "20-inch" Sound Test
Instruction Manual |
When one thinks of an off-road event at
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee, vivid
memories of large crowds attending either the
AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships or
the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series are
conjured up.
The last thing to expect at an off-road venue
is that it would fully incorporate and feature
an off-highway vehicle (OHV) sound education
module. However, that is exactly what happened
at the 9th Annual Fall Trail Ride held at
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch on October 20, 21, &22,
2006. The event was promoted by Southern Woods
Rider (SWR) and its president, Tom Stotler.
Today, more folks are moving from the city
into the countryside where those new homes may
be in close proximity to existing OHV riding
opportunities on public lands or on private
inholdings including Loretta Lynn’s Ranch or
leased timberlands. Realizing the need to start
the sound education process for trail riders in
Tennessee, SWR invited the FMF Racing/BlueRibbon
Coalition (BRC) Sound Testing Program for OHVs
to operate a sound education and test station
for the event.
Since the issue of excessively loud exhaust
noise and its often associated land-use problems
were new to many of the riders attending the
trail ride, SWR required a mandatory 98dBA sound
level awareness test for all ATVs and dirt-bikes
that entered the event.
The FMF/BRC sound program spent the better
part of 3 days performing the SAE J-1287
“20-inch” sound test for all of the approximate
1,400 ATVs and dirt-bikes that were entered into
the trail ride.
ATV rider enjoying trails at Loretta
Lynn's Ranch |
Since this event was a family-oriented ride
that ventured on about 22 miles of ATV routes
and 10 miles of technical single-track
motorcycle trails, the sound module helped
educate riders from ages six to sixty about the
need to ride sound compliant OHVs. The test
station also had complimentary sound packing
materials avaible for those who needed it. The
materials were generously provided by FMF Racing
and Silent Sport.
2006 was focused on rider awareness and
education. SWR made it clear that it would not
disqualify anyone over the self-imposed 98 dBA
level. The goal was simply to get the riders up
to speed on the issue of OHV sound. However,
next year I believe that SWR will enforce the 98
dBA sound limit and if a rider does not pass
they will have to repack their muffler or
purchase a sound compliant exhaust system.
It is often said that excessively loud OHV
exhaust noise is the single most contentious
land-use issue facing the dirt-bike/ATV rider
today. Fortunately, it is also the easiest
problem to fix. Currently, the OHV Industry is
producing more sound compliant mufflers and
user-groups are working hard to educate riders
about loud exhaust.
By getting quiet and joining TEAM STEALTH, a
rider can become part of the solution and help
preserve and protect OHV recreational
opportunities for future generations.
Photo credit: Steve Casper & Don Amador
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