PA - inspection law - Horn

Is anyone familiar with Pennsylvania State Motorcycle inspection law?

I have been looking at this product: http://screaming-banshee.com/ cause, let's face it, bike horns are not loud enough... My concern is that Pennsylvania State Motorcycle inpection law 1.b.2.iii states "Check the horn and reject if any of the following apply.... the vehicle is equipped with a... device emitting harsh or unreasonably loud sound, except on emergency vehicles"

Any motorcycle inspection mechanics, or others with experience with this or a similar product that could weigh in? I don't want to spend the $, and not pass inspection.... thanks!

 

Do you still have the original horn??? If so, get your inspection done with that THEN switch it out.

You didn't specify which of the two bikes you are getting inspected...Take the horn off the other one then put it back...

 

interesting little device. the guy that inspects my bike walks out asks if everything works and gives me a sticker. best bet is to go to the inspection station you use and ask them about it directly.

 

Just throw it on there it give it a try!

I highly doubt the inspector will tell you "I'm sorry, someone might hear that horn. No sticker for you..." If so, take it to the next guy. Just find an inspector who rides and he will understand the need for it.

 

From what the web site said the 'regular' horn (you keep your stock horn hooked up) works if it is a quick push of the button (1/2 sec or 1/4 sec depending on the setting) so it should be fine. The Banshie and flashing headlight kicks in if the horn button is held longer than the setting.

 

I've got my PA license and I honestly don't know for sure. The regs are written without hard fast numbers, and I would put this issue into the category of mechanics "opinion".

If you catch your mechanic on a bad day, or if he hits that horn and shits his pants, then you're pretty much guaranteed that he'll fail it. On the other hand, if he really digs the concept and thinks he's gonna put one on his bike, then you'll get your sticker.

The PA State Troopers have in the past been the turn-to source for questionable calls, and I suspect that most troopers would have a problem with it. They wouldn't want to hear anything out on the road that is as loud as they are unless it's on it's way to a fire. :wink:

Best thing would be to go to the place you use for inspections and talk to your mechanic. I think it could go either way. Me personally? I think if I hit that horn inside a small shop and ended up with my ears ringing for the next half hour, I'd be pissed.

 

I bet you could tell him it's the stock horn, and he wouldn't know any better.

I remember one of my friends in High School, (East Stroudsburg HS Class of '83), ......he had a vw beetle. The horn didn't work, so he wired in a smoke detector. He'd hit the horn button and down deep inside the front you'd hear this little 'mmmmmeeeeepp mmmeeeep'. He passed inspection.- as the inspector said, "I heard it".

Mav, if we're ever out for a ride together, remind me to ride in FRONT of you... waaaaaaaaaaaaay out in front.

Dave F

 

ive known guys to get away with train horns on their trucks, as the main horn.
as far as i know there is no decibel limit looking at the inspection book. personally i have a small harbor freight air horn on my truck because people like to cut me off in my town. ive planned on getting one for the bike to, my horn is barley noticeable on my maxim, and i want these idiots on the road in their sports cars to hear me. plus for less than $10.00 im willing to try it.

 

Stock horns are supposedly 105 dB. I replaced mine with a pair of 130 dB from CarQuest and I still don't think they're loud enough.
My inspection guy told me my stock horns were lame.

 

That's a fact of life when it comes to motorcycles. I'm replacing mine this year with one from harbor freights selection probably the WOLO or an air horn

 

I got my 550 maxim inspected last year with the stock horn without a problem. It's a place called J & J Cycle Barn on Board Road near Dover. You don't need an appointment and it costs $20.

 

I really don't think it matters as long as it works though. But I've never seen an inspection station that has a decibel meter.