Bikers with overly loud exhausts face summonses up to RM1.2mil

KUALA LUMPUR: For modifying their motorcycle exhausts which let out overly loud noises, some bikers are now facing the music up to a tune of RM1.22mil worth of summonses.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said police issued a total of 4,087 summonses for the offence during 15 operations held within 20 days this month.

“We seized 2,309 motorcycles during the operations which were carried out between March 1 and 21, ” he told reporters in Bukit Aman yesterday.

He said during the operations, a total of 59,727 motorcycles were inspected.

“We are aware that when we first started the operations, many came out to criticise us saying that while people were going through a tough time we were going out to collect money for the government but this is simply not true.

“The sound that modified motorcycle exhausts emits is a menace and the modification poses no real function, ” he said.

He said investigations revealed that some motorcyclists spent between RM200 and RM2,000 on these modifications but it did not actually give them extra performance.

“Based on our observations, these motorcyclists only modify the exhaust systems for cosmetic reasons.

“They think it makes their machine look more stylish and make it go faster, ” Abdul Hamid said.

He said it was time to take action against errant motorcyclists because they contributed over 70% of all the fatal accidents.

“Last year, we recorded 4,297 fatal accidents and 3,142 (73.1%) of them involved motorcyclists and pillion riders.

“The year before, 5,764 fatal accidents were reported and 3,995 of them involved motorcyclists and pillion riders, ” Abdul Hamid said.

During the press conference, 15 national motorcycle racers attended the event to show their support for the operations.

Their representative Wazi Abdul Hamid, a former motorcycle racer, said in most cases, upgrading the power of a motorcycle involved modifications to the engine and electronic control unit.

“I have spoken to some of these motorcyclists who modify their exhausts and when I ask them for an honest answer, most of them told me it hardly increased the power, ” said Wazi, who won the 1996 Cup Prix Malaysia championship which earned him the title Cup Prix King.

He said he was aware that some motorcyclists used the excuse that they could be heard by other motorists better when they were equipped with loud exhausts.

“Even if you are riding at a speed of over 100kph, the person in front of you will not hear you until you are just a few meters away, ” he said, adding that it was time for motorcyclists to stand together and abide by the laws.

Wazi suggested that motorcyclists get two sets of exhausts, one for racing at the track and another for road use.