Noise And Pollution In Our National Parks..

[Wedgebuster]

The National Park Service has instituted a reduction in the number of snowmobiles that may enter Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Parks, and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway for this coming year by more than 50%. Limitations of 720 daily will be reduced to 318 if their rule change withstands legal challenges. It has been about 18 years since I visited Yellowstone on a snow machine, and in those days there was no daily limit, and you did not have to be with a guided tour.

Ok, so the reasoning by the Park Service is reduction of noise and pollution within the park boundaries.........



If that's the case, what the fuck are they going to do about this?



Hey, I used to own one of these too, but compared to a Harley, a snowmobile is practically silent, and I bet there has been an average of more than 2000 motorcycles per day this season, and that is on top of all the cars, trucks, vans, RVs, and buses that enter daily. I have been hiked in more than five miles from the nearest road this summer, and the constant roar of motorcycles can still be heard over the sounds of the wilderness.

I do not own a snowmobile, and may never own one. This is just not equitable folks, and makes no sense to me.

[Cleets Part 2]

Point:
If you're 21 and on a cafe style racer bike and it's as loud as a Harley you get pulled over by the police...
If you're fat and 50 it's okay to have a bike thats louder than a jet aircraft

[dbackjon]

Let's see, a snowmobile pollutes more than what, 100 cars?

Snowmobilers have proven incapible of staying on trails, away from wildlife, etc.


























Oh and Wedgie - way to stir the pot

[Wedgebuster]

Point:
If you're 21 and on a cafe style racer bike and it's as loud as a Harley you get pulled over by the police...
If you're fat and 50 it's okay to have a bike thats louder than a jet aircraft

Absolutely. If I pull up to the Park Gate in my '73 Ford Pickup with a rusted out muffler, then no entry. Meanwhile at the adjoining entrance lane 38 Harleys with straight pipes go right through.

[Appaholic]

Agree. I've been hiking in Shining Rock Wilderness and been disturbed by motorcycles on Blue Ridge Parkway. I sincerely dislike and scoff at any "man" who feels a need to make their bikes loud for no other reason than to bring attention to himself....the "rebel" who had a weekend off from coaching little league & watching kids for wifey's Girls Night Out.....fokking jokes...if you ban the snowmobiles for noise pollution, then you gotta ban the harley's as well....

[dbackjon]

Point:
If you're 21 and on a cafe style racer bike and it's as loud as a Harley you get pulled over by the police...
If you're fat and 50 it's okay to have a bike thats louder than a jet aircraft

Absolutely. If I pull up to the Park Gate in my '73 Ford Pickup with a rusted out muffler and no entry. Meanwhile at the adjoining entrance lane 38 Harleys with straight pipes go right through.

The Harleys shouldn't be allowed in either...

[Gil Dobie]

Hey, I used to own one of these too, but compared to a Harley, a snowmobile is practically silent, and I bet there has been an average of more than 2000 motorcycles per day this season, and that is on top of all the cars, trucks, vans, RVs, and buses that enter daily. I have been hiked in more than five miles from the nearest road this summer, and the constant roar of motorcycles can still be heard over the sounds of the wilderness.

I do not own a snowmobile, and may never own one. This is just not equitable folks, and makes no sense to me.

One thing at a time, first the snowmobile, then the Harley's, etc, etc.........

[Wedgebuster]

Jon, they have already banned snowmobiles that do not pass rigid standards for emissions, most are now 4 cycle. Has anybody bothered to test the emissions from these bikes that sound like a .50 Cal. machine gun?

[Wedgebuster]

Absolutely. If I pull up to the Park Gate in my '73 Ford Pickup with a rusted out muffler and no entry. Meanwhile at the adjoining entrance lane 38 Harleys with straight pipes go right through.

The Harleys shouldn't be allowed in either...

Hey, I used to own one of these too, but compared to a Harley, a snowmobile is practically silent, and I bet there has been an average of more than 2000 motorcycles per day this season, and that is on top of all the cars, trucks, vans, RVs, and buses that enter daily. I have been hiked in more than five miles from the nearest road this summer, and the constant roar of motorcycles can still be heard over the sounds of the wilderness.

I do not own a snowmobile, and may never own one. This is just not equitable folks, and makes no sense to me.

One thing at a time, first the snowmobile, then the Harley's, etc, etc.........

JFC! Can't wait to see that battle.

[AshevilleApp]

The National Park Service has instituted a reduction in the number of snowmobiles that may enter Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Parks, and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway for this coming year by more than 50%. Limitations of 720 daily will be reduced to 318 if their rule change withstands legal challenges. It has been about 18 years since I visited Yellowstone on a snow machine, and in those days there was no daily limit, and you did not have to be with a guided tour.

Ok, so the reasoning by the Park Service is reduction of noise and pollution within the park boundaries.........



If that's the case, what the **** are they going to do about this?



Hey, I used to own one of these too, but compared to a Harley, a snowmobile is practically silent, and I bet there has been an average of more than 2000 motorcycles per day this season, and that is on top of all the cars, trucks, vans, RVs, and buses that enter daily. I have been hiked in more than five miles from the nearest road this summer, and the constant roar of motorcycles can still be heard over the sounds of the wilderness.

I do not own a snowmobile, and may never own one. This is just not equitable folks, and makes no sense to me.

Without having researched this I tend to agree with you. I live in a resort area as well, and am pretty well sick of all the middle aged Peter Fonda wannabees we get each year.

I do remember that when this issue came up before, one of the reasons used for snowmobile restrictions were high levels of exhaust as compared to other vehicles. Does anybody know if this is valid? We don't have many snowmobiles around here.


Edit: Lot of responses while I wrote. So the exhaust theory doesn't hold water?

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

You guys have to realize that when any person makes the incredibly stupid decision to buy a Harley they have to do everything possible to eake out as much horsepower as they can.

Remember they just got done dumping $3-5K more on an inferior motorcycle.

For way less money they could have got almost double the HP, reliability, handling and performance as well as WAY better gas mileage by purchasing any number of other motorcycles.

Most of these guys are in the "Hardley gang" so they can dress up in a costume and act tough, the overpriced POS motorcycle is an accessory like a purse.

Except the purse has more horsepower just like most lawnmowers.


Buy British.

[polsongrizz]

the overpriced POS motorcycle is an accessory like a purse.

Except the purse has more horsepower just like most lawnmowers.


Buy British.

Isn't that a purse on that Triumph gas tank...

[Grizalltheway]

You guys have to realize that when any person makes the incredibly stupid decision to buy a Harley they have to do everything possible to eake out as much horsepower as they can.

Remember they just got done dumping $3-5K more on an inferior motorcycle.

For way less money they could have got almost double the HP, reliability, handling and performance as well as WAY better gas mileage by purchasing any number of other motorcycles.

Most of these guys are in the "Hardley gang" so they can dress up in a costume and act tough, the overpriced POS motorcycle is an accessory like a purse.

Except the purse has more horsepower just like most lawnmowers.


Buy British.

Awesome, the all American, apple pie eating patriot Alfie openly encourages people to increase the trade deficit. Priceless!

[polsongrizz]

I agree that there should be a noise level law, but that is not the reason for the snowmobile caps. My first visit to Yellowstone was on a snowmachine. I have been in the park only three times during the summer and maybe 50 during the winter. The inherent problem with snowmobiles is the time of year they are there, winter. Anybody who lives in Missoula knows what happens when inversions hit during this time of year, smog to no end without let up. When you have a few hundred smowmachines idling during the winter the exhaust fumes are horrendous. With the advent of the four cycles this abated the problem somewhat, but it is still a problem. Most people who spend any time in West Yellowstone have done the park routine and are over it. They now spend their time on the trails and riding powder around the park.

Yellowstone Snowmobile Cap


CHEYENNE, WYOMING - A federal judge says he may not have authority to block the federal government's plan to reduce snowmobile traffic in Yellowstone National Park and neighboring federal lands.

The State of Wyoming wants U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer of Cheyenne to block the National Park Service from enacting a temporary plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as well as for the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway.

The Park Service last month announced that it plans to limit snowmobiles to 318 per day while it drafts a permanent plan. Brimmer had earlier set the daily limit at 720 snowmobiles. The judge says he may no longer have authority to act on the state's request because a conservation group has appealed his earlier ruling.

[Wedgebuster]

I agree that there should be a noise level law, but that is not the reason for the snowmobile caps. My first visit to Yellowstone was on a snowmachine. I have been in the park only three times during the summer and maybe 50 during the winter. The inherent problem with snowmobiles is the time of year they are there, winter. Anybody who lives in Missoula knows what happens when inversions hit during this time of year, smog to no end without let up. When you have a few hundred smowmachines idling during the winter the exhaust fumes are horrendous. With the advent of the four cycles this abated the problem somewhat, but it is still a problem. Most people who spend any time in West Yellowstone have done the park routine and are over it. They now spend their time on the trails and riding powder around the park.

Yellowstone Snowmobile Cap


CHEYENNE, WYOMING - A federal judge says he may not have authority to block the federal government's plan to reduce snowmobile traffic in Yellowstone National Park and neighboring federal lands.

The State of Wyoming wants U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer of Cheyenne to block the National Park Service from enacting a temporary plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as well as for the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway.

The Park Service last month announced that it plans to limit snowmobiles to 318 per day while it drafts a permanent plan. Brimmer had earlier set the daily limit at 720 snowmobiles. The judge says he may no longer have authority to act on the state's request because a conservation group has appealed his earlier ruling.

Yeah, riding on the roads is boring stuff. In YNP, the speed limit is 45 max, and there are Pine Pigs hiding out in the trees with radar guns to keep the peace.

The real riding is indeed out of West Yellowstone, Lionshead, and Two Tops being prime powder runs. Riding snowmobiles with alcohol content under .01 is boring as hell as well.

Main reason they don't want you off the roads in YNP is so that you don't discover all the stuff the NPS is hiding from the public.

Fly over the park in a small craft sometime and you will know what I am talking about.

[polsongrizz]

I agree that there should be a noise level law, but that is not the reason for the snowmobile caps. My first visit to Yellowstone was on a snowmachine. I have been in the park only three times during the summer and maybe 50 during the winter. The inherent problem with snowmobiles is the time of year they are there, winter. Anybody who lives in Missoula knows what happens when inversions hit during this time of year, smog to no end without let up. When you have a few hundred smowmachines idling during the winter the exhaust fumes are horrendous. With the advent of the four cycles this abated the problem somewhat, but it is still a problem. Most people who spend any time in West Yellowstone have done the park routine and are over it. They now spend their time on the trails and riding powder around the park.

Yellowstone Snowmobile Cap


CHEYENNE, WYOMING - A federal judge says he may not have authority to block the federal government's plan to reduce snowmobile traffic in Yellowstone National Park and neighboring federal lands.

The State of Wyoming wants U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer of Cheyenne to block the National Park Service from enacting a temporary plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as well as for the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway.

The Park Service last month announced that it plans to limit snowmobiles to 318 per day while it drafts a permanent plan. Brimmer had earlier set the daily limit at 720 snowmobiles. The judge says he may no longer have authority to act on the state's request because a conservation group has appealed his earlier ruling.

The real riding is indeed out of West Yellowstone, Lionshead, and Two Tops being prime powder runs. Riding snowmobiles with alcohol content under .01 is boring as hell as well.

Great riding spots. Is riding w/o a BAC of "Flat Out Drunk" even condoned? Not by anyone I know.

Another great place to ride is Priest Lake ID.

[mainejeff]

I hate fvcking loud motorcycles.

[houndawg]

You guys have to realize that when any person makes the incredibly stupid decision to buy a Harley they have to do everything possible to eake out as much horsepower as they can.

Remember they just got done dumping $3-5K more on an inferior motorcycle.

For way less money they could have got almost double the HP, reliability, handling and performance as well as WAY better gas mileage by purchasing any number of other motorcycles.

Most of these guys are in the "Hardley gang" so they can dress up in a costume and act tough, the overpriced POS motorcycle is an accessory like a purse.

Except the purse has more horsepower just like most lawnmowers.


Buy British.

You make a good point, Alphalpha, Harley's are an inferior bike in about any way you want to measure.
Except for getting pussy.

BTW, Sonny Barger himself said the only reason that Hell's Angels rode Harleys when they got started was because that was what was available in quantity after WW2. Early on many of them rode BSAs. His book isn't very good, but it does have some interesting tidbits like that scattered through it.

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Hells Angels are a bunch of pussys hence the inferior bike.

As for the Hardley, getting more pussy, it a wash who would want half the hogs that ride on the back of those hogs.

Victory, Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki cruisers get just as much and the women dont know the difference because well they are women and being on the back of a bike isnt like maneuvering around the kitchen or laundry room.