Motorcycles will begin to sport new stickers in the coming year, now that proof of inspections is required by law to be displayed. The change was hard fought and is generally seen as a step in the right direction toward helping to cut down on obnoxiously loud illegal motorcycle exhaust systems.

We’re glad to see the state worked with motorcyclists to craft this new law, especially compromising about the placement of the inspection sticker. Initially, anti-noise groups wanted the sticker on the front forks of the bikes ”“ a provision that bikers vehemently opposed. Motorcycles cost a lot of money, particularly the custom jobs, and no one wants to put a sticker front and center on their chrome. Many bikes don’t have a windshield where the stickers could be placed, as they are in cars and trucks, so it makes sense to put them on the license plate. Every bike on the road needs a license plate, and that’s where the registration stickers already are, so adding the inspection sticker there will be the least intrusive.

This change is being phased in during 2012, with all registrations being set to expire next March, and the fees will be pro-rated.

For years, motorcyclists have only been required to present their inspection information to a police officer if stopped, but not to display it on the bike. That’s made it harder to enforce the inspection law, simply because the officer would need another reason to pull over the motorcycle if he or she suspected it wasn’t up to standards.

Now, it’ll be easier for police to tell whether or not a motorcycle has an up-to-date inspection, simply by glancing at the license plate. Inspections insure that the bike is safe, from the tires to the blinkers; from the chain, belt or drive shaft to the brakes. Beyond that, an inspector can tell if the exhaust system on a bike is legal or not. Straight pipes and drag pipes, which don’t muffle the engine noise, are not legal in Maine but are responsible for much of the ear-bursting revving that gives motorcycles a bad name with the general public.

The bikes that get inspected have to comply with the law, which will help cut down on illegal exhausts, but United Bikers of Maine had noted, back when the law was proposed, that only 60 percent of the bikes on the road in Maine were being inspected. Requiring a display will undoubtedly motivate more motorcyclists to get their sticker, but it’s worth noting that there will still be legal muffler systems in use that are quite loud. For some who ride, the guttural rumble of the bike is an integral part of the experience, and many legal exhausts ”“ both stock and after-market ”“ cater to that customer.

Though the stickers will undoubtedly help in reining in overly loud bikes, there are two aspects of the law to consider: Enforcement and out-of-staters. If there aren’t enough police officers or they’re not focusing on enforcing the inspection law, a sticker won’t make much of a difference.

And motorcyclists “from away,” ”“ who come to Maine for all the reasons other tourists do, and also for the renowned biker bars, winding roads and lack of a helmet law ”“ won’t be subject to the same restrictions as Maine bikers. If they roll in here with loud pipes and big attitudes after this law is passed, we hope our law enforcement officers will remember their other tools for keeping the peace, such as noise ordinances and prohibitions against unnecessary engine revving.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.