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Lift regulation on CC for motor scooters for less noise- Biker

- said persons modify their motor scooters to get more power to climb hills
February 12th, 2017 | Tags: motor scooters 3-D Show Doug Wheatley noise bikers
A motor scooter owner has called for the regulation on the size of motor scooter engines to be lifted, saying bikers are forced to modify their engines to get more power to climb hills. he said when this is done the motor scooters make more noise. Photo: Internet Source
Talk show host Mr Doug Wheatley said there have been complaints by persons who said the level of noise from motor scooters affects them from having a good night’s rest. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show host Mr Doug Wheatley said there have been complaints by persons who said the level of noise from motor scooters affects them from having a good night’s rest. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Most times they are just seen as a pack of noise makers, but using his opportunity on the 3-D Show on ZBVI 780 AM on Friday February, 10, 2017, with host Doug Wheatley, a 24 year old biker said the public should not just shun them but rather open their minds and even “ride” on their behalf.

He also called for the legalisation of higher Cubic Centimeters (CC) for motorcycle engines for the territory. It is currently unlawful to have a motorcycle above 125 CC in the territory.

The caller’s remarks stemmed from a previous caller who blasted the bikers and other young people, who in his opinion have no respect for others when they make noise in public and disturb sleep and even conversations from happening due to the loudness of their noise.

Ignorance of the facts

The biker claimed he does not usually listen to the radio programme; however, he stumbled on it and wanted to express his views, which also reflected that of the youth of the VI.

“That is ignorance in my opinion; because the scooters make noise or the decibels of noise level are equivalent to other normal everyday items you hear. So there is no way you can shun a guy for having a loud scooter, just because he passes your house because you wanted to have a conversation,” he said. 

He said it was not his intention to “attack” anyone; however, power in a motorcycle is important especially to climb hills.”

“That is why we do these upgrades,” he explained.

New Era

The first caller also mentioned that in years gone by these issues did not exist; however, the defending biker stated that this is a new era and all the curfews and the many rules and regulations have been done away with.

“This is 2017, I work seven days a week sometimes and I am 24 years of age. Sometimes I have to work at 10 in the night, my jeep is a little noisy, I have my job to do, I have my eight hours to complete, I have my bills to pay, so you want to shun me because my vehicle have a little extra noise and I am below 30 years of age?” He asked.

“These are just things you need to look at before you voice your perspective. This is why the older folks get a lot of disrespect from the youths, because of the way you talk. I know a lot of people don’t like change, you grew up one way and you want it so until you go in the ground; that is not reality.”

More CC, less noise?

The young man said if the engines Cubic Centimeters (CC) were higher on these motorcycles, the noise would be reduced.

“Please old folks, it’s not that we want to make noise with the vehicles. We put on a high performance because we would like more power. Maybe if the CC for the vehicles were a little higher then we would have the quiet muffler. Because the quiet muffler is only restrictive and not worry about performance issues. So that’s something to think about,” he pointed out.

“I am saying, I think 600 CC is ideal, because coming from an experienced rider as well, if you got that power you can get out of sticky situations. Who knows we might even have fewer accidents, it is a possibility, so we might need to look into that.”

According to the law, no person shall import into the territory any motorcycle or part that has an engine displacement of more than 125 CC.

Ride on behalf of bikers

Another point the biker raised was the convenience of the motorcycles for small islands like the Virgin Islands.

“And then if you want to be so caught up in these bikers, how about riding on behalf of these bikers, because here am I driving through the traffic through the middle to get through because it is convenient and then someone opens their door, because they don’t like that I can get through traffic. Someone might see me and willfully cut me off …I don’t think these bikers thing is cleared up among all the ages of this country. We need to not draw conclusions, we need to open our minds now to a younger perspective to actually say what can be done to help these guys instead of just shunning them” 

Problem has to be addressed

Programme host Doug Wheatley said there is a need to reclaim our communities and that means the streets and everything else, adding that it is a matter that needs to be taken up to the level of the Commissioner of Police and see what can be done about that, because the problem exists.

“I think one of the difficulties is how to tackle it. We have to find a way,” he said, pointing out that there is a Noise Abatement Act and Law Enforcement Officers, suggesting that if there are insufficient numbers in the Police force to be able to cover all the angles, there needs to be a Special Constabulary, to help.

Mr Wheatley noted there have been similar complaints by persons who said the level of noise affects them from having a good night’s rest and gone are the days when Sundays’ used to be sacred and quiet.

“So I think the government really needs to do something about this because we cannot have this kind of situation in our territory. There needs to be a period where there is quietude in the territory, not every day from Monday, to Monday can be a day of heavy equipment, pouring…”

39 Responses to “Lift regulation on CC for motor scooters for less noise- Biker”

  • cay (12/02/2017, 11:55) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    some one has to take this matter by the balls
  • 16 year old (12/02/2017, 12:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    They had to know that, when those back then implemented the ban
    • @ 16 year old (12/02/2017, 12:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well, from everything you describe there should be an inner moral sense that was back 1985 then this is 2017
  • pat (12/02/2017, 12:11) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    If we do not elect the right people next election to deal with these issues all this is just talking and wishing leading to sound and fury signifying nothing.
    • pat (13/02/2017, 00:19) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      noise pollution is a serious issue. That includes remote boat models in the lagoons. Unfortunately, it is the stupid people who misuse scooters and cause accidents. Bigger bikes is not the answer.
  • Really Now (12/02/2017, 12:27) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    With reports of accidents and death monthly for scooter riders It's been all downhill ever since in terms of support
  • voter (12/02/2017, 12:29) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
    I firmly support motor bikes reform, and the need to grant legal status to the bigger bikes
    • rattie (12/02/2017, 22:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The roads must be widened to create a bus bay so buses can stop without blocking traffic in Town and having these bikes run into them
  • Nuisance (12/02/2017, 12:29) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    LOL I am sure there are many out there who live on a flat area and can't have a peaceful Sunday at home. If these guys can modify the 125 imagine what they can do with bikes that are bigger SMH
    • Well... (13/02/2017, 16:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with u, I live on the flat and I can hear some of them comin a mile away, drowning out the sound of my tv in passing, 2 am and their loud noise echoes out in my apt, ur absolutely right, I understand what he says about the mods and whatever, but ive seen many a scooter make it up hills quietly enough. some are just modified jus because and are serving no actual purpose.
  • qc (12/02/2017, 12:32) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I feel sorry for the young people who will be held down forever over the mistakes of others on these scooters
  • Lilly (12/02/2017, 12:34) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    So far everything i have heard about these young boys on these scooters has been negative.
  • My girl (12/02/2017, 12:36) Like (10) Dislike (30) Reply
    They need to ban all motorized bikes..period!!!
  • Yea. (12/02/2017, 12:45) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    This guy sounds very responsible. He making some good points. I can tell you as a driver that lots of these bike riders ride very irresponsible.
  • reality (12/02/2017, 13:36) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    As stated by yamaha and other bike makers. Riders above 150 lbs are not for 125cc motor bikes. Government may face serious problems for not acknowledging the requirements by the makers
  • to Jack (12/02/2017, 13:41) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    if they do that, they need to ban all sport cars thats packing over 300 horse power, no mustang, supra, dodge etc
  • Be Fair (12/02/2017, 13:42) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Very interesting! This topic is important to be debated. I can see the reasoning coming from both sides making sense. The issues need to be addressed urgently before more lives are lost and conflicts reduced. All users and players in the community must be considered and a happy medium struck for the good of all, bikers and others.
  • Windy (12/02/2017, 14:03) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    Restrict to 50 CC
  • staind (12/02/2017, 14:49) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    as annoying as these weed wackers on wheels sound a loud bike does make a safer bike...until then tone it down ride safe n remember no helmet no brainz.
  • Music (12/02/2017, 17:05) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Red motorcycle, apparantly larger than 125cc, no plates front or rear, no helmet, driver swerving through traffic, then doing a wheelie down the road. And nobody can stop him, without an accident.
  • Tommy (12/02/2017, 17:24) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    600cc? FOR what? to kill more lives quicker
    • John (12/02/2017, 21:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      If cars with their bigger Engines need four wheel drive when they need more power than first gear, what should bike riders do when they need more power? Tortola is a hilly Island with prolonged steep inclines, we cannot simply adopt a Bermuda law and expect it to work here as we did when we adopted the New Zealand gun law, no analysis whatsoever, just copy and sign. Laws must be BVI specific. We do need a power upgrade for engine size with motorcycles. Six hundred CCs is ok, but certainly no lower than 500 ccs.

      That being said, many of the riders bring these restrictions upon themselves. They were often seen wheelieing(riding only on the back wheel, while the front wheel is up in the air) through traffic or racing on the highway. Riders should ride responsibly and respect other vehicles on the road. Most of the time riders do not use helmets, they do not indicate to the driver ahead that they wish to pass by using their turn signals. Bikers do not turn on their headlights while in traffic or even sound their horn to alert the driver ahead that they are about to pass. If the driver is changing lanes at the same time the biker is overtaking, the driver may be sorry and he may have a dented door but more than likely it is the rider whose brain will be scattered all over the road. Let us all use the roads responsibly, and there would be no need for restrictions.
  • debull (12/02/2017, 19:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    The fact of the matter is that 125cc motorcycles are made for younger people teens or first time riders. These motorcycles have the least powerful brakes,engine power very low and shocks very much low tech. The bigger displacement motorcycles are safer and are designed for adults or bigger body size people. Ask the people in the UK it's for learners 125cc then you are able to have a bigger displacement motorcycles after months or a year. Why can't the police just charge those young guys doing nonsense on those scooters? Why does the entire population have to be limited to inferior quality motorcycles with the lowest techology? Can they not lift the band to older experienced riders? This definitely needs to be addressed. I owned a 600cc motorcycle on the island I'm from and was a responsible,safe rider,I'm over 30 years old but can only get a 125c here. Are you kidding me with all those hills here,it's ridiculious. The Peter pay for Paul mentality is just a narrow approach of dealing with the noise and speeding on motorcycles here. The police should be making revenue for the state by charging the people speeding and making too much noise riding these motorcycles.
  • apple (12/02/2017, 21:23) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    The manufacturer design and performed all necessary test on the bikes. Here a young person who haven't the full knowledge of auto mobile engineering telling me the putting a straight pipe loud noise making exhaust is an upgrade. What is wrong with people in the BVI? This is not an upgrade period
    It's a down grade youth the engine also needs a certain amount of back pressure in order for good performance and thats why the manufacture designed the exhaust the way it is
    • @ apple (13/02/2017, 07:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I wan shake your hand cause these lil ignorant loud noise making clowns don't understand anything about engine upgrades. Another thing is the stupid emergency lights as a style I swear to god the young people don't have common sense the bikes already small and cutting corners on the inside coming down hills or on the roads I swear.
  • simple (12/02/2017, 22:24) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    If riders want to be taken seriously then they need to form a union and display some level of responsibility when riding on our roads. Licensing, insurance, helmets, stopping at crosswalks/stop signs/stop lights would be a good start. I dont know why ppl acting surprised that most of the populace will NOT be in agreement with raising the limit at this point. This one has to be earned not gifted.
  • VG (12/02/2017, 22:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    both political parties have dawdled on this matter
  • west (12/02/2017, 22:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The politicians have played footsie on this motor bike issue going back to the days of Lavity and Willard.
  • facts man (12/02/2017, 22:34) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The BVI roads are really not appropriate for that kind of big bikes
  • 911 (12/02/2017, 23:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Great reporting VINO
  • Grumpy (13/02/2017, 08:19) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    The noise thing is BULL.... I see small (125cc) bikes passing louder/larger bikes on our hill all the time. I have owned bikes from 90CC to 650CC and have never met a hill I could not climb. The ideal would be 250CC on this island, but regardless of size, noise is created to gain attention, not power!!
    • biker (13/02/2017, 09:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Probably you had a 2 stoke cause trust me, those 125 4stroke going up great mountain you have to swerve to get up there on one and strain the transmission!!
  • No (13/02/2017, 08:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big bikes will only lead to even more accidents and more than likely and early death. Bikes are great if rode correctly however here on our little island the majority of the scooter riders are ignorant selfish trouble makers, I have seen them blatantly rush through red lights causing havoc, they pay no attention to road signs and other cars are on their phones and texting and of course dont wear helmets . They are a detriment to a civilized society and the police need to come down hard on them, if they do I am sure they will find they have been doing other crimes also.
  • rules (13/02/2017, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Having a bigger CC bike is not a problem,what we do need is more rules patrol officers on bikes , higher fines security and high taxes on these motorbikes once they are legalize.They are many responsible drivers and riders, so because they are bad ones too doesn't means all have to suffer! I think this is the only place in the Caribbean which bikes over 125cc is illegal, they should at-least start with 250cc to 450cc then from there make the call.
  • teacher john (13/02/2017, 13:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is a good issue for the students or the youth parliament to debate
  • Kil (13/02/2017, 14:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    First of all this rider talking about old folks complaining. Really we younger folks annoyed also.
    Second, Bigger bikes are not the answer and if u really arguing about the CC's having cause to do with the noise, rewind and come again because I know for a fact that these modifications he is talking about is to make the bikes louder. have nothing to do with power. Noise is the rage with yall because so how u feel it will make u go faster. Cut the crap.
    Third, reduced regulations on bikes period will have every single one of yall going bat S*** crazy on the roads like we dont have enough problems trying to dodge riders.
    If regulations are laxed for bigger bikes only then will the death rate go through the roof because yall dont have no kinda consideration for other users of the road.
  • JYD (13/02/2017, 17:19) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I Think that the age limit for riding the bikes need a standard first that is from age 20 and you because you have children from 11+ and up riding and causing lot of confusion on the road so first stop and look cheek the ages that ar causing the trouble. so if the age is set then we can start from there and any child under the age caught with them let the parents pay the cost for them or any damages cause by them, then we will see where it starts with who the owners and if legal to be on the road.


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