42 dirt bikes vs a single chain saw (the great irony of race bike sound testing)

cloverdale
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Zionsville, IN US
Edited Date/Time 6/21/2026 11:27am

First, I acknowledge there is already another thread that mentions the humorous side of chain saws...and it is spot on (I can promise you everyone including the rattle snakes were annoyed)! That said, there is a very serious side of to this topic that no one has mentioned. The reason for another post to keep the two trains of thoughts separate.

I understand why the manufactures (executive level - not the race teams themselves) have been pushing for sound reduction. So, we have all this effort going into testing that frustrates the mechanics, team managers and all the AMA officials that have to implement these procedures. 

I was at the event, and the single chain saw was louder than all the bikes combined. Between the races the noise was obviously even worse. A sad situation because the area/valley is extremely scenic vs a track like Crawfordsville. The inherent tranquility is nullified.

More so, if someone like Deegan was ever penalized for not passing sound requirements you can be guaranteed an AMA official would receive a death threat relative to their family. Rumor has it that this has already transpired in the past. For the record - I am a Deegan fan.

I acknowledge chainsaws are already banned and they check for these items at the gate. However, banned items will always get through one way or the other.

 

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Nairb#70
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6/21/2026 7:46am

There is always some drooler in the crowd.

15
6/21/2026 8:23am

Only mouth breathers bring chainsaws to a motorcycle race.

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joneal621
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Paso Robles, CA US
6/21/2026 8:26am

It sounded like a weed eater to me, not the usual chainsaw. I complained to myself the entire broadcast 

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Sparkalounger
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6/21/2026 9:02am

Already banned...?

Really?

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The Shop

kawasa84
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6/21/2026 9:14am
joneal621 wrote:

It sounded like a weed eater to me, not the usual chainsaw. I complained to myself the entire broadcast 

Too bad you missed the races. They showed the chainsaw at least three times. Probably more. Was there more than one? Probably

I beleive one reason the chainsaw(s) were louder than the bikes themselves is they were close enough to the interview mic, that the noise was picked up by the mic and carried through the speakers.

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DoctorJD
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6/21/2026 9:22am

Only mouth breathers bring chainsaws to a motorcycle race.

This. And only mouth breathers defend mouth breathers bringing chain saws to a motorcycle race. 

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cloverdale
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6/21/2026 9:33am Edited Date/Time 6/21/2026 11:32am
joneal621 wrote:

It sounded like a weed eater to me, not the usual chainsaw. I complained to myself the entire broadcast 

kawasa84 wrote:
Too bad you missed the races. They showed the chainsaw at least three times. Probably more. Was there more than one? ProbablyI beleive one reason the...

Too bad you missed the races. They showed the chainsaw at least three times. Probably more. Was there more than one? Probably

I beleive one reason the chainsaw(s) were louder than the bikes themselves is they were close enough to the interview mic, that the noise was picked up by the mic and carried through the speakers.

I stood next to the pits all day. There was a lone violator (one saw) across the valley from the pits. He must have moved to the podium area at the end of the race. He ran the saw all day regardless if the bikes were on the track.

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1
aeffertz
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6/21/2026 11:39am

The OEM's are the ones asking for stricter sound requirements.

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HondaTech25
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Maysville, KY US
6/21/2026 11:53am Edited Date/Time 6/21/2026 7:57pm

If its banned then they should go take it from the jackass once they see it made it past, smash it with a sledgehammer and kick them out for the weekend. 

If you dont show you mean business people will call your bluff and do it anyway. 

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ShellyMX
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6/21/2026 12:54pm
IMG 4718 3.jpeg?VersionId=28W tdzqdm3D7bum8TS4CCMVkXt2
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msp332
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San Mateo, CA US
6/21/2026 8:27pm

Good point. The venues are responsible to comply with all local noise laws. Hangtown had noise measurements happening to the north of the track this year. Washougal has spent an unbelievable sum just monitoring noise in legal battles with neighbors. Can you imagine a track's use permit being canceled from violating noise laws over fans' mechanical noisemakers?

Also, hearing damage. I love loud stuff as much as anyone, but even the World Cup banned vuvuzelas.

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Madkiwi
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6/21/2026 8:36pm

Whatever the rules are, that chainsaw guy needed a slap upside the head, fricking overwhelming on the broadcast.

Confiscate the "noise making device" and have security evict the guy there and then. Fuck em.

10
2
ando
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Perth AU
6/21/2026 9:03pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2026 9:04pm
cloverdale wrote:
First, I acknowledge there is already another thread that mentions the humorous side of chain saws...and it is spot on (I can promise you everyone including...

First, I acknowledge there is already another thread that mentions the humorous side of chain saws...and it is spot on (I can promise you everyone including the rattle snakes were annoyed)! That said, there is a very serious side of to this topic that no one has mentioned. The reason for another post to keep the two trains of thoughts separate.

I understand why the manufactures (executive level - not the race teams themselves) have been pushing for sound reduction. So, we have all this effort going into testing that frustrates the mechanics, team managers and all the AMA officials that have to implement these procedures. 

I was at the event, and the single chain saw was louder than all the bikes combined. Between the races the noise was obviously even worse. A sad situation because the area/valley is extremely scenic vs a track like Crawfordsville. The inherent tranquility is nullified.

More so, if someone like Deegan was ever penalized for not passing sound requirements you can be guaranteed an AMA official would receive a death threat relative to their family. Rumor has it that this has already transpired in the past. For the record - I am a Deegan fan.

I acknowledge chainsaws are already banned and they check for these items at the gate. However, banned items will always get through one way or the other.

 

I don't understand your argument - are you saying that because one guy snuck a banned chainsaw into an event that it nullifies sound limit testing on race bikes?

Also no need to blatantly exaggerate to make your point - last week Deegan copped one of the biggest penalties we've seen for a while and I've not heard of any death threats?

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1
6/21/2026 9:22pm
joneal621 wrote:

It sounded like a weed eater to me, not the usual chainsaw. I complained to myself the entire broadcast 

It was a chainsaw. Everyone saw and heard it at the podium.

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Village Idiot
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6/21/2026 9:25pm
joneal621 wrote:

It sounded like a weed eater to me, not the usual chainsaw. I complained to myself the entire broadcast 

Boomslang wrote:

It was a chainsaw. Everyone saw and heard it at the podium.

Exactly. And it's not debatable - Deegan didn't even try to hide it. 😄

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RaceFan
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6/21/2026 10:24pm
ShellyMX wrote:
IMG 4718 3.jpeg?VersionId=28W tdzqdm3D7bum8TS4CCMVkXt2

Anything can be a projectile if someone is annoying enough.

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ShellyMX
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6/21/2026 10:28pm
RaceFan wrote:

Anything can be a projectile if someone is annoying enough.

I like the way you think, sir.

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1
moto5.56
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6/22/2026 3:31am

Was annoying as hell! F that guy!

3
SEEMEFIRST
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6/22/2026 4:28am

Someone must have given the guy the what for at some point because he at least shut it off (mostly) during the interviews.

Not sure why he lasted so long. Must be a tough son-of-a-bitch. That or there are far too many Sallys at Hi Point.

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6/22/2026 4:48am

This all started at 2018 MXdN in Red Bud. The Euros brought over their saws, and the American kids didn't want to be "out done" at noise making.  So the saws started multiplying with the 18V impact train whistles. 

Before that,  the only guy with a chainsaw for the most part,  was standing next to the whoops in Millville in a gilly suit. The whoopmonster. 

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AH387
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6/22/2026 6:19am

1 of my friends actually said something similar, in regards to the saw and the sound levels. We watched the first motos over by the pits and then the 2nd motos on the opposite hill by the staircase infield. But he basically said it's just interesting that all the bikes can be on the opposite hill and you don't really hear them much, but 1 goof with a saw (I have no idea what was done to it but it was insanely loud) is louder, from the other side of the hill. I think at certain times, the mics were picking it up but not always. And that thing was stupid loud. So just kind of funny how the bikes are needing to get more quiet next year, when 1 goofball makes more noise than all of the bikes combined anyways.

4
snillum
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Greer, SC US
Fantasy
6/22/2026 6:24am

You also need your ass kicked if your bring in a train horn.... I'm getting old and I know it. Can't you just scream, yell, and cheer like the good old days? 

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1
6/22/2026 6:31am

Had one near us last year red bud. Every single person around us had to plug their ears anytime he started it. Absolute noise pollution and a fucking drain on the enjoyment of watching the actual race, you know what everyone paid to be there for. 

Stupid neanderthal behavior, but what can you expect when the promoters and riders of this sport encourage it.  

8
6/22/2026 6:39am

How about the next time one of these douche bags brings a chainsaw to a motocross event the legion of annoyed people around that guy confiscates the chainsaw and beats his ass?

How fucking hard would it be to just literally take the chainsaw from the dumbass?

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cloverdale
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Zionsville, IN US
6/22/2026 6:53am
AH387 wrote:
1 of my friends actually said something similar, in regards to the saw and the sound levels. We watched the first motos over by the pits...

1 of my friends actually said something similar, in regards to the saw and the sound levels. We watched the first motos over by the pits and then the 2nd motos on the opposite hill by the staircase infield. But he basically said it's just interesting that all the bikes can be on the opposite hill and you don't really hear them much, but 1 goof with a saw (I have no idea what was done to it but it was insanely loud) is louder, from the other side of the hill. I think at certain times, the mics were picking it up but not always. And that thing was stupid loud. So just kind of funny how the bikes are needing to get more quiet next year, when 1 goofball makes more noise than all of the bikes combined anyways.

Exactly!

3
Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
6/22/2026 2:29pm

Was that dude just revving the shit out of that chainsaw all day? Like, literally, all day? I mean, sure, he was revving it during the podium interviews, and probably the racing, but did he have to yell when he ordered his hot dog or got a beer? 

"EXCUSE ME! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR I'D LIKE A CORN DOG WITH MUSTARD, PLEASE! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR"

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Falcon
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6/22/2026 2:31pm

I can't wait to see the signage coming to a track near you:

-NO GLASS

-NO WEAPONS

-NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL

-NO FUCKING CHAINSAWS

8
2
3strokemx
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6/23/2026 12:14pm
cloverdale wrote:
First, I acknowledge there is already another thread that mentions the humorous side of chain saws...and it is spot on (I can promise you everyone including...

First, I acknowledge there is already another thread that mentions the humorous side of chain saws...and it is spot on (I can promise you everyone including the rattle snakes were annoyed)! That said, there is a very serious side of to this topic that no one has mentioned. The reason for another post to keep the two trains of thoughts separate.

I understand why the manufactures (executive level - not the race teams themselves) have been pushing for sound reduction. So, we have all this effort going into testing that frustrates the mechanics, team managers and all the AMA officials that have to implement these procedures. 

I was at the event, and the single chain saw was louder than all the bikes combined. Between the races the noise was obviously even worse. A sad situation because the area/valley is extremely scenic vs a track like Crawfordsville. The inherent tranquility is nullified.

More so, if someone like Deegan was ever penalized for not passing sound requirements you can be guaranteed an AMA official would receive a death threat relative to their family. Rumor has it that this has already transpired in the past. For the record - I am a Deegan fan.

I acknowledge chainsaws are already banned and they check for these items at the gate. However, banned items will always get through one way or the other.

 

Intersting topic and it got me thinking about AMA Sound Tests and how when it got strict the 2 strokes were failing more than the 4 strokes............

Loudness perception (and frequency)

"Amplitude plays the dominant role in loudness perception. If a sound is played at 50 dB and then the same sound is played at 70 dB, our brains interpret the 70 dB sound as louder. However, frequency also plays a role in loudness perception- a 70 dB tone at 1000 Hz and a 70 dB tone at 16,000 Hz will not be perceived as equally loud, even though the intensities are the same. (For most people, the 1000 Hz version will seem much louder). Our ears are especially sensitive to sounds with frequencies between 300 Hz to 3000 Hz. This is fortunate- most human speech takes place in this frequency band. Our ears are far less efficient at frequencies outside this band."

Chainsaw running wide open with no chain is going to be in the 300 - 3000 HZ (highest perception zone)

4 stroke motocross bike is going to be under 300HZ.

 

Oh, since Deegan used the Chainsaw he technically violated the sound limit and needs penalized  😆
 

3
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msp332
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6/23/2026 3:13pm
3strokemx wrote:
Intersting topic and it got me thinking about AMA Sound Tests and how when it got strict the 2 strokes were failing more than the 4...

Intersting topic and it got me thinking about AMA Sound Tests and how when it got strict the 2 strokes were failing more than the 4 strokes............

Loudness perception (and frequency)

"Amplitude plays the dominant role in loudness perception. If a sound is played at 50 dB and then the same sound is played at 70 dB, our brains interpret the 70 dB sound as louder. However, frequency also plays a role in loudness perception- a 70 dB tone at 1000 Hz and a 70 dB tone at 16,000 Hz will not be perceived as equally loud, even though the intensities are the same. (For most people, the 1000 Hz version will seem much louder). Our ears are especially sensitive to sounds with frequencies between 300 Hz to 3000 Hz. This is fortunate- most human speech takes place in this frequency band. Our ears are far less efficient at frequencies outside this band."

Chainsaw running wide open with no chain is going to be in the 300 - 3000 HZ (highest perception zone)

4 stroke motocross bike is going to be under 300HZ.

 

Oh, since Deegan used the Chainsaw he technically violated the sound limit and needs penalized  😆
 

4 stroke motocross bike is going to be under 300HZ.

False. There is frequency content below 300 Hz but peak frequencies are higher.

Also irrelevant to this post.

2
joshd
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Lucedale, MS US
6/23/2026 6:01pm

I can’t believe someone didn’t take that saw and shove it up his ass!

2

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