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Special Note:
The Forest Service has created a nice web site with more detail than here. Always check there for the most complete and current information. Click here.
Curfew
The Oregon Dunes area south of Florence is open to riding from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The area between Spinreel and Horsefall (Coos Bay section) is open to riding from 6 a.m. to midnight
The Umpqua Dunes (Winchester Bay) are open 24 hours for riding.
Alcohol
It's stupid to drive while impaired. It's even dumber to have a drink in your hand while driving. It's not a good idea to have open containers in your cooler, either. Many laws concerning driving under the influence of intoxicants apply to OHV operation. See the following for the most current information.
Beach Driving
Check the maps first, many areas are closed. Where open, they are managed by the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation. There is a 25 Mph speed limit and it is enforced at times by radar.
Noise
As defined by state and federal law, vehicle sound is measured by a decibel meter 20 inches and 45 degrees from the exhaust outlet. For ATVs and motorcycles, the test is performed at 50% of the manufacturer's RPM recommendation. For Class II or full size vehicles, the test is performed at 75% of the vehicles maximum RPM.
The limit is 93 dB (check current regulations, it may be less!)
Practical observation #1:
You can do this test yourself using a Radio Shack sound meter. The Forest rangers have indicated that they are accurate enough. The technicians often have a calibration sound source you can use to check the calibration of your meter. For VW based sandrails, they use 3,000 RPM. They carry a portable tachometer. The test results are much more a function of RPM than your muffler. It's almost impossible to pass, regardless of your muffler, if they hold you to a true 3,000 RPM. During the baseline measurements, they often held the RPM just under 3,000 in order to allow people to pass the test. As a result, there are hundreds of records showing that it's possible to pass the test. It is not. As soon as you are required to hold to the true 3,000 RPM or the reading is taken while the RPM is increasing, you will fail (you pass the $100 ticket test, though).
Practical observation #2:
If you have a conventional automotive oval type muffler on your sandrail, no one will probably bother you. This is assuming it's not blown out or you have violated one of the many other regulations to draw attention first. Conversely, if you have a stinger or a stinger with a Super Trapp, you may stopped and measured regardless of other reasons.
Practical observation #3:
All this noise reduction isn't so bad, really. Once you get a good muffler setup, it's rather pleasant. 93 db is plenty low enough and just barely achievable.
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