Off Topic Dirt Bikes

[Motorman]

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[Bob Hunt]

He has a fast bike; get him a faster girl... 

Bob Hunt

[Mike Scholtes]

It sounds like at least some of the activity may be illegal, unless the vehicles are properly licensed and equipped to be on a public road. Also, there are noise limits in most cities, which may not apply if you live outside an incorporated town or city.

What you really need is a civil injunction to abate a nuisance. You start with a temporary restraining order that is effective immediately, then seek a longer term preliminary injunction. You will need to persuade whatever judge hears TRO applications in your jurisdiction that the activity is beyond the bounds of what must be endured and that it serves no legitimate purpose. The defendants would be the owner of the land, and any individuals you can identify by name. Are any other neighbors similarly upset, and are they willing to join you in acting against the landowner? You may be able to handle this by yourself (in propria persona) but the assistance of an attorney would be helpful. There are procedural rules that must be complied with, which an attorney will be familiar with. I would start by going to the web site for your county's court system and searching for temporary restraining orders. The site may have self-help info for people in your position.

Especially if these are off-road-only vehicles it may be illegal to operate them other than in a designated OHV park, as is the case in my state. The more instances of "illegality" you can muster, the better the chances of getting a TRO and then a preliminary and ultimately a permanent injunction against this activity. Even if not a total ban, you should be able to get limits placed on time-manner-duration of the activity. Once you have an injunction, it is a court order enforced by the sheriff in your county. Be persistent with the local police and let them know you are not going away.

Unfortunately there is little chance of recovering whatever legal fees you may incur hiring an attorney if you go that route. Good luck, it sounds like the facts and (probably) the law are on your side.

Just for the record I am retired and no longer in practice, so this is not legal advice.

[Avaiojet]

This is your calling,

It's time to move.

Adventure!

Selling the house with that going on?

Pick the day carefully for showings.

[Dan McEntee]

   I would call the police and have them escort you to the property owner and have a discussion with them. If there is no local ordinance prohibiting them form riding on their own property, then try to reason with them, with the officer as a witness, and come to some agreement for some quiet time. You are Motorman and have some machine shop and repair capabilities, offer to help them with their mechanical problems in exchange for some quiet time. Like the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. If you get to know them ( and since all you do is call the cops on them all the time) and get them to see your problem, you may develop some respect from them. Right now you are just a crabby old man to them. A good, common sense discussion with the parents accompanied by law enforcement may turn the trick. What may help is provide some death notices from the news paper of kids being killed in roll over accidents by these things. They really aren't that fast, but when out of control and rolling the sheer weight of them is quite dangerous. These aren't really dirt bikes, they are an entirely different animal. they originally were and are for the most part utility vehicles. I have ridden and raced off road dirt bikes for most of my life, and I would not let my kids own or ride one in this manor. I'll bet they don't even wear a helmet or any other protection. If you are successful at this, you could be saving a life!
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Mike Scholtes]

I agree with Dan, if you can strike some level of mutual respect and understanding with the people you are better off. Nearly anything is better than litigation, which is a remedy of last resort. In my comments above I sort of assumed you had tried being reasonable but had been rebuffed, both by the police and the people themselves.
There are other sources of local authority such as code enforcement people, who may take action if an unlawful use is being made of the land. But nothing is as quick, and intimidating, as a visit from the police.
On the other hand, there are some arrogant thoughtless jerks in the world who simply don't respect others or care about the consequences of their actions. You seem to have encountered a pocket of them. Try Dan's method, if the police will agree to help. If not, your plans to move to Florida may be the best option.

[John Leidle]

 People used to talk to me & help me realize how offensive my bike was... so I found other places to ride. Try talking to them.
  John L.

[Dan McEntee]

    One of the first things people do with these quads is pull the mufflers off and/or install an aftermarket exhaust that is much louder. I think this is much more obnoxious sounding than a two stroke with a tuned exhaust.  Part of any discussions could include putting mufflers back on. I wouldn't let any one person of situation like this run me out of my home.
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Fredvon4]

We are literally three generations of "me first" society.
Retaliation is now common, not rare.
Be crafty on how to try to mitigate the problem.

We spent one Christmas thru Spring neighbor kid with new quad...loud pipe...terrorizing the county road for hours each day around the time I wanted to watch the news. Brick house, double pane windows. Noise was like deep base thump thump truck stereo...invasive and annoying.

Talked to the parent...told to go f my self
Called Sheriff ..day light no noise ordinance...sorry but no help

Related anger at VFW....happened to have a local Biker group meeting .....think Bandidos ....(actually a club "affiliated")....late as they closed the president found me and asked if they could "HELP"...I said no I don't wish the kid dead....he laughed and said...no one gets dead..just very scared.

So one evening 15 Los Caballeros MC members came to my CR 4330 and parked in front of three of my neighbors. when the kid started his after school run...they followed him home...dad came out to the Harley noise.

The president noticed the dad that his kid was annoying his neighbors and it need to stop. Then they just came to my place, invited me to the VFW for a brew or two.
I think dad sold the racing quad cuz twas quiet after the encounter.
 

[john e. holliday]

I like motorcycles and can put up with the quads.  At times I don't think the motorcycles are loud enough as most people don't look for a two wheeler coming down the road. but if a Harley is loud enough I start looking.  Had too many friends injured while riding.  Have you tried turning the kid onto your model airplane engines?  I know a gentleman that used to have a hobby shop that a couple of kids got some mini bikes that were noisy.  He just pulled out a couple of 1/2A' trainers he had and fired them up.  He stated the kids stopped to see what he had.   Before they left he had them flying solo with the planes.   Let them fly in his cul-de-sac when ever weather permitted.  The kids did not become a bother any more except to want to know when he was flying again.

[YakNine]

Just a question, do you run engines at your home, be prepared to not do that anymore if the authorities become involved, as they say turnabout is fair play. The town where I used to live had an ordinance about weedwackers, leaf blowers etc before 9:00 am . although it was rarely enforced TJ

[Randy Powell]

Start a metal band in your garage. Blast from 7 to 10pm (the cut off for noise in most areas). Agree to quit when they do. 

[Steve Helmick]

Isn't Motorman the same guy that likes to fly his "nitro" planes in his backyard? Maybe does racing engine bench running in his backyard? Perhaps my memory isn't what it used to be, but that's my recollection.    Steve

[John Rist]

In Steve's signature block he post ""The United States has become a place where professional athletes and entertainers are mistaken for people of importance." - Robert Heinlein"

Back in the Roman day professional athletes and entertainers were slaves and scum.  Teachers and scientist were highly regarded and supported.  Today we have it all wrong.