I love snowmobiling, but this is a real problem. Loud sleds are hurting the image of our sport everywhere and shutting down a main corridor trail in the busy UP is likely a catalyst to get the "silent" majority going. Businesses in the area need to start letting all customers know and start a "ban the can", may be offer rewards to those reporting offenders who are caught. This definitely needs to be policed more and we need to pressure our riding buddies into being more responsible and respectful.
The state trail is at least 1/2 mile, probably more straight west of my house thru the woods; I cannot see it or any sleds on it in the darkest of nights. Most weekends, I can hear at least a few of the obnoxiously loud sleds roaring down the trail. When I am at a gas station filling up and a loud sled comes roaring in, purposely flipping the throttle, (ringing the douche bag bell) I fully understand how the non-snowmobiling public can have such jaded views of us snowmobilers. I would like to see the authorities step up their enforcement. When caught, the riders of the loud sleds should be told that their sled cannot be operated any further, have a steep fine ($1000) stuffed into their pocket, and have their trail permit revoked until their sled passes the test.
As part of full disclosure, I do not have a stock exhaust can but it is rated at 87db and know once I crest the hill, you cannot hear my sled anymore. I installed it as it saved 12lbs on my sled. It is my opinion that a "race" can has no place being operated outside of private property or closed race events.