STILLWATER - The St. Croix Valley Riders may roam the area by motorcycle, but they are recommending members bypass Stillwater when riding around the Valley.

In response to what some riders feel is an overly harsh enforcement of the noise ordinance, many have said they plan on boycotting the Stillwater area this summer. Earlier this year, city officials announced plans to step up enforcement of excessive noise, especially where motorcycles are concerned.

"As an organization that promotes safety, we understand that some people don't follow the rules, and one bad apple ruins the whole thing, but as an organization we have already recommended staying out of Stillwater," said Dwight Smith, president of the St. Croix Valley Riders. "People have $30,000, $40,000 bikes, they've got money to spend. If Stillwater doesn't want our money, we're happy to spend it someplace else. ... We can take our money spend it at the bed and breakfasts all over the country."

The offending riders are usually those who remove the baffle from their exhaust pipes and excessively rev their engines. Riders call the act "wrapping" or "cracking" the pipes. Smith sees no problem in ticketing those offensive riders.

Mayor Ken Harycki restated Thursday that the stepped-up enforcement isn't focused on motorcycles - it's any vehicles with illegal exhaust pipes, he said, adding that the city isn't trying to scare away Harley, Honda, Indian and other bike riders.

"You're going after that 1, 2, 3 percent of people that are ruining it for everyone else," Harycki said. "We're not setting up a dragnet to pick up every bike going downtown."

But last weekend, a few riders said they were unfairly targeted by police in downtown Stillwater.

"I call it kidnapping. They had no reason to pull me over," said one rider who wished to remain anonymous.

He was detained with his wife for 20 minutes while police tested his motorcycle equipment and then made him take a Breathalyzer test. He passed both.

"I was just in about second gear, going slow through town. It's harassment, I feel. ... (The officer) just looked at me and said that guy there, I'm pulling over," he said.

In response, the Bloomington resident has already called Mayor Harycki, several City Council members and downtown businesses. He's started passing out fliers and e-mails saying Stillwater is a "biker-unfriendly city."

The Valley Riders - a non-profit, motorcycle-rights organization more than 700 members strong - plans on using the Hudson, Wis., bridge to bypass Stillwater on their rides through the St. Croix Valley. Smith isn't necessarily happy with the plan, though.

"It's unfortunate. That part of the river is some beautiful riding scenery," Smith said. "From what we're seeing and what we're hearing right now, there's just no tolerance."

One thing riders and city officials agree on is that those making obsessive noise should be ticketed. But Smith said one of the Valley Riders' board members was unfairly pulled over last weekend. And Harley rider Dave Hansen, of Stillwater, said five of his friends were pulled over going up Myrtle Street, too.

"It sounds like profiling to me," Hansen said. "You can't just pull anybody over."

But Hansen has watched offending motorcyclists blast their pipes while idling at red lights, as they try to boast whose bike is loudest.

"If they're making a bit of noise - that ain't right," he said, adding that those riders are in the minority.

Agreeing with Hansen is P.D. Pappy's owner Greg Lindow. Near the motorcycle parking at his Lowell Park bar and restaurant he has several signs asking bikers to keep noise low. Lindow regulates the situation at his restaurant, saying most riders are law abiding and don't wish to disturb the city. He's unsure if the current biker recoil will ultimately end up in a loss of business.

"Time will tell," he said.

Aside from the money spent in town, many supporters of motorcycle riding point toward to the charitable donations many bike groups make. Hundreds of bikers participate in the annual "Big Dads' Rev It Up for Charity" event to raise money for children living with cerebral palsy.

The motorcycling community takes part in many positive efforts, Lindow said. When his nephew was killed in Iraq last year, the Patriot Guard Riders traveled nearly three hours to Morton, Minn., in order to block any protesters from disturbing the funeral. The Patriot Guards then drove another 75 miles to the burial site, saying with the family from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.

The motorcycle backlash personally frustrates Daily Grind Coffee Shop owner Megan Keister.

"In a time where everyone is hurting from tax increases and the lack of support from locals, are we really trying to alienate a huge crowd of individuals with discretionary income?" Keister said. "Most of the riders are driving $30,000-$70,000 motorcycles with piles of money in their pocket.

"I own a coffee shop, not a bar, and I can tell you they spend a lot of money at our store," she said.

One biker told her that his group had also suggested people stay away from the town, which she finds "mind boggling."

"Those who wish for quiet in a downtown business district should be careful what they wish for," Keister said.