New exhaust noise rules

**scracha** · 2nd June 2008, 11:09

AFAIK the new Exhaust noise rules kick in on the 1st of July. The limit for motorcycles is 100DbA* which in laymans terms is "fakkin loud". To give you an idea, I think most Euro/USA limits are about 80DbA and the tracks here limit bikes to 95DbA.

So whilst the majority of bikes will get through the test no problem (maybe Screaming Eagle pipes and Termi's will be borderline though!), as I understand it coppers and WOF testers will be able to subjectively force us to go through an "Objective Noise Test".

The Objective Noise Test is a stationary tail-pipe noise test procedure based on international standards and can only be carried out by an approved low volume vehicle (LVV) certifier. If your vehicle passes the Objective Noise Test the LVV certifier will attach a label to the vehicle and issue a certificate. The cost of the test is about $130–200, depending on location. It is a one-off cost provided the exhaust system is maintained in good condition and is not modified further.

Add in the the travel time (only 27 testers in NZ), the hassle of getting a trailer/van and the (up to $200) test costs. Now if I'm forced to go for one of these tests and my bike passes, then surely I shouldn't be paying this?

I can envisage some cops using this law to merely piss all off us motorcyclists off when they can't find anything else to stick on us.

WOF testers will also be able to carry out a "Quick Noise Check".
The Noise Quick Check procedure is a simpler and quicker version of the Objective Noise Test, making it suitable for WoF. It is used to assess whether the vehicle is well below the noise limits or referral for an Objective Noise Test is required. The Noise Quick Check can only be carried out by a WoF inspector who has an appropriate noise meter. A fee may be charged for this check.
"Ho ho, non standard exhaust, a few extra bucks for me" might become commonplace when going for a WOF.

*50% RPM or 4500RPM for a Jap inline 4

**McJim** · 2nd June 2008, 11:35

Nah, this was discussed in another thread not so long ago. Motu (who tests vehicles amongst other things for a living) had a scale of different permutations of engine configuration. Essentially mine is a 2 valve per cylinder twin so the noise test is carried out at 2,500 rpm. With a 9,000 redline I make that a tad under 30% redline. Which is handy.