Loud pipes....damn loud!

[usa-vtwin]

Currently 110db - was wondering about wof noise limit, seems I could be a tad over it lol..:innocent:and my pipes DO have baffles inserted!

[Motu]

New regs?? They were in when your bike was new...what's new about that?

[Kendog]

New regs?? They were in when your bike was new...what's new about that?

They might save the life of a pedestrian that gets out of your way.

But when I am in my car with the sounds going I can't hear you, so they won't save your life.

[Kickaha]

Loud pipes saves lives...:

Bullshit they do, in a late model vehicle with the wndows up and radio going you don't hear anything until they are alongside

[Headbanger]

Bullshit they do, in a late model vehicle with the wndows up and radio going you don't hear anything until they are alongside

Cool, at least we loud bastards wont get side-swiped.

And its evident after spending a bit of time making noise that more people hear the bike then not, Its kind of obvious as the entire carload turn their heads around top see what the noise is all about.

So, Bullshit to you.

[Molly]

Loud pipes saves lives...but they make it hard to get a wof lol... I dont have the original quiet pipes for my harley as the previous owner had sold em! Anyone had the same prob with the new regs?:innocent:

Which WOF place you having problems with? I wasn't aware that there were any hard and fast rules on noise as yet. For instance, even if there is a DB limit, at what RPM and what distance / elevation from the pipes?

Whilst we're on the subject, I think people often confuse volume with tone. Loud pipes can and often do sound fuckin' shit. For my Fat Bob I copied the internals on some performance pipes I'd seen and altered my stock slip-ons to something similar. They sound great but wouldn't piss anybody off.

Nice bike by the way.

[YellowDog]

et voila

http://www.toolparts.co.uk/acatalog/4_Stroke_Exhaust_Baffles.html

Stick one of these in each pipe for the WOF and your problem will be solved.

[idleidolidyll]

They might save the life of a pedestrian that gets out of your way.

But when I am in my car with the sounds going I can't hear you, so they won't save your life.

you'd hear mine

[The Pastor]

my mate can pick my bike out as i ride past his place everyday on the way to work.

[Kickaha]

Cool, at least we loud bastards wont get side-swiped.

And its evident after spending a bit of time making noise that more people hear the bike then not, Its kind of obvious as the entire carload turn their heads around top see what the noise is all about.

So, Bullshit to you.


I'm talking from personal experience in my company ute with windows up and radio on I haven't ever heard a bike with loud pipes before they are alongside, including those poxy loud piped Harleys :bleh: I've seen them well in advance of that but hear them? not a chance (yes my hearing has been checked)

http://blog.places2ride.com/2008/06/loud-pipes-play-rap-music.asp
http://www.loudpipessavelives.net/
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html
http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp

Actually a good point is made in one of those articles that although there is no proof that loud pipes save lives there is also no proof that they don't

[Headbanger]

I'm talking from personal experience in my company ute with windows up and radio on I haven't ever heard a bike with loud pipes before they are alongside, including those poxy loud piped Harleys :bleh: I've seen them well in advance of that but hear them? not a chance (yes my hearing has been checked)




Nice one, and If you read my post again you will see I never contrested what you hear. What I was referring to was the amount off people that do hear the pipes and then look.

Some don't,plenty do.

The fact you spot bikes visally at a distance and register them for what they are is probably due to you being a biker.

[peasea]

Loud pipes saves lives...but they make it hard to get a wof lol... I dont have the original quiet pipes for my harley as the previous owner had sold em! Anyone had the same prob with the new regs?:innocent:


It's an old song matey, borrow some mufflers, get the wof and then it's 'as you were'. Did it last month for the missus and her Sporty, which isn't THAT loud, so fuck em. I actually don't like HD's (or anything really) that is too loud. Nothing needs to be to perform well.

Except a T/F Dragster perhaps.

[Headbanger]

Nothing needs to be to perform well.

Except a T/F Dragster perhaps.

Any more restriction in my muffler then what it currently has causes a drastic reduction in horse power, Its not super super load but.....its pretty damn load.

Maybe its just a freak.

[peasea]

Any more restriction in my muffler then what it currently has causes a drastic reduction in horse power, Its not super super load but.....its pretty damn load.

Maybe its just a freak.


I've seen some pretty stout engines performing through mufflers that really de-bark the beast. Talk to the midget/sprint car guys at Western Springs; some actually picked up a bit after fitting Supertrapp mufflers to comply with whinging locals. If your engine has a "major" h/p loss with a muffler I'd (respectfully) suggest that the muffler is a lemon.

[Headbanger]

A lemon?, I'd certainly call it flawed. And I have certainly called it some more disrespectful terms then a lemon.

Vance and Hines 2-1 with a V&H "competition" baffle.

[ready4whatever]

stuff cotton wool in the exhaust

[ukusa]

I was there when my America (with aftermarket Harris pipes) got it's last wof. Was asked to hold throttle steady around 2500 - 3000rpm (of course I used the lower of the two), he stood a couple of meters away (not sure exact distance) with his electromeasurethingymajigg & told me 93db. Aparrently the limit was 95. Pass...yes. Not sure on the rules & regs though, because on a sprot bike, 3000 is barely ticking over whereas it's not far off half my redline.

[Headbanger]

My bike is doing 140km/h at 3000rpm....

Anyway, Isn't the guideline half way between idle and redline?

[ukusa]

My bike is doing 140km/h at 3000rpm....


that's fast for neutral

[AD345]

My bike is doing 140km/h at 3000rpm....

Anyway, Isn't the guideline half way between idle and redline?


What is this redline you speak of?

[Headbanger]

What is this redline you speak of?

Lend me bike and I'll find it and report back.

[scumdog]

They might save the life of a pedestrian that gets out of your way.

But when I am in my car with the sounds going I can't hear you, so they won't save your life.

Damn right, the 'saves lives' is mainly a myth.

[scumdog]

Cool, at least we loud bastards wont get side-swiped.

And its evident after spending a bit of time making noise that more people hear the bike then not, Its kind of obvious as the entire carload turn their heads around top see what the noise is all about.

So, Bullshit to you.

As you doing 110kph come up behind mum with three screaming snots on board doing 85kph you can bet she won't hear jack-shit until you're just about alongside.

By the time most hear your life-saving noise the die has been cast - they might hear you for two whole seconds before impact.:bye:

[fridayflash]

roll up a bit off chook wire and shove that in said mufflers hehe

[duckonin]

Damn right, the 'saves lives' is mainly a myth.

Mainly a myth.....it is a myth, born by those with small dicks:Oops: The reaction one gets when passing close to a vehicle making a lot of noise is holy shit, and at that point they are ready to run into you..

Only time we and the entire town hear loud pipes is at night when the town cowboys come out to play after nine at night, even to ride for long distances with loud pipes, you would soon get sick of the noise..:sick:

[Headbanger]

As you doing 110kph come up behind mum with three screaming snots on board doing 85kph you can bet she won't hear jack-shit until you're just about alongside.

By the time most hear your life-saving noise the die has been cast - they might hear you for two whole seconds before impact.:bye:

Your right in that it doesn't really work on the open road, Generally though I would pull up a distance behind the car and then pick my spot to pass, After waiting to see if the driver has noted my presence,at which time a few decibels does no harm at all and may do some good.

I don't see anyone claiming loud pipes gives the rider a force field of invincibility, so there is no reason to act like these claims have been made.

[Headbanger]

The reaction one gets when passing close to a vehicle making a lot of noise is holy shit, and at that point they are ready to run into you..

.

Right, and how often does that happen? never?

20 years on the road I have never had my pipes cause a car to run into me, I think you just made that up didn't you, just so you could reference other guys penises.

Your sick.:crazy:

[Molly]

Let's not pretend it's a safety issue. Some people just like loud bikes and loud cars. Some people like mullet haircuts too. There's no accounting for taste.

Volume and tone are not the same f'kin' thing. My pipes sound nice and deep but wouldn't piss anybody off. I just don't get the need some have to be so inconsiderate of others.

[scumdog]

Let's not pretend it's a safety issue. Some people just like loud bikes and loud cars. Some people like mullet haircuts too. There's no accounting for taste.

Volume and tone are not the same f'kin' thing. My pipes sound nice and deep but wouldn't piss anybody off. I just don't get the need some have to be so inconsiderate of others.

Hey! Easy on the mullet comments brother....:laugh:

[Molly]

Hey! Easy on the mullet comments brother....:laugh:

Aaaaa. It's only coz I'm bald... :-(

[AllanB]

I was there when my America (with aftermarket Harris pipes) got it's last wof. Was asked to hold throttle steady around 2500 - 3000rpm (of course I used the lower of the two), he stood a couple of meters away (not sure exact distance) with his electromeasurethingymajigg & told me 93db. Aparrently the limit was 95. Pass...yes. Not sure on the rules & regs though, because on a sprot bike, 3000 is barely ticking over whereas it's not far off half my redline.

The limit for CARS is 95 - bikes get 100 ear splitting dbs. Sounds like your WOF chap needs to read up on the regs.

[Headbanger]

Volume and tone are not the same f'kin' thing. My pipes sound nice and deep but wouldn't piss anybody off. I just don't get the need some have to be so inconsiderate of others.

So, If I find 10 people who find your exhaust tone not to be to their taste, would that make your point and thus your post null and void?

[Molly]

So, If I find 10 people who find your exhaust tone not to be to their taste, would that make your point and thus your post null and void?

Tone's not the issue. It's the volume.

[Headbanger]

Tone's not the issue. It's the volume.

I was really going for the point that what's acceptable varies from person to person, You have your own ideas of what you want to hear and think thats where to draw the line, Others will have completely different views and there is no doubt I could find a gaggle of people who would be pissed off by the sound of your bike, No matter how much you think its the perfect sound.

But really I'm just fuckin with ya. :woohoo:

[Molly]

... no doubt I could find a gaggle of people who would be pissed off by the sound of your bike...

I guess so. I'm increasingly noticing that there really are some joyless fuckers around.

[Motu]

The limit for CARS is 95 - bikes get 100 ear splitting dbs. Sounds like your WOF chap needs to read up on the regs.

I think you are the Chap who needs to read up on the regs,

[AD345]

Lend me bike and I'll find it and report back.

'snot there I tells ya:

<img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/AD345/Dashboard.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

[johnben2]

it’s because of this disunity and discussion here that Mr Ltsa and all their and our Govt leaders get us, we can’t even stand for each other and maintain ground in defence of each other on any subject that may cause a weakness and eventually all our rights on the road, rego costs etc, the same goes for firearm laws, even SKY with superbike and MotoGP coverage, we just get walked over, just imagine how hard it would be if we just agreed to disagree and stood up for each other.
I used to love our culture here in NZ but it’s starting to suck, bad.

example, my son failed a WOF on his GN250 because the new muffler (Taiwanese) was non standard. F%$ off. How does he feel!

:angry:

[scumdog]

I used to love our culture here in NZ but it’s starting to suck, bad.

example, my son failed a WOF on his GN250 because the new muffler (Taiwanese) was non standard. F%$ off. How does he feel!

:angry:

I note your location is Auckland, 'nuff sed.:shifty:

[modboy]

You could always buy Arrow pipes - most (if not all) come with a removable (replaceable) db baffle. Circlip, remove and pull out the baffle - when it comes to WoF time - just put it back in. :Punk:

[Molly]

I see you've one of the new Thruxtons. Jolly nice. Did you get it with Arrow pipes? I put Triumph Off Road mufflers on my '06 Scrambler but they sounded bloody horrible.

Anyway, should we all now assume that WoF stations are going to knock back any non-standard muffler?

[Motu]

If it makes more noise than the standard system,then yes....that is the rule.(thank you Boi Racer) If they have a db meter they can test and fail if over 97db....however the limit is 100db.

[AllanB]

Noisy vehicle


Your vehicle failed a warrant of fitness because of a noisy exhaust
Why is checking the exhaust noise part of the WoF inspection?
When your vehicle was manufactured it was fitted with an effective exhaust system, including a silencer. Exhaust gases produce a significant amount of noise. Silencers, as well as any catalytic converters, muffle this noise to an acceptable level. Governments specify the maximum noise levels that vehicles must not exceed when they are manufactured.

When the original exhaust system is modified, replaced or repaired, its effectiveness may be compromised, making the exhaust system louder than the one originally fitted by the vehicle manufacturer. A WoF inspection ensures that the vehicle’s exhaust system is checked regularly for noise output and meets the legal noise requirements.

What are the legal noise requirements?
Until now, an exhaust system was allowed to be noisier than the original exhaust system, provided it was not significantly noisier. As a result of public complaints about the number of noisy modified vehicles on the road, and the difficulty in assessing what ‘significantly noisier’ means, the government has introduced more stringent requirements relating to exhaust noise effective from 1 June 2008.

A vehicle will comply with the new law if the noise from the exhaust system is similar to or less than the noise from the exhaust system that was originally fitted when the vehicle was manufactured.

The exhaust system may be noisier than the original one provided that:
the noise output either remains well below the legal noise limits, or
an Objective Noise Test proves that the exhaust system does not exceed the legal noise limits.
How is exhaust noise checked during the WoF inspection?
The WoF inspector uses his/her experience to assess the noise output of the vehicle compared to other identical or similar vehicles in original and good condition.

If your vehicle is noisier than it was originally, it will fail its WoF unless it is able to pass a Noise Quick Check. If the WoF inspector has a hand-held noise meter he/she will use the Noise Quick Check to find out if the vehicle is well below the noise limits.

If your vehicle has failed its WoF because of a noisy exhaust, it may be referred to undergo an Objective Noise Test.

What is the difference between the Objective Noise Test and the Noise Quick Check?
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.

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.

What do I need to do to pass the WoF?
Replace, remodify or repair the exhaust system so that the noise output is less than or similar to the noise output of the exhaust system that was originally fitted by the vehicle manufacturer, or
Undergo an Objective Noise Test if you wish to have an exhaust system that is noisier than the original exhaust. However, you may still need to replace, remodify or repair the exhaust system to bring it below the legal noise limits. An Objective Noise Test is not required if the vehicle can pass the Noise Quick Check.
Should my vehicle get an Objective Noise Test even though it has passed the Noise Quick Check?
If your vehicle’s exhaust is louder than its original exhaust system and close to the permitted noise limit, then it is recommended that you have an Objective Noise Test carried out. By presenting the label and certificate to the WoF inspector you may avoid the inconvenience and cost of failing a WoF or having to go through a Noise Quick Check at every WoF inspection.

What are the noise limits?
In order to pass an Objective Noise Test, the vehicle must not exceed the following noise limits.

Vehicle type, Maximun
noise level (dBA)
Motorcycle or trike with an engine capacity of 125 cc or less - 96
Motorcycle or trike with an engine capacity of more than 125 cc - 100
Light goods or passenger vehicle (eg, car, MPV, minibus, ute or van)

First registered in NZ before 1 June 2008 - 95
First registered in NZ on or after 1 June 2008, and:
manufactured before 1 January 1985 - 95
manufactured on or after 1 January 1985 - 90

What if I disagree with the decision?
If you disagree with the decision to fail your vehicle, you should first try to resolve the issue with the inspecting organisation or the LVV certifier concerned. If you are still not satisfied, you may raise a complaint with Land Transport NZ, phone 0800 699 000, or download a complaint form (PDF, 64 KB).

Where can I get more information?
A list of approved LVV certifiers can be viewed on the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association website: www.lvvta.org.nz

[Motu]

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.


''Well below the noise limits'' - This is why for WoF purposes and the Quick Noise Test,the limit is 97db.

[AllanB]

''Well below the noise limits'' - This is why for WoF purposes and the Quick Noise Test,the limit is 97db.

Fair enough too, as a hand-held WOF noise test will always have a fair margin of error.

I was talking to a local guy who does the full tests, it's all carefully set up and documented including photos. Costs $150 and you get certificates of approval (if it is indeed legal).

They have actually though about this aspect pretty well and give you the opportunity to have the tests done to certify your ride if the pipes are modified.

What has not been considered and IMO is a fault is they have no allowance for automatically passing imported pipes that pass a lower standard. For example: I could spend $1600 on a set of Leo Vince slip-ons for my bike which pass EU standards (with quiet insert) which are a lot lower than NZ motorcycle noise standards, however this would not be recognised here.

Possibly this will change as a similar thing happened when they started getting tight on braided brake lines, basically failing all unless factory fitted. They now have a set of standards that are accepted with aftermarket lines.

At the end of the day the person doing the WOF check will have the final say if you do not have documents verifying the pipes noise, as it is their ticket on the line.

[Jantar]

...What has not been considered and IMO is a fault is they have no allowance for automatically passing imported pipes that pass a lower standard. For example: I could spend $1600 on a set of Leo Vince slip-ons for my bike which pass EU standards (with quiet insert) which are a lot lower than NZ motorcycle noise standards, however this would not be recognised here.
....

Um, I believe they have...

A vehicle will comply with the new law if the noise from the exhaust system is similar to or less than the noise from the exhaust system that was originally fitted when the vehicle was manufactured

[AllanB]

Um, I believe they have...

Yeah but I also know of WOF places that will fail any bike with a pipe that is not the original fitment on the presumption that it is louder. Despite the pipe being EU stamped.

And good luck arguing with the WOF man that the new pipes you have fitted are 'just as quiet' as the stock ones you removed.

[Motu]

We see enough cheap Chinese lamps with EU markings - you expect us to beleive an exhaust complies just because it has an EU stamp? Or that mufflers haven't been tampered with? The provision is in the regs to fail for non OE exhausts...it is there for a reason.

[Jantar]

We see enough cheap Chinese lamps with EU markings - you expect us to beleive an exhaust complies just because it has an EU stamp? Or that mufflers haven't been tampered with? The provision is in the regs to fail for non OE exhausts...it is there for a reason.

So do you also fail OE pipes as a matter of course because they may also have been tampered with?

The test is "if the noise from the exhaust system is similar to or less than the noise from the exhaust system that was originally fitted when the vehicle was manufactured". And you can use your subjective judgement on that standard.

[AllanB]

We see enough cheap Chinese lamps with EU markings - you expect us to believe an exhaust complies just because it has an EU stamp? Or that mufflers haven't been tampered with? The provision is in the regs to fail for non OE exhausts...it is there for a reason.

Fair enough.

Not intending to be an arse - interested as I'm building a pair of mufflers (and prefer not to shell out $150 on compliance), but in reality, as a bike guy checking WOF's just what do you do a bike with a non OE muffler?

Joe Blogs pulls up with his 'factory' Screaming Eagle pipes.

Hold out the meter or use your own judgement on what sounds OK?

[Molly]

Fair enough.

Not intending to be an arse - interested as I'm building a pair of mufflers (and prefer not to shell out $150 on compliance), but in reality, as a bike guy checking WOF's just what do you do a bike with a non OE muffler?

Joe Blogs pulls up with his 'factory' Screaming Eagle pipes.

Hold out the meter or use your own judgement on what sounds OK?

Also, how does the WoF tester know what was originally fitted to that bike? Surely they'd just have to go by the noise level. That said, checked at a predetermined RPM on, say, a single, a V-Twin, an inline four is going to produce a different volume isn't it?

[Headbanger]

I just had a cunning plan, In involves my pipes and an EU stamp.

[vifferman]

I just had a cunning plan, In involves my pipes and an EU stamp.
It doesn't matter what's on your pipes: if a polis thinks they're too loud, you'll have to have them tested.

I know a guy with an RC45 who made his own muffler (very nice it is too!) The custom endcap is stamped the same as the factory ones, completed with "92dbA". He still has to button off on tracks in the US with sound booths, as he goes past. Probably because it's considerably louder than the stamp says it is...

[Headbanger]

It doesn't matter what's on your pipes: if a polis thinks they're too loud, you'll have to have them tested.

.

Yeah, I was making a funny.

LMFAO, I do laugh at my own jokes so its cool.

Getting a WOF is the easy part, Its the doing a U turn and burning rubber because the cop has been listening to your approach for 5 blocks that gets tricky.

[AllanB]

Yeah, I was making a funny.

LMFAO, I do laugh at my own jokes so its cool.

Getting a WOF is the easy part, Its the doing a U turn and burning rubber because the cop has been listening to your approach for 5 blocks that gets tricky.

Now I'm laughing.

It reminds me of a incident many years ago around Cheviot. A mate of mine was pulled over by a police oficer at the bottom of the hills and told he was getting a ticket for speeding as the cop could hear him winding it out through the hills. :laugh:

It was a loud bike, but 25 years ago no one gave a shit about the noise.

He got off the ticket by writing a short letter.

[rosie631]

I miss my drag pipes. Can't afford to change pipes on the new girl yet. Too much else to do first.

[Molly]

I miss my drag pipes. Can't afford to change pipes on the new girl yet. Too much else to do first.

Rosie. I had my Dyna mufflers modified by a mate (http://www.jonsshed.blogspot.com/) in Dunsandel. They're not just drilled out. He took the internals apart and just kept the perforated tube, put a wider end piece in, an kept the wadding around the outside. They're now like looking down performance mufflers and sound really deep but not loud at all (well, I don't think so). Cop that gave me a speeding ticket the other week didn't seem arsed about them anyway. Might be worth considering if yours are of a similar construction. I think he charges about $100 for doing a set.

[rosie631]

Thanks for that. Had a look at the site but can't figure out how to contact him. Not very computer literate. Do you have an e-mail address for him?
Cheers.

[Headbanger]

I miss my drag pipes. Can't afford to change pipes on the new girl yet. Too much else to do first.

Are there pics of the new bike?

I must have missed them.

[rosie631]

That's it in my avatar. More pics on my profile page. Have some changes planned but will be doing them slowly as finances allow.

[Headbanger]

Cool, as soon as I posted I noticed your avatar....then looked in your profile:shit:

Nice bike:done:

[johnben2]

I note your location is Auckland, 'nuff sed.:shifty:

I live in Auckland, i'm from CHCH and lived in Hamilton for 8 years, Masterton For 1 and other places too, i have a V8 car at 65Db and HD at 97Db (quick test for WOF Man) i now have bought my own Db meter for in the car and carry the Qt form with me on the bike, and have used my Db meter on my car to prove to a cop in Tauranga that it is legal, they say that they dont care, if they think it is noisy, it is.... no matter what the law, thats what makes me angry, the fact that there is a law, that you can be "Legal" and the representitives have the power to green sticker anyone they like and you have to go to an approved WOF (not just anyone WOF) to get it removed and a new WOF for a minimum of $80 even if you just got a wof and he still could do it again 2 hrs later if your on the way home. we need to stand up and make this right!

thats what i mean, and scumdog, nothing personal but just coz i'm in auckland.. dont mean s%^$... it will affect you, it will filter down.....

we have to forget noisy and what constitutes that and focus on what is legal and stand together on the fact.

:done:

[Molly]

Hi Rosie. I think it's: jontrout@clear.net.nz

He's got a few custom made Triumph bits on TradeMe at the moment by the way:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Other/auction-231369053.htm

[usa-vtwin]

and it read 110db with baffles lol...I've got some quieter baffles going in so I'll be sorted for wof.:done:

[rosie631]

Bloody noisy Harleys :innocent:

[AllanB]

and it read 110db with baffles lol...I've got some quieter baffles going in so I'll be sorted for wof.:done:

F-me that's a loud beast!!!!!!!

[usa-vtwin]

But Im not a jerk with it...I'm considerate to the neighbours ( no 6am start ups lol ):whocares: