New exhaust noise rules

[scracha]

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 limit for this is 97DbA) at their discretion.
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.

If you're really unlucky and the Wof Inspector doesn't have an "appropriate noise meter" they can fail you and force you to go for an "Objective Noise Test" if they think your bike is too loud by "using their own experience". I mean, FFS.


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

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicles/objective-noise-test.html
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/noisy-vehicle.html
http://www.lvvta.org.nz/stdExhaustNoiseEmissions.pdf
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/certifiers/virm-in-service/motorcycles-11-v3a3.pdf

[breakaway]

If you're really unlucky and the Wof Inspector doesn't have an "appropriate noise meter" they can fail you and force you to go for an "Objective Noise Test" if they think your bike is too loud by "using their own experience".

Quit going to VTNZ testing center and go to a place that understands bikes?

[scracha]

Quit going to VTNZ testing center and go to a place that understands bikes?

But you and McJim are missing my point.

My point wasn't that most bikes will fail the test. 100DbA is totally acceptable. Hell, I personally think it should be lower.

My point was that any copper can stick a green sticker on your motorcycle and subjectively force you to take the "Objective Noise Test" (not the Subjective one). Breakaway's point about going to "a place that understands bikes" is now irrelevant as once green stickered, your regular motorcycle WOF place don't have the power to remove the green sticker.

You know. 150 fine for no reflector. 200 cos I can't see his numberplate clearly and lets inconvenience this cheeky motorcyclists by having him spend half a day getting his bike tested and have him pay another 200 for the privilage.

Bit more info, noise test is 0.5m away at 45 degrees.

[98tls]

Could get very annoying for those of us living in small towns with a copper that has a problem with motorcycles.Irrelevant of how noisy the bike is its a huge pain in the arse to get it to the nearest place that can test it.

[Patch]

One more notch in the politician's belt to inconvenience some eh??

[Motu]

It's going to be fun tomorrow.The ''Quick Test'' with a Db meter is not compulsory,and the place I work for is not going to buy one - the policy will be ''Too loud,come back with a cert''

The db limits in the VIRM are lower than regulation,so any testing will be below the limit and they won't be passing vehicles over the limit.For a bike the max is 100db,but in the VIRM it's 97db.

This new regulation has been brought in because of public complaints - if you are a public complainer...on any level - thank you.

[breakaway]

But you and McJim are missing my point.

Ah ok I see now. :pinch:


Bit more info, noise test is 0.5m away at 45 degrees.

In relation to?

<img src='http://comers.citadel.edu/courses/Cs217f04/students/hookerc/myperspics/MeWheelie2.jpg'/>

Is that 45 degrees? :lol:

[Motu]

The ''Quick Test'' (45deg,500mm from outlet) is practically impossible in any workshop or testing station,and where I work SH1 and the Main Trunk Line are right outside the door.I tested my bike in my nice quiet backyard the other day (read post in exhausts) and got a good reading.In a city that is almost impossible.

[McJim]

I mentioned in the other thread recently:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1580497#post1580497
If you fit a cat like this is can reduce the noise reading too.

Seriously though what you are saying just puts us a the mercy of the coppers but then again we have been for some time. "You were speeding", "No I wasn't", "Prove it or pay the fine", "Howdya prove a negative?", "S'your problem, here's the ticket have a nice day"

We will just have to trust them.

[Motu]

You have been at the mercy of cops re subjective/objective noise tests for some time - nothing has changed there regarding the new rules.

[Biggles2000]

Nothing has changed we have been at the mercy of the police since the motorcycle was invented. I am supprised they set the level at 100db, 100db is farking loud for any bike.

[Deano]

The ''Quick Test'' (45deg,500mm from outlet) is practically impossible in any workshop or testing station,and where I work SH1 and the Main Trunk Line are right outside the door.I tested my bike in my nice quiet backyard the other day (read post in exhausts) and got a good reading.In a city that is almost impossible.

If the background noise level is less than 10dBA of the measured exhaust level, there should be no background contamination.

The background noise level in a city should not be more than 90dBA, so as long as you are measuring in a free field situation, there should be no problem with the measurement IMO.

[scumdog]

Nothing has changed we have been at the mercy of the police since the motorcycle was invented. I am supprised they set the level at 100db, 100db is farking loud for any bike.

Thngs will change around here soon for boiracers, mark my words..

[Deano]

Thngs will change around here soon for boiracers, mark my words..


Burn them !!

[Gremlin]

hmmm i wonder how you go about getting a free idea of how loud it is... from memory, my old bike went over 100db at idle, and wasn't loud.

New bike is definitely louder, and 4500rpm is quite a lot. Given the old test was with a phone db meter... don't know how accurate it is.

Would be happy to find out, make adjustments if I really have to, but would rather not have to go through that at 10pm at night, and walk somewhere...

[Ocean1]

hmmm i wonder how you go about getting a free idea of how loud it is... from memory, my old bike went over 100db at idle, and wasn't loud.


Unless it idled bloody fast or was powered by a scramjet I very much doubt the old bike made 100dba at idle.

The scale is logarithmic wrt the quantity of energy involved. Our perception of the sound is also non-linear, most of us perceive a six to ten dB increase to be about a doubling of “loudness”, changes of less than about three dB are not really noticeable.

Leme see…

Here: http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html

[Gremlin]

Unless it idled bloody fast or was powered by a scramjet I very much doubt the old bike made 100dba at idle.
nope, was normal... around 2-3000 rpm hit levels around 107db...

reading the pdf very carefully, (relevant guff starts around pg 10) the key points for a 4 stroke 4 cyl (ie, zx10) would be 0.5m away from pipe, at a 45 degree angle, at least 200mm off the ground, and at 4500rpm (not including environment conditions). Looks like I will have pull the mobile out, and get another reading, as I think I measured directly behind the pipe, but at distance. There is also mention that the microphone has to be insulated with a foam windshield during test, so it isn't direct, and a more ambient sort of measurement (section 2.8(3) a) )

However, there is an extra kicker. Section 2.8(8) makes provision for "multi-mode exhaust systems" - which I basically read that removable baffles would be removed as well, or would seem likely. In that case, it would appear you are measured on the loudest measurement (most likely the baffle out). :blink: This also makes sense as the system is then stickered for compliance, and appears to remain active until the system is modified. It would appear you can't comply with the baffle in, then remove it :shifty: (because of the rule above, about how a measurement is taken, as they wouldn't be able to sticker the system in a way to prevent you removing baffles)

Basically, I would rather be proactive, than have bad cops constantly shit stirring for extra annoyance, or being green stickered resulting in extreme inconvenience. Does also make it tempting however if the cop is nasty, and despite compliance makes you do another test. On passing, I would be invoicing the police for the lost time to the company on an hourly basis... rather not start that shit fight tho. :mellow:

[ajturbo]

Could get very annoying for those of us living in small towns with a copper that has a problem with motorcycles.Irrelevant of how noisy the bike is its a huge pain in the arse to get it to the nearest place that can test it.

but i used to think oamaru was such a big place....:whistle:

[boomer]

nope, was normal... around 2-3000 rpm hit levels around 107db...

Man, your full of shit.

100dB's at idle my ass... :bye:

[Tank]

I wonder how they get on for bikes with no RPM gauge.

If your bikes borderline - how can the prove that it fails with no way of accurately measuring the rpm?

[slimjim]

nope 100 is good, loud enough to save lifes

[vifferman]

nope 100 is good, loud enough to save lifes
But not the baby fur seal whales? :weep:

[scumdog]

nope 100 is good, loud enough to save lifes


That ranks right up there with "Lets have a KB wave" statement.:bash:

[Mikkel]

The scale is logarithmic wrt the quantity of energy involved. Our perception of the sound is also non-linear, most of us perceive a six to ten dB increase to be about a doubling of “loudness”, changes of less than about three dB are not really noticeable.

An increase of 3 dB is equivalent to a doubling of the intensity.

The low-down on decibels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel). And sound pressure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_pressure).

A 100 dB is a loud exhaust. Most racetracks have a 90 or 95 dB limit (I think the signs at Ruapuna says 95 dB limit). However, it is also important where the measurement is taken. Is it at 1 meter, 1 mm or 1 km from the exhaust? It would have to be consistent to make any sense in the first place.

[Morcs]

Just as well I have the baffle still in on the dr's yoshi....

with it out, its a shite site louder than my TL with a set of Two bro's...

Hopefully this law will nail the suckers in shite cars with their exhausts - im sure theyll replace them with louder duf-duf stereos though...

[skidMark]

Just as well I have the baffle still in on the dr's yoshi....

with it out, its a shite site louder than my TL with a set of Two bro's...

Hopefully this law will nail the suckers in shite cars with their exhausts - im sure theyll replace them with louder duf-duf stereos though...


Hey man, my honda civic we used to roll to pool in was awesome.

My chick mate who bought it totalled it into the back of a van on the motorway like a month ago though.

I blame the cut springs. :whistle:

[scumdog]

Hopefully this law will nail the suckers in shite cars with their exhausts - im sure theyll replace them with louder duf-duf stereos though...

Don't worry - they CAN be nailed for that too...

[R6_kid]

Shares in racefit exhausts just went down 5 points!

[Sanx]

A 100 dB is a loud exhaust. Most racetracks have a 90 or 95 dB limit (I think the signs at Ruapuna says 95 dB limit). However, it is also important where the measurement is taken. Is it at 1 meter, 1 mm or 1 km from the exhaust? It would have to be consistent to make any sense in the first place.

Most racetracks have a sound limit at the boundary. Your bike cannot produce any sound that exceeds the set dB rating when measured at the edge of the racetrack's property.

Given that the spl decreases with distance, 100dB at 0.5m is nowhere near comparable to 95dB at 10 metres or so. I wouldn't be surprised if the 100dB at 0.5m rule got quite a lot of bikes...

[ukusa]

Has anyone had their bike noise tested yet? Maybe a garage owner/WOF tester who has the equipment. Would be keen to see make/model/pipe & result.

[barty5]

i ahve been told there is a sound meter that can be bought from Jcar for bought $150 that is able to be used as it is able to be re calibrated thinking bout getting one for work shop soon.

[Motu]

Has anyone had their bike noise tested yet? Maybe a garage owner/WOF tester who has the equipment. Would be keen to see make/model/pipe & result.

A noise test at a WoF station is still only a subjective test,it's not official....only to confirm if it's too noisy or not.And they will fail over 97db,when the limit for a bike is 100db.You don't want to fail because a train went past....that's why you need the controlled environment of the objective test centers.

[ukusa]

i ahve been told there is a sound meter that can be bought from Jcar for bought $150 that is able to be used as it is able to be re calibrated thinking bout getting one for work shop soon.

I can just imagine the boys getting it out after a few cold ones, seeing who can fart the loudest.:laugh:

[scumdog]

A noise test at a WoF station is still only a subjective test,it's not official....only to confirm if it's too noisy or not.And they will fail over 97db,when the limit for a bike is 100db.You don't want to fail because a train went past....that's why you need the controlled environment of the objective test centers.


The good thing (for me) is:

When it comes to boiracercars I can stick a green sticker on their windscreen because I believe the zorst noise is "louder than the vehicle originally was from the factory"

Hoo-haa!!:Punk:

[peasea]

The good thing (for me) is:

When it comes to boiracercars I can stick a green sticker on their windscreen because I believe the zorst noise is "louder than the vehicle originally was from the factory"

Hoo-haa!!:Punk:

You big, rufty, tufty copper you.

Actually, I hate loud anything, unless it's a Top Fuel drgatsre on a race track, even HD's that are too loud irritate me. I say go for it, shut the dorks up.

Half the noise of a good machine is induction noise anyway, so if you keep your boot out of it (or your hand off it, ironically) you can pretty much get away with any good exhaust system. Good doesn't mean loud.

:devil2:

[AllanB]

Ah what a lot of moans!

A few thoughts.
1.
100db is way to loud - so just be thankful it has been set at a stupidly high level.
2.
So you have spend $800 plus (easy) on your aftermarket pipes -unless they are 'race only' they should have come with a db killer insert and will be stamped as compliant. With this in place you will be lucky if they put out 90db. Don't bitch after you have removed it.
3.
If you are buying aftermarket pipes ensure they are compliant - check for EU approved ones.
4.
Go to a bike shop for your WOF
5.
A cop is picking on you after pulling you over? - why did you get pulled over? I have personally found when they are doing a bike blitz and checking 'papers' unless your bike looks or sounds like a piece of shit they do not look any further than the paperwork.
6.
The days of open pipes and heaps of nose are over - that RX7 with the big bore pipe that pisses you off is no different to a bike with a rowdy pipe pissing someone else off.

Bastards - now I feel like an old fart.

[peasea]

Ah what a lot of moans!

A few thoughts.
1.
100db is way to loud - so just be thankful it has been set at a stupidly high level.
2.
So you have spend $800 plus (easy) on your aftermarket pipes -unless they are 'race only' they should have come with a db killer insert and will be stamped as compliant. With this in place you will be lucky if they put out 90db. Don't bitch after you have removed it.
3.
If you are buying aftermarket pipes ensure they are compliant - check for EU approved ones.
4.
Go to a bike shop for your WOF
5.
A cop is picking on you after pulling you over? - why did you get pulled over? I have personally found when they are doing a bike blitz and checking 'papers' unless your bike looks or sounds like a piece of shit they do not look any further than the paperwork.
6.
The days of open pipes and heaps of nose are over - that RX7 with the big bore pipe that pisses you off is no different to a bike with a rowdy pipe pissing someone else off.

Bastards - now I feel like an old fart.

...and you sound like one too.

While we're on the subject; I doubt that at your age you could trust a fart.

I certainly (thffftttrrrt) cant.

[Motu]

The good thing (for me) is:

When it comes to boiracercars I can stick a green sticker on their windscreen because I believe the zorst noise is "louder than the vehicle originally was from the factory"

Hoo-haa!!:Punk:

Me too - piss me off and your exhaust fails....because I can.Just part of the small man syndrome.I wish all WoF testers could be issued with those tall Russian cop peaked hats,then I could really get into the part.But my Supertrapp passed this week....must of caught myself on a good day.:shifty:

[Ixion]

Me too - piss me off and your exhaust fails....because I can.

Not if it's standard OEM you can't. I'm expecting some interesting arguments about the Suzukis. Bog standard, with baffles. Not my fault that a 750cc two stroke makes a bit of a racket.

Interestingly, the T500 induction drone is actually noticeably louder than the zorst when actually on the road. Wouldn't be in a test though , cos it's not under load.

[doc]

Me too - piss me off and your exhaust fails....because I can.Just part of the small man syndrome.I wish all WoF testers could be issued with those tall Russian cop peaked hats,then I could really get into the part.But my Supertrapp passed this week....must of caught myself on a good day.:shifty:

Yep Boiracers are all about attitude. Too dumb to shutup when been caught by Mr plod. Some bikers are the same. Why don't they just shut the fuk up.

[bully]

The good thing (for me) is:

When it comes to boiracercars I can stick a green sticker on their windscreen because I believe the zorst noise is "louder than the vehicle originally was from the factory"

Hoo-haa!!:Punk:

what makes a boy racer??
you gunna ping me for my comodore with a big bore exhaust?

[Motu]

Interestingly, the T500 induction drone is actually noticeably louder than the zorst when actually on the road. Wouldn't be in a test though , cos it's not under load.

Yes,the no load part is going to piss a few people off (those who moan about Harleys and Boi racers) Under no load they are pretty quiet.The OE part should be pretty obvious....but Mohamad and his VTNZ buddies wouldn't have a clue about OE.

[idleidolidyll]

My question is "How loud is a politician?"

Should they also be muffled?

[idleidolidyll]

the day bikes are totally silent is the day more bikers die

loud bikes save lives

[JMemonic]

the day bikes are totally silent is the day more bikers die

loud bikes save lives

What a load of excrement modern cages are so well sealed they can not hear a bike, if you want a loud bike the folks locally who have heard my bike will attest to the fact it is loud, still does not stop idiots trying to run me off the road like the late model Merc who raced up and seemingly was unable to see me in front on her left tried to occupy the same space I was currently in, or the f'in box like Dihatsu (or how ever is is spelt) who seemed to believe that one blink of the indicator equates to 3 seconds before again attempting occupy the same space on the road I was in, this was just this afternoon.

[The Stranger]

The good thing (for me) is:

When it comes to boiracercars I can stick a green sticker on their windscreen because I believe the zorst noise is "louder than the vehicle originally was from the factory"

Hoo-haa!!:Punk:

A couple of questions please.

You can harass innocent law abiding citizens (yes some do exist Scummy) simply because the exhaust is non factory, even if it is not loud?
I'm thinking for example a mellow big bore on a Holden. Actually knowing your affliction that's a bad example, but you get what I mean.

What is the effect of a green sticker?

[geoffm]

I have a noise meter - a Dick Smith one, whcih I have checked against the calibrated one of the fire alarm certifiers.
IMO, 100db/500mm from the pipe at 45 deg is going to nail a lot of bikes, including OEM exhausts of older bikes.
IMO the testing procedure should be a % of redline or similar. My K100 redlines aroudn 7500rpm, a CBR350 os 22k - both 4 cylinders that shoudl be tested at 4500rpm.
Must test mine
Geoff

[rudolph]

The good thing (for me) is:

When it comes to boiracercars I can stick a green sticker on their windscreen because I believe the zorst noise is "louder than the vehicle originally was from the factory"

Hoo-haa!!:Punk:

Would you pull me over if you thought my Harley was too loud?

[Irontusk]

Ah what a lot of moans!
5.
A cop is picking on you after pulling you over? - why did you get pulled over? I have personally found when they are doing a bike blitz and checking 'papers' unless your bike looks or sounds like a piece of shit they do not look any further than the paperwork.

Bastards - now I feel like an old fart.

Half the times I've been 'pulled over' I wasn't even moving to start with, they just decided they should check me over. The time inbetween those (all within 1 week I should add) I was out seeing if I had fixed the miss that my car had, when I got pulled over and accused of setting fire to a car, merely because I have an old Commodore. :clap:

[gunrunner]

Just had my Vmax complied just over a week ago , it flew thru but said there wasnt much in it (stock twin exhausts ) they said its more just targeting the modded ones .:rockon:

[Ixion]

Got a WoF for the Vriago on Friday, from a VTNZ type place. It's non standard zorst , two into one (though only a biker would realise) and fairly loud, subjectively. Not that absurd Hardley loud, but loudish. Though deep note. tester didn't even look at it, all good.