US: Bill proposed to restrict bike exhaust noise levels

[Bob]

A Bill has been presented in New Hampshire that, if passed, will impose a restriction on motorbike noise levels. The bill would make motorcycle exhaust pipes or engines that produce more than 110 decibels of noise illegal.

Currently riders can modify their exhaust systems as long as the sound stays under 106 decibels.

A car horn is about 110 decibels.

(Newshound note - yup, I spotted that you can modify systems as long as the sound is below 106 decibels, but the law is making over 110 decibels illegal. Without being an expert on US legislature, I'm assuming that over 110 decibels is more of a "You naughty Boy, go home and make it quieter. Now have a good day, y'all" type of offence, rather than a "You're arrested and we're crushing your bike into a nice neat cube of metal" one)

[Skyryder]

I'll happen here in the not too distant future. Mainly as a measure against boi racers. Was talking to a cop the other day and seems the problem is not the decebal leval but at what point the measurment is taken. Is the engine at idle or at aceleration?

Skyryder

[Waylander]

A Bill has been presented in New Hampshire that, if passed, will impose a restriction on motorbike noise levels. The bill would make motorcycle exhaust pipes or engines that produce more than 110 decibels of noise illegal.

Currently riders can modify their exhaust systems as long as the sound stays under 106 decibels.

A car horn is about 110 decibels.

(Newshound note - yup, I spotted that you can modify systems as long as the sound is below 106 decibels, but the law is making over 110 decibels illegal. Without being an expert on US legislature, I'm assuming that over 110 decibels is more of a "You naughty Boy, go home and make it quieter. Now have a good day, y'all" type of offence, rather than a "You're arrested and we're crushing your bike into a nice neat cube of metal" one)

Shite that's gotta suck.

BTW Just a note but in New Hampshire they do not say "Y'all"

[sAsLEX]

I'll happen here in the not too distant future. Mainly as a measure against boi racers. Was talking to a cop the other day and seems the problem is not the decebal leval but at what point the measurment is taken. Is the engine at idle or at aceleration?

Skyryder

luckily there is already standards aye, but you know our lot will make up their own bodgy stanards rush them in to law without thinking!

Bugger, put that last post as a new thread... oh well

To ascertain how this 86dBA is measured you need to follow ISO 362 (practically identical to BS 3425).
There are conditions over 6 pages with all the details but these are the guts of it

-measurements shall be made in a level open area with no reflecting items (buildings, boulders, fences etc) within 50m.
-There shall be a minimum of 20metres square of ashphalt or similar road surface (that has to comply with ISO 10844... I did say it wouldn't be simple!) with a further minimum 10m stretch at either end (at least 3m wide) prior to entering the 20x20 area.
-The microphone is 7.5m away from the centreline in the middle of the 20x20 area
-4 measurements are made per side .. ie vehicle does at least 8 passes
-vehicle must be warmed up first
-As the bike approaches the 20x20m area it must be doing 50km/hr in 2nd and/or 3rd gear (if 5 forward gears or more are fitted). The bike then accelerates hard across the 20m and then the throttle is closed as the rear of the bike passes the 20m line
-if the engine RPM's exceed the maximum net power point, the test is done only in 3rd gear, otherwise both 2nd and 3rd are used
-minimum of 4 consecutive measurements must be done and be within 2 dB



and it goes on and on... (incidentally I do realise I'm the only one interested at this stage!)


anyway... the reason I write all this is because the friendly man at LTSA mentioned that PIGS Ltd. have tried to prosecute some Harley owners with loud pipes. However, as is sadly oh-so-common in the field of acoustics, they didn't know their arse from their elbow and the cases got thrown because the cops didn't seem able to provide evidence as to what the law even was, let alone that the bikes were legitimately tested!
Apparently they tested them in warehouses in an attempt to get louder readings (I imagine they stood behind the bike and revved its arse off to!)

[SARGE]

A Bill has been presented in New Hampshire that, if passed, will impose a restriction on motorbike noise levels. The bill would make motorcycle exhaust pipes or engines that produce more than 110 decibels of noise illegal.

Currently riders can modify their exhaust systems as long as the sound stays under 106 decibels.

A car horn is about 110 decibels.

SHIT MAN... MINES 106 AT IDLE...LOL

[Waylander]

SHIT MAN... MINES 106 AT IDLE...LOL

Wonder what mine is at...

Have to get it tested at idle, 2500rpm and 3500rpm sometime...

[Squiggles]

i get the feeling my 2stroke will be a mile off 106...

[Lou Girardin]

110 db is bloody loud. They were proposing 83 in NZ. Now they're talking about 95.

[Pixie]

My Micron says... FIM test 102 db,not for road use

[vifferman]

I'll happen here in the not too distant future. Mainly as a measure against boi racers. Was talking to a cop the other day and seems the problem is not the decebal leval but at what point the measurment is taken. Is the engine at idle or at aceleration?

As Lou said, 110db is pharkin loud, and most bikes are 94.
The measurements are usually taken at 3/4 of the maximum revs, but there are differences as to where the meter is placed, with it usually being slightly off to one side and behind the vehicle. The distance varies.
However, all this depends on too many other variables, like ambient noise, whether it's measured in the open air (and if so, if it's windy or calm, what direction the wind comes from) or in a building, if there are structures/objects to reflect the sound or absorb it, etc etc. Some tests have the vehicle driving past (so tyre and drivetrain noise is adding in) while others have it stationary.
So the whole thing is a HUGE can of worms.

[vifferman]

My Micron says... FIM test 102 db,not for road use

The Satantune curently says, "RAAAAAAAARRRR!!!", but if I pull the restrictor out, it says,
"RAAaaAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!!"

And if I put the standard restrictor in, it says, "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...", or summat like that.

[The Stranger:Me]

See

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-safe...haust-wof.html

Pretty scarey as it is a subjective test as it is worded here.

[ManDownUnder]

No worries for me on this one anyway - the RF is nice and quiet... I prefer quiet bike... except the hown which I'm importing...

139dB he he he...

Cut me off NOW you bastard

PPAAAAAARRRRPPP!

[The Stranger:Me]

Yeah I prefer a quiet bike too.
But, there is a certain element of enjoyment when LooseBruce goes past you at 130 on one wheel and the exhaust makes you jump out of your skin. I know I should have seen him coming from behind (that sound bad aye?) but at least he woke me up.

I hate laws though that introduce uncertainty or ambiguity and/or effectively mean you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Or dumb knee jerk laws.

According to the ltsa for it to be a problem it must be noticeably AND significantly louder. Please define "significantly louder"

And I hate dickhead politicians (is ther any other kind?) like the minister for transport saying that this law would help stop boy racers. What? Is this really going to slow them down?

And we have cars go past our place and at times the light fittings are rattling.
You don't hear the exhausts, but you hear the stereo's. And feel them.

Ok rant over. Back to work.

[Motu]

It's most important you keep on the right side of your Wof inspector,if you upset him with your arguments about how your bike blah,blah,blah,your bike will fail no matter how quiet it is.As a general guideline I prefer beers like Mac's Gold,Monteifs etc......