Uhoh. Sneaky new noise rules for WoF. Make sure you've got your standard cans.

[Ixion]

The wonderful people at LTSA are proposing an amendment to the exhaust noise rules at WoF time.

On the face of it , it doesn't seem much. Cars drop from 95dB to 93dB, bikes stay at 100dB.

BUT - there's a nasty sneaky twist.

In essence, as things are now, if a WoF tester thinks your zorst is modified AND he thinks it exceeds the 100dB, he can fail it, and you have to get an objective test to prove he's wrong (cost about $200).

The new rules reverse this. If a tester believes that an exhaust has been modified he HAS to refer it to an objective test UNLESS he considers that the noise level is OBVIOUSLY below the limit.

So the test has been turned on it's head. Instead of the tester failing you because he thinks the zorst is too loud, now he must fail you (unless you have standard system) , unless he thinks it definately is not too loud.

Clearly, the intention is a massive crack down on modified exhausts (in fairness, almost certainly aimed boi racers, not us)

New rules are here http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/consultation...ment-rule.html

and the sneaky bit

Clause 3.1 is amended by inserting the following subclauses after 3.1(1):

• “3.1(1A) Subject to 3.1(1B), if a light motor vehicle in Schedule 3 is modified so as to increase the vehicle’s exhaust noise output, the exhaust system must be certified under the Low Volume Vehicle Code in accordance with Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002.
• “3.1(1B) Subclause 3.1(1A) does not apply if the vehicle’s increased exhaust noise output is clearly below the maximum decibel level specified in Schedule 3.”

[avgas]

bastards. the fazer pipe is standard looking. but i was just considereing getting a set of trumperts put on

[onearmedbandit]

Well just as well I bought that std can off of trademe a while back, still got it sitting under my desk at work. And tuning the bike to suit each is as easy as switching maps on the Yoshi EMS I just installed. No dramas for me, currently.

[Toaster]

Anyone need standard pipes for a Honda VTR let me know. They are in mint new condition and will happily sell them.

[skidMark]

Well just as well I bought that std can off of trademe a while back, still got it sitting under my desk at work. And tuning the bike to suit each is as easy as switching maps on the Yoshi EMS I just installed. No dramas for me, currently.

the only maps i can switch is the pages in my wises , lucky bugger lol

[limbimtimwim]

Funny they pick 100db for bikes, I think my GSXR is 102 as standard. Let's me off the hook.

I wonder if dealer fitted at time of purchase count as standard? I mean can you say 'Termignoni? Hey, even if you did say Termignoni, I wouldn't be able to hear you over them. Or the dry clutch.

[surfer]

The rules have been kicked around for a bit and have been on the cards for a while now. They are aimed at the boy racers but there is bound to be some reprecussions for bikers. Even so being overloud isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Ever run a bike with loud pipes and got a headache as a result? Not a good one for yourself. What about the long suffering neighbours who have to put up with it? Bet they love you. Also exposure over a period of time to noise damages your hearing so unless you wear earplugs eventually this will come back to bite you on the bum. So why would you want to be overloud? Oh yeah, already heard the arguement about being heard as well as seen and I do subsrcibe to this line of thinking in this age of the non-seeing moron behind the wheel of a cage.

Before you call me a nanna I have modified pipes that are not the quietest but at least they don't set off car alarms as I blast by. It will be interesting to see the effects of these rules at WOF time.

[Motu]

Yellow draft - the intention is to remove the objective part altogether.Obviously we can't have one inspector passing a system and another failing the same system on the same day just because of what they ''think'' is too noisy or not.For an AVI to think is against the intention of LTNZ.People complain....to stop the complaints we make another rule.

[Ixion]

The reason that bikes get a few extra dB is that they consider that some of the noise recorded on a bike test will be from the engine itself and air intakes - which are much closer to the zorst than on a car.

"Standard" will be what the bike was complied with - normally OEM manufacturers fitment. Slash cuts aren't standard even if a dealer fits them for you when you buy a new bike.

If OEM standard exceeds the 100dB , that's OK, it's what the bike was complianced with.

[HRT]

Rules at present are still the "significantly and noticeably louder than standard" as far as I was aware. Warrant inspectors (for cars at least) have been told the dB limit has nothing to do with WoFs yet and to decide on exhausts as they should have been doing for years.

They are planning on introducting certs for car exhausts, anyone heard anything about this for bikes?

[xwhatsit]

What's the test like? Revving out at 10,000rpm, or quietly ticking over at 1500?

I've noticed that for better or worse (well, probably for our benefit) that the general public seems to have higher tolerance for bike noise. It's like it's just assumed that bikes are noisy. Kind of like lawnmowers. They are frigging loud, but people don't seem to notice them so badly.

[pete376403]

Is the noise test a drive by or static? What revs? Under load or revving free? There are so many variables. How do they eliminate environmental noise? My bro-in-law used to work at Southwards, where they made exhaust systems for Ford and Holden - to get an accurate test of the noise levels, they were tested on cars way out in the outback of Aus, it was the only place where it was quiet enough to be sure they were not picking up environment sound. He told me of one test where a Falcon made more noise coming toward the meter than going away - induction, engine, fan etc was louder than what was coming out the pipe. And not to mention the racket that tyres make...

[Ixion]

The objective test is a static test. It's been around for a while, there are threads on here that have links to the test protocol.

They are not changing the rules about the measurement test. Just changing the rule on whether you need to have it done. Before you had to have it done only if the tester reckoned that your exhaust was too loud.

Now (effectively) you'll have to have it done if you have a non standard exhaust (I've simplified, but that's the intent). So you'll have to have a non standard exhaust low volume certified, like lowering a cage.

It's only a draft at present, hasn't been introduced yet.

[Pussy]

Funny they pick 100db for bikes, I think my GSXR is 102 as standard. Let's me off the hook.

I wonder if dealer fitted at time of purchase count as standard? I mean can you say 'Termignoni? Hey, even if you did say Termignoni, I wouldn't be able to hear you over them. Or the dry clutch.

Just checked the noise label on my 750, yep....102dB with the stock muffler

[terbang]

LTSA, Land Transport Safety Authority. Really, how does a noisey vehicle relate an unsafe one..? Bearing in mind a whole host of other issues out there like driver licencing and training remain relatively untouched, we get noise abatement rammed down our necks.. Pffft safety, bollocks to that as an excuse, its really just a few squeakey wheels (sleepless ones) being oiled. Rated takeoffs out of wellington from now on...