WOF Decibel Levels

[RentaTriumph]

I emailed Phil Garrett at Street N Sport, Chch today and asked him a question about the new decibel standards and how it would effect the average Joe Public. His response is below.
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I have just been to the AA and asked about new noise regs and discovered
that the 90db level that you referred to only applies to cars.

Motorcycles over 125cc are allowed to reach 100db before having
problems, the difference is due to the much shorter distance between the
engine and the exhaust on bikes and the fact that engine noise will be a
factor in the overall reading,

If the inspector believes that the vehicle is substantially louder than
the original exhaust would have been, then they can carry out a quick
noise test to find a level and if it fails then the vehicle is refused a
warrant until a more comprehensive test is carried out by a licensed
operator, in chch there is only one license holder and that is Don Hoff
over on main south road, the test will cost between $150 and $200
depending on the vehicle (not sure how much bikes will be) and is valid
until the exhaust is modified or replaced.
All of the testing relies on the WOF inspector to make a judgement and
pretty much follow his or her instinct and even though in a perfect
world it shouldn't matter, I do believe that the owners attitude towards
the inspector can have an impact on the result, turn up with a clean
bike and a good attitude and you may pass where a grubby bike and a "you
bastard" attitude may not

Anyone care to add their 10 cents worth?. What would an average bike like Triumph Speedmaster fitted with harris pipes emit decibel wise?.

[CB ARGH]

Do your best not to get a WOF inspector on a bad day, if he thinks that the bike's too noisy, you must pay for the small checkup, if it's not too loud, guess what, you still have to pay for it.

Solution: Have a quiet exhaust on the day that you do the inspection, duh.

[RentaTriumph]

Do your best not to get a WOF inspector on a bad day, if he thinks that the bike's too noisy, you must pay for the small checkup, if it's not too loud, guess what, you still have to pay for it.

Solution: Have a quiet exhaust on the day that you do the inspection, duh.

I heard Police if they think your exhaust is too loud can still order your car or bike off the road even though your vehicle has a cuurent WOF. This is because they realise people will have swapped their exhausts over prior to getting the WOF (duh) or used one of the newer exhaust systems that can be easily set either to run quieter or louder depending upon your mood at the time.

[CB ARGH]

I heard Police if they think your exhaust is too loud can still order your car or bike off the road even though your vehicle has a cuurent WOF. This is because they realise people will have swapped their exhausts over prior to getting the WOF (duh) or used one of the newer exhaust systems that can be easily set either to run quieter or louder depending upon your mood at the time.

Hand them a couple of ear plugs, and hey presto, no noise, magical.

[Dave-]

whats the rules with excessive noise?

how do they deem that my exhaust was too loud further back down the road? did they take a reading?

[boomer]

oh, man. How original. A post about noise regulations!!

DO A FEKIN SEARCH U MUPPET !



.

[Motu]

My race core Supertrapp is 100Db with 8 plates,and less plates makes no difference.I have taken if off now,and am modifying the OE muffler for more discrete noisyness.100Db is just freaking LOUD!.

Re WoF inspectors - keep on the good side of them...let them ride your bike and smile when they come back with the brakes smoking.The guy who does my WoFs is a total cunt if you even look at him wrong....but he treats me well and even lets me sleep with his wife.....

[WasPhantom]

I heard Police if they think your exhaust is too loud can still order your car or bike off the road even though your vehicle has a cuurent WOF. This is because they realise people will have swapped their exhausts over prior to getting the WOF (duh) or used one of the newer exhaust systems that can be easily set either to run quieter or louder depending upon your mood at the time.

Indeed. It's called not having your vehicle in a warrentable condition. This is true for any criteria that is measured for warrent. The law is such that it is indeed a isolated point in time where it is warrented, and that you must get everything inspected in the next 6 months, but it does not mean you do not have to maintain it at that standard.

[Headbanger]

My bike is so loud when I ride past the Testing station they grab their ears and fall on the ground stunned. (Ok, they give me evil looks)

No way in hell I'm taking my bike there......

[JMemonic]

Anyone care to add their 10 cents worth?. What would an average bike like Triumph Speedmaster fitted with harris pipes emit decibel wise?.

Great info thanks for posting the info from Phil. As someone has pointed out some if not all of this was covered, if you are a little concerned you have a couple of options, if you want a starting point consider coming along on Wednesday night to the maintenance evening http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=72248, if you get Wayne in a good mood he will put the dB meter on it and give it a test.

Another option is to spend the money straight up get it tested and certified.

[Boob Johnson]

I recently bought a stock set of cans for the TL in case they ping me at warrant time, cost me $23 for the pair


They can bitch n moan all they like now

[The Lone Rider]

You can get a cheap db SPL meter from dick smiths, you will need to stand roughly a meter from your bike and walk around it.. I believe there may be also the need to have the bike in gear at a certain RPM but that's hard to do if you are walking around the bike with the meter.

Anyway.. cheap meter, dick smiths.

[TOTO]

That means that Macstar's Virgin exhaust may pass ...

[RentaTriumph]

Great info thanks for posting the info from Phil. As someone has pointed out some if not all of this was covered, if you are a little concerned you have a couple of options, if you want a starting point consider coming along on Wednesday night to the maintenance evening http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=72248, if you get Wayne in a good mood he will put the dB meter on it and give it a test.

Another option is to spend the money straight up get it tested and certified.

Thanks JMemonic

All my bikes have the standard exhausts so I am unconcerned about them. I asked the question on behalf of the Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club as members are a bit concerned with the impending rules.