Noise restrictions?

[gordons]

Hi, what is the noise restrictions or what will they be if they are introduced for all organized rides and competions excluding MX?

[scott411]

i hope so,

seriously we need to get the noise of four strokes down, mx is the first step, but casual riding casues a big issue as well

loud bikes get riding area's closed, simple as that,

[Buddy L]

At the moment the limit in auzzie is set at 102dB and they will be dropping it to 96db for the 2008 MX session. Hopefully New Zealand follows suit.
From what i have noticed at mx tracks and at rides around the place, is that i haven't seen any noise testing as of yet. supose no point testing untill a limit has been set.???

[GaZBur]

Check out this notice in MNZ wesite - you will need to scroll to the bottom of the page to read it.

Serious Issue
The issue of noise control is very high on our radar screen at the moment and will remain so until we make headway in reducing excessively loud bikes. With the advent of four strokes becoming more and more popular, noise issues have come to the forefront at many local MX tracks. What has magnified this challenge is the addition of non-standard race pipes. Not all non-standard pipes are loud, in fact many are similar to standard equipment. However, there are many that blow the needle off the scale when it comes to decibel readings. It also becomes an issue if standard and accessory mufflers are not repacked correctly. MNZ is going to be working with the accessory companies and the distributors to create information documents to help educate riders on how to repack mufflers etc.

Late last month MNZ called a meeting with the trade and a number of accessory companies to agree a way forward on how we will deal with this major challenge. We unanimously agreed that we must have a united front to address this, as a number of local tracks throughout New Zealand were at risk of closing due to noise complaints. This is serious and I ask you to support us with reducing noise emission.

At the meeting we have agreed that from 1.1.08 it is our intention to limited decibel output to 96db. MNZ will be running a number of national sessions at meetings to be identified, to provide the rider with noise readings from their machines. This is an education program with a view to heighten awareness and to create personal awareness. It is our intention that at the first round of the NZ MX Championships in September 29-30, all machines will be tested. If the rider’s machine exceeds 96db they will be warned to reduce the noise output for the next round. If the rider turns up to the next round and it still exceeds the 96db, they will not start the meeting until compliance is reached. Generally standard MX machines comply with this 96db requirement from new.

MNZ have approached the Government with a view to getting funding for a quality noise meter for every MNZ affiliated club and also provide training so that clubs can self manage this important issue. I am very aware that there is always debate over the conditions that noise readings are taken but we will clarify our requirements over the coming months.

[clmintie]

Really enjoyed Woodville MX ... But.... the 4stroke races were way too loud, it was highlighted by having 2stroke only races, which were much easier on the ears....I'd like to know what dbs my KDX is, maybe we should all be leaving the stock muffler on.....Mine's in bubble wrap with the original pipe under the house....

[Buddy L]

I know that poorly pack two stokes are extremly loud, when high in the rmp range.
More so the 125's then the 250's.
Where the 4 stokes seem to make nosie every where and it gets carried alot futher.
Im just going to leave the standard pipe on my beast.
Don't think their will be ever a time that i think "If only i had an aftermarket pipe".
it would be more like "If only i ever trained and exercised"

[NordieBoy]

I got passed at a cross country by a Yammy 450 that had blown the end cap off and had nothing down the pipe anymore. So basically it was a 450cc megaphone.

End of the world type noise when you're not expecting it.

[mazz1972]

Try spending all day listening to a KTM 50cc junior/pro junior.....then you'll know what loud is! We cringe when they turn up at our trail rides to ride on the junior tracks. We had one a few times with a broken muffler...enough was enough I tell ya!!

[mattwood]

Try spending all day listening to a KTM 50cc junior/pro junior.....then you'll know what loud is! We cringe when they turn up at our trail rides to ride on the junior tracks. We had one a few times with a broken muffler...enough was enough I tell ya!!

hahaha 1 day i was out at kimmys and there were 3 or 4 of them on the kids track.. almost drove me insane!!


1 bonus about loud 4strokes are that u can hear them coming up to pass you at a trail ride, not like most 2 strokes that u can only here when they r right beside u!

[GaZBur]

I am sure a lot of performance pipes will not pass under 100 decebels. I myself can only compare them to a known old bike. The Norton Commando used to put out 96 decebels at 1.2 meters and some of the 450s at Motards I am sure are well in excess of that. If fact with a helmet on at 1.2 meters behind some of them my ears reach genuine pain so I believe pain starts about at well over 100??? and hearing loss as low as 85.
If you are bothered finding out more the Dept of Labour pdf or How Stuff Works

Protect Your Ears.
Know which noises can cause damage. Wear ear plugs when you are involved in a loud activity.
110 Decibels
Regular exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss.

100 Decibels
No more than 15 minutes unprotected exposure recommended.

85 Decibels
Prolonged exposure to any noise above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss.

So tell people with noisy bikes (including some road legal Harleys) to xxxx off!!!

[scott411]

nz motocross had a 98db limit last year, it was orgianlly going to be 96db as of the 1st of january but that was put back to mid yera for some reason, they had testing at the NZ champs at all rounds and all bikes had to comply before being able to race,

[Pierce]

I've got two 250's, one being 4 stroke with procircuit pipes (dual pipes) and the other 2 stroke with procircuit pipe. The 2 is definately louder in high rev's but it's because it needs repacking. The 4 stroke almost sounds like a 2 stroke in higher revs anyway so she's pretty loud right through the rev range. Sounds fu#king mint tho. Both of them do.

[scott411]

bet your neighbours a few km's away think different,
4 stroke noise travels further for some reason, neither harrisville or ardmore had noise problems untill four strokes became more comman,

[GR81]

lower frequencies travel further.
take a car audio system for instance... the bass travels louder and further than higher pitch noises.

same goes for rotarys... loud as hell but not a deep noise. so measure lower with dB meter.

[cheese]

High freqs get easily absorbed or dispersed where as longer wave low freqs have more grunt and travel further. It takes alot more power to make loud low freq noises.