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/obj...oise-test.html
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-owne...y-vehicle.html
http://www.lvvta.org.nz/stdExhaustNoiseEmissions.pdf
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/cer...es-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.

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

In relation to?



Is that 45 degrees?

[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/sh...97#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...