Targeting bike with loud exhausts

[MSTRS:Me]

NOT CORRECT,as of the 1st July 2008 it does not matter if the exhaust system is stock or factory. If it exceeds the maximum level ( which varies depending on the number of cylinders ) then you can be refused a Wof or be made by a police officer to have a subjective noise test.The subjective noise test can ONLY be carried out by a specialist LVV certifier with a far more accurate noise meter than wof agents/testing stations use and the cost for this subjective noise test is around $120.00

And neither are you exactly correct...the real deal is here http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-owne...y-vehicle.html
Point of order...subjective means "in the opinion of...' objective means 'quantified by (eg) machine...'

[Toaster]

And neither are you exactly correct...the real deal is here http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-owne...y-vehicle.html
Point of order...subjective means "in the opinion of...' objective means 'quantified by (eg) machine...'

Very helpful link Thanks for posting that.

[Deano]

So if some stock Gixxers are putting out 102dB and the limit is 100dB how are they getting the original VIN when they are brought into the country ?

[MSTRS:Me]

So if some stock Gixxers are putting out 102dB and the limit is 100dB how are they getting the original VIN when they are brought into the country ?

Tis truly one of life's little mysteries....

[jafar]

Tis truly one of life's little mysteries....

The other one being why would anyone want a stock gixxer in the first place ?

[MSTRS:Me]

Stock anything, when you get right down to it.

[jafar]

Stock anything, when you get right down to it.

Eggzachery. stock is boring

[Ixion]

Tis truly one of life's little mysteries....

I can explain that.

The rules require that if TESTED for a VIN the bike must generate less than 100dB

But, not every vehicle brought into the country is separately tested. There is an alternative

For NEW vehicles (including bikes) LTSA accept the manufacturers declaration that the vehicle complies with one (or more) foreign standards. So, Suzuki send along to LTNZ a letter saying "The GSXR1000 complies with noise standard blah blah blah". LTNZ say "OK then, all good".

Bear in mind that the 102dB almost certainly won't be measured the same way as our test. So 102dB on the foreign test protocol (whatever that is) might be more or less when measured our way.

Yes. It is stupid. No, I don't know what wally invented such a silly arrangement.

It's all set out below. Note my emphases, which are important.

It is estimated that five percent of standard vehicles (approximately 130,000 vehicles in the New Zealand fleet) tested on the tail-pipe noise test are above 90dBA, but these standard vehicles will continue to be allowed to enter, and operate within, the New Zealand fleet, provided they have passed a recognised overseas noise standard and have not since been modified.

(Rule is here )
# Noise output of vehicles entering service
# “2.7(4) The noise output from a Class LC, LD, LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2 or NA motor vehicle that is entering service in New Zealand must not exceed:
# “(a) the maximum decibel level prescribed in Schedule 2 when tested in accordance with the vehicle drive-by test prescribed in:

1. “(i) ISO 362, Measurement of Noise Emitted by Vehicles; or
2. “(ii) BS 3425, Method for the Measurement of Noise Emitted by Motor Vehicles; or
3. “(iii) SAE J1470, Measurement of Noise Emitted by Accelerating Highway Vehicles; or
4. “(iv) ADR 28/01, External Noise of Motor Vehicles; or
5. “(v) TRIAS 20, Noise test procedure for motor vehicles (measurement procedure for acceleration running noise level); or

# “(b) the maximum decibel level prescribed in Schedule 3 when tested in accordance with the Low Volume Vehicle Code.
# “2.7(5) The noise output from a Class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC motor vehicle that is entering service in New Zealand must not exceed the maximum decibel level prescribed in Schedule 2 when tested in accordance with a method approved by the Director by notice in the Gazette and, a vehicle drive-by test referred to in 2.7(4)(a)(i)-(v) is deemed to be an approved method.
# “2.7(6) A vehicle is deemed to comply with 2.7(4)(a) and 2.7(5) if:

1. “(a) the vehicle was manufactured so as not to exceed the maximum decibel level prescribed in Schedule 2; and
2. “(b) the vehicle has not been modified such as to increase the noise output from the exhaust system.

# “2.7(7) A vehicle manufactured before 1 January 1985 is not required to comply with subclause 2.7(4) or 2.7(5) if the vehicle has not been modified such as to increase the noise output from the exhaust system.
# “Noise output of vehicles operated in service
# “2.7(8) The noise output from the exhaust system of a motor vehicle that is operated in service:

* “(a) must, in the case of a Class LC, LD, LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2 or NA vehicle:
“(i) be less than, or similar to, the noise output from the vehicle’s original exhaust system at the time of the vehicle’s manufacture; or
“(ii) not exceed the maximum decibel level prescribed in Schedule 3, when tested in accordance with the Low Volume Vehicle Code;
* “(b) must not, in the case of any other motor vehicle, be noticeably and significantly louder than the noise output from the vehicle’s original exhaust system at the time of the vehicle’s manufacture.

What all that waffle means is :

When the bike is new it must EITHER be certified by the maker as passing one of those standards (the ISO, SAE shit) OR pass the NZ test. Almost all new bikes will be approved on the basis of the certified by the maker bit.

And, in service it must either not be any louder than when new (which, if it has a standard zorst in good nick, should logically be the case) OR pass the NZ test

So, in theory, all new vehicles entering the country should be sufficiently quiet: and if they are not modified and kept in good condition logically will still be quiet when tested for WoF. If they ARE modified , they (probably) need a LVV cert. And if not in good condition, need to be repaired. All quite elegant, really.

Hence, a vehicle with a good condition standard exhaust cannot be rejected. Because that would mean that either the makers (eg Suzuki) could be done for telling porkies int he certification declaration: or LTNZ could be done for passing a non-compliant vehicle at point of entry.

It may get a bit trickier with really old vehicles, from the days before all this crap was invented.

[MSTRS:Me]

So, in theory, all new vehicles entering the country should be sufficiently quiet: and if they are not modified and kept in good condition logically will still be quiet when tested for WoF. If they ARE modified , they (probably) need a LVV cert. And if not in good condition, need to be repaired. All quite elegant, really.

This is the bit that most seem to be having trouble with. As I understand from LTSAs own rules, is that the WOF tester still applies a subjective noise evaluation and will insist on a proper LVV test if he 'thinks' it's too loud. 100dB being deemed to be the maximum legal noise level.

[avgas]

Yep i got pulled over when i had my GB400.......had to turn it off to hear the cop.
Sounded feckn awesome - made the harleys seem rather tame

[vifferman]

This is the bit that most seem to be having trouble with. As I understand from LTSAs own rules, is that the WOF tester still applies a subjective noise evaluation and will insist on a proper LVV test if he 'thinks' it's too loud. 100dB being deemed to be the maximum legal noise level.

Well, that actually makes sense, if you think about it.
It's unrealistic to expect all WOFfers or pleece to carry certified testing equipment AND to test in a manner that satisfies the regulations. So... it's easier for go "If in doubt, chuck it out!", fail it if they think it's too loud, then refer it to the proper outlet for proper noise testing. It saves them the hassles of backing up their opinion with a verified test themselves, and shifts that resposibility (and expense) elsewhere.
The alternative is that every vehicle is tested every time it goes for a WOF.

However, the really dumb thing about all this noise emissions palaver is that there is a similar situation for exhasut gas emissions testing, but it apparently is not being done. I'm staggered by the number of vehicles on the road that spew out clouds of fumes, apparently with no agency doing anything about it.

[MSTRS:Me]

It's unrealistic to expect all WOFfers or pleece to carry certified testing equipment AND to test in a manner that satisfies the regulations.


However, the really dumb thing about all this noise emissions palaver is that there is a similar situation for exhasut gas emissions testing, but it apparently is not being done. I'm staggered by the number of vehicles on the road that spew out clouds of fumes, apparently with no agency doing anything about it.

I talked to the guys at OnRoad testing station here...they will not be purchasing any equipment for such tests (expense, training in use of, constant calibration etc) - their reply to 'too loud' is "Haven't come across one yet - even Harley's with straight pipes"
The smoky vehicle thing has been in force for a while now...those cars you see may not have WOFs

I also talked with the only LVV Certifier in the Bay, and he told me he'd just put a plaque on to satisfy the 'pricks in Welly'...he told me that tested under the insisted upon conditions a Holden Senator would fail

[peasea]

I talked to the guys at OnRoad testing station here...they will not be purchasing any equipment for such tests (expense, training in use of, constant calibration etc) - their reply to 'too loud' is "Haven't come across one yet - even Harley's with straight pipes"
The smoky vehicle thing has been in force for a while now...those cars you see may not have WOFs

I also talked with the only LVV Certifier in the Bay, and he told me he'd just put a plaque on to satisfy the 'pricks in Welly'...he told me that tested under the insisted upon conditions a Holden Senator would fail

Quite likely.
I attended a session of 'noise testing' a while back and a brand new Turbo'd Falcon (Typhoon) was over the limit. That was with the gear set at the right distance, angle etc and other vehicles tested at the time were right where the manufacturers said they should be. So, from that I'd say the methodology and equipment were reasonably accurate.

There are too many grey areas with all this crap but generally speaking if your exhaust isn't too over the top and the WOF dude is a reasonable type you'll be fine. Just don't go screaming into the testing station or fitting an exhaust that is unreasonably loud. That way the 'unresonable' part won't get debated and you're less likely to get hassled, either by the WOF guy or the cops.

[MSTRS:Me]

....if your exhaust isn't too over the top and the WOF dude is a reasonable type you'll be fine. Just don't go screaming into the testing station or fitting an exhaust that is unreasonably loud. That way the 'unresonable' part won't get debated and you're less likely to get hassled, either by the WOF guy or the cops.

Sort of - it's not what you got but how you use it?

[peasea]

Sort of - it's not what you got but how you use it?

I'd say "to a degree". We all know that pouring it on through town or a sleepy suburb will attract attention, moreso if your exhaust is of a 'dubious nature' so why go there? Thrash the same thing out in the forest and you're less likely to get ticketed. Also, many tweakers and fiddlers add performance oriented intakes, which can add to the noise level of an oncoming machine. Intake noise can be horrendous, so if you're going hard on something that has a noisy induction but a quiet exhaust you could attract attention for 'noise' but not exhaust noise.

Button-off and that same induction will most likely squeeze past the sensitive ear brigade.