WOF and aftermarket pipes.

[Max Headroom]

I didn't get the WOF done on my wife's Buell yesterday - change of plan. Instead we just did an informal sound check to see if we needed to track down a standard muffler or not. Interestingly the sound check registered a reading of 99Db and the service dept were happy with that, so when I take it back on Thursday for its WOF and 16k service there won't be any drama regarding noise.

[imdying]

As always, bikes that aren't loud, will get warrants, regardless of who made the muffler.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/cer...etins-v3a3.pdf

That's what they have to go on... they don't get to 'make their own rules up'.

[AllanB]

I didn't get the WOF done on my wife's Buell yesterday - change of plan. Instead we just did an informal sound check to see if we needed to track down a standard muffler or not. Interestingly the sound check registered a reading of 99Db and the service dept were happy with that, so when I take it back on Thursday for its WOF and 16k service there won't be any drama regarding noise.

The possible problem for you here is the 'informal' sound check - sure they will give you a WOF BUT if you are pulled over by the police for a 'documentation' check and the officer decides it is too loud you'll get a on-the-spot $50 fine and 25 demerit points. Irrespective of the new WOF as you may have modified the pipe to get a WOF.
Without a certification sticker on your bike proving it is 99 db the fine and points will stick.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/cer...etins-v3a3.pdf
That's what they have to go on... they don't get to 'make their own rules up'.

Not necessarily.... as there is also a note somewhere in there regarding modified pipes - the document you have provided is only relating to the inspection for noise testing. As I stated the station I went to will fail any non stock pipe unless it has been certified.

I believe the bike shops will pass bikes for WOF's if they have aftermarket pipes as long as the db inserts are fitted. DITTO the police if pulled over.

I think this will end up like the braided brake line regs a few years ago - to start with they failed everything with braided lines. Then they issued a set of standards that were suitable for braided lines.
I believe mufflers will fall into the same category with EU and Aussie standards will be accepted (if stamped on the inside of the pipe). After all these standards are a lot stricter than our 100db max!!!!!!!!

Write to the minister of Transport - I intend too.

[imdying]

As I stated the station I went to will fail any non stock pipe unless it has been certified.

Then they will find themselves inspected for failing to correctly WOF vehicles...

I believe the bike shops will pass bikes for WOF's if they have aftermarket pipes as long as the db inserts are fitted. DITTO the police if pulled over.

Fortunately what you 'believe' isn't the rules...

I think this will end up like the braided brake line regs a few years ago - to start with they failed everything with braided lines. Then they issued a set of standards that were suitable for braided lines.

The only places that started doing this were the ignorant.

[AllanB]

Horses mouth


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Your vehicle failed a warrant of fitness because of a noisy exhaust
Why is checking the exhaust noise part of the WoF inspection?

When your vehicle was manufactured it was fitted with an effective exhaust system, including a silencer. Exhaust gases produce a significant amount of noise. Silencers, as well as any catalytic converters, muffle this noise to an acceptable level. Governments specify the maximum noise levels that vehicles must not exceed when they are manufactured.

When the original exhaust system is modified, replaced or repaired, its effectiveness may be compromised, making the exhaust system louder than the one originally fitted by the vehicle manufacturer. A WoF inspection ensures that the vehicle’s exhaust system is checked regularly for noise output and meets the legal noise requirements.

What are the legal noise requirements?

Until now, an exhaust system was allowed to be noisier than the original exhaust system, provided it was not significantly noisier. As a result of public complaints about the number of noisy modified vehicles on the road, and the difficulty in assessing what ‘significantly noisier’ means, the government has introduced more stringent requirements relating to exhaust noise effective from 1 June 2008.

A vehicle will comply with the new law if the noise from the exhaust system is similar to or less than the noise from the exhaust system that was originally fitted when the vehicle was manufactured.

The exhaust system may be noisier than the original one provided that:

the noise output either remains well below the legal noise limits, or
an Objective Noise Test proves that the exhaust system does not exceed the legal noise limits.
How is exhaust noise checked during the WoF inspection?

The WoF inspector uses his/her experience to assess the noise output of the vehicle compared to other identical or similar vehicles in original and good condition.

If your vehicle is noisier than it was originally, it will fail its WoF unless it is able to pass a Noise Quick Check. If the WoF inspector has a hand-held noise meter he/she will use the Noise Quick Check to find out if the vehicle is well below the noise limits.

If your vehicle has failed its WoF because of a noisy exhaust, it may be referred to undergo an Objective Noise Test.

What is the difference between the Objective Noise Test and the Noise Quick Check?

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.

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.

What do I need to do to pass the WoF?

Replace, remodify or repair the exhaust system so that the noise output is less than or similar to the noise output of the exhaust system that was originally fitted by the vehicle manufacturer, or
Undergo an Objective Noise Test if you wish to have an exhaust system that is noisier than the original exhaust. However, you may still need to replace, remodify or repair the exhaust system to bring it below the legal noise limits. An Objective Noise Test is not required if the vehicle can pass the Noise Quick Check.
Should my vehicle get an Objective Noise Test even though it has passed the Noise Quick Check?

If your vehicle’s exhaust is louder than its original exhaust system and close to the permitted noise limit, then it is recommended that you have an Objective Noise Test carried out. By presenting the label and certificate to the WoF inspector you may avoid the inconvenience and cost of failing a WoF or having to go through a Noise Quick Check at every WoF inspection.

What are the noise limits?

In order to pass an Objective Noise Test, the vehicle must not exceed the following noise limits.

Vehicle type Maximun
noise level
(dBA)
Motorcycle or trike with an engine capacity of 125 cc or less 96
Motorcycle or trike with an engine capacity of more than 125 cc 100
Light goods or passenger vehicle (eg, car, MPV, minibus, ute or van)
First registered in NZ before 1 June 2008
First registered in NZ on or after 1 June 2008, and:

manufactured before 1 January 1985
manufactured on or after 1 January 1985



95



95

90
What if I disagree with the decision?

If you disagree with the decision to fail your vehicle, you should first try to resolve the issue with the inspecting organisation or the LVV certifier concerned. If you are still not satisfied, you may raise a complaint with Land Transport NZ, phone 0800 699 000, or download a complaint form.

Where can I get more information?

A list of approved LVV certifiers can be viewed on the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association website: www.lvvta.org.nz

For more information about the law changes, refer to: http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/veh...oise-test.html.

Page created: 7 May 2008

© Copyright 1998-2008 | Disclaimer | newzealand.govt.nz ^ back to top


Or if you want to print a copy for your WOF man:

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-owne...y-vehicle.html

[Scouse]

What happened to the Harley???
It failed for two reasons - non stock pipes......and half a meter of wound-up chicken wire stuffed up each pipe

Moral of the story...................take ya bike back to your dealer at WOF time they have an interest in keeping you coming back to buy more expensive toys in the future, testing stations dont.

[speights_bud]

If some bike shops are selling aftermarket pipes for street legal bikes and then failing it for the WoF then surely they are breaching the Consumers Guarantees Act by selling a product that is not fit for its purpose.

Except for the large number of pipes available CLEARLY stamped "For Race use only" or "Not for highway use" etc....

[AllanB]

From the LTSA

If your vehicle is noisier than it was originally, it will fail its WoF unless it is able to pass a Noise Quick Check. If the WoF inspector has a hand-held noise meter he/she will use the Noise Quick Check to find out if the vehicle is well below the noise limits.

So really the buggers should have a noise meter on site, other than 'using his/her experience'. After all they are offering a service to issue WOF's and should be expected to have the necessary equipment on hand instead of saying 'get it certified for $140 down road'.

Mind you that can get expensive - I cannot see bike shops buying the dear ones, but a cheap hand held one under $300 would be better than some old farts ear.
http://www.noisemeters.com/env.asp

[SPman]

Except for the large number of pipes available CLEARLY stamped "For Race use only" or "Not for highway use" etc....

My Yoshi had a label with "for race use only" in the box, but was rated at 96 db - so - should come within NZ road limits.

[JimO]

Moral of the story...................take ya bike back to your dealer at WOF time they have an interest in keeping you coming back to buy more expensive toys in the future, testing stations dont.

perhaps not if they want to protect their wof cash cow

[Motu]

perhaps not if they want to protect their wof cash cow

You obviously haven't tried to make a living out of WoF inspections.

[Subike]

From the LTSA

If your vehicle is noisier than it was originally, it will fail its WoF unless it is able to pass a Noise Quick Check. If the WoF inspector has a hand-held noise meter he/she will use the Noise Quick Check to find out if the vehicle is well below the noise limits.

So really the buggers should have a noise meter on site, other than 'using his/her experience'. After all they are offering a service to issue WOF's and should be expected to have the necessary equipment on hand instead of saying 'get it certified for $140 down road'.

Mind you that can get expensive - I cannot see bike shops buying the dear ones, but a cheap hand held one under $300 would be better than some old farts ear.
http://www.noisemeters.com/env.asp

This would be a good investment .
Owning a hand held that you carried with you .
Mr plod says too loud ,you say read the fucking meter!
If it is a cetified meter, you got him fucked!
Cheaper in the long run than fines and demerits
I see you can buy them on ebay cheap too.
Must be a world standard reading, the meter that is.

[Subike]

Dick smith electronics have a cheap one for $130.

DSE Digital Sound Level Meter
Product Code: Q1362
Range: 40dB SPL to 130dB SPL
This high quality, digital sound level meter provides both automatic and manual ranging and has an analogue digital bargraph. Suitable for accurate measurement of music or noise levels in the home, school, disco or auditorium. Ideal for the home theatre lover or the laboratory.

fits in ya pocket like a cell phone,

Mind you can you buy a cell phone with a sound meter in it that would be better still!

[CookMySock]

Mr plod says too loud ,you say read the fucking meter!

Mr Plod isn't the law. He can say what he likes, but what will stand up in a court of law is often completely differnt to his opinion.

Mind you can you buy a cell phone with a sound meter in it that would be better still!

Nokia 5140i

Steve

[mowgli]

Please would a member of the constabulary correct me if I'm wrong.

If you are subjectively assessed as too loud at the side of the road then the ticket would read something like, 'prove you comply with the rules or else you win a $50 tax and 25 demerits'.

If you passed the objective noise test then you'd be out of pocket for the $120-$200 fee and inconvenienced to hell, BUT you'd avoid the ticket altogether???????

You'd also have the sticker/cert thingy to wave around the next time you get stopped or wofed.