Is this legal?

[Ixion]

Just had a nother look today at the law regarding this.

For bikes over 125cc the allowed sound output is 100 decibels. (for cars it is 95)That's louder than you are allowed to be at Teretonga which has a 95 decibel limit.

So on a bike you are gonna have to be REALLY obnoxious to get pinged.

Scumdog - seems your Harley is gonna get pinged though .

I think in deference to the gubbermint here they have allowed another 5 decibels for bikes over cars so it seems they accept the louder sound output from a two wheeled contraption since the legislation was originally aimed at the boi ricers in their jappas with tiny engines and huge exhausts (unlike we older gentlemen with our big American and Australian cars with big engines and big exhausts )

Chill - what kind of bike do you ride? It would have to be a big twin to make over 100 decibels. Harley? Ducati? TL thou?

But Teretonga is measured at track side, quite some distance away, not with the mike shoved up a few centimetres from the exhaust.

The reason we get an extra 5dB isn't benevolence, it's just because on bikes the engine noise contributes more than on cars (as it is also just a few centimetres from the mike).

[short-circuit]

Let me guess..the next step will be contacting DB with it and we all know what heppens then...its going INTERNATIONAL!!!!!!!!!!


Short Circuit maybe read some of SDs posts in other threads before making some comments. I havent met him but having read a lot of his posts, he seems like a decent guy who genuinely has an interest in and for motorcyclists. He has also been on this site a very long time.......and has a very high rep level...food for thought anyway....

I replied as I did due to his earlier comments in this thread and for your infomation I have read a great deal of his posts which I have observed are often anti-biker and mostly (as in this case), in favour of the law in it's current form. Even when it's plainly an ass.

As far as I can tell though he can deal with my difference of opinion by himself - so no need for a knight in shining armour mounted on Harley there Hailwood.

Red Bling earned from someone like you is a badge of honour

[Tank]

I have read a great deal of his posts which I have observed are often anti-biker

Just to clarify - you think that Scummy is anti-biker? (anti clothes maybe)

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

you think that Scummy is anti-biker? (anti clothes maybe)

Only at rallies...


however anti biker he is not...

[mdnzz]

The police have the right if they believe your pipe to be loud to issue an infringment notice, it is then their discretion if they give you an instant $150 or the $250 +10 demerits, you have the right to defend as clearly written on the back.
I am sure our law enforement (scumdog )team here can verify this

[short-circuit]

Just to clarify - you think that Scummy is anti-biker? (anti clothes maybe)

Does a pretty good impression at times

[short-circuit]

The police have the right if they believe your pipe to be loud to issue an infringment notice, it is then their discretion if they give you an instant $150 or the $250 +10 demerits, you have the right to defend as clearly written on the back.
I am sure our law enforement (scumdog )team here can verify this

We are all aware of these facts. I think people are objecting to the fact that the police can issue a ticket for noise with out evidence (based on a guess) and then the biker has to go to the expense and trouble of proving that they aren't exceeding a noise limit. This is patently rediculous

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

We are all aware of these facts. I think people are objecting to the fact that the police can issue a ticket for noise with out evidence (based on a guess) and then the biker has to go to the expense and trouble of proving that they aren't exceeding a noise limit. This is patently rediculous

and thats the bit I don't like...

[scumdog]

Sooooo, after near a hundred posts and a lot of headless chicken type stampeding - how many bikers HAVE been given tickets for noisy bikes?

And how many of them have unmodified after-market 'zorts' or stock ones??,

[dipshit]

Just close the throttle when you go past cops.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Just close the throttle when you go past cops.

On big V-Twins that actually makes more noise and is probably nigher db... ummm

[scumdog]

We are all aware of these facts. I think people are objecting to the fact that the police can issue a ticket for noise with out evidence (based on a guess) and then the biker has to go to the expense and trouble of proving that they aren't exceeding a noise limit. This is patently rediculous

Just like they can take your licence off you before your drink-driving case has gone to court - or take your car off you because they reckon you spun the tyres too much before the case has been to court.

It's life, chill out dudes and stop worrying and whinging too much - it might not happen

[dipshit]

On big V-Twins that actually makes more noise and is probably nigher db... ummm

OK. Providing you weren't pulling 8000rpm then. In that case close the throttle and get on the brakes!

What I'm saying is to idle past cops. Do not give it a big handful while in earshot!

[scumdog]

I replied as I did due to his earlier comments in this thread and for your infomation I have read a great deal of his posts which I have observed are often anti-biker and mostly (as in this case), in favour of the law in it's current form. Even when it's plainly an ass.

As far as I can tell though he can deal with my difference of opinion by himself - so no need for a knight in shining armour mounted on Harley there Hailwood.

Red Bling earned from someone like you is a badge of honour

PM anybody that knows me - get an opinion, an honest one from people that have actually met me...THEN comment.

[Ixion]

In fact, the cops can ticket you regardless of at , and even if you pass a WoF. And even if you get certified.

What the law says

.4 Noise

(1) A driver must not operate a vehicle that creates noise that, having regard to all the circumstances, is excessive.

(2) A person must not create by any means (for example, a car stereo) within or on a vehicle any noise that, having regard to all the circumstances, is excessive.

(3) In determining whether any noise is excessive, regard may be had, in addition to all other relevant matters, to—
(a) the manner of operation of the vehicle:
(b) the condition of the vehicle:
(c) the time of the day when the noise is created:
(d) the locality where the noise is created:
(e) the likelihood of annoyance to any person:
(f) any relevant standard or specification that applies under the Act.

Note the bit I bolded. If a cop thinks the noise is excessive , in the circumstances, he can ticket you.


An example might be redlining your bike, in second gear , at 2am past a hospital. Even if your zorst is certified to well within the db limits the cop may still think your operation was too noisy

Also, it is ALL noise. Not just exhaust. Not so relevant to us maybe, but it also covers doof-doof stereos on ricers.

I am conflicted. On the one hand I think that discretion is usually a good thing. On the other, it can be abused. The problem with this particular bit is that there is no way reproduce the noise if you want to challenge it.