New rules re' 'noisy' exhausts coming in?

[Robbo87]

Just spotted this info' on 'Visordown' - Heading 'New Anti-Tampering Rules set to limit Exhaust Noise' https://www.visordown.com/news/new-anti ... newsletter

'New rules are incoming which could significantly effect the aftermarket exhaust sector. In short, the new rules mean that any aftermarket exhaust system fitted to a bike must not make any more noise than the standard OEM system it is replacing.

In many cases, an aftermarket exhaust could be sold with a baffle (also called a ‘DB killer’) located at the end of the silencer. With the baffle in position, the volume of the exhaust would be reduced, although in many cases the baffle could be easily removed, opening up the silencer and making the system much louder. Moving forward, it’s likely that baffles will be fully integrated into the exhaust system, making them much harder, or even impossible, to remove.'

[MikeZ]

Oh ffs, all it's just going to push up costs and reduce availability of aftermarket, if somebody chooses to make their bike louder it's not exactly difficult. I don't use noisy exhausts but that's my personal choice.

[Jug]

I don't agree with any of this BS but I do understand why it's coming about.

What worries me is if 'they' decide to make these rules apply retrospectively.
From time to time I hear (or read) rumours about exhaust changes to effect MOT tests, and normally it's suggested that bikes up to 5 years old could be affected.
Just make sure that you always have a standard exhaust for your bike I guess.. just in case.

[billinom8s]

older bikes will be fine.
it's getting to the point where folk won't swap the cans over as the new speed camers etc all have db sensors in so you'll get pinged and a nice pic if you trigger the camera via speed or sound.

electric bikes 1 - i/c bikes 0

[Jug]

older bikes will be fine.
it's getting to the point where folk won't swap the cans over as the new speed camers etc all have db sensors in so you'll get pinged and a nice pic if you trigger the camera via speed or sound.

In which case older bikes will not be fine.

[billinom8s]

Unless they fall outside of the requirements.
There would have to be a cut off surely? Like bikes more than 10 years old wouldn't have to be done.

[Jug]

I heard that there's been a trail of a 'noise camera' in a village somewhere but the camera was prone to miss-triggering due to high background noise or non traffic relate noise events.

If they ever did get them working well (and they could but I think it would then cost too much) it would be down to whoever is policing the cameras to decide who it applies too. I don't think they'd want to excluding older vehicles but it might be tricky to apply it to them as they might have to prove your vehicle is above whatever the limits were when it was manufactured.

That's why I think the MOT is where they'll try to get you.

[MikeZ]

Re: noise camera. Anecdotally, during trials on the ring road by us, apparently a claim of "Oh yeah there was a noisy car around me would have been sufficient to make any potential prosecution (if that's even possible at this point) would have been sufficient to make the prosecution unsafe.

[Robbo87]

Imo, any noise regulation levels will be measured as an MOT requirement and noise tests carried out roadside on any machine deemed 'loud' by whoever is tasked with doing so e.g. Police, DVLA inspectors etc. It remains to be seen how retrospective, if at all, this will be, or indeed if it ever comes to pass - which, again imo, it will.

[Jug]

I think the noise cameras were just a trial, like lots of other ill conceived projects our government pushes for to try and make it look like they are doing something, and when it fails they quietly move on.

Newer bikes are already very difficult to modify, the latest have two o2 sensors in the exhaust. So if you fit a non standard system that doesn't have a cat in it you'll get a warning pop up on the dash, and maybe reduced performance. Some of these also have completely locked ECU's so no way of overriding it.

[Robbo87]

Yep, it's all becoming very George Orwell-ish (of 1984 fame) isn't it?

[TLS-Moose]

This is an EU directive. We're not part of the EU ..........

[MikeZ]

This is an EU directive. We're not part of the EU ..........

But you just know that all the morons will just follow and probably state that it's an environmental thing too.

[billinom8s]

Plus a good and easy way for big Brother to get more out of people through fines.

[ptolemyx]

Bigger problem will be when petrol is no longer available. Then, when it's too late, they'll realise that all those electric vehicles that no ordinary income people can afford do actually have a serious environmental impact. Trouble is there's too many people on the planet wanting too much "stuff" - possible solution is to cull the under fifty year olds