The Problem with the Blitz on Loud Motorcycle Exhausts posted on 2021-02-25 06:09:15
- The Malaysian Traffic Police, Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Department of Environment (DOE) are currently carrying out a blitz against loud motorcycle exhausts.
- However, the press release by the Royal Malaysian Police did not specify the exhaust noise level requirements.
The Malaysian Traffic Police, Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Department of Environment (DOE) are currently combatting the use of loud motorcycle exhausts.
However, while they are quick to publish the price of flouting the law in accordance to Section 103 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Act 1959 which are up to RM2,000 in fines or up to six months' jail if they cause public nuisance.
Instead, they did not publish the required sound levels. As such, we have attempted to contact all three departments, but to no avail.
Fortunately, the only specifications and test guidelines we could obtain was from the DOE’s website https://www.doe.gov.my/portalv1/wp-content/uploads/formidable/5/DOE-Guidelines-for-Motorcycle-VTA-July-2016-1.pdf
Apparently, the noise levels are adopted from the Euro 4 standard, which itself is according to the UNR 41.03/04 requirements. Please refer to the tables below.
The first table shows the prior noise standards. We could deduce that the figures have wider applications and less specific, but according to the bike’s engine capacity. The levels are obtained at wide open throttle (WOT).
However, a new standard came into effect beginning 1st January 2020 and we could see that it now depends on the motorcycle’s power-to-mass ratio (PMR) index. The calculations are very long so we have no choice but to leave them out.
In any sense, the sound level requirements depend on the power and weight of your motorcycle. Most large capacity motorcycle should fall within the third category of having the PMR of more than 50.
Furthermore, there are two types of noise levels being measured i.e. LURBAN and LWOT. The former is obtained from the combination of constant speed and full throttle acceleration tests, while the latter is from full throttle (hence WOT – wide open throttle) acceleration. By the way, the letter “L” pertains to motorcycles in the UNR 41 standard.
The conundrum
Of course, exhausts that are so loud they can wake up the dead are obviously obnoxious.
However, let us consider stock exhausts. All motorcycles have passed type homologation in order to be sold. The sound level test result is embossed onto a plate which is then attached to the frame of the motorcycle. The plate can be found in various places, but definitely on the bike’s frame.
The picture shows that the bike, a Triumph, has passed the UNR 41.04 exhaust noise level regulations.
Problem is, the DOE did not specify if the above standards are for motorcycles that are made prior to 2020 or from 2020 onwards. All three agencies also did not specify what standard they are adhering to.
The figures provided in the DOE’s website also pertains to noise level tests of a moving motorcycle, tests carried out at roadblocks are carried out on stationary motorcycles. There is a large difference here and they should actually add 2-3 dB to stationary tests.
Additionally, motorcycles produced prior to 2020 did not conform to the UNR 41.03/04 standards, hence their stock exhausts could be louder. Does that mean the bike will fail the tests at roadblocks? If they do adhere to the 2020 standard, does that mean we have to replace our exhausts with Euro 4-compliant exhausts?
We know that the authorities are targeting modified or aftermarket exhausts, but there are aftermarket exhausts that are quieter than stock exhausts.
We could only speculate at this point because as we said earlier, none of the departments we called could provide a definite answer.
Please share this article so that we can defend our rights.
