Removing baffles - the law?

[Dan505]

Hi,

Is it legal to remove the baffles from an exhaust (removable type) and use on the road?

If so why did I see a policeman yesterday tell a biker that as his had been removed it automatically made it a 'race' can and not fit for road use. I thought it had to be stamped 'not for road' for this to apply?

also apart from the increase in noise is there any other point/benefit for taking them out?

[stuck mine back in this morning just in case!]

[Sid Squid]

It's only a legal exhaust if it is marked with the relevant regulation number, and/or a BS stamp. Both marks are still found as the EU regs and our own are concurrent. The 'not for road use' marking is no longer required - no mark = not legal.

If it was tested for compliance with the baffle in - and, be realistic, it was - then it's only legal with the baffle in. Strictly speaking the law requires that the baffle be non-removable, typically this means that it's only legal to sell and use it in this country if the baffle is permanently fixed in place - hence many aftermarket cans being supplied new with a rivet rather than a bolt. Not that you won't find plenty that are bolted in.

Removing baffle supplies owner with emotional horsepower.

[timwilky]

Further to Mr Sid's reply. People tend to get confused with the type approval regulations and what VOSA impose for MOT requirements.

The type approval has a noise requirement as well as stamping of the certification. This applies not only to OEM systems but also to replacements.

Fortunately most coppers are ignorant of the law. Others make it up as they go along.

[jambo]

As per Tim & Sid's comments. The guidlines for MOTs also changed a little while back. It used to be that the exhaust needed to be stamped with an EU or BS stamp to pass.

The guidelines are now that the vehicle should not make more noise than an equivalent vehicle would with an original exhaust system, and cannot be stamped not for road use. This causes a fair bit more confusion, but allows the tester to apply a sensible amount of common sense :)

James

[the_lone_wolf]

Removing baffle supplies owner with emotional horsepower.

Emotional horsepower is what it's all about...

:smt041:thumbsup::smt008

[Sid Squid]

Emotional horsepower is what it's all about...
And, to a certain extent, I'm all in favour, however some people, I rather think, do not consider the feelings of others when they ride an outrageously noisy motorbicycle. When I'm out on my bike, sometimes I cringe with embarrassment when a nob-end screams his 4 into sod-all up the high street, I see the shaking heads and it's all too apparent they're not shaking at him alone, but at all of us on bikes.

[Dipper]

And, to a certain extent, I'm all in favour, however some people, I rather think, do not consider the feelings of others when they ride an outrageously noisy motorbicycle. When I'm out on my bike, sometimes I cringe with embarrassment when a nob-end screams his 4 into sod-all up the high street, I see the shaking heads and it's all too apparent they're not shaking at him alone, but at all of us on bikes.

A V-twin on the other hand is a different matter...;)

[Sid Squid]

Um, no.

[Nobbylad]

I've found that my ar$e dyno reports a smoother ride with the baffle in.

[the_lone_wolf]

And, to a certain extent, I'm all in favour, however some people, I rather think, do not consider the feelings of others when they ride an outrageously noisy motorbicycle. When I'm out on my bike, sometimes I cringe with embarrassment when a nob-end screams his 4 into sod-all up the high street, I see the shaking heads and it's all too apparent they're not shaking at him alone, but at all of us on bikes.

You do have a very valid point Sid, and I agree, which given the noise the ADV makes, makes me a terrible hypocrite...

Whether I'll get an aftermarket exhaust on the incoming RC8 is 50/50 at the moment, I quite enjoyed the (almost, it's still ~100dB stock and they occasionally fail trackday noise testing) stealth approach when I took it for a test ride...

[andrewsmith]

And, to a certain extent, I'm all in favour, however some people, I rather think, do not consider the feelings of others when they ride an outrageously noisy motorbicycle. When I'm out on my bike, sometimes I cringe with embarrassment when a nob-end screams his 4 into sod-all up the high street, I see the shaking heads and it's all too apparent they're not shaking at him alone, but at all of us on bikes.

Soulkiss overtook you then :lol:

sent from the shredded wheat factory

[Sid Squid]

Soulkiss overtook you then :lol:
Soulkiss only overtakes me when I run out of fuel :lol:

[davepreston]

Soulkiss only overtakes me when I run out of fuel :lol:

and have had a cig, ate your lunch, then refueled and kitted up again :)

[Red Herring]

It's not necessarily the amount of noise you are making that causes the problem, it's the how, when and where that will get you grief. Riding a IL4 (or even an SV for that matter) with a loud can up a residential street at 40 mph in 1st gear is plain antisocial, especially so if you do it in the middle of the night. Ditto if you insist on riding around your favorite roundabout complex that just happens to be next to that new housing estate at 6am on a Sunday morning you can expect a few phone calls to be made. If you don't give anybody cause to look at your exhaust it doesn't matter if there's a baffle in there or not.

[SoulKiss]

Soulkiss only overtakes me when I run out of fuel :lol:

My myum always told me to be respectful of my elders and let them go first :P

[MJC-DEV]

It's not necessarily the amount of noise you are making that causes the problem, it's the how, when and where that will get you grief. Riding a IL4 (or even an SV for that matter) with a loud can up a residential street at 40 mph in 1st gear is plain antisocial, especially so if you do it in the middle of the night. Ditto if you insist on riding around your favorite roundabout complex that just happens to be next to that new housing estate at 6am on a Sunday morning you can expect a few phone calls to be made. If you don't give anybody cause to look at your exhaust it doesn't matter if there's a baffle in there or not.


This is very true, I live near a bike pub in a village and the number of bikers who think that 70mph in a 30mph zone on open pipes (Harley's and IL4) is macho is unbelievable. It's not great at 10pm or a Sunday afternoon, or indeed any time!