Removing baffles - the law?

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]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Removing baffle supplies owner with emotional horsepower.

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

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

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]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

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]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

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...