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Since the late 1980s, all motorcycles marketed in
the UK have been subject to an EC requirement under which the largest
machines are subject to a maximum noise output of 82dB(A).
In addition, comprehensive UK regulations have been in place since
1995 that set strict controls on the sale and marking of silencers
and also on their use. These regulations make it an offence to sell,
to fit and to use a silencer for a motorcycle that is not appropriately
marked to show that it meets "as new" noise standards.
In addition they also require a silencer to be effectively maintained
so as to avoid excessive noise.
Despite these controls, motorcycle noise is still a major cause
for public complaint. It arises primarily, if not totally, from
the illegal sale and use of non-compliant silencers on motorcycles.
Enforcement and control of illegal silencers is a matter for the
police, but as the regulations are comprehensive, and therefore
complex, the Task Force has prepared a summary of the requirements
to aid better understanding by the enforcement bodies at point-of-sale
and on the road. Broadly, unless the motorcycle was made prior to
1983, all motorcycle silencers sold for, and used on the road should
carry an approval mark, they must not be marked "not for road
use", and they should be in good and efficient working order.
Subjective Identification
The noise limits imposed on new motorcycles have been very stringent
for many years. Certainly any motorcycle fitted with an efficient
original equipment (OE) or replacement exhaust system (RESS) is
most unlikely to cause offence or be illegal. This means that if
a motorcycle "sounds noisy", its exhaust system is probably illegal
and is worth inspecting for the appropriate markings.
Illegal Exhaust Systems
These generally fall into two categories; the poorly maintained,
and more commonly, the "race or custom system". The later are in
widespread use and are particularly popular among the riders of
"race replica" and "custom or "chopper" style machines. Race and
illegal custom silencers should bear the marking "not for highway
use" or similar wording, however this may have been erased or removed.
It is therefore highly probable that the exhaust system of a "noisy
bike" will either be unmarked or have "not for highway use" marked
on it. Either way these are evidence of an offence.
Markings and their Locations
These are required to be "indelible and clearly legible, even
when fitted to the vehicle" (C&U and 92/61 Annex V). A popular
practice among illegal RESS manufacturers is either to use chrome
foil stickers or to "hide" the markings on the inward face of the
silencer or in another inconvenient location.
| Table
1: Original Equipment Silencer Marking (mopeds and motor cycles)
|
| This
table refers to the exhaust Systems fitted to machines when
they were made. |
| Item |
Date
of first use |
OE
Marking requirements |
| 1 |
Pre
1 April 1983 |
No
requirement |
| 2 |
Y
reg. prefix from April 1983 to N reg. suffix to
31 January 1996 |
Make
and Type
(clearly legible and indelible) |
| 3 |
N
reg. suffix from1 February 1996 to present |
1.
Trade name or mark of the manufacturer, and
2. Trade name given by the manufacturer, and
3. (Not mopeds < 50kph) EU
e mark or UNECE E mark (e.g. e11 or E11 for UK), together
with the silencer/exhaust system approval number (e.g. 007).
4.
All to be clearly legible, even when fitted, & indelible
|
| Table
2: Marking requirements for mopeds and motor cycle silencers
in-use |
| This
table refers to the markings that should be on any motorcycle,
scooter or moped being use on the road except for machines first
registered before January 1st 1985 |
| Item |
Date
of first use start and finish dates for Registration (Reg.)
prefix/suffix |
Marking
requirements |
| 1 |
All |
No
silencer used on the road must bear the marks
NOT FOR ROAD USE |
| 2 |
Pre
1 April 1983 |
1.No
requirement.* |
| 3 |
Y
reg. from1 April 1983 to B reg. up to 31 December 1984 |
2.O.E.
marking (see Table 2).
3.No requirement for replacement silencers.* |
| 4 |
B
reg. from 1 January 1985 to H reg. up to 31 March 1991 |
4.
OE marking (see Table 2) or
5. If fitted as a replacement prior to 1 February 1997, name
or trade mark and part number of the silencer manufacturer.
6. BS AU 193/T2 or
7. BS AU 193a:1990/T2 or
8. BS AU 193a:1990/T3 or
9.An International Standard mark that is equivalent to BS |
| 5 |
H
reg. from1 April 1991 toN reg. up to31 January 1996 |
10.
OE marking (see Table 2) or
11. If fitted as a replacement prior to 1 February 1997, name
or trade mark and part number of the silencer manufacturer,
or
12. BS AU 193a: 1990/T3 or
13. An International Standard mark that is equivalent to BS
|
| 6 |
N
reg. from1 February 1996 to present |
14.
OE marking (see Table 2) or
15. If fitted as a replacement prior to 1 February 1997, name
or trade mark and part number of the silencer manufacturer.
16. BS AU 193a: 1990/T3 or
17. An International Standard mark that is equivalent to BS
|
| *Note
- Some silencers may be marked 'Pre 1985 MC only'. This requirement
is enforceable only at point of sale and not when a machine
is in use (see Table 4 below). |
| Table
3: Marking requirements for silencers/exhaust systems at Point
of Sale |
| All
replacement silencers/exhaust systems offered for sale must
be marked: |
| 1.
OE marking (see Table 2) or |
| 2.
BS AU 193/T2 or |
| 3.
BS AU 193a:1990/T2 or |
| 4.
BS AU 193a:1990/T3 or |
| 5.
An International Standard mark that is equivalent to BS or |
| 6.
NOT FOR ROAD USE or |
| 7.
PRE 1985 MC ONLY, unless |
| 8.
sold for scrap. |
| Note:
Packaging or labels for replacement silencers must contain the
name, trade name or trademark and the address of the manufacturer
of the silencer or exhaust system. Instructions as to maintenance
and as to methods of fitting to certain models must also be
provided in certain circumstances. |
| Table
4: Noise Limits for Motorcycles (for Information only) |
| Item |
Date
of first use |
Mopeds |
Motor
cycles |
Reference
|
| 1 |
Pre
1 April 1983 |
No
requirement |
No
requirement |
|
| 2 |
1
April 1983to31 March 1991 |
74dB(A) |
Up
to 80cc = 79 dB(A)
81 - 125cc = 81 dB(A)
126 - 350cc = 84 dB(A)
351 - 500cc = 86 dB(A)
Over 500cc = 87 dB(A) |
C&U
Schedule
7A and directive
78/1015/EEC |
| 3 |
1
April 1991topresent* |
75
dB(A) |
Up
to 80cc = 78
81 - 175cc = 80
Over 175cc = 83 |
C&U
Schedule 7A and directive 87/56/EEC |
| *NB:
these limit values will be tightened from 2003 |
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