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WHATS ALL THE NOISE ABOUT?
With the pending International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) in New Zealand it has become imperative that those riders intending to compete in this event comply with the motorcycle noise emission requirements of the governing body, the Federation of International Motorcyclists (FIM).
But more importantly we, as a community of off-road riders, also need to take heed of the global and local concerns and constraints that can be imposed at any time, and in this day and age, all the more frequently. We only need to look at the impact noise control has had at institutions like the Western Springs Speedway in Auckland.
As more and more of New Zealand's country side is carved up into lifestyle blocks, with townies trying to escape the rat race for peace and quiet, we will find it harder and harder to secure quality land for our Enduro, Motocross, trail ride and Cross Country events.
With this background the Enduro fraternity and MNZ have modified the noise emission rules for Enduro Championship events with immediate effect.
Noise measurement will be undertaken as per the FIM Technical Rules, art 79.01 through to 79.17. The exception will be that for New Zealand Enduro Championship events, the noise limit will be set at 98 decibels (db), measured on the A scale, slow setting. This 98 dba limit is as per rule 14-3-5 of the General Competition Rule book of Motorcycling New Zealand.
A point worth noting here is that for the ISDE the noise limit is set at 94 dba.
Based on the initial sound measurement undertaken at the recent Riverhead National Enduro (1 April 2006) it would appear that many riders have some work to do on lowering their exhaust noise level. In some cases the riders with accessory mufflers are well above 100 dba.
Before these riders spit the dummy it is worth noting that Enduro events in Canada have been operating at 94 dba since 2003 and US off-road general events have been limited to 96 dba, also since 2003.
Many interesting articles are on the internet which supports the notion that, in most cases, more noise does not equal more power. One could even argue that if your bike makes over 100 dba then you should be able to beat the likes of Ben Townley or Josh Coppins, who are limited to 96 dba in FIM World MX events! In other words you are better off improving your fitness and riding technique than spending hundreds of dollars on a noisy muffler to compensate for poor skills or fitness.
The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) also has a public position on motorcycle noise.
The AMA believes that few other factors contribute more to misunderstanding and prejudice against the motorcycling community than excessively noisy motorcycles. A minority, riding loud motorcycles, may leave the impression that all motorcycles are loud. Each segment of the motorcycling community -- including the riders, event organizers, retailers and distributors, original equipment and aftermarket manufacturers, law enforcement and the safety community -- must realize that it cannot single- handedly solve this problem. However, each has a role and a responsibility in achieving a solution.
Shifting blame and failing to adopt responsible policies on a voluntary basis can only result in greater prejudice and discrimination against motorcycling. The consequences of continuing to ignore this issue will likely result in excessively rigorous state and federal standards, more expensive and less attractive motorcycles, the reduction of choices in aftermarket products, abusive enforcement of current laws and other solutions undesirable to riders and the motorcycle industry.
So, where does this leave us going forward?
Well for starters, motorcycles that exceed 98 dba at the final National Enduro event of the year, Woodhill, Saturday June 24, will be given a grace period of 30 minutes in which to bring their noise limit down, prior to disqualification. Importantly for the riders the noise test will be undertaken out on the course so riders will need to be prepared for field modifications, should they fail the noise test.
Stay tuned for a quiet revolution.
- - Shaun Stanbridge
