DCAT exhaust MOT and riding in Europe

[HelenM]

Thinking of changing the header pipes and a remap but have some concerns.

Don't want a noisy bike and also concerned about MOT.  We also ride in the Alps every year would this be a problem in the EU?

Input appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[BobT]

Why would it be a problem. We don't even have MOTs on bikes here in France for example. Before brexit any vehicle that was legal in its own country was legally allowed to visit any other EU country without any scrutiny. Trouble is that your country voted to leave the EU so I have no idea how you would be treated by any EU copper now, I suspect that no one would bat an eyelid.

[HelenM]

Thanks for your input Bob, I see lots of bikes over hear with aftermarket pipes on and as long as there not to load nobody seems to make an issue of it. is it the same there to ?

[BobT]

Here in France nearly everybody has a loud pipe and many have a letter box sized number plate. With no MOT and the cops not interested there is no problem. You should hear my Ducat with Termi on! There are many more bikes over here and there is a live and let live attitude. One reason that I moved here.

[Mareng1]

Not sure if the French have a phrase for ‘laissez faire’ ??   

That would describe their attitude.

 

[bobdave]

I believe that Austria have implemented a noise restriction in the Tyrol region that would be a problem. They are restricted to 95dBs.

https://www.visordown.com/news/general/noise-ban-top-selling-motorcycles-approved-austrian-route

Other than that I am not aware of any other parts of Europe that are an issue.

I also heard that there is a push here in the UK to introduce 'noise cameras' that will work like speed cameras and that it is being trialled in several areas but Im not sure where.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-noise-camera-trial-to-crack-down-on-illegal-vehicles
 

[bazzer]

I have had cans checked in Switzerland for CE marks, luckily I had standard can on at the same time.

Not sure if they would check the headers if they thought the bike was really loud.


My bike with Akra headers and standard can is bloody loud.

[PapaDac]

With regards to an MOT, for bikes there is no emissions test, so not having a CAT isn’t a problem. Noise wise, there is a noice limit but no one routinely tests for it. However, CAT’s provide most of the silencing on bike exhausts. So if you want to keep it quieter, you’ll need to get a DB killer and wrap it with steel wool or fibreglass. As the DB killer on its own will only do so much.
You’ll need to do this before getting it on the dyno as it will affect the back pressure etc.

[BobT]

Originally Posted by PapaDac

With regards to an MOT, for bikes there is no emissions test, so not having a CAT isn’t a problem. Noise wise, there is a noice limit but no one routinely tests for it. However, CAT’s provide most of the silencing on bike exhausts. So if you want to keep it quieter, you’ll need to get a DB killer and wrap it with steel wool or fibreglass. As the DB killer on its own will only do so much.
You’ll need to do this before getting it on the dyno as it will affect the back pressure etc.

And how would any of that affect riding in Europe?

[PapaDac]

Originally Posted by BobT

And how would any of that affect riding in Europe?

Good point well made. But the original question did ask about MOT, so just trying to contribute my two pennies worth