KEY POINTS:
The governing body of motorcycle sport says it will strictly enforce guidelines limiting noisy exhausts at its national championship events.
Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) tested motocross bikes near Porirua earlier this year and found half of them were over the 98 decibel limit.
MNZ said today that at the national motocross championships, which kick off in South Canterbury on September 30, riders of motorcycles that emit more than 100 decibels at the exhaust pipe will not be permitted to race.
Bikes that exceed the 98 decibel limit will be issued with a warning notice and their machines will be rechecked at round two of the series, in Rotorua on October 14.
If the 98 decibel limit has not been adhered to, those riders will also be excluded from racing.
"Noise is a worldwide issue," said MNZ chief executive Paul Pavletich. He said the sport's world governing body, the FIM, was working towards a 94 decibel upper limit.
"MNZ's ceiling will be 96 decibels from January 1," Pavletich said.
Mechanics would be available at the national championships to repack mufflers or fit noise-reducing inserts.
Pukekohe Motorcycle Club president and Pukekohe bike shop owner Scott Wilkins said, for less that $100, easy-to-insert noise plugs were available and the use of them might become compulsory at his club's events.
MNZ motocross commissioner Mike McLeod, of Wellington, said riders realised the noise tests were not there to annoy the riders.
"We're doing it to save our sport," he said.
- NZPA
