KTM Developing On-bike Sound Monitors

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KTM is developing on-board monitors to measure noise emissions and then either inform the rider of the level, or actively reduce them. (KTM/)

There’s a growing movement in Europe toward tighter noise limits for motorcycles and the adoption of enforcement technologies including noise-sensing cameras to catch offenders. Now manufacturers are starting to find solutions including one illustrated in an intriguing new patent from KTM.

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In Europe, many areas are enforcing noise emissions limits both on popular riding roads, and in large cities. (KTM/)

There are already decibel limits enshrined in European type-approval rules, set at 80 decibels for most bikes, and anti-tampering regulations aimed at stopping riders from making modifications to evade those limits. However, stricter local and regional noise restrictions can still catch out even completely standard, road-legal machines. The issue is that the type-approval rules test noise under specific circumstances (predetermined speeds, gears, and revs), and many motorcycles can pass those tests—so are totally legal—while still being substantially louder at higher revs. Now, with local noise regulations being enforced in places including some popular motorcycling roads in the Austrian Alps and sections of Paris, riders face the challenge of trying to monitor their own noise output to avoid penalties.

Related: Motorcycle Emission Standards | Ask the Geek

That’s where KTM’s new idea comes into play. In essence, the company reasons that if you have a speedometer to monitor your own speed and avoid breaking limits that change from one place to another, why not add a sound meter that lets you keep an eye on your noise levels? The patent’s simplistic illustrations show that the bike’s real-time noise level could be communicated to the rider either via a meter or through a warning light that flashes if you pass a preset threshold. KTM even suggests a haptic system could be used, alerting riders via vibration motors. Ironically the patent also says an audible alert could be adopted to tell you if you stray over the noise limit.

The patent shows that KTM is working on a speedometer-style gauge or an indicator light to inform the rider when sound levels have hit a predetermined limit. (KTM/)

The system includes sensors on the motorcycle itself that monitor the noise level in real time, mounted around the engine and exhaust as well as the bodywork and chassis. KTM suggests these could be either listening for airborne sounds or monitoring vibration through the structure. They’re connected to a control unit that also links to the bike’s engine management.

Related: The Pleasure Of Motorcycle Sounds

From here, there’s a choice of operation modes. In the simplest form the sensors can simply alert the rider about the noise level, letting them decide whether they need to reduce the revs or throttle opening to stay within the legal limit. Essentially, that’s equivalent to a speedometer. The second operation mode is more active. It allows a noise limit to be preset, and then prevents the bike from exceeding it by stepping in and limiting throttle openings or revs. The idea is that, when entering an area where the noise levels are tightly monitored or restricted, you can hit a button and be sure the bike won’t exceed the noise limit. Think of it like setting a cruise control or a temporary speed limiter.

Since the European trend is toward noise restrictions in specific areas, the KTM patent also suggests its system could be tied to a GPS sensor, allowing the bike to automatically adjust its sound levels in areas that the rider has previously selected, or from a broader database of limits stored online or within the bike’s own computer.

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