DVSA market testing

[Simon Davey]

Maybe I'm just a saddo, but I found this whole page pretty interesting.

There's even a section on Moto exhausts....

EDIT: Further down the page linked below is crash helmet testing....

 

Click THIS LINKY THINGY

 

3. Motorcycle exhaust systems and silencers

Aim of the programme

To check aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems and silencers on the market in the UK to make sure that they were:

• indelibly marked as required by regulations
• advertised and supplied correctly

The aim was to test a sample of aftermarket exhausts and silencers, both approved and non-approved, to assess compliance with noise approval standards.

What we did

We checked 32 manufacturers, distributors and retailers as potential suppliers of aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems and silencers to establish whether they were compliant with the legislative requirements for noise.

Of these:

• 23 were selling via their own website
• 1 was selling via Amazon
• 1 was selling via eBay
• 5 were selling at industry-related events

We carried out 2 establishment visits in England.

Broad market surveillance was also carried out across online selling platforms to identify non-compliant aftermarket exhaust systems and silencers for sale into the UK market. We test purchased 26 different exhausts and silencers directly from suppliers and checked for the required approval or relevant markings.

What we found

We found that:

• 9 were approved
• 3 were marked as complying with the relevant British Standards
• 2 were marked as “not for road use” or “pre-1985 MC only”
• 12 were non-compliant and had no approval markings or other relevant markings as required by regulations

We test purchased 8 different types of aftermarket silencers from online selling platforms, none of which met the required regulations. Two were counterfeit products using well-known brand names. Over 700 listings and non-compliant products were removed from online selling platforms.

We attended 3 industry-related events where one manufacturer was displaying approved aftermarket exhaust systems. A further 4 were displaying multiple aftermarket silencers bearing no markings of any kind.

We have written to manufacturers and distributors of the non-compliant products and instructed them to bring their products and advertising into compliance. All but 3 have responded positively and the remaining 3 are being followed up further.

Tests

We tested 13 aftermarket exhaust systems and silencers across 3 different types of motorcycle:

• 2019 Honda CB125F
• 2018 Honda CBR500R
• 2019 Kawasaki Z1000SX

We chose these motorcycles due to their popularity in the UK and range of available aftermarket exhausts.

The bikes were independently laboratory tested with the original exhaust (OEM) fitted to establish baseline noise values and conformity with regulations.

We tested 4 aftermarket exhaust systems and silencers for the Honda CB125F. One was approved, one was declared as meeting British Standards and 2 were non-approved products.

We tested 6 aftermarket exhaust systems and silencers for the Honda CBR500R. Five were approved products and one was declared as meeting British Standards.

We tested 3 aftermarket exhaust systems and silencers for the Kawasaki Z1000SX. All 3 were approved products.

What we found

We found that of the 4 aftermarket silencers tested for the Honda CB125F motorcycle, all 4 exceeded the noise limits permitted under regulations.

Of the 6 aftermarket products tested for the Honda CBR500R motorcycle, 5 products exceeded the permitted noise limits and one was quieter than the noise emitted from the original exhaust.

Two of the three aftermarket products exceeded permitted noise limits for the Kawasaki 1000cc motorcycle and one was quieter than the original exhaust.

Next steps

At the time of writing, the results are being collated from the testing and we will follow up with manufacturers, retailers and approval authorities in 2024 to ensure that products are brought into compliance.

Edited January 21 by Simon Davey

[Punts]

Really interesting, I'll read the whole thing when I have time. Interested to read about articles being removed from sale on internet platforms if they didn't meet standards. I fitted a cheap set of brake pads to the Blackbird, (if you don't try, you don't know). They were excellent, as good as OEM and others I've tried. When I went to get another set, they were no longer listed.

[Simon Davey]

1 hour ago, Punts said:

Really interesting, I'll read the whole thing when I have time. Interested to read about articles being removed from sale on internet platforms if they didn't meet standards. I fitted a cheap set of brake pads to the Blackbird, (if you don't try, you don't know). They were excellent, as good as OEM and others I've tried. When I went to get another set, they were no longer listed.

 

I'm wondering about those brake discs that I bought on eBay

[Davidtav]

I think I could have predicted those findings. The only thing that is surprising is that some of the aftermarket exhausts are actually quieter than oem

[Simon Davey]

Further down the page is crash helmet testing....

[bonio]

So to summarise the bit on helmets, they tested 17 helmets that had been approved to UNECE Regulation 22.05 or 22.06, and they found that 8 of them didn't pass the regulation's tests. In other words, you can buy a helmet with all these stickers on them, and there's a 50% chance it doesn't meet the safety requirement. 

On the other hand, if you buy one without the stickers, your odds of ending up with a dud have increased to almost 100%. So I guess the regs are doing something, even if it's not as much as you'd hope.

Edited January 21 by bonio

[Capt Sisko]

Pity they didn't name & shame.

Edited January 21 by Capt Sisko

[Simon Davey]

16 minutes ago, Capt Sisko said:

Pitty they didn't name & shame.

 

Agree!

[Simon Davey]

30 minutes ago, bonio said:

So to summarise the bit on helmets, they tested 17 helmets that had been approved to UNECE Regulation 22.05 or 22.06, and they found that 8 of them didn't pass the regulation's tests. In other words, you can buy a helmet with all these stickers on them, and there's a 50% chance it doesn't meet the safety requirement. 

On the other hand, if you buy one without the stickers, your odds of ending up with a dud have increased to almost 100%. So I guess the regs are doing something, even if it's not as much as you'd hope.

 

I imagine most are from not so well known brands at the lower end of the budget. Sadly, these are probably bought by those that are most likely to need the protection. 

[RideWithStyles]

Well wording of 

• 1 was selling via Amazon
• 1 was selling via eBay
• We test purchased 8 different types of aftermarket silencers from online selling platforms, none of which met the required regulations. Two were counterfeit products using well-known brand names. Over 700 listings and non-compliant products were removed from online selling platforms.
  
   So was that the two from platforms?
• Its great and shows they do something and I’m sure a lot of what they do and how costs a lot of money—equipment, mule vehicles etc. A lot of it there is very telling and shows with little looking how much crap or none compliance there is in all sorts of markets and businesses.
• but realistically if it wants to be helpful if it hasn’t removed the seller/products from circulation then it should list it.

Edited January 22 by RideWithStyles