Stock Blade 2009 Turned away for being too loud.

mattodo · 09-08-2009, 12:05 PM

Help! I went to Castle Combe for a track day today only to find that my new 2009 blade failed noise levels on scrutinizing. It registered 109db where the track has a limit of 105db.

They are red hot on noise and will turn you away if you are 1db over. Cost me an overnight and a 240 mile round trip and NO TRACK DAY!

Is there any way to reduce the noise from a stock 2009 blade? Measurements are taken at 9750rpm which is long after the exhaust valve has opened. Getting an aftermarket exhaust seems to make matters worse.

Any suggestions?

bladeracer · 09-08-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattodo

Help! I went to Castle Combe for a track day today only to find that my new 2009 blade failed noise levels on scrutinizing. It registered 109db where the track has a limit of 105db.

They are red hot on noise and will turn you away if you are 1db over. Cost me an overnight and a 240 mile round trip and NO TRACK DAY!

Is there any way to reduce the noise from a stock 2009 blade? Measurements are taken at 9750rpm which is long after the exhaust valve has opened. Getting an aftermarket exhaust seems to make matters worse.

Any suggestions?

Good job you don't live in California :-)
Are you sure they're doing it right?
9750RPM is way higher than here. I would've thought somewhere around 5-6000RPM. You sure that isn't for something like a CBR250RR?
Do you have a link to their test requirements?

mattodo · 09-08-2009, 12:22 PM

Here is the link Castle Combe Circuit - Experiences - Bike Track Days

They test at 75% of the rev range to red line. Glad to see that its not just the blade!

ldavis · 09-08-2009, 12:32 PM

ouch.. that sucks to go all that way and turned out..

bladeracer · 09-08-2009, 12:33 PM

I guess if they're making up the rule themselves there's not much you can do about it.
Our track testing is 500mm from the muffler outlet at the same height above ground but at 45 degrees to the axis of the muffler. Engine warmed up, in neutral with the revs steady at a calculated point based on engine stroke (roughly 50% of redline). For the 55.1mm stroke of the '09 1000RR that would be 6000RPM. Our limit for Road Racing is 102dB(A).

mattodo · 09-08-2009, 12:38 PM

Sounds sensible to me. Problem with the stubby exhaust is the valve that opens at 5.5-6K turns it into virtually a straight through pipe and at 9750 that make a real racket.

What I am thinking is if there is a way to stop the valve opening during the noise test and then flick a switch / reconnect a cable afterwards It may get thru. Any ideas if this can be done?

bladeracer · 09-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattodo

Sounds sensible to me. Problem with the stubby exhaust is the valve that opens at 5.5-6K turns it into virtually a straight through pipe and at 9750 that make a real racket.

What I am thinking is if there is a way to stop the valve opening during the noise test and then flick a switch / reconnect a cable afterwards It may get thru. Any ideas if this can be done?

I got pinged for noise at Broadford in '92 so I got a big welch plug, drilled a hole through it and pressed it into the muffler outlet. Got me through okay.
I wouldn't suggest trying to cheat through the testing and then removing whatever you've done as that is the sort of crap that ruins it for everybody. Once people start complaining about the noise, the next time you go the limit might be 2dBA lower again...

mattodo · 09-08-2009, 12:49 PM

Good point. I will be spending the evening in the garage this evening attempting to make some sort of device that I can clamp in place for days like this.

I have some old zausts knocking around so will try to come up with something! If it works I will post the pics here 'cos I sure as hell wont be the only poor sod that gets told to p..s off from Castle Combe!

bladeracer · 09-08-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattodo

Good point. I will be spending the evening in the garage this evening attempting to make some sort of device that I can clamp in place for days like this.

I have some old zausts knocking around so will try to come up with something! If it works I will post the pics here 'cos I sure as hell wont be the only poor sod that gets told to p..s off from Castle Combe!

Aren't there any other circuits you can go to?

mattodo · 09-08-2009, 12:53 PM

There are but I live miles away from them and Castle Combe is the closest. Next is Donnington (90 miles further) but having checked their website they have a 105dB limit too. :-(

bladeracer · 09-08-2009, 1:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattodo

There are but I live miles away from them and Castle Combe is the closest. Next is Donnington (90 miles further) but having checked their website they have a 105dB limit too. :-(

That sucks then.
Maybe somebody needs to complain to Honda :-)

dicknose · 09-09-2009, 5:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

That sucks then.
Maybe somebody needs to complain to Honda :-)

I guess the problem is the revs.
You can see that a track might test at higher revs than typical road rules - seeing you will be at higher revs.

bladeracer · 09-09-2009, 5:21 AM

I didn't even think about road testing. Might have to look that up as well now :-)

spina220 · 09-09-2009, 7:16 AM

I have never been tested for noise at any racetrack in the US, I guess I will consider myself lucky.

bladeracer · 09-09-2009, 7:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spina220

I have never been tested for noise at any racetrack in the US, I guess I will consider myself lucky.

Have you tried California?

Stu748R · 09-09-2009, 9:15 AM

Maybe Honda should put"Not for race use" on their standard pipes.How bloody rediculous.Only in the good old UK.

sheepofblue · 09-09-2009, 9:55 AM

I think my RC would fail that really bad

Stu748R · 09-09-2009, 10:12 AM

I hope all you UK folks have signed the No10 petition against the blanket reduction of the National speed limit for single carrigeways to 50MPH.Its the last day that you can so just do it.

Unless your happy to ride your Blade at 50 of course.

Stadulator · 09-09-2009, 12:14 PM

I've also never run into DB testing on US tracks.. Florida, Washington, Oregon and California. The only place close to me that does test is Mission Raceway in Mission, BC.

I feel for you guys and GL fixing that problem. What a shitter to be turned away like that.

bladeracer · 09-09-2009, 12:30 PM

I believe Laguna Seca is 92dBA?

Red Rider · 09-09-2009, 1:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattodo

Help! I went to Castle Combe for a track day today only to find that my new 2009 blade failed noise levels on scrutinizing. It registered 109db where the track has a limit of 105db.

They are red hot on noise and will turn you away if you are 1db over. Cost me an overnight and a 240 mile round trip and NO TRACK DAY!

Is there any way to reduce the noise from a stock 2009 blade? Measurements are taken at 9750rpm which is long after the exhaust valve has opened. Getting an aftermarket exhaust seems to make matters worse.

Any suggestions?

They listed the 2008 CBR1000 as one of the models that would not pass with the stock exhaust, so you should've figured your 2009 model wouldn't pass either. It's too bad you had to find out after the fact...

timtech · 09-16-2009, 9:21 AM

Too bad I didn't look at this before I took my stock 2008 blade to Castle Coombe today and it too failed the sound check with 110 db. The chap who's Ducati 1098R in front of me passed was "glad he didn't bring his Blade".

dicknose · 09-18-2009, 8:46 AM

Just looked up the rules for Australia.
The noise test is done at revs = 1/2 revs for max power.
So that is probably less than 75% of redline.

But testing depends a lot on things like position and distance of the mic.

bladeracer · 09-18-2009, 6:43 PM

To flesh out Dicknose's post:

The Road Traffic Vehicle Standards Rules 2002:
Stationary Noise Test - not to be exceeded by more than 1dB(A): Measured 200mm above ground minimum, or +/-25mm of exhaust outlet height, 525mm (+/-25mm) from outlet, at 45 degrees (+/- 10 degrees) to flow of gas, at half the RPM equating to maximum power.
For cars after 1982 - 90dB(A)
For any other car - 96dB(A)
For motorcycles after Feb. 1985 - 94dB(A)
For any other motorcycle - 100dB(A)

Drive-by Noise Test - not to be exceeded by more than 1dB(A): Measured 7.3-7.7 meters from the centreline of the vehicle path and 1.1-1.3 meters above ground level. Use second gear in vehicles with four gears or less, otherwise third gear, at a speed of 50kph (+/-5kph). 10 meters before the microphone, the throttle must be fully opened and then fully closed ten meters past the microphone. Two measurements are made on each side of the vehicle.
Cars - 84dB(A)
Motocycles under 126cc - 81dB(A)
Motorcycles over 125cc - 84dB(A)

I can see problems with drive-by testing of motorcycles if you have to crack the throttle fully open at 50kph in third gear though :-)

GazRR · 09-18-2009, 7:26 PM

1000cc bikes should be revved to 6500rpm for noise testing at British Circuits. My 2009 Blade registered at 100db at that level (Cadwell Park)

spina220 · 09-19-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

Have you tried California?

Not yet to Cali, it is a long trip hauling bikes from New York but definately in my future plans.... I am aware there is a db limitation at all tracks but I never see it being enforced, maybe I'm just not around when they do. All though I have gone through some serious tech inspections from some real ball busters, they never checked me for noise.