Silencer marked 'Competition only'

[jmn]

I'm thinking about buying a Harley which has Vance and Hines slip on silencers marked 'Competition only'.

It will be due a first MOT next year. It doesn't sound particularly loud but would this marking cause a problem and potential failure?

[jmn]

Thanks all. I've just found out that the owner has the stock cans which come with the bike.

I do wonder if noise regs are going to be tightened up at some point in the future. Noise cameras may be the beginning.

[jmn]

It's worth pointing out that these days a Harley with a standard exhaust is extremely quiet.

Some years ago I bought a V-Rod on Ebay. It was a one owner bike which had a Vance and Hines 2-1 exhaust. The standard exhaust did not come with it.

I awaited delivery with great anticipation and when it turned up I went out on it immediately. I think that I managed about 10 miles before turning round and heading home. The exhaust, which had not been modified in any way, was stupidly loud and for a while I thought that I had developed Tinnitus as a result of that very short ride. I sourced a decibel killer from Ebay but this was not the answer as it made the exhaust too restricted. Ground clearance was rubbish as well.

I ended up spending quite a lot of money on an Akrapovic 2-1. This was a lot more civilised and had better ground clearance.

On another point MCN have published an article about noise camera trials. During a 12 day trial 61843 vehicles passed by the cameras, and of those 870 noisy vehicles were identified and just 4 of these were bikes. One of the camera sites, on the A32 at West Meon, was specifically chosen due to a nearby weekly bike meet at Loomies Moto Cafe.

Apparently the camera technology has some way to go before they go live.