Have loud exhausts had their day? MCN investigate the pros and cons of noisy cans amid new EU regs

The subject of noisy exhausts is once again in the spotlight, with European regulators introducing new anti-tampering rules to combat aftermarket systems deemed louder than standard pipes.  

• Related: A guide to motorcycle exhausts

The new measures come as an amendment to UN Regulation 
No.92 – a ruling that must be considered when outlining EU type approval frameworks for exhaust sound levels, and modifications. It aims to stop riders from bypassing limits with adjustable silencers, while also ensuring aftermarket brands sell products meeting legal levels.

The UK must already meet EU noise standards for exhausts but the Department for Transport has told MCN that it will consult on whether to adopt new regs in the future.

Tightening restrictions have seen an increase in homologation-friendly exhausts sold on the aftermarket, including a new three-into-one Akrapovič titanium system for the Yamaha R9 that has a catalytic converter but still promises a 3bhp boost.

“In the 1990s it was very much the trend to have a loud pipe, full race leathers, knee sliders, but in the last 15 years we’ve seen a shift towards adventure bike riding,” Director of Performance Parts Ltd, Colin Peabody, told MCN.

• Related: MCN’s guide to replacing your motorbike exhaust silencer

As the UK importer and distributor for Akrapovič, Yoshimura, and Zard, the company has seen a change in exhaust buying habits first hand, with Peabody adding: “With that shift to a less aggressive biking lifestyle, it’s gone hand-in-hand with changing demands for the market. 

“People don’t want a screaming exhaust on their BMW GS to tour across Europe.”

He continued: “It’s easy to draw 
a rapid conclusion that aftermarket exhaust sales are struggling, but they absolutely aren’t.

“It couldn’t be more of a buoyant market if it tried, and that’s because the demands of the market have changed, but people do want to add quality to their bikes, and to change the tone of their bike.”

In order to meet the current Euro5+ regulations, standard 2025 motorcycles need to pass between two microphones at 50kph (31mph) during testing. These microphones are spaced 15 metres apart. The maximum value depends on your power-to-weight ratio, but most category A licence motorcycles will need to achieve a maximum of 77dB(A). The lowest power machines come in at 73dB(A).

Research published in January 2025 by Intelligent Transport Systems UK found that 69% of 2050 people surveyed wanted to make it easier to enforce against excessively noisy vehicles. What’s more, 62% wanted the roll out of noise cameras. This was only after the concept was explained to the group though, with 67% of the respondents having never heard of the technology.

Providing the pipes themselves are intended for road use, it’s actually down to the discretion of the tester to decide whether or not they’re suitable.

MCN contacted the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) about this, who said: “The MoT test includes a thorough inspection of the condition of the exhaust. Testers use their experience and judgement to make a subjective assessment of the noise levels.  

“We do not believe it is practical to make an absolute measurement of noise in an MoT station because of ambient and reflective noise.” 

Official government guidelines also state that where possible, a tester should rev the bike to half engine speed once warm and check “the noise emitted from the motorcycle is not clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar motorcycle with a standard silencer in average condition.”

When asked online, 61% of 305 MCN readers surveyed said noisy exhausts still have a place on the road. To get a clearer idea of what people think, we spoke to members of our #ride5000miles Facebook group, to see who likes it loud, and who flies under the radar.

Jason White, 62, from Maidstone said: “It definitely has a lot to do with age. When I was younger my thoughts were not the same as they are now. ‘Loud pipes save lives’ definitely has some truth behind it, but riding awareness saves more. Personally, I’m against them but it’s a bit hypocritical of me to say so as my views have changed as I’ve got older.” 

Gareth Mayfield, 56, from Manchester added: “If manufacturers were allowed to make exhausts that actually work instead of trying to work their way around emissions rules, we wouldn’t need to have loud exhausts on our bikes. My Termignoni end can on my Ducati Multistrada is actually quieter than the standard exhaust, but it’s more efficient and looks better.” 

Mike Britt, 57, from Stevenage commented: “There’s better power, or at least better power to weight with an aftermarket exhaust. I commuted into London for years and my baffle out exhaust was, in my opinion, better in traffic. People heard me filtering up behind them. Obnoxious de-catted pipes we can live without, but I am a fan of bikes being heard.” 

Barry Hall, 60, from Cornwall came out in favour of quiet pipes: “I live in rural Cornwall and at weekends you can hear loud bike exhausts from half a mile away. It’s unnecessary and a bit selfish. I have a standard on mine.”