2009/11/27 - 18:29
Involved for many years in the field of environmental protection and proud of the agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme, the FIM has, for two years, been committed to an initiative aiming at the reduction of sound levels of motorcycles used in off-road competitions.
With the support from manufacturers worldwide and our promoters, the new sound test method "2 metre max" * will be applied as from 2010 in Motocross, Enduro and Track Racing World Championships. The new method will be much more evident for our fellow citizens and for the fight against excessive noise.
The noise levels permitted will be an important first step in the reduction of sound levels, with an average reduction between 3 and 6 dB/A, compared to the current situation, depending on the discipline.
For Motocross and Track Racing, the maximum noise level admitted at a distance of 100 metres will be of 81 dB/A, and in Enduro the maximum noise level admitted at a distance of 100 metres will be 78 dB/A.
This action will be relayed in a new FIM campaign called "RIDE QUIET", not only beneficial for the future of motorcycle racing, but also for the benefit of all motorcyclists on the street.
Vito Ippolito, FIM President said: "For the past 15 years, FIM has become a leading sporting federation, actively involved in the study and application of solutions to fight against environmental nuisance. The rules of the new sound test method for competition, represents a significant progress. I'm really pleased with the collaboration with our partners to achieve this agreement. "
Jean-Pierre Mougin, FIM Deputy President and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the reduction of sound levels added: "A major step has been made with the implementation of this new method, thanks to an excellent cooperation between manufacturers and promoters, not to mention the strong impulse given by the Danish federation (DMU). This is important for the survival of all FIM off-road disciplines. The FIM had to react effectively. 2010 will constitute a first step in the fight against noise nuisances and the results will define the future actions.”
*The new sound level test method "2 metre max" is carried out at with the sound meter positioned at the rear of the motorcycle, at a distance of two metres and an angle of 45°from the silencer. The engine is tested at maximum rpm.
THE OPERATING PROCEDURE
The ‘2 metre max’ method will consist in quantifying not only the sound
level produced by the silencer of the exhaust, but the maximum global
sound level achieves by the motorcycle when the engine rpm’s are raised
to the maximum engine speed, limited by
➯ natural regulation for 2T, or
➯ rev limiter for 4T.
For 4T engines used in Speedway, Long track and Ice speedway, without
rev limiter, it would be advisable to limit the full open the throttle for 1 or 2s
maximum.
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General(e) Section
THE PREPARATION OF THE SOUND METER
• Calibrated the sound meter at 93,5 dB or 113.5 dB to take into
account the incidence of the wind foam ball
• Position the wind foam ball on the microphone
• Activate the ‘A’ weighing
• FAST time weighting must be activated
• Select range Hi 80~130 dB
• Activate the function MAX MIN – set on MAX
THE SET UP OF THE SOUND METER AND THE MOTORCYCLE
The sound levels will be measured with the sound meter/microphone fixed
on a tripod, in the horizontal position, at the rear of the motorcycle.
The sound meter will be positioned at a distance of 2 metre behind the
motorcycle, with an angle of 45° away from the centerline, on the exhaust
side and at a height of 1.35m above the ground. The 2m distance is
measured from the point where the centre of rear tyre touches the ground.
It is preferred to make the tests on soft ground, not reverberating, i.e. grass
or fine gravel.
The ambient sound level muss remain lower than 95 - 100 dB/A.
THE POSITIONING OF THE MOTORCYCLE
The reference points:
• For a motorcycle: the contact point of the rear wheel on the
ground.
• For a Quad vehicle: the vertical line to the ground from the centre
point of the rear axle.
• For a Side-car: the contact point of the side wheel on the ground.
• For motorcycles fitted with 2 exhaust outputs, the measurement
will be made on the side of the air intake. If a central positioned
air intake is used, both sides will be tested.
• For Quad vehicles with exhaust outlet moved by the median axis,
the measurement will be made offset side.
To make repetitive measurements, all motorcycles can be positioned into a
small frame fixed on the ground.
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General(e) Section
THE NEW 2 METRE MAX METHOD
THE OPERATION – PROTECT YOUR HEARING – USE EAR PROTECTION
• The measurement is made with motorcycle on its wheels, in
neutral, hot engine.
• The technical steward takes place besides the motorcycles,
opposite to the microphone, or in front of the handlebars near
the front wheel, not to screen or stand between the bike and the
microphone.
• If a 2nd steward is permanently attending the sound level checks,
it is strongly advised for him to use earplugs (headset or ear
protectors) .
• The throttle is turned as fast as possible (instantly) until the
appearance of the first signs of engine speed regulation (by the
rpm limiter), then released quickly to avoid possible back fire.
• If the engine tends to suffocate, accelerate slightly before
opening full open throttle.
• If detonations appear, the measurement must be started again.
A solution to avoid post combustion in the silencer could be a progressive
relaxation of the throttle.
THE MEASUREMENT – RECORDING OF THE SOUND LEVEL
• For motorcycles without rev limiter, the opening of gases will
have to be lower than 2 seconds.
• A mnemonic to count: ‘one thousand and one, one thousand and
two’, or ‘1y, 2y’.
• When the measurement is considered acceptable, write down the
result, then reset (push on the sideline) the MAX MIN setting until
the disappearance of the previously displayed value.
• Push again on the sideline MAX MIN to arm the sound level
meter.
• The sound level meter is then ready for the following
measurement.
38
General(e) Section
The perfectible point of this method is the possible cheating by
"temporary" decreasing the maxi engine speed reached by:
• the clogging in engine 2T
• a switch on the programmable CDI/ECU for 2T and 4T
engine
A noticeably lower engine speed is detected easily by hearing. If doubt,
control of the value of the rpm limiter with a tachometer.
Sound levels will be controlled to limits as stated in Art. 79.11.
For the initial sound control and technical inspection, a rider (or his mechanic)
shall present only one spare silencer per machine.
Other spare silencers may be presented after all participants have presented
their motorcycles, or on the following days of the event.
Så långt från VM-puts man kan komma, så nära genuin racing man kan komma.
