Noise ban for top-selling motorcycles approved on Austrian route

Austrian officials have enforced a ban on motorcycles that emit noise above 95dB on a popular route through the mountains of Tyrol, one that covers some of Europe’s best-selling models.

The debate over noisy motorcycles is one that has been brewing increasingly across Europe with some nations trialling devices that can detect louder exhausts and hand down a fine if they exceed the limits.

However, routes of around 100km collectively that covers the popular resort area of Tyrol has gone one step further by entirely banning any motorcycle that produces more than 95dB of noise after complaints from residents in the area.

Frustratingly, the ban only covers motorcycles – both Austrian registered and foreign - yet noisy cars seemingly are not included in the bill, according to Moto.it. Police will have the power to carry out spot checks and hand down 220euros in fines.

By setting the limit at 95dB, however, means several top-selling motorcycles won’t be permitted to use that route. These include models including the Kawasaki Z900, Aprilia Tuono/RSV4, BMW S1000RR, Ducati Hypermotard/Multistrada 1260/Diavel and the KTM 890 Duke, which according to Motorrad.de all register noise levels just above this limit.

While this draws the conclusion that motorcyclists will need to avoid this area, such a move could potentially set a precedent for other nations to follow suit across popular routes. 

For instance, Germany is currently considering enforcing a wide-ranging ban on noisy motorcycles on its roads. 

One such outcome could force manufacturers to include devices that help to silence exhausts and keep them lower so as to avoid their models being caught out.