Is it illegal to put a sports exhaust on my 50cc moped.?

Question

Im 16 by the way so I have a provisional license. Thanks

Answer 1

Changing the exhaust pipe isn't specifically prohibited but the consequences of doing it can be illegal. You would have to do some careful checks and actions - not just "asking a mate".



The replacement exhaust must keep the sound levels and gas emission levels below the legal limits. If it makes the moped louder then than the original then it's probably illegal, you would be stopped and prosecuted and risk having the machine confiscated or ordered "off road". If the composition of the exhaust gasses is changed then it may fail an MOT.



Whatever the legal noise and emissions affects are you would still have to inform your insurance company because the replacement exhaust pipe will be considered to be a significant change to manufacturer's specification. If you don't do this then you would be automatically uninsured and that is an offence in itself.



Vehicle manufacturers' fit "tuned" components to their engines to get best efficiency from them. Any change to that will normally affect the overall performance. It's very probable that a "sports" exhaust will reduce the output power of the engine and also increase the petrol consumption. That is, the sporty sound effects are an illusion. You would just look and sound rather silly.

Answer 2

Be careful, the bike might not pass it's next MOT if you do that depending on where you go, some are stricter than others mind.



I had a bike with an exhaust from a different bike (I didn't do it the previous owner did) and it kept coming off and I'd keep having to tighten it, I think I was using more petrol than I should have been too.



Unless the new exhaust is specifically for your bike then I wouldn't do it.

Answer 3

It's not specifically illegal unless it makes it too loud, but it's a really stupid and pointless thing to do.

Don't for a minute think it'll make the bike any faster, if anything it'll slow it down.

Answer 4

Yes but you are not likely to get in trouble for it.



If you know how to tune 2 stroke engines you can get an easy 5-10 mph just out of changing your exhaust and upjetting.