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[jazz]

Advice needed please guys:
I have a CVO Street Glide with a set of V and H Slip ons.  They sound great, OK for here in the UK.  I am shortly off to France for a months trip, and I have heard that the French Police are a bit stiff about exhaust noise.  I think the Street Glide has a 75db with stock pipes, but I recon I must be way above that.  Am I safe or will I get a ticket? 
Thanks 

[dlaws01]

My money is on the ticket.

[cyril]

Also looking for `E` marked approval . might be an idea to fit the stock slip ons & change them back afterwards.

[kraut]

when we went to Morzine last year nobody seemed interested in loud pipes - but wait till one of our french members answers 

[Alesius]

As long as you're travelling as a tourist with UK plate and the exhaust is (more or less) legal in your country, you might get stopped and asked questions, but as far as I know they cannot give you a ticket for too loud pipes. They could only stop you if your vehicle isn't safe (no light, breaks, etc.). I was travelling with friends from eastern Europe two years ago - their bikes were VERY loud, and we never had any issues in France, Germany or even in Switzerland.

If you're travelling after July 1st, don't forget to buy the Alcohol tester. It's mandatory in France for car and motorcycle drivers to carry them on board starting July 2012...

[bisounours]

Yes, we've the law
and
on other side we've a tolerance (non official) for HD.
It means that it's always possible for Police to give you a ticket.
Sure, it's preferable not twist the gaz in front of the Police.

If you ride cool, I think you'll have no problems.

[france]

I'm living in France so I can tell you about the noise problem we meet here.
First of all it's written on our Tittle (called Carte Grise) how many db bike can do. For example my SERG 110 has "91 db".
Be carefull: it's 91 db at a 2500 rpm not at 900...   

To give you an other idea: the "Street legal US mufflers" which have that plus "80 db" inscribed in the metal are at the noise limit, at 2500 rpm they are still ok but it's the maximum. If you add a TRUE or a DUAL pipes from VANCE it's dead, the 80 db becomes too noisy.
It's true that our mufflers have the "E4" logo inscribed in the metal so even if the mufflers are not too noisy you could get a ticket just because it's not graved but I must say that if your bike is not too noisy police won't ask you for the "E4".

Now, about your travel in France: no matter your country, if French policeman wants he will give you a ticket for your noisy bike, for no respect of Red light or any mistake you could do. the difference between French rider and foreigner one is that you would have to pay cash the amount of the ticket (cash or credit card but you would have to pay now)

If I were you i wouldn't change my exhaust just for a short travel in France, but as bisounours said: do not twist the gaz too much, drive slowly and respect the hight speed limits ... on this way it should work like that.

[ice6900]

I agree with the last 2posts, ride sensibly and you should be ok.
I think the most likely place you will get troubled by the French Police is on the motorway racing back to catch your ferry near Calais, it seems to me they like catching English drivers on this last stretch!

New French Traffic Laws

As from 1st July 2012 it will be compulsory for drivers of all motor vehicles including motorcyclists, excluding mopeds, to carry a breathalyser in their vehicle while travelling in France. This will not be enforced until the 1st November 2012, where persons failing to produce a breathalyser will receive a fine on the spot of 11 Euros. The breathalyser has to be certified by the French authorities, showing an “NF” number. It is recommended that two single use breathalysers are carried, so if one is used or damaged you will still have a replacement to produce.

(Breathalysers can be obtained on board Ferries I believe.)

Effective from 1st January 2013, all drivers and passengers of a motorcycle over 125cc or a motor tricycle over 15kw/h must wear reflective clothing when riding their vehicles. In the event of an emergency stop, the reflective clothing still needs to be worn.
The reflective clothing must have a minimum reflective surface of 150sq cm (approx 23 sq inch) in total either in one piece or in several pieces, and must be worn in the upper part of the body (between the neck and the waist). A fine will be imposed for non compliance.

It is absolutely prohibited to carry, or use radar detectors.. Failure to comply with this regulation involves a fine of up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle and/or device may be confiscated.
As part of the changes to French motoring law, road signs indicating the location of fixed speed cameras are being removed and traditional fixed speed cameras added. A GPS based navigation system which has maps indicating the location of fixed speed cameras must have the “fixed speed camera Points of Interest” function deactivated, ideally they should be removed.

[Alesius]

Hm, I'm not an expert and I'm sure you're more familiar with the local laws. But I would be surprised that they can give you a ticket for too loud pipes as long as you're a foreigner with non-French licence plate. I would understand if they stop you for reasons that could impact security of the passengers or the traffic - but for loud pipes?
If it's true what you're saying, that would mean that many bikes from other countries with different laws (where louder pipes are legal) could be prohibited to travel through France because they don't meet the country's regulations. This doesn't sound right... 

[jazz]

Thanks for all your advice Guys.  It was all most helpful.  For your information, the biking community in the UK is not happy at all about being told to wear a flourescant vest.  Each to his own I suppose.  As far as the breathalyser is concerned, Ho Hum!  

I have decided to leave my V&H Pipes on and accept the risk.  I always drive easy through towns and villages, so hopefully I will be OK.  
During the past 24 hours we have also decided to spend more time away and visit Germany (Bayern) and Italy.   Not sure about Switzerland or Austria yet.  As far as I know the situation regarding loud pipes is much the same in Bavaria and Italy.  Any advice appreciated.

[kraut]

uh - Bavaria!

Their police is infamous for their attitude towards loud pipes on Harleys!

[Hotrod50]

France sucks!

[jazz]

uh - Bavaria!

Their police is infamous for their attitude towards loud pipes on Harleys!

I lived in Oberstaufen for a couple of years, cops were a bit keen there too.  I am now worried about going to Bavaria, perhaps Black Forest instead? 

[Hugh Janis]

I'm amazed at those French laws Nigel posted. YUCK!

[kraut]

just avoid Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg, the surrounding areas and the main transit routes and you should be ok.