AFAIK the mandatory cat fitment only applies to new bikes at the point of manufacture. Once they're sold you are still allowed to modify. They tried to stop it a few years ago but backed off because of the economic damage it would do the the major aftermarket parts industry in Europe. If that situation remains the case you can bet they'll soon try again.
Same here, only ever had two claims in my life though, one in 1991 and one in 2006, both write offs. Both had full systems and straight through end cans; not a question was asked by the insurance in either instance & I got fair cops for both machines.
We have had this discussion numerous times on here. 99% of the time, even in an accident, it will not be an issue. But have an accident with either a serious injury or a fatality and all the vehicles will be impounded and looked over by both police and accident investigators and that's when the problems will start if the vehicle is not road legal.
It depends on the bike and what’s being added, whether ‘silencers’ or a full system. I just did a quick check on the configurator, looked at a Hypermotard V2 (the subject of this thread), a Panigale V4 and a Multi Pikes Peak. They all have silencer options which have homologation in various places, eg EU, California, Japan, Australia, but all the ‘full systems’ have this attached to them, including the ubiquitous ‘full’ Akrapovic for the Pikes Peak such as you used to have I believe.
That's not correct. if you remove emissions-related equipment that was part of the vehicle’s original type approval and that causes it to no longer meet the emissions performance it was designed for then operating it on a public road is an offence under Regulation 61A of the Construction & Use Regulations Ref: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/61A Section (3) of the doc covers points 1 & 2 above, but in verbose language. Point 3 is the result.
Interesting, it raises a question, are motorcycles tested for emissions at MOT in the UK? My understanding is not. Thus a decatted, but not obnoxiously loud, exhaust system could still pass the MOT.
No formal emissoins test - just visual check for smoke: Appendix 3: Grounds for refusal > The vehicle emits substantial quantities of avoidable smoke. Very 1960s. Noise is up to the MOT tester. You would expect it would be easy to formally test, but there is no defined decibel limit. Therefore I reckon you're correct on decatted bikes. Still doesn't make it legal of course.
