Many riders in India believe that aftermarket exhausts are outright illegal. However, if we analyze the situation logically:
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The Government of India has assigned an HSN code to aftermarket exhausts, meaning it recognizes them as a legitimate commodity.
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The government collects GST on these products, meaning their sale is legally permitted.
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While certain excessively loud exhausts may violate noise pollution laws, the product category itself is not illegal as long as it complies with regulations.
Analogy: Cigarettes vs. Weed
A similar misconception exists with cigarettes and weed:
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Cigarettes are legal to manufacture, sell, and buy despite being harmful to health. Why? Because the government regulates and taxes them.
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Weed is illegal to produce, sell, or purchase in India, despite debates around its medicinal and economic potential. It lacks governmental recognition and regulation in the same way cigarettes do.
The Takeaway: If something is being taxed and categorized officially, it’s not illegal. Just as cigarettes have a regulated market despite health concerns, aftermarket exhausts have a recognized space in the automotive industry despite misconceptions.
1 comment
Dear sir/ mam,
I’m a superbike exhaust lover and in support of it, but our laws don’t agree no matter you compare it with tobacco.
in India, the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules regulate vehicle modifications, including exhaust systems. Specifically:
1. Rule 110 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989: This rule specifies noise limits for vehicles. It prohibits any modifications that increase the noise level beyond the permissible limit.
2. Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: This section states that any vehicle found to be in violation of prescribed standards, including noise levels, can be penalized.
Modifying the exhaust system to increase noise beyond legal limits can lead to fines, penalties, and even vehicle impoundment.
So instead, i suggest a idea, as you are one of our indian manufacturer, doing awesome work in exhaust world.
Please try adding or even giving a option for valvetronic, it’s just a small valve which could be used in case of emergencies to avoid police .
Please give it a try and all the best.
We all love and support your work.
If we cannot change the rule, we will bend it (loophole).
Thnx
Tanish