100 horsepower limit for motorcycles proposed by the European Commission
03-08-10, 09:21 PM
#1
100 horsepower limit for motorcycles proposed by the European Commission
Hell will break loose if the U.S. tries to pull this crap off...
100 horsepower limit threat
By Steve Farrell
MCN News Link
Motorcycles could be subjected to 100bhp power limits under proposals to be set out by the European Commission this summer.
The Commission is expected to propose European-wide consistency on the issue, raising the prospect that countries will have to change in line with France, where a 100bhp limit is already in place. (Stupid France!)
The Department for Transport (DfT) has asked British motorcycle groups for opinions on the plans in anticipation of the consultation. A spokesman for the Motor Cycle Action Group (MAG) said: “The DfT has been asking us for our opinion on this and we’ve very clearly come out against a power limit for the United Kingdom.” (Yeah Brits!!!)
He said the proposals were also likely to include ABS for all new bikes. “A 100bhp limit is back on the EU agenda as part of a package of fresh controls which includes mandatory ABS.”
A draft version of the proposals published last year said of the current inconsistency between countries: “This creates a situation where a motorcycle above 74 kW [100bhp] type-approved in one country is refused in another one. This type of situation is not in line with the spirit of the internal market.
“On the other hand, it emerged from dedicated studies that the link between engine power and increase of safety cannot be demonstrated. Based on this, the Commission intends to propose an harmonisation of the EC legislation on that matter.”
100 horsepower limit threat
By Steve Farrell
MCN News Link
Motorcycles could be subjected to 100bhp power limits under proposals to be set out by the European Commission this summer.
The Commission is expected to propose European-wide consistency on the issue, raising the prospect that countries will have to change in line with France, where a 100bhp limit is already in place. (Stupid France!)
The Department for Transport (DfT) has asked British motorcycle groups for opinions on the plans in anticipation of the consultation. A spokesman for the Motor Cycle Action Group (MAG) said: “The DfT has been asking us for our opinion on this and we’ve very clearly come out against a power limit for the United Kingdom.” (Yeah Brits!!!)
He said the proposals were also likely to include ABS for all new bikes. “A 100bhp limit is back on the EU agenda as part of a package of fresh controls which includes mandatory ABS.”
A draft version of the proposals published last year said of the current inconsistency between countries: “This creates a situation where a motorcycle above 74 kW [100bhp] type-approved in one country is refused in another one. This type of situation is not in line with the spirit of the internal market.
“On the other hand, it emerged from dedicated studies that the link between engine power and increase of safety cannot be demonstrated. Based on this, the Commission intends to propose an harmonisation of the EC legislation on that matter.”
03-08-10, 09:29 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
The Europeans are out of control with their limitations and restrictions on anything related to commuting, traffic, or being video taped for that matter
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03-09-10, 08:41 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
[QUOTE=caddyowner;5296207]Whew, I thought the proposed HP limit was on cars.
Same here. 100 HP goes a lot further on a bike than it does a car.
No. It wouldn't be that grim. Air-cooled Beetle engines, for the American market, varied from only 36 to 72 HP, depending on model year and trim level. Early Trabants started out at some 25 HP....I don't remember with the later figures were, but they weren't anywhere near 100 HP.
Same here. 100 HP goes a lot further on a bike than it does a car.
Back to the days of the old Beetle and Trabant. Aaaack!
03-09-10, 09:09 AM
#12
03-09-10, 09:15 AM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
The 55-mph limit was imposed back in the days (early-mid 1970s) when cars were nowhere near as efficient as they are today. You had many big dinosaurs getting 8-15 MPG.....on premium fuel. And it was never really enforced to start with...it COULDN'T be, because too many millions of people routinely violated it every day.
03-09-10, 09:16 AM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
03-09-10, 09:26 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
In many ways, the 55-MPH limit never really existed. So many people routinely violated it that it was like Prohibition back in the 1920's. It was simply a paper law, not one in actuality.
A 100 HP limit for new bikes could probably be enforced at the design/ factory level, but, I'd bet the monthly rent that it couldn't in the hands of actual bikers. Take Harley bikes here in the U.S., for instance. I can't remember the last time I've seen (or heard) one with the factory mufflers still on. The first thing that 99% of new Harley owners do, when they first take delivery of their bikes, is to cut the mufflers off and run straight pipes, not only increasing power by eliminating back-pressure, but also making enough noise to wake up the dead. Technically, that is covered by local noise ordinances, but, again, those are more examples of laws that are rarely (or inadequately) enforced.
A 100 HP limit for new bikes could probably be enforced at the design/ factory level, but, I'd bet the monthly rent that it couldn't in the hands of actual bikers. Take Harley bikes here in the U.S., for instance. I can't remember the last time I've seen (or heard) one with the factory mufflers still on. The first thing that 99% of new Harley owners do, when they first take delivery of their bikes, is to cut the mufflers off and run straight pipes, not only increasing power by eliminating back-pressure, but also making enough noise to wake up the dead. Technically, that is covered by local noise ordinances, but, again, those are more examples of laws that are rarely (or inadequately) enforced.