And Even stranger !! If the Catalytic Converter in your vehicle wears out!! You don't have to replace it !! Go figure ??!!??!! An observation that governments don't put much thought into .... these Anti-tampering laws will be monitored by Police Officers who for the most part only have very basic instruction or education (knowledge) of Vehicle MOT requirements to begin with !! This is the main reason that most people in Australia aren't dealt with as they possibly could be when they "Modify" their Veh's
Here's the latest, hot-off-the-press, news (from MAG). The reactions and responses already sent to the DfT re. it's anti-tampering proposals have already had an impact (who said we can't make a difference?). MAG and BMF members met with DfT officials and it was clear from their comments that they realise there is an enormous strength of feeling on this issue. They recognise that there were many unintended consequences that could potentially follow the introduction of their proposals, which they weren't aware of. The DfT have agreed to meet again soon for further discussions, where they will go through their proposals in depth and look at the details. The DfT wanted to make it clear that their aim is to avoid the tampering of vehicles in a way that makes them less safe or increases emissions. Ok, so what do we do now? MAG and the BMF needs members to list all kinds of activity and modifications that they think are legitimate but may be potentially affected by these proposals. This might include restoration of older bikes, customisation, performance alterations and ergonomic mods. This is needed within a week to allow DfT officials time to respond, before the consultation deadline expires. The easiest way to do it is through MAG at: [email protected] You do not have to be a member to do this! So well done and thanks to those people that bothered to respond. But it's not over yet..and time is short!
Having read the original paper the following extract is what I said I had gleaned from the paper. “The DfT wanted to make it clear that their aim is to avoid the tampering of vehicles in a way that makes them less safe or increases emissions.” So I’m not sure what MAG has achieved. Just saying
A fair enough question Wessa. MAG, together with the BMF, has got the DfT to sit down and go through their proposals in detail, step-by-step, so that together they can determine whether these proposals will have unintended consequences, and ultimately affect what you and I can do to our bikes. If so, hopefully the DfT will realise things aren't as straightforward as they first thought. Of course there may not be any 'unintended consequences' but at least we bikers (as represented by MAG&BMF) will have a chance to point out if there are. Despite being called the Department For Transport, they are pretty ignorant when it comes to motorcycle-related issues. Bikes are well down their list and sometimes not even on it! Yes really. If potential issues like this were not flagged up then the DfT would plough on in ignorance, making life more difficult for us lot. So MAG and the BMF are looking out for us. I'm glad someone is. Does that answer your question Wessa?
Hi Beerkat, yes excellent work by MAG and BMF, I filled out the survey as I mentioned previously (it is a lengthy paper and took me a long while to complete thoroughly), it wanted examples backed up by sound evidence from experts, what disappointed me was the lack of responses from the motoring organisations and owners clubs I contacted, all I got was confirmation my e mails had been received, I won't be renewing my IAM membership next time around along with a couple of others I am a member of, if they can't look after the members interests then they do not deserve my membership fees. My personal experience of Government departments when a policy or legislation is being proposed, they start very high (wish list) so to speak, and then settle with what appears to be acceptable to all sides, the settlement reached is usually what they really wanted in the first instance, the heads of Government departments are masters at negotiating, they are often very lacking in technical knowledge or how policy may affect the public in reality, however they have "an agenda" and don't depart to much from their desired objective. At present the Government have a huge majority and can push all manner of new legislation through at record speed, it quickly goes from a green paper to white paper and then before you know it's on the statue books. All this said you can't just stand by and do nothing, let us hope they do not attempt to make any new legislation retrospective, one of the thrusts in the survey was emissions and a prevention of departing from those set by manufacturers from when they supplied it new. As we are aware emissions are not currently part of any Motorcycle MOT, however this is also being looked at. It will be interesting to see how the DFT propose how this will be enforced. I guess their driverless HGVs agenda will fill the gap in driver shortages, before you know it we will have a shortage of "body shop repair specialists" as a consequence of driverless vehicles. I for one will be asking manufacturers at this years NEC Motorcycle Live what they did or not do regarding the DFTs proposals, more disappointment I expect. Ride safe all and my long standing IAM membership goes to MAG in future.
The Nanny State mentality at its worst. Here in the U.S. of A. we have ABATE. I used to be a member, but after I retired I started extricating myself from various organizations of which I was a member. I've heard the ABATE acronym stands for American Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, or American Bikers Aimed at Education. Whatever. It's a MC rights group. In New Jersey we were pushing for lane splitting, parking double in metered spaces and the elimination of the helmet law. Some states allow helmetless riding. New Jersey requires a helmet. When I was a police officer I investigated many MC accidents. Helmets can protect your noggin. I will always wear a helmet. That being said, I believe it should be a personal choice. The state should not be in the business of regulating risk-taking. If that's their thing, then outlaw sky diving and bungie jumping. In any event, one win we did chalk up was the elimination of the yearly state safety inspection that was formerly required, although it was likely just a cost cutting measure, not them being magnanimous. At the time one renewed their yearly vehicle registration you had to go to a state inspection station or a certified private service station and have the bike inspected. We would just put the stock exhaust back on and take them off after the inspection. That's been eliminated completely. No more MC yearly inspection. However bikes are now subject to being pulled over (without probable cause) for a roadside inspection by the police. I have never heard of anyone ever being subjected to one of these roadside inspections (a lot of cops ride). Car inspections are still required, but it's only every couple-three years now. Some towns do enforce noise restrictions, with cops actually carrying decibel meters! I've run open pipes in the past. I actually had a woman drop her groceries as she walked by when I started up a Dyna Wide I once had. Good for scaring old ladies and little kids, but I've gotten over it. I did remove the catcon on my Speedmaster (I guess I'm a eco-terrorist now). It gives it a nice "thump," but it's not obnoxious. I wish you all luck in combatting this bullshit.
https://www.visordown.com/news/indu...ing-make-modifying-any-motorcycle-illegal?amp Could be happening here is Australia
Hi Jardorff, a lot of countries appear to be going down the same route so to speak. Anyone thinking "well it won't affect me" better get a reality check, this is an extremely serious set of proposals by the DFT here in the UK, whilst the survey asks technical questions and evidence to back up what you say, do not let this put you off completing it, it's a little like not voting in a National Election and then complaining about who got in power. As an example if one was to say change the air filter in a vehicle to a non OEM one (and this covers almost everything with an engine), it would alter the emissions and be deemed "illegal" under the proposals, heaven forbid if you attempted to de cat a system, say all the Bonneville owners who have made alterations for smoother running will be "criminalised", and most likely demonised by the climate change influencers, these proposals are the most serious modern day threat to our freedom of choice for decades, if anyone thinks this will and does not affect them needs to seriously look at the proposed legislation in more detail, this is not based on any guesswork or supposition, but outlined in the proposed document. Those who run standard machines, stick religiously to the fitment of all OEM parts and service schedules will remain unaffected, the majority of us will I suspect fall into the category of "demonisation". Ride safe all in these somewhat crazy times we face.
