MAG Ireland continues to receive enquiries relating to the modification of motorcycles under the proposed EU Regulations. Unfortunately, some people still think that they will not be allowed to modify their bikes in any way. This is simply not true.
In addition, a small number of people have asked what we are doing to support MAG UK’s demo which is scheduled for June 24th. We therefore want to clarify the following with regard to Article 18 “anti-tamper”.
Did you know that Anti-tamper/Article 18:
Furthermore, Article 18(a) which would have required qualified inspection of modifications has been dropped entirely. |
Anti-tamper is aimed at mopeds and small bikes. It means the manufacturer has to make it difficult for people who buy these bikes to change the power output. The new regulations won’t apply to something like, say, a CBR600 as that model has already been type approved.
| MAG Ireland has seen no real evidence that “tampering” – i.e. illegal modifications to the engine or drivetrain to increase power – is in any way a quantifiable safety issue. We therefore remain opposed to anti-tampering measures unless/until compelling evidence is presented that there is an issue to be addressed in the first place. |
As of right now, mid sized bikes (the new A2 category) might or might not be included in anti-tampering measures. We see no reason why they should, but even if they are, there is nothing in the regulations to stop a rider who holds a full A license from de-restricting such a bike.
Anti-tamper does NOT mean you can’t add accessories to the bike, but chances are you won’t be putting a power commander on your new moped. As things stand, anti-tamper will not affect the vast majority of riders.
For these reasons MAG Ireland will not be engaging in a rolling demonstration on June 24th.
Instead, we will be supporting our MAG UK colleagues by:
- Continuing to work with and through FEMA to monitor the regulations as they develop at EU level.
- Communicating with Irish MEPs to push for the exclusion of A1 & A2 category motorcycles from anti-tamper.
- Reporting the outcomes of the various meetings at EU level.
MAG Ireland recognises that there are many more aspects to the proposals besides anti-tampering such as the Delegated Acts, ABS, OBD, Emissions and so on. All of these issues continue to be discussed at EU level and we continue to keep a watching brief on them via FEMA.
So far there is little to report and nothing we’ve seen to date would justify the enormous resources needed to stage a full-on mass public demonstration.
In fact, some of our own home grown legislation may yet prove far more toxic to biking as we know it than anything being fought over in Brussels. More on that in a future post.