New Motorcycle Legislation 2017 & 2020 (1 Viewer)

RS_rob

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http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocia...ion---what-does-it-mean-for-you/#.VedN2aCrSM_

Interpreting the rules for 2016/17

The last few years have seen a steady stream of new models from the world’s main bike firms but over the next 12 months or so we’re expecting to see a huge glut of new and reworked machines.

Why? A combination of economic and legislative changes are combining to create ‘perfect storm’ conditions that will simultaneously cut down a wide swathe of older models and encourage their replacement with new bikes developed to meet developments in rules and tastes.

Let’s start with the easiest element of the situation; legislation. Much was made of the European regulations on the ‘approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles’ over the painfully drawn-out process of their creation – proposals date back to 2010 and the final text was adopted in 2012 – but little mention has been made since, despite the fact they’ll significantly change many of the bikes we can currently buy.

While the actual documents make for difficult reading, filled with provisos and references to other pieces of legislation, the vast majority of the changes they introduce come into effect in two stages. The rules will first be applied to newly-developed bikes from 1 January 2016, the official date at which the regulations will come into force, while existing models will generally have until precisely one year later – 1 January 2017 – before they have to comply.

The key elements of the new rules are:

Euro 4 emissions limits

This is one of the changes that could sound the death knell for older bikes come the end of 2016, as Euro 4 rules are nearly twice as strict as the Euro 3 regulations that have been in place since 2006. The rules vary depending on performance, but for most full-size bikes carbon monoxide emissions, currently limited to 2.0g/km (grams per kilometre), drop to a maximum of 1.14g/km, while hydrocarbon limits drop from 0.3g/km to 0.17g/km and NOx falls from 0.15g/km to 0.09g/km. What’s more, the Euro 4 also introduces a durability test, so manufacturers need to prove that their engines can still meet the limits after 20,000km of use.

662_Yamaha005.JPG


There’s also an ‘evaporative’ element of the emission test, which measures vapours that come from the evaporation of fuel over a period of time when the engine isn’t running. To pass, some bikes might need changes to their fuel caps, pipes or even completely new fuel tanks.

ABS

This is one most people have heard of; from 1/1/2016 all new-model bikes over 125cc will need ABS, while smaller bikes must have either ABS or a combined brake system. As with the rest of the rules, there’s a year of grace for carry-over models, but come the start of 2017 everything must be in-line with the regulations to be allowed to be sold.

OBD 1 (On Board Diagnostics)

The OBD 1 system is a standardised on-board diagnostic protocol that monitors any electronic element of the emissions control systems. This basically means that anyone with the right equipment – and it must be freely available, not just to authorised dealers – can plug computers into the system to check that things like the bike’s fuel injection is working properly. OBD 1 is still fairly rudimentary, though - from 2020, when Euro 5 emissions laws come into force, bikes will get the same sort of OBD II kit that’s already fitted to cars, which is far more advanced.

What does all that mean?

While there were plenty of scare stories back in 2012 about how ABS would ramp up the cost of bikes or that OBD would force people back to main dealers for every service, the reality is that the changes won’t have a massive impact on riders.

They will impact manufacturers though, since there are plenty of bikes that need significant changes to meet the new rules. That means investment in modifications to their designs, or withdrawing them from sale altogether and replacing them with something else.

A good example is Triumph’s Bonneville. Not designed with Euro 4 or ABS in mind, adopting both would mean a major reworking of the existing model, which in turn represents a huge investment. And with Euro 5 emissions rules due to come into force in 2020, there may not be time to recoup the cost of any short-term fixes.

The recent spate of spy shots showing a completely new, water-cooled Bonneville replacement under development show that Triumph is instead opting to start from scratch with a machine that will not only pass Euro 4 but also the following Euro 5 rules, as well as integrating things like ABS and OBD from day one, instead of trying to massage the old bike until it meets the new regulations.

WM_t2.jpg


And there are plenty of other bikes likely to come into the frame, too. We’ve spoken already about Kawasaki’s forthcoming new ZX-10R, needed because the old version isn’t likely to meet Euro 4 emissions rules, and a big question mark hangs over the likes of the firm’s W800, which currently lacks both a Euro 4 engine and ABS brakes – will it be updated, replaced or simply dropped? What of other bikes that predate the drawing-up of the latest rules? The Suzuki Hayabusa, for instance? Or the Kawasaki ZZR1400? And old favourites like the Suzuki SV650?

Moving away from the legislative pressures, the other element of this ‘perfect storm’ of new-model conditions is economic. As a rule of thumb, it takes around four or five years to develop a new bike from scratch, and maybe half that time to come up with a mid-life update. A decade ago, that meant few bikes would go unaltered for more than half a decade and many of the most popular machines would be updated every couple of years.

But that sort of schedule only works if bikes are selling fast enough to recoup their initial R&D expenses and go firmly into profit within their planned lifespan. In 2007/2008, when the economies of most of the world’s ‘developed’ countries fell into disarray, followed by the near-inevitable collapse of the bike market in those countries, bike firms had to reassess their plans – many new machines were shelved to give older models longer to recoup their initial investments, and model lifespans have been stretched way further than initially envisaged.

Bikes launched before the financial crisis had no eye on Euro 4 emissions rules – they weren’t written back then anyway, and even if they had been the manufacturers would have expected to replace those models long before 2017. Now, though, it’s not hard to find models that have gone largely unchanged for nearly a decade, or at least have underpinnings that date back that far.

While the idea of cutting back on new model development made sense, at least among some manufacturers, back in 2008 or 2009 when the economy was at its worst, it was only ever a short-term strategy, and as conditions didn’t improve by 2012 most firms decided to reverse that decision and to invest their way out of trouble by creating new machines specifically for the changed, post-financial-crash landscape. But the results are, of course, delayed by the length of time it takes to develop such bikes.

Yamaha was among the first to react, and its currently riding a wave of success on a series of well-placed new machines – particularly the MT-09 and MT-07 and their derivatives. Meanwhile Suzuki has been perhaps the slowest to respond, but it’s also believed to have several bikes under development to go on sale by the start of 2017.

333_2015-Yamaha-MT-07-EU-Race-Blu-Static-002.jpg
333_2015-Yamaha-MT-09-EU-Deep-Armor-Action-004.jpg


The focus is, of course, on Japanese firms; their European sales suffered particularly, and currency fluctuations didn’t help (during the crisis, the dollar and European currencies dropped significantly against the Yen, forcing Japanese firms to increase prices and accept smaller profit margins on key developed-country models, which were traditionally high-margin machines.) European firms were generally better placed. They tend to have longer model life-cycles, business models built around smaller production figures, and more modular ranges, built around relatively few engines and flexible enough to spawn extra derivatives with minimal R&D work. The high-end part of the market also appeared to suffer less during the financial crisis, as evidenced by the fact BMW’s pricy R1200GS seems to be permanently glued to the top of European sales charts.

What does all this mean to the average bike buyer? Well, there are plenty of implications. Over the next year, in the run up to 1 January 2017, when the Euro regs come into force even on carry-over models, there will be a huge number of new model launches, giving a wide array of new bike options that simply don’t exist at the moment. These will be bikes developed, like Yamaha’s MT series, with the post-crisis market in mind, and as such could be better suited to more buyers’ needs than current offerings.

Those not looking for the latest high-tech bikes might also be in a strong position, since there may be end-of-line discounts available on some of the bikes that aren’t going to be able to remain on sale after the new rules come into force.

And with so much movement in the new bike market, it’s likely that there will even be knock-on effects on the second-hand scene, so even if you’re not in a position to be buying new – through necessity or preference – there may well be big changes in prices and availability over the next year or so. It’s going to be an interesting time to be a motorcyclist.


.............................

I came across the above link today & have done some searching only to find several links to similar information all of which has left me a bit bewildered.

I am still yet to do my big bike test & having read that link I interpret the info to read that all bikes must meet the 2017 law of Euro 4 & Euro 5 by 2020.

Please feel free to correct me

So here is my take on this if I am reading this correct. Well basically I see no point in booking my big bike test as I could not afford a new bike & from what I can ascertain is that I would need a bike of around 3 years old to pass the 2017 mot & then I would have to buy again a bike 2-3 years old to pass the 2020 mot.
I would be better off selling up & buying yet another car that would cost 5 times more than what I currently pay out & emit more emissions.

Have I read it correct ?
 
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D

Deleted member 29692

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You need to take the last bit of your link: /#.VedD_KCrSM9 away to make it work (y)

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D

Deleted member 29692

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It reads to me like it will only apply to new bikes. Dealers and manufacturers won't be able to sell new models that don't meet the criteria after that date. Existing bikes on the road aren't mentioned. It would be impossible to apply it retrospectively; it would mean every single bike on the road right now would need to be scrapped as retrofitting everything needed isn't viable.
 
D

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Replace the spaces at the start with dots and then copy and paste this

www bennetts co uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2012/2015/august/interpreting-the-new-motorbike-legislation---what-does-it-mean-for-you
 
Oct 1, 2013
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OK, I got it, but too much to take in LOL

Been a long day. Somebody wanna tell the good bits ? ;)
 
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RS_rob

RS_rob

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im trying to fix it but it still no work
 
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RS_rob

RS_rob

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ill copy the lot

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Tootles

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Well, on reading the above, it seems to shorten to this:- If you have an older bike, no worries, this load of crap isn't retrospective. If your buying a new bike, then no worries, (except for the cost), because this yuk will be already fitted.
Final outcome? No lost sleep. (y)

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RS_rob

RS_rob

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The web address for the link is too long for the forum software to handle so it's randomly shortening it.
Ive tried everything to make that link work & it still no work yet it copys & pastes fine in the address bar but not on this site.

but the whole article is copied above now.
 
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RS_rob

RS_rob

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Well, on reading the above, it seems to shorten to this:- If you have an older bike, no worries, this load of crap isn't retrospective. If your buying a new bike, then no worries, (except for the cost), because this yuk will be already fitted.
Final outcome? No lost sleep. (y)

So I dony have to worry about forking out £500 on test & then my most likely £1k 5 year ol bike failing then :rolleyes:
 

Derbyshire wanderer

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Well, on reading the above, it seems to shorten to this:- If you have an older bike, no worries, this load of crap isn't retrospective. If your buying a new bike, then no worries, (except for the cost), because this yuk will be already fitted.
Final outcome? No lost sleep. (y)
Perfect summary (y)
The only surprise to me is that it's took this long to make the motorcycle industry keep up with the emissions laws (not that I think it will make any real difference to air quality). Most bikers are getting on a bit due to the difficulty of getting the licence and insurance for the youngsters.
So probably the ABS is needed to protect the bikers from the di**heads driving (insert BMW/Audi/XRi can't drive or whatever) that have never had a bike so don't think it matters to pull out on one.

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Tootles

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That Ducati is MEGA!!!:h::h::h:

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I suppose the issue for most of us on here is scooters.

Afterall why on earth would you buy the sanitised souless clones that are new bikes when you could buy something you always wanted.
 

Photo4x4

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Afterall why on earth would you buy the sanitised souless clones that are new bikes when you could buy something you always wanted.
Ah! How many times did I hear that in the 1960s from people who owned oil leaking, unreliable, old fashioned, out of date British motorcycles? :)

KH

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Tootles

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Ah! How many times did I hear that in the 1960s from people who owned oil leaking, unreliable, old fashioned, out of date British motorcycles? :)

KH
That is very true. My last road British bike was an A10.......Had a complete engine rebuild including re-bore, but still, on lonely windswept mornings, the tell-tale blob of oil on the pavement under the primary chaincase...........:(
 

Tootles

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When I started work in 1965, my then foreman bought a brand new Honda 250, (with the Benley tank). It was sprayed light blue, looked a million dollars, had FLASHING INDICATORS! a FREE main stand, ELECTRIC START, and a FREE tool kit, went like stink, and didn't drip oil!!

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teensvan99

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Don't know if I should worry or not. Just put deposit on new Suzuki gsx650f. Does all the regs now comming out next year mean this bike will not pass it's first MOT in 3 years time. I have been riding oil leaking bikes from 1966 until 1999. This will be my forth jap bike and was hoping it will last me out. Should I ask the dealer before I go any further with this purchase.

Steve & ann ........... teensvan
 

Forestboy

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I suppose the issue for most of us on here is scooters.

Afterall why on earth would you buy the sanitised souless clones that are new bikes when you could buy something you always wanted.


Ha ha:rofl::rofl: hilarious my brand new S100XR is anything but a sanitised souless clone. It's a fire breathing monster that will make you grin like an looney every time you ride it and the noise it makes is amazing ask Jaws he couldn't believe it was a stock exhaust.
Don't know what bikes you've been riding but certainly not the same ones as me.
Please don't compare rubbishy old Brit bikes to the bikes of today as there is no fair comparison. Nostalgia and poor memory from old age make for selective memory. Having started my biking in 1967 I've ridden and raced numerous Brit bikes. Still riding today and competed in a race this year and as far as I'm concerned Brit bikes belong in museums along with dinosaurs.
Anyway
Happy riding whatever your choice mine will be modern that's for sure.(y)(y)
 
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That Ducati is MEGA!!!:h::h::h:

All my own work. It came in a number of wooden box's.
Astralite wheels made in Sheffield, especially made for me by Tony Dawson. Engine re-built by Steve Wynne of Mike Hailwood fame.
It was good to ride, you felt like you couldn't fall off it and it never leaked oil.
I did once blow the rear carb of its stub showing off at Creg-ny- Baa - embarrassing.
It won first prize at the IOM Ducati Rally, cant remember what year.

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