Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 6:08:25 GMT -5
Motorcycles
Small displacement dirt bike ban in effect
Do not eat this motorcycle!
photo courtesy KTM
We could easily retitle this “The law of unintended consequences.” In August of 2008, Congress enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The act was primarily in reaction to the recent influx of lead-contaminated toys from China. Unfortunately, the CPSIA requires manufacturers of the outrageously broad “Childrens Products” to meet increasingly stringent lead paint and lead content standards and to certify, based on third party testing, that the products meet the act’s requirements.
One of the products that falls into this category is dirt bikes under 80cc. Dirt bikes from every major manufacturer meeting this description (Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha) all use paint with little or no lead, which would easily comply with the most stringent requirements. However, some alloy materials commonly used in the manufacture of motorcycles may inherently contain levels of lead that are (or might be) above the current limits set forth in the act. As a result, beginning on February 10, 2009, motorcycles of 80cc and smaller are no longer available for purchase in the United States.
The straight dope here is that the act was originally set forth to prevent lead content in toys that might be mouthed by small children, not motorcycles. (I suppose we should add that it’s not safe to drink the gas in the tank, pour the acid from the battery in your eyes or to lick the chain at any time either.)
Doesn’t sound like a big deal? Take KTM into consideration for a moment: KTM is the top-selling European motorcycle manufacturer selling bikes in the United States. It beats BMW by a wide margin every year. Why? Because an incredibly large segment of its bikes are 80cc and under. KTM dealers are also normally small, Mom and Pop-run shops that will feel a potentially fatal bite from sales in an already hostile business environment. This act will put KTM dealers out of business.
What can you do? Contact your Congressional delegation and Senators and urge them to ensure that small motorcycles and ATVs are exempted from the lead-content provisions of the Act.
- By Craig Fitzgerald
Small displacement dirt bike ban in effect
Do not eat this motorcycle!
photo courtesy KTM
We could easily retitle this “The law of unintended consequences.” In August of 2008, Congress enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The act was primarily in reaction to the recent influx of lead-contaminated toys from China. Unfortunately, the CPSIA requires manufacturers of the outrageously broad “Childrens Products” to meet increasingly stringent lead paint and lead content standards and to certify, based on third party testing, that the products meet the act’s requirements.
One of the products that falls into this category is dirt bikes under 80cc. Dirt bikes from every major manufacturer meeting this description (Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha) all use paint with little or no lead, which would easily comply with the most stringent requirements. However, some alloy materials commonly used in the manufacture of motorcycles may inherently contain levels of lead that are (or might be) above the current limits set forth in the act. As a result, beginning on February 10, 2009, motorcycles of 80cc and smaller are no longer available for purchase in the United States.
The straight dope here is that the act was originally set forth to prevent lead content in toys that might be mouthed by small children, not motorcycles. (I suppose we should add that it’s not safe to drink the gas in the tank, pour the acid from the battery in your eyes or to lick the chain at any time either.)
Doesn’t sound like a big deal? Take KTM into consideration for a moment: KTM is the top-selling European motorcycle manufacturer selling bikes in the United States. It beats BMW by a wide margin every year. Why? Because an incredibly large segment of its bikes are 80cc and under. KTM dealers are also normally small, Mom and Pop-run shops that will feel a potentially fatal bite from sales in an already hostile business environment. This act will put KTM dealers out of business.
What can you do? Contact your Congressional delegation and Senators and urge them to ensure that small motorcycles and ATVs are exempted from the lead-content provisions of the Act.
- By Craig Fitzgerald