Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

acceleration and of achieving maximum speeds of up to 162 mph. Notwithstanding section 103 (f) (3) of this Act, it shall be the purpose of such rulemaking to eliminate, to the extent possible, the hazards posed to operators of such motorcycles and other individuals while such motorcycles are used on public highways, roads, and streets, and in other public areas. "(b) In promulgating a rule under subsection· (a) of this section, the Secretary shall consider, among other methods "(I) The establishment of a maximum achievable rate of acceleration for such motorcycles; and "(2) The establishment of a maximum horsepower-to-weight ratio for such motorcycles. "(c) Rules promulgated under subsection II) of this section shall apply to any such motorcycle offered for sale or sold on or after July 23, 1987." Sec. 4. Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study as to the extent to which, if any, foreign countries impose safetyrelated restrictions on the manufacture or sale of motorcycles which their manufacturers are attempting to market or are marketing in the United States, and the reasons for the imposition of such restrictions. The Secretary of Commerce shall transmit the results of such study to the Congress not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act. AMA REACTION AMA officials described the bill as "vague and overly broad," and promised to closely monitor the progress of the proposed legislation. "Until the language in the Dan- forth legislation is clarified, (we) remain skeptical of the bill," AMA officials said. "In its present draft, the bill is vague and overly broad in its definition of superbikes. "The tone of Danforth's introduction and his failure to consult with the motorcycle industry has con. cerned many in the motorcycle community," said the AMA. "His three page introductory statement refers no fewer than seven times to 'killer cycles.' " The measure will be heard before the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation sometime after Sep' • tember 8. AMA opposes proposed amendments to Clean Air Act . WESTERVILLE, OH, JULY 14 Motorcyclists and the motorcycling industry could be hard hit if current legislation before the U.S. Senate is passed. Senate Resolution Bill 1351 would deliver a staggering blow to the mOlorcyling industry by limiting the amount of two types of exhaust emissions. The amendments, sponsored by Senator George Mitchell (D-Maine), would reclassify street motorcycles larger than 280cc as light-duty vehicles, thus requiring them to meet the same federally mandated exhaust emission standards as cars. S1351 would also deeply cut into the levels of hydrocarbons and levels of oxides of nitroge~for light-duty vehicles, including motorcycles. 011 loUGH BOOT. At this low price the high fashion ARUSA Lowrider,. is more boot for the money than any othermotorcycle boot made in America-or the world, for that matter. Detail for detail, it compares with boots costing $120 ormore. Classic styling. High quality constructionoffull-grain boot . leather. Hand stitching. High tech heel and sole materials. Everythingabout the Lowridersays long wear, rugged good looks and superb functionality. And no wonder. The Lowrider is made by ARUSA,acompany dedicated exclusively to motorcycle footwear, and motorcycle footwear alone. 1-800-99-ARUSA Credit card orders call toll free. Mitchell's proposal would cut allowable hydrocarbon emissions from its current eight grams per vehicle mile for motorcycles to 0.25 grams per vehicle mile by 1992. Late model motorcycles are actually much cleaner than current standards because most already meet the more stringent standards in effect in California. Motorcycles sold in California must meet a 2.25-gramper-mile hydrocarbon limit. Sl351 also proposes thai lightduty vehicle, including motorcycles, meet a level of 0.4 for oxides of nitrogen per vehicle mile. There have never been any standards set for oxides of nitrogen emitted by motorcycles. The AMA opposes these proposed, standards for motorcycles for two reasons: the possible dangers and excessive costs. Catalytic conveners operate at extremely high temperatures, up to 18000 Fahrenheit. On cars, they can be safely tucked underneath, away from gasoline, clothing and human flesh. Not so on motorcycles. Motorcycles also account for less than one percent of the vehicle mi les traveled in this country and less than 1/I00th of one percent of the nation's total pollution problem. . The costs for motorcycle manufacturers to comply with these new standards will be staggering. In an already declining market, where marginal companies have already gone under and the major companies are tightening their own belts, a program that will require a huge investme!lt of money just to preserve sales at current levels would be devastating. Harley-Davidson estimates that it will cost in the neighborhood of $1300 per motorcycle to comply with the proposed 1992 standards. If SI351 is approved, Europeanbased companies such as BMW, Moto Guzzi and Cagiva might abandon the American market altogether. Even the Japanese manufacturers could decide that there are more profits to be made in automobiles, airplanes and musical instruments. The shrinking list of motorcycle manufacturers could get much, much shorter. The bill is currently before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee where it will be heard before August 7. All riders are encouraged to write or call members of the commiltee and voice their opposition to S1351. If this legislation passes, not only will motorcyclists be forced to pay more for a motorcycle, but it's possible they will no longer have the choice they once ~ had. . Members of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee can be reached at 458 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6175 or by calling 202/2243121. Senators serving on this committee are Mitchell, Chairman Quentin Burdick (D-Nonh Dakota), Max Baucus (D-Montana), John B. Bre'lux (D-Louisiana), John H. Chafee (R-Rhode Island), David Durenberger (R-Minnesota), Bob Graham (D-Florida), Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey), Barbara Mikulski (D-Marylalld), Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-New York), Larry Pressler (R·South Dakota), Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyoming), Robert T. Stafford (V-Vermont), Steven D. Symms (R-Idaho) and John W. Warner (R-Virginia). • 011 BIAUTlfUl PRICI.SBB~5 But don't look for the Lowriderinstores. 'Ibis special price is only pos81ble through mail order. Money back guarantee ifnot completely satisfied. Call toll free with credit card information. Or send check, money order(sorry, no CODs) or credit card info with boot size to: . -----------------Name-------------Address_-'--City Bootsize Signature State ---;- VISA#....:-~ _ Zip _ _ -: _ _ MasterCard# _ Exp. date _ _~ _ Add $3.00 for shipping & handling. c - ~ l..:'!!~J'" ------ARUSA, BARCLAY SQUARE, 350 ROUTE 16, SOMERSWORTH, NH 03878 13

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