American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 205 August 2016 | Page 16

Registrations +8.5
percent in EU markets
The latest data released by
ACEM (Association des
Constructeurs Européens de
Motocycles), the Brussels based
international motorcycle
industry trade association,
shows that motorcycle
registrations in the EU were up
by +8.5 percent for the first five
months of the year.
A total of 416,938 motorcycles
were registered between
January and May 2016, against
384,366 during the same period
of 2015. Year-on-year
motorcycle registrations
increased in all five of the

largest European markets that
between them account for over
80 percent of sales; Italy was
+18.5% (93,730 units); Spain
+13.1% (55,768 units); the UK
+8.5% (48,571 units); Germany
+ 3.0% (81,206 units) and
France +1.4% (69,607 units).
A total of 534,744 of all
displacements of PTWs
(powered-two and threewheelers) were registered
during the first five months of
2016 in the EU - an increase of
+5.5%.
www.acem.eu

New European rules
for motorcycle gear
Until now only protective (motorcycle)
gloves, boots and impact protectors
were categorized by the EU as being
“protective gear” and as such needing
to meet certain standards.
However, the European Parliament has
now decided to include all motorcycle
gear in new protective personal
equipment (PPE) regulations. This
means that in a few years’ time, all
motorcycle gear sold in Europe will
have to meet the same safety
standards as other items categorized
as “personal protective gear.” They will
have to provide a minimum amount of
protection against abrasion and
impact.
Just like with boots and gloves now,
there will have to be a label inside the
gear that confirms that it meets the
European standards and what level of
protection is provided. Also,
information about maintenance,
storage and use of the product must
be given to the buyer. The exact
standards and date by when all
motorcycle gear in shops in Europe
must meet the standards are not
known yet - and it might take some
years yet.
However, this new regulation does not
mean that riders are obliged to wear
only approved clothing. This regulation
is about selling approved protective
clothing, but not about wearing it. As
far as FEMA (The Federation of
European Motorcyclists’ Associations)
say, as of now, the Commission has no
plans to make the wear of approved

motorcycle gear mandatory.
FEMA’s General Secretary Dolf
Willigers commented: “When all
motorcycle gear meets the standard,
you know what amount of protection
you can expect. This is consumer
protection we don’t have now. Of
course the new standards will have to
meet the needs of riders, but with the
information available to us at this time,
I have all confidence that this will be
the case.
“As long as the European authorities
will not use these standards to force
riders to wear only approved
motorcycle gear (and we intend to
campaign that this will not happen),
standardization of motorcycle gear is
a good thing for riders.”
Helmets and visors are outside the
scope of this regulation: they are
covered by UN ECE Regulation no. 22.
www.fema-online.eu

The European Parliament has now
decided to include all motorcycle
gear in new protective personal
equipment (PPE) regulations

Patent pending
Tour Pak rack

Best known for their extensive custom
wheels program, Californian
manufacturer Metalsport Wheels has
introduced this new patent pending
billet Tour Pak rack. Machined from
aircraft grade T-6061 billet aluminum,
it is formed to the contours of the

16

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - AUGUST 2016

Harley Tour Pak; matching saddlebag
rack also available.
The company says they will add “style,
form and function” to the stock Harley
trunk and side bags. They are available
in chrome or gloss black anodized.
www.metalsportwheels.com
www.AMDchampionship.com