Motorcycle tax doubling!

[Warthog]

well they keep trying to impose it (they're trying again now) but when they do we all go & demonstrate in the streets. A LOT of people use bikes in france, especially in the cities, & that's a LOT of voting power, IF everyone mobilises.

Are you against an MOT for bikes?!?

Tax is just that, a tax, but MOTs go someway to making sure that the road users that are around you on the road, regardless of whether you look after your bike or not, are using vehicles that actually work.... If you got shunted off your bike somewhere in La Nievre by some bloke behind you on a bike whose brakes are so past service limits that they don't brake, I'd imagine you'd be pissed off....

Sorry, you can demonstrate against, if you want. My question would have to be, why would you?

[StumpyFingers]

Are you against an MOT for bikes?!?

Tax is just that, a tax, but MOTs go someway to making sure that the road users that are around you on the road, regardless of whether you look after your bike or not, are using vehicles that actually work.... If you got shunted off your bike somewhere in La Nievre by some bloke behind you on a bike whose brakes are so past service limits that they don't brake, I'd imagine you'd be pissed off....

Sorry, you can demonstrate against, if you want. My question would have to be, why would you?

I agree with this, Road tax should be exempt on bikes but Roadworthyness certificates should be law. It is a safety factor which some people seem to ignore.

[Warthog]

I agree with this, Road tax should be exempt on bikes but Roadworthyness certificates should be law. It is a safety factor which some people seem to ignore.

I lived out there for a bit and have spent a lot of time in France: I love it to bits, but I would never buy a used vehicle out there: Not a lot of mechanical sympathy, on the whole.


As it is the MOT for cars is every 3 years, IIRR.

[moon]

Mot for cars is every 2 years, & every year for commercial vehicles over 4 (?) years old. I have nothing against a "roadworthyness" certificate or mot (call it what you will) but the proposals made by the present administration concerning motorcycle "contrôle Téchnique" (mot) are Far from solely concerned by safety & simply penalise any "non-original" parts. Obviously the constructors are all for it as it would effectively outlaw all aftermarket exhaust systems, indicators, mirrors, extra lighting etc...can you imagine only being allowed to buy Honda original parts...the day honda run out of original parts for my 18 yr old transalp, my bike becomes illegal, or I take it of the road!

no thank you.

The french car mot is a farce as well, ok so they check "safety" items, but I got a list of defaults marked down for the works van last visit including the passenger door check strap fixings corroded.. please explain WTF that has to do with safety/ security... mine or others? Nothing! But, if I needed to sell the car I'd have to replace it in order to have a clean report.

Despite being an active member of a bike club here & present on 3 french bike forums, I've never noticed an obvious lack of maintenance amongst the bikes. When I first bought a bike here I couldn't imagine where all the old wrecks went cos I couldn't find one to buy. Rat bikes don't exist here & I've never seen so many dodgy looking bikes as in London so I don't agree that the simple imposition of an mot would make the bikes on the road safer for all. What it WOULD do is earn the governement a huge packet of money....


Who? Me? Cynical? naaaaah...

[StumpyFingers]

I think most proper motorcyclists look after their machines.
How about a system similar to the dutch moped licencing?
Over there they used to MOT a moped and issue a licence plate, that would prevent a lot of problems.