NEW LAW TO RESHAPE
KIWI MOTORCYCLE SCENE
T
ime is running out for many old favourites in
the Kiwi motorcycling scene with the signing
of a new amendment to the Land Transport
Rule: Light vehicle Brakes 2002 by Associate
Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter this month.
The amendment means new road-going motorcycle
models entering the New Zealand market from
April 1, 2020, will need to have ABS braking fitted
as standard equipment. Existing models will need
to have the technology as a feature by 2021.
While for many European brands this isn’t an
issue due to the EU already having a similar
law for a number of years, it is a different
story for the Japanese manufacturers.
Long-standing models which have remained
top sellers despite their lack of modern features
will either need to be brought up to spec or,
the more likely scenario, they’ll be dropped
from their respective lineups entirely.
Just some of the models we could be waving
goodbye to for good include Suzuki’s DR
and DR-Z range, Kawasaki’s KLR650 and the
majority of the Yamaha cruiser lineup.
This also will likely mean the end of the ability to road
register enduro models, with bikes such as the KTM
EX-C and Yamaha’s WR lines respectively unlikely to
14 KIWI RIDER
gain the technology and will likely become competition
only machines like their European counterparts.
There is a silver lining in all the doom and
gloom, however.
There will be a limited allowance for classic and
collectable motorcycles meaning, if you are bringing
into the country say, an original Vincent Black
Shadow it won’t need to comply. The same goes
for motorcycles first registered prior to January
1, 1990 will not have to comply with the Rule.
For motorcycles first registered after this date,
a new, special interest motorcycle permit would
allow for collectable motorcycles to continue
to be imported, under the condition that there
is no equivalent option with ABS available.
Applicants will be able to apply to the NZ Transport
Agency for a permit, with the number of special
interest permits limited to 100 per year.
Then we get to the real matter behind the move,
which is all in the name of making riding safer. While
we might not all agree that making all new bikes need
to have ABS will save lives, it will mean that we will
finally be catching up to the rest of the automotive
sector when it comes to the view on safety… when was
the last time you saw a brand new car without ABS?