Photo: BMW
It's a good spring day for French motorcyclists as the lawmakers finally agreed to lift the ban on Euro 3 bikes whose engines produce more than 100 horsepower. The modified law affects both the new bikes and those that were already registered.
Until now, the French law deemed illegal to ride a motorcycle that was capable of more than 100 hp without a restriction kit also known as "Le Retrofit." That meant that, regardless of how brawny a motorcycle was, its owner could only enjoy a fraction of its power riding it on public roads.
Thankfully, it looks like someone finally understood how silly this whole thing was, especially when compared to the laws in other countries in the European Union.
The EU licensing laws already made short work of the power-related issue, as much as it was possible. Still, there is nothing stopping a new rider from operating the bike erroneously and becoming injured.
Frankly, a 47 horsepower bike can be quite fast, has a strong acceleration and can be a road hazard in the hands of the inexperienced rider. Why France considered until now that even highly-experienced motorcyclists should not ride bikes over 100 hp remains a complete mystery, but as this is hardly the only silly motorcycle law in that country, we'll just add we're glad it's gone.
The new law still expects to be published in official papers and will only then become effective. It looks like things will return to normal in May, and besides the riders, the new rule will also help the industry grow a bit. For starters, those who are riding restricted bikes will now be able to unleash their full power, being allowed to "restore them to the original configuration."
Riders who have been eyeing a new motorcycle will have one more incentive to go for pretty much any model that pleases them, and man, there is a lot of new superbikes and other street models that are fantastic choices, and that are excellent fun with their full, unbridled power.
Thankfully, it looks like someone finally understood how silly this whole thing was, especially when compared to the laws in other countries in the European Union.
The EU licensing laws already made short work of the power-related issue, as much as it was possible. Still, there is nothing stopping a new rider from operating the bike erroneously and becoming injured.
Frankly, a 47 horsepower bike can be quite fast, has a strong acceleration and can be a road hazard in the hands of the inexperienced rider. Why France considered until now that even highly-experienced motorcyclists should not ride bikes over 100 hp remains a complete mystery, but as this is hardly the only silly motorcycle law in that country, we'll just add we're glad it's gone.
The new law still expects to be published in official papers and will only then become effective. It looks like things will return to normal in May, and besides the riders, the new rule will also help the industry grow a bit. For starters, those who are riding restricted bikes will now be able to unleash their full power, being allowed to "restore them to the original configuration."
Riders who have been eyeing a new motorcycle will have one more incentive to go for pretty much any model that pleases them, and man, there is a lot of new superbikes and other street models that are fantastic choices, and that are excellent fun with their full, unbridled power.
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