France limits motorcycles to 100hp

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by azoomm

And, they would be speaking German if it weren't for our help.... we could go around and around on this all day.

We all know it isn't the POWER of a motorcycle that makes it inherantly dangerous. Perhaps the human race needs a bit of bleach in the pool every now and then... eh?

Actually, they would be speaking Russian.

[Dave]

eh their own fault for versailles. Much as id like to blame wilson for some of that

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by pdog

The fact that the US is not part of the EU?

So? If this spreads to the entire EU, why wouldn't they just say "Cut down on production costs by selling the same low-power version everywhere"

I mean, the EU is probably responsible for 50-60% of their sales anyway.

[pdog]

Because there are four Japanese factories. The first one that did this, would see their sales plummet. For example, do you think a liter bike buyer would buy a Gixxer limited to 100hp when he can buy an R1 with 150?

Originally Posted by Homeslice

So? If this spreads to the entire EU, why wouldn't they just say "Cut down on production costs by selling the same low-power version everywhere"

I mean, the EU is probably responsible for 50-60% of their sales anyway.

[smileyman]

KTM, Ducati, Triumph, BMW...I don't think those companies would allow this to slide unchallenged thru all the EU.

[Trip]

It will be interesting to see where 600 tech goes with this if they make this pass. I can forsee much lighter 600s right at the 100hp limit.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Trip

It will be interesting to see where 600 tech goes with this if they make this pass. I can forsee much lighter 600s right at the 100hp limit.

Or go back to super light 250 2 strokes?

[smileyman]

Whats the old rule of thumb? 7 lbs is worth 1 hp? So a 400 lb middleweight with 110 hp would have to drop 70 hp to feel as peppy? Not that the braking and handling wouldnt make a diff. but wouldn't it be better to have 110 hp and 330 lbs?

[EpyonXero]

I bet a lot of companies will just stop selling new bikes in France and people who want 100HP bikes will just cross the border to get them.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by pdog

The fact that the US is not part of the EU?

The US wasn't putting pressure on car manufacturers to limit top speeds to 155 mph (250 kph) but most European cars sold here are governed to that speed anyway. As I remember the pressure also came from Europe to limit bikes to 186 mph (300 kph) but it carried over to here as well. We often have to deal with the same restrictions even though we aren't a member nation.