New Motorcycle Mot Rules For 2021

That was basically what the evidence refuted as an annual check. Most people, understandably, find it hard to let go of the logic. The premise seems to be that wear and tear does happen over time but degradation happens slowly enough in most cases that a two-year test is sufficient to ensure safety. Turn the argument around - if we had testing every other year and, without clear evidence, we were all told to pay twice as much, we'd all be complaining.

 

Yesterday ended in a different way to how it started.

I ordered some bright white PIAA halogen H4 bulbs that I had no expectation of buying at breakfast time. I realised that I just couldn't be bothered with swapping the LED H4 in and out and/or having an argument. Life's too short.

As long as the headlamp wiring can cope with 6A on full beam (it's fused at 15 so it should be ok) then I'll be fine.

 

It is an interesting line of thought, did they explain how they did the study?

 

i dont think this is new 2 yrs ago my fireblade failed for having led bulbs and at the same time i took my lexus for a mot to a lexus dealer and that failed for having led sidelight bulbs

 

Cant see this being a problem. This same rule was brought in for cars a couple of years ago and my car with AM LED's and HID's has passed the MOT since no problem. If the beam's all over the place then it will certainly fail. I have a HID bulb in the Husaberg and I'll be leaving it in. The first time I had it tested the guy had never even heard of Husaberg!

 

I think they compared data from at least two different countries, one being our own. I may see if I can find it in the net later. Got to walk the dog and fight my way through the snow to the shop first.

 

No such testing in Iowa. When living in Indiana and West Virginia years ago, this testing was yearly. Both states abolished it eventually. The garages that did the testing simply used it to make money. I recall having to replace some obscure part, like steering idler arms, every inspection, along with bogus muffler bearings and such. The fact is, very very few motor vehicle collisions are caused by faulty equipment. The vast majority being inattentive or reckless drivers, weather conditions, or combinations of both. Face it, MOT checks are simply additional government pressure against owning a vehicle. The message from the State is "take the bus".

 

Thanks for the heads-up. I have complete LED units (see avatar) which replaced the original Dame Edna's so I might be ok. They even have DOT markings, but from China so almost certainly bollocks. My MOT tester is fairly accommodating (I change number plate for legal size but he said don't bother, apparently H-D have a special dispensation and he's not a fan, so won't fail minor number plate indiscretions on any bike), if worst case only a couple of bolts on the Speed3 to swap lights back anyway. I have declared all mods to insurance.
Researched the LED/HID subject when granddaughter wanted her car upgraded, lots of reviews state most LED conversions actually give poor beam pattern and cause dazzle of oncoming traffic which I imagine is what has prompted the MOT change. Supposedly a bigger problem with reflector headlights than projector types. Persuaded gd to use Night Breakers so she'll be fine.
Edit:
Last year MOT tester was impressed with my LED headlight performance/beam pattern, fingers crossed they don't make it mandatory for valid e markings.....
Headlights, number plate, exhaust baffles.... it's a full rebuild every year.

 

The problem with government bodies and legislators is that they hang on to restrictions like their lives depend on them. Facts, logic and evidence do not work on these bastards. Only when they are forced by threat of loss of pension will they reluctantly relax their grip. The MOT was introduced in 1960 when the roads were full of dodgy vehicles. Let’s put this in context. In 1959 some 6,000 people died. 1,748 died in 2019. So with many times more vehicles, many times more car journeys and dramatic improvements in roads, vehicles and driver standards and a constant reduction in road deaths we still have the MOT...

 

They would argue the MOT has helped that and I'd agree, to an extent. There must be some form of policing for vehicle safety standards. Just imagine some of the shite that would be on the roads without it and before you mention old MOT exempt vehicles, these are few and far between and usually in the hands of enthusiasts who maintain them well.

 

In my experience a lot of car owners treat the annual MOT as a service check, it is the only time anyone with an ounce of technical knowledge get near their carse xcept for breakdowns. They work on the breakdown principle of maintenance.

 

This is oh so true; there are lots of us that are really interested in our vehicles and the condition of them, but for a lot of people the only time the tyre pressures and tread depth get checked is when the MOT inspector does it.

I think the last time my other half checked her tyres was 1996.

 

They are not her tyres they are yours!! Same as putting in fuel oil etc.

 

I agree mostly with your assessment, but not on the increase in driving standards. IMO the standard of driving standards has declined.

 

Here in France they still don't have MOT’s for motorbikes which is nuts! They were supposed to come in in 2017. Postponed to 2021-22.

And for bendy roads on a dark night, crash bar mounted fogs are the way to go. Cant see a thing round those corners with the GS headlight.

 

It’s probably safe to say we all want some sort of regular safety check done on vehicles, particularly as many owners don’t bother to do it themselves. And to be fair, it’s probably better that the person checking something like brake lines know what they’re looking for.

On the other hand, the MoT doesn’t provide a great deal of checks beyond the basics. So maybe some sort of combined service and test annually would work. Add a few extra checks to the service, mandate is as an annual requirement, and you have a one-stop ship for keeping your vehicle roadworthy and reliable.

 

So they've now banned LEDs as well as HIDs. That said, the ban applies to the use of LED/HID bulbs in the original headlight. I installed a HID converstion in my Tiger which included new projectors and so I have effectively installed new HID headlights and not used non-approved bulbs in the OEM unit.
I will argue the toss when it comes to the MOT if it is failed but if the worst comes to the worst, I will swap it back to the OEM unit for the test. A bit of a PIA to be honest but HIDs do have the potential to be dangerous if poorly adjusted and in particular, if the light distribution pattern is incorrect and so the logic behind this move is evident.

 

Your headlight will be fine.

 

Different again in NI; also if you've fitted aftermarket indicators (even factory fitted occasionally fail the MOT regs; my mate's standard Honda SL230 was failed) check they are far enough apart...

 

I agree with Pegscraper, gosh no MOT, what carnage could ensue on our roads, imagine if HGVs had no annual Test, and as many will know when these are tested at Ministry Testing Sites they undergoe rigorous examination, also the Testing Staion do not carry out any remedial work if the HGV fails, the garage that I take my bikes and cars to for MOT Testing don't carry out any repairs or servicing, this does give some reassurance to those with little or no mechanical knowledge, pass or fail their vehicle has been tested to the required standards with no financial self interest, thus maintaining their repution.