98-23241. Aprilia, SpA , Receipt of Application for Temporary Exemption From Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 123  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 46097-46098]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-23241]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    Docket No. NHTSA 98-4357; Notice 1
    
    
    Aprilia, SpA , Receipt of Application for Temporary Exemption 
    From Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 123
    
        Aprilia SpA of Noale, Italy, has applied for a temporary exemption 
    for calendar years 1999 and 2000 from a requirement of S5.2.1 (Table 1) 
    of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 123 Motorcycle Controls 
    and Displays. The basis of the request is that ``compliance with the 
    standard would prevent the manufacturer from selling a motor vehicle 
    with an overall level of safety at least equal to the overall safety 
    level of nonexempt vehicles,'' 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30113(b)(3)(iv).
        This notice of receipt of an application is published in accordance 
    with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(2) and does not represent 
    any judgment of the agency on the merits of the application.
        If a motorcycle is produced with rear wheel brakes, S5.2.1 of 
    Standard No. 123 requires that the brakes be operable through the right 
    foot control, though the left handlebar is permissible for motor driven 
    cycles (Item 11, Table 1). Aprilia would like to use the left handlebar 
    as the control for the rear brakes of its Leonardo 150 motorcycle, 
    whose 150 cc engine produces more than the 5 hp maximum that separates 
    motor driven cycles from motorcycles. The Aprilia can attain speeds up 
    to 106 km/h (65.7 mph). The frame of the Leonardo ``has not been 
    designed to mount a right foot operated brake pedal, which is a 
    sensitive pressure point able to apply considerable stress to the 
    frame, causing failure due to fatigue * * *'' Aprilia ``intends to 
    begin sales
    
    [[Page 46098]]
    
    into the United States for market testing purposes during the 1999 
    sales year and would like to present a model line including the 
    Leonardo 150 motorcycle.'' Absent an exemption, it would be unable to 
    do so because the vehicle would not fully comply with Standard No. 123. 
    It has requested an exemption for calendar years 1999 and 2000.
        Aprilia argues that the overall level of safety of the Leonardo 150 
    equals or exceeds that of a non-exempted motor vehicle for the 
    following reasons. The Leonardo 150 is equipped with an automatic 
    transmission. As there is no foot operated gear change, ``the operation 
    and use of a motorcycle with an automatic transmission is similar to 
    the operation and use of a bicycle.'' Thus, the Leonardo 150 can be 
    operated without requiring special training or practice. In response to 
    NHTSA's justification for standardization of motorcycle controls, 
    Aprilia argues that ``any driver will not hesitate when confronted with 
    an emergency'' because ``the use of a left hand lever for the rear 
    brake is highly `intuitive' and easy to use  * * *.''
        Admitting that ``the human foot can apply much more force than can 
    the hand,'' Aprilia believes that ``with the modern hydraulically 
    activated disc brakes used on the Leonardo 150, more than enough brake 
    actuation force is available from the hand of even the smallest 
    rider.'' Further, ``it takes much longer for the rider's foot to be 
    placed over the pedal, and the foot force applied, than it does for the 
    rider to reach and squeeze the hand lever.'' Aprilia argues that 
    ``reducing this `latency time' to a minimum, especially for 
    inexperienced riders, has obvious safety benefits.'' Finally, the hand 
    lever reduces the possibility of loss of control because of rear wheel 
    locking in an emergency braking situation because of ``the increased 
    sensitivity to brake feedback with the hand lever.''
        Aprilia points out that European regulations allow motorcycle 
    manufacturers the option of choosing rear brake application through 
    either a right foot or left handlebar control, and that Australia 
    permits the optional locations for motorcycles of any size with 
    automatic transmissions.
        An exemption would be consistent with objectives of motor vehicle 
    safety, Aprilia argues, because it believes that its disc brake system 
    provides ``better resistance to fade and better performance under wet 
    conditions.'' The design of the vehicle ``has been tested by long use 
    in Europe and the rest of the world'' without safety concerns being 
    raised. An exemption would be in the public interest because the 
    emissions ``of the small engines have been demonstrated to be lower 
    than alternative means of transportation such as large motorcycles or 
    automobiles.'' The introduction of ``this type of motor vehicle will 
    provide the American consumer with a broader range of choice of low-
    cost transportation.''
        Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the 
    application described above. Comments should refer to the docket number 
    and the notice number, and be submitted to: Docket Management, Room PL-
    401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. It is requested but 
    not required that 10 copies be submitted.
        All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
    closing date indicated below will be considered, and will be available 
    for examination in the docket at the above address both before and 
    after that date. The Docket Room is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 
    p.m. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing date will 
    also be considered.
        Notice of final action on the application will be published in the 
    Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.
        Comment closing date: September 28, 1998.
    
    (49 U.S.C. 30113; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50. and 
    501.8)
    
        Issued on August 25, 1998.
    L. Robert Shelton,
    Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
    [FR Doc. 98-23241 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/28/1998
Published:
08/28/1998
Department:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
98-23241
Dates:
September 28, 1998.
Pages:
46097-46098 (2 pages)
PDF File:
98-23241.pdf