Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

FEMA board meeting 5-6 June 2009Vääksy, Finland

Santtu Ahonen, president@mmaf.fi

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

National riders rights organization

focusing on small scale

motorcycle manufacturing

and modification

Modifications should not be

limited more than what is

mandatory due to safety

or environment

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Short history of MMAF

• Started as a counter action to government restrictions

• Initially it was impossible even to get a meeting with authorities

• Today, has best expertise and information on two wheeled dynamics and technology– Consulted widely by universities and authorities– Still plenty to do on attitude and responsiveness

• SMOTO’s technical sub-project run by MMAF

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

MMAF in numbers

• MMAF is a member of SMOTO• About 1000 individual members• Not limited by style – All welcome• Annual fee 20,- per person• Support membership minimum 100,- /

year– Corporations, clubs, associations

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Concrete local problems

• Taxation and related anti-tax-tampering laws– Basically, each bolt has % value and you need to

maintain minimum 50%– Limits maintenance (e.g. after crash) or restoration– Serious issues with basic rights (and common sense)

• Technical limitations based on… gut feeling?• Attitude by authorities: Biker = Criminal

– Fines, removal of registration plates or other measures without legal grounds

• Those weird initiatives that come from EU…

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

TrailTrail

OffsetOffset

Power in numbers will open the doors but theoretical

and practical competencewill win the

fight

Fighting for our rights

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Recuiting the experts

• Hands-on manufacturers through personal contacts

• Knowledge workers through internet– Find the right discussion boards and

identify those who know and are frustrated with the system

– Most are happy to find a channel where they can actually make a difference, instead of whining in the net

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Silver Bullet – Pilot project

• Hands on example for legislation renewal

• Initiated 2005

• Project expected to finish this year

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Emissions

• Noise, gas, particles

• Since 1999 we have 15 new restrictions and regulations

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

EMC validation

Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Mandatory for single approval, cost ~4000,- € per try

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Brakes

MMAF approved for official testing

New, concrete information through research esp. on chopper behaviour on various road situations 21 3

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Geometry and dynamics in theory and in practice

r F2

F1b

F1a

βbβa

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Educational collaboration

• Major on motorcycles in Savonia university

• MMAF as technical consult in the project

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Tools for collaboration

• Have both carrot and stick at hand, and use them

• Personal contacts to all key stake holders

• Seat in key boards and bodies

• SMOTO's Motoparliament – All national stake holders: Parliament members,

ministeries, customs, road and vechile administration, RWT centers...

– Only place where they can actually meet each other

– This year, MMAF will bring several bikes using renewable energy sources

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

Main concerns for future

• Legal expertise with time and will

– Money can not really help, unless there is lots of it

• EU level initiatives where we need FEMA's help

– Frame directive on bikes• Indirect anti tampering and copyright protection

– ITS

– Roadworthiness testing

– Recent Harley-Davidson policy on Salvage title bikes

• Various local initiatives that I will not bother you with

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland

How can we help you and other questions?

Modified Motorcycle Association of Finland