TÜV SÜD at IMOT: More freedom for young bikers as new EU motorcycle licence rules are introduced

Munich (Pressweb) - Spring, freedom, the lure of the road – despite the freezing temperatures reigning at present, motorcyclists and bikers are looking forward to the new season. The 19th International Motorcycle Exhibition IMOT, held from 17 to 19 February at M,O,C, in Munich's Freimann district, gives them a chance to 'warm up' their knowledge of technology and trends . The main theme addressed by the TÜV SÜD experts at Stand 335 in Hall 3 will be the EU-wide harmonization of motorcycle licences when new regulations are introduced from 2013. Other topics presented at the stand will include tuning tips and valuations.

Tuning is an important priority for many bikers. Exhaust systems that deliver a sportier sound are generally top of their wish lists, and the range of products available on the market is accordingly wide. Type approvals under EU regulations provide guidelines for consumers. But is it as simple as buying a product, bolting it on and driving off? Not quite, warn the experts at TÜV SÜD, and point to the regulations governing catalytic converters. "The best thing is for motorcyclists to visit the TÜV SÜD stand at the IMOT or our Service Center and discuss their tuning plans in detail with an expert before actually starting to work on their bike", suggests Lars Krause from TÜV SÜD Service Center in Munich. "Being well-informed in advance can help bikers to prevent wasting time and money."

But a beefy exhaust sound is only one of the topics addressed by TÜV SÜD's experts at IMOT 2012. Another hot discussion topic is the new motorcycle licence regulations scheduled to come into effect from 2012 as part of EU harmonization, which will bring more freedom - at least for beginners. The main changes include the abolition of the speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour for young bikers aged 16 and 17 (licence class A1); however, the motorcycle power limits of a maximum 11 kW for 125 ccs will continue to apply. Motorcyclists aged over 18 with A2 class licences, however, can up their bike's power to 35 kW instead of the previous 25 kW. All the necessary information on the new licence and the forthcoming changes can be found at the TÜV SÜD stand.

How much is my bike worth? What are the main things to watch out for when buying a used motorbike? What sort of biker clothing is right for me? The range of information provided by the specialists extends from tips on buying used bikes and obtaining valuations to the best types of clothing and registration procedures. In addition, the Munich road safety association Verkehrswacht München will be on hand offering free eye tests and reaction tests. A focus of attention at the TÜV SÜD stand will be a souped-up Suzuki VZR1800.

IMOT is the largest motorcycle exhibition in Southern Germany. The 19th International Motorcycle Show will be attended by over 300 exhibitors from almost 20 countries, providing visitors with information on the latest developments in the world of motorbikes, scooters, trikes and their relations.

At the 19th IMOT held from 17 to 19 February at M,O,C, in Munich Freimann, the TÜV SÜD experts will be at Stand 335 in Hall 3 to answer all questions concerning safe biking.

More information for motorcyclists can be found at www.tuev-sued.de

The official IMOT website can be found at www.imot.de