I think they're great: they car is laden down with stuff, and the bodykits so close to the ground, that they literally cannot go quick on 90% of the roads.

Tis a ridiculous notion....

kbannon wrote: I never liked the man as he is an utterly slimy and loathsome character. Given his character, I honestly don't understand why people vote for him.

Ah c'mon Killian, don't be shy, tell us how you really feel!

Some ol same ol, the go after the ones they can catch (like shooting fish in a barrel) catch the ordinary person for speeding 38mph in a 30mpa, not wearing a seat belt, parking ticket expired, tax a couple of weeks out of date, a light not working and the list goes on and on and on. Now its the mod cars, some of them are a bit ott but in my opinion most of them look after their cars no boy racing for the fear of the euros the spent to get it that way. Some of them are so low to the ground they could'nt go fast. Where i think they will get caught out is with the engine mods and the insurance not knowing. The NCT will end up having to  report mod cars to these companies, that will cut the numbers of boy racers. Its the lads in the Junkers that get the rest a bad name. Leave them alone if they want to put there money into mod a car let them keeps them from street corners and hanging around in gangs with nothing to do

I thought most of the mods mentioned were illegal any way, window tint to allow in at least 70% etc.

Surely this is about enforcement of existing legislation rather than deliberation over new legislation, it could be a dangerous ground to start legislating for. Legally what's the difference between a mod and a non-oem part.

Should short shifters etc. be banned as part of the crack down on "mods"?

That meane that my car will fail the next NCT, even though my tint is within the limits.

What will they do about factory tints?

And will they check that wheels are the right offsets for the cars they're on?

Welcome, Baz.  We appreciate all the extra ranting we can get!

You're absolutely right in what you say about upgrading safety equipment; most people here have done it at some stage.  Just look at the tyres you choose to but on your car; often top quality, but not manufacturer recommended brand.

kbannon wrote: Just discovered this... http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI190Y1963.html#ZZSI190Y1963A34 - http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI190Y1963.html#ZZSI190Y196 3A34 34.2.b

Excellent bedtime reading!

While it comments on things like exhausts that reduce noise to an acceptable level must be fitted, it doesn't define "acceptable".  Likewise, it doesn't comment on the requirement for a level of accuracy in instruments such as speedo, just that they are fitted.  There must be another bit of legislation that quantifies these things?

llatsni - I can't remember the last bike I met at night with lights, either!

KB - the tint doesn't really obscure vision - this is open to debate, taking into account how dark the tint is.  However, according to that, our club stickers are illegal!!!

BAZBMW wrote: Interesting... "(b) all glass and all safety glass fitted to a vehicle shall be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven However, " (d) every speedometer which is required to be fitted under these Regulations shall be maintained in good and efficient working order and kept free from any obstruction which might prevent its being easily read"

"all glass and all safety glass fitted to a vehicle " - technically, shades are fitted to the driver, not the car!

Speedo's will never be 100% accurate - the difference in rolling radius of a new tyre, vs. a legal minimum tyre will cause a relative change in the accuracy of the speedo over time.  The level of tolerence in the accuracy of a speedo is defined somewhere in law (I think its up to 10% optimistic, but that it can't under-read), but, as Killian said, it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure they adhere to the relevant limits.  If you change tyre/wheel sizes you need to ensure that the rolling radius remains close to the original (i.e. within 1 or 2 %).  Below is a good link to understand wheel/tyre stuff:-

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/tyre_bible.html - http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/tyre_bible.html

BAZBMW wrote: Shades technically do "obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven" so technically it is incorrect to wear shades.

But they are not fitted to the vehicle (unless you stick then to the bonnet/window, etc.) .....  Oh, the law, what fun eh...?

Re. accuracy of speedo, its to allow for things like production tolerances of the various components (tyres, gears, differential, etc.) that there is an acceptable margin of accuracy and why plod typically gives a margin over the limit on their calibrated gear before they start handing out tickets (unless you annoy them and then its gloves off).

topazman wrote:  His Nct idea won't work cause all they do is put on the stock systems for the test and them put back on the mods after

I hope no BMW car club member would do this

"(b) all glass and all safety glass fitted to a vehicle shall be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven and shall be kept free of inessential objects or inessential stickers;"

does that mean i am commiting an offence by having my "bmwcarclub sticker" on the windows?

hang on.

If mods are going to be banned: Seeya Killian!

Have been reading the http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054850853 - boards.ie version of this thread.

OMFG, there are some plebs around! (IMHO, of course!!!)

gjoconnor92 wrote: topazman wrote:  His Nct idea won't work cause all they do is put on the stock systems for the test and them put back on the mods after I hope no BMW car club member would do this

As if!

Killian - would I say a thing like that about you, our glorious leader?

I was refered to the guy who didn't like tint because he couldn't see through the car in front, but had no problem with vans/trucks/buses/4x4s.

i read his post too.he obviously doesnt think before he posts.

or maybe he just doesnt think full stop.

Topazman wrote

He better start lookin at the "Power Rangers" also alot of the bikes on the roads to day are heaps of crap and alot of road deaths are people on bikes so it would be more better time spent introducing and NCT for bikes as some of them have louder exhausts than cars etc. They onlt way the nect can test a car is at idle not on the road so how are they going to measure noise as most exhausts (the proper built ones )are Tuv approved etc. Local Authority are the only ones with the equipment to measure noise and the Gardai have no equipment to measure tints etc  

Have you ever been on a motorbike i have been riding one for over 10 years now it is not allways the biker at fault you have to go through 3 separate tests before you can get your full licence these days unlike cars which is only 2 the hazard perception test is a joke. They go through a more stringent test than cars for M.O.T.                  once your in your tin box most cars don't give a second thought to what is around them they are more interested to how they look and the decibels coming from there car stereo and not using there mirrors when they pull out.

If it was not for loud cans on bikes you would not know the bike was there I ALWAY TRAVEL WITH MY LIGHTS ON as well it is not law but you would not believe the amount of fg idiots that are on the road.

THIS MAY HAVE GONE A BIT OF TOPIC BUT WHEN PEOPLE ARE ACCUSING BIKERS OF THINGS THEY NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT WHOLE PICTURE.

Hi Bigian, biking is a lot different in Ireland than the UK. It's only recently that license regulations have tightened up. Being previously a part of the biking fraternity myself, Topazman isn't far off with his comments on a good portion of motorcyclists over here and you only do one test, then you have to use a restricted bike for two years, which is only a paper exercise as I know some people with "restricted" R1's. This is part of the bigger picture !

The very last time I was on a bike, I max'ed out a GSXR750 - which is not good manners anyway. But that's generally how they are ridden over here and there has been a huge increase in single vehicle bike fatalities to boot. Just pointing out that it's different over here, even if this post smacks of generality. No offence to good riders out there. I have two brothers who are lunatics and everytime I see a bike death on the news my heart skips a beat.

SO BE SAFE !

Bigian wrote: Have you ever been on a motorbike i have been riding one for over 10 years now it is not allways the biker at fault you have to go through 3 separate tests before you can get your full licence these days unlike cars which is only 2 the hazard perception test is a joke. They go through a more stringent test than cars for M.O.T.                  once your in your tin box most cars don't give a second thought to what is around them they are more interested to how they look and the decibels coming from there car stereo and not using there mirrors when they pull out. If it was not for loud cans on bikes you would not know the bike was there I ALWAY TRAVEL WITH MY LIGHTS ON as well it is not law but you would not believe the amount of fg idiots that are on the road. THIS MAY HAVE GONE A BIT OF TOPIC BUT WHEN PEOPLE ARE ACCUSING BIKERS OF THINGS THEY NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT WHOLE PICTURE.

When you have to go to as many bike accidents as I do you can see the damage it causes the minor ones are bones sticking out through peoples clothes, we have no national test for bikes in thsi country and as a result there are alot of dangerous bikes on the road and the bike test is a joke. Every Sunday morning the mountains around  Dublin are full of bikers (born again) who think the open road is a race track and many of them end up in the ditch or hitting other motorists. My view is that bikes and cars should ne treated the same. both have to do Mot/Nct tests and all restricted to a certain cc vehicle/motorcycle until they are qualified to drive a more powerful machine. Loud exhaust example could apply to cars also in that a pedestrian could hear the car comming down the road.   

BMFan - fully agree with your post.  Maybe we should open a "Grumpy Old Men" thread!

BigIan - unfortunately, a lot of drivers here are blinkered and don't look out for bikes, or else take the mindset "why should they be able to skip the queue of traffic" and won't give them any space.

I think a Grumpy old man thread would be a good idea 

i agree about born again bikers jumping on machines that have advanced probely so much since the last time the rode one.and do not realise the advance in power and lightness of frame etc.

But i have ridden big bikes since i have passed my test i curently ride a ZZR100. One of my close friend was killed a couple of years ago when a tractor pulled out in front of him the tractor driver didn't look and you can quess the rest and that makes you sit up and think.

i also work for a large bus company cowboy stage and driving a large vehicle makes you very aware of what is around me at all time but you will also find a lot of very aware bikers of there soroundings and have a blast but a lot more just go out for a ride, to enjoy the freedom.

Newley passed car drivers should also be restricted on what size engined car until they have gain some experence just like new bike riders are now.

This is just my opinion and if i have upset anyone well

having been hit by a bike being ridden dangerously by a complete head the ball people may think Im going to be bias lol but bikers and car drivers will never agree with each other, bikers blame car drivers and vice versa for all the problems ascoiated.  Personally I give bikes as much space as I can to avoid being walloped again.

As for the NCT etc as Martin states, having a set up as they have is Germany would be very good but the downside of the matter is that the TUV test is very pricey compared to the NCT and the germans have a nack of agreeing standards and sticking to them whereas there will be huge arguments in this country over them!

@ mikerd4 up early or havent gone to bed

Posted: 21-November-2005 at 07:28

brain be still asleep at that time

Bikers love speed. And every single biker I know or hear of are nutters. I know tis a generalised comment, but it's reality for me.

My buddy came off the bike a few months back, smashed his pelvis, and was lucky to be alive. That was brought home when a couple of weeks later, with a friend driving a Pajero + cattle box on his way to pick up his Jixer 1100 ('sleeved' of course - NOT), at the exact same place to the metre where he had his smash, another biker hit them and wasn't so fortunate, turning the cattlebox over and killing himself in the process.

3 weeks later another buddy came of his bike. Granted, he slipped on diesel at a junction doing 15mph, but what galled him was that a mile previous he overtook a bunch of cars doing in excess of 130mph and now they'd think he was a poor rider (go figure that one).

And 8 weeks after that, a friend of a friend was turning & had a bike park itself in his back seat, spinning the car 160° around and breaking the riders 2 arms, 2 legs, pelvis, and other assorted bones. He was 3 times over the speed limit in a built up area.

And these stories are on-going. In Ireland, bikers go flat out. It's a speed addiction and bikes give such a big hit. I'm convinced half of them are on bikes cos their car licences are endorsed & they can't insure fast cars any more.

I'm not dissing them or blaming them for road deaths etc etc cos plenty of drivers are guilty of sins, and as car enthusiasts we all drive on a bit on occasion . But lets call a spade a spade : most bikers are bigger loonies than most.

Hi All....I am in agreement with most of you on this one where the Gov are going for the "Soft Target" again but I also think it is a wasted statement as they will have no way of defining what is "Loud" or what is "Unlawful" on a modified Corsa....personally it is not my bag but there are two cars flicking around near me that are A) really well done and a lot of time and money has been spent and B) any time I have seen them cruising around they are hardly "racing"....too much money spent on the nice paint job I guess. I wish I had the time and the cash to do to my car some of the stuff they do to theirs :-))....I think it also shows that some young lads have both application and take pride in their cars which will only manifest itself later in life when they are driving a family car etc,....maybe the Gov should take a closer look at themselves (building conversions etc) as the so called Boy Racers hardly constitute a crime againts the state do they.

Cheers Keith O'S   

Bye Bye Ivor.  We won't miss you!

*heaving a sigh of relief as I'm due NCT next year and wasn't looking forward to having to strip off the tint!!!

He's gone

GO ON LAD!!! Rage against the machine!  

Killian, have you had a response from them.

I'd say it would make very interesting reading. 

(think they will drag their heels on this one)