49 C.F.R. § 571.123   Standard No. 123; Motorcycle controls and displays.
Title 49 - Transportation


Title 49: Transportation
PART 571—FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
Subpart B—Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

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§ 571.123   Standard No. 123; Motorcycle controls and displays.

Link to an amendment published at 70 FR 51295, Aug. 30, 2005.

S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for the location, operation, identification, and illumination of motorcycle controls and displays, and requirements for motorcycle stands and footrests.

S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to minimize accidents caused by operator error in responding to the motoring environment, by standardizing certain motorcycle controls and displays.

S3. Application. This standard applies to motorcycles equipped with handlebars, except for motorcycles that are designed, and sold exclusively for use by law enforcement agencies.

S4. Definitions. Clockwise and counterclockwise mean opposing directions of rotation around the following axes, as applicable.

(a) The operational axis of the ignition control, viewed from in front of the ignition lock opening;

(b) The axis of the right handlebar on which the twist-grip throttle is located, viewed from the end of that handlebar;

(c) The axis perpendicular to the center of the speedometer, viewed from the operator's normal eye position.

S5.  Requirements.

S5.1. Each motorcycle shall be equipped with a supplemental engine stop control, located and operable as specified in Table 1.

S5.2  Each motorcycle to which this standard applies shall meet the following requirements:

S5.2.1  Control location and operation. If any item of equipment listed in Table 1, Column 1, is provided, the control for such item shall be located as specified in Column 2, and operable as specified in Column 3. Each control located on a right handlebar shall be operable by the operator's right hand throughout its full range without removal of the operator's right hand from the throttle. Each control located on a left handlebar shall be operable by the operator's left hand throughout its full range without removal of the operator's left hand from the handgrip. If a motorcycle with an automatic clutch is equipped with a supplemental rear brake control, the control shall be located on the left handlebar. If a motorcycle is equipped with self-proportioning or antilock braking devices utilizing a single control for front and rear brakes, the control shall be located and operable in the same manner as a rear brake control.

S5.2.2  Display illumination and operation. If an item of equipment listed in Table 2, Column 1, is provided, the display for such item shall be visible to a seated operator under daylight conditions, shall illuminate as specified in Column 2, and shall operate as specified in Column 3.

S5.2.3  Control and display identification. If an item of equipment in Table 3, Column 1, is provided, the item and its operational function shall be identified by:

(a) A symbol substantially in the form shown in Column 3; or

(b) Wording shown in both Column 2 and Column 4; or

(c) A symbol substantially in the form shown in Column 3 and wording shown in both Column 2 and Column 4.

(d) The abbreviations “M.P.H.”, “km/h”, “r/min”, “Hi”, “Lo”, “L”, “R”, and “Res” appearing in Column 2 and Column 4 may be spelled in full. Symbols and words may be provided for equipment items where none are shown in Column 2, Column 3, and Column 4. Any identification provided shall be placed on or adjacent to the control or display position, and shall appear upright to the operator.

S5.2.4  Stands. A stand shall fold rearward and upward if it contacts the ground when the motorcycle is moving forward.

S5.2.5  Footrests. Footrests shall be provided for each designated seating position. Each footrests for a passenger other than an operator shall fold rearward and upward when not in use.

                         Table 1_Motorcycle Control Location and Operation Requirements----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        Equipment control_Column 1              Location_Column 2                  Operation_Column 3----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Manual clutch or integrated clutch and  Left handlebar.............  Squeeze to disengage clutch. gear change.2. Foot operated gear change.............  Left foot control..........  An upward motion of the operator's toe                                                                         shifts transmission toward lower                                                                         numerical gear ratios (commonly                                                                         referred to as ``higher gears''), and a                                                                         downward motion toward higher numerical                                                                         gear ratios (commonly referred to as                                                                         ``lower gears''). If three or more                                                                         gears are provided it shall not be                                                                         possible to shift from the highest gear                                                                         directly to the lowest gear, or vice                                                                         versa.3. Headlamp upper-lower beam control.....  Left handlebar.............  Up for upper beam, down for lower beam.                                                                         If combined with the headlight on-off                                                                         switch, means shall be provided to                                                                         prevent inadvertent actuation of the                                                                         ``off'' function.4. Horn..................................  ......do...................  Push to activate.5. Turn signal lamps.....................  Handlebars.................6. Ignition..............................  ...........................  ``Off''_counterclockwise from other                                                                         positions.7. Manual fuel shutoff control...........  ...........................  Rotate to operate. ``On'' and ``Off''                                                                         are separated by 90 degrees of                                                                         rotation. ``Off'' and ``Reserve'' (if                                                                         provided) are separated by 90 degrees                                                                         of rotation. Sequence order:                                                                         ``On''_``Off''_``Reserve''.8. Twist-grip throttle...................  Right handlebar............  Self-closing to idle in a clockwise                                                                         direction after release of hand.9. Supplemental engine stop..............  ......do...................10. Front wheel brake....................  ......do...................  Squeeze to engage.11. Rear wheel brakes....................  Right foot control \1\.....  Depress to engage.                                           Left handlebar permissible                                            for motor-driven cycles.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ See S5.2.1 for requirements for vehicles with a single control for front and rear brakes, and with a  supplemental rear brake control.
                       Table 2_Motorcycle Display Illumination and Operation Requirements----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            Display_Column 1                  Illumination_Column 2                 Operation_Column 3----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Speedometer.........................  Yes...........................  The display is illuminated whenever the                                                                          headlamp is activated.2. Neutral indication..................  Green display lamp............  The display lamp illuminates when the                                                                          gear selector is in neutral position.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[37 FR 7207, Apr. 12, 1972, as amended at 37 FR 17475, Aug. 29, 1972; 39 FR 32915, Sept. 12, 1974; 48 FR 42819, Sept. 20, 1983; 49 FR 35381, Sept. 7, 1984; 49 FR 35504, Sept. 10, 1984; 56 FR 61387, Dec. 3, 1991; 63 FR 28933, May 27, 1998; 63 FR 51001, Sept. 24, 1998]

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