Interpretation ID: 1982-3.21

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 11/21/82

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Frank Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Anonymous (Confidential)

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

Dear

This is in reply to your letter of October 15, 1982, asking for an interpretation of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 123, Motorcycle Controls and Displays. You have asked whether the standard permits three-wheeled motorcycles to be equipped with a reverse gear.

Standard No. 123 applies only to motorcycles with handlebars, which are generally those machines with two wheels. As the standard is silent with respect to reverse gears, the agency considers that a manufacturer of a three-wheeled motorcycle with handlebars may provide and locate a reverse gear change mechanism wherever he deems appropriate.

This office can offer no comments on three-wheeled motorcycle safety in general. However, I suggest that you contact NHTSA's Office of Research and Development. Several years ago it conducted a study of three-wheeled vehicles, and as I recall, a configuration with two wheels in front and one behind was found to offer greater stability than the converse.

We shall delete your name and that of your company from the publicly available copies of this letter, in accordance with your wish for confidentiality.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By Frank Berndt Chief Counsel