Text 29047, 81 rader
Skriven 2009-03-12 13:17:31 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
     Kommentar till en text av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
Ärende: Bikes
=============
Hello Bob,

On Tuesday March 10 2009 20:35, you wrote to me:


 MV>> Is it a compulsory inspection?

 RB> Yes, every two years. It's not a big deal for bikes - certainly not as
 RB> severe as for cars - but the inspection sticker _must_ be on your
 RB> licence plate or there's hell to pay when the police stop you.

We had those sticker too, a LONG time ago. Now it is just a few bits in a
central data base. The car has to be offered for inspection before the
expiration date, even if you do not use it. So it is easy for the computer to
write out a fine if you default.

 MV>> Here there is no "Tüv" for motorbikes. Not yet. It is about the
 MV>> only catagory of motor vehicles that is exempt. I suspect it is
 MV>> because there is no money to be gained from it.

 RB> You'd be surprised... they extract around EUR 100 from me for this
 RB> little "service".

That is a lot if money. Here they going rate for cars is EUR 45,-. Every year.

But I supect thet "they" in Germany are not the same as the "they" here in
frogland. Here it is the garages that do the inspections.

At the end of the seventees, garages saw their income drop because of two
reasons:

1) Cars became better -> less repairs.
2) Dealers had their own region. If one wanted to buy a new car one was
commited to the dealer serving your area. Anti trust laws ended that. So
competition lowered the profit margins on sale of new cars.

The garage lobby is pretty powerfull and so they managed to get the yearly
inspections as an extra source of income. All they need is one person in house
who is lecensed to do the inpsections. The garages can set their own rates for
the inspection. The usually offer it for "free" with "big maintenance".
Needless to say that there are always a lot of repairs to be done....

Now my assesment is that the garage lobby is not all that eager to do
motorbikes as well. They would have to invest in an inpector licences for bikes
and the bike community is totally different from the avarage car owner. Most
bikers are technically litarate, they do know their stuff. They are not so
easely doped into spending money on needless repairs as the average housewife.

So my guess is that "they" (the garages) think they can not make all that much
money on inspecting bikes. So they are not pushing for it. (contrary to cars).

 RB>>> but the weather has been so bad I haven't had a chance yet. Hope
 RB>>> for a few sunny days before the end of March ;-)

 MV>> I already had my first ride this year. On March first. It was a
 MV>> bit cold, but it was dry and I had nice ride anyway.

 RB> After my experience with multiple 6-8 week "colds" in 1999-2000 and my
 RB> lung operation in 2001, I'm extra cautious about going out in cold/bad
 RB> weather. Didn't used to be so hesitant, but the health problems
 RB> convinced me to be a "sunny day" biker.

I can understand that. I prefer sunny whether myself too. But if you are
vulnerable, I would be extra careful too.

 MV>> But now the wheather is lousy again and I need good wheather to
 MV>> work on it, I can park it in the shed, but it is too cramped too
 MV>> work on it there. Must do it outside.

 RB> No garage? That _is_ a problem.

I dearly miss my fathers garage. With grease pit, workbench and a 3 meter wide
rack of tools. In my youth I spend many hours there. Not shying away from
removing an engine or a gear box and overhauling them.

Well, those days are past. I can only do light repairs now.

Cheers, Michiel

--- GoldED+/W32-MINGW 1.1.5-b20070503
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