Interpretation ID: aiam2331
Manager - Tyre Legislation
Dunlop Limited
Tyre Technical Division
Fort Dunlop Birmingham B24 9QT
England;
Dear Mr. Clifton: This is in response to your letters of March 22 and June 9, 1976 concerning the classification of motor-scooters and the tires designed for them.; >>>'Motorcycle' is defined in 49 CFR Part 571.3 as: a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the us of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.; 'Motor-driven cycle' is defined as: a motorcycle with a motor that produces 5 brake horsepower or less.<<< The category of 'motor-driven cycles' includes, but is not limited to motorized bicycles. There is no definition of 'scooter' or 'motor-scooter'. Such a vehicle is a motorcycle and, depending on the brake horsepower of its engine, may also be a motor-driven cycle. In any event, a tire for use on such a vehicle is a motorcycle tire that is subject to all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119, *New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars*. The standard does not presently recognize a category of speed-restricted motorcycle tires. However, your letter is being considered in the preparation of the forthcoming Federal Register notice on this subject.; Yours truly, Frank Berndt, Acting Chief Counsel