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Take Action Now To Save Your Rights

  • You’re a biker and you belong to a motorcyclist rights organization, but are you doing everything you can to maintain your rights? Are you actively reaching out to your elected officials to request that they act on our issues? Have you asked your friends and family members to reach out to their legislators? Or, are you just ready to give up and let the government and manufacturers do what they want? Now is the time to take action!

    RIGHT TO REPAIR

    Do you have and ride a completely stock motorcycle? I mean 100% stock, no changes since it left the OEM’s facility. Original tires, exhaust, windshield, handgrips, floorboards, oil, and filter. If not, did you pay the dealership for all the work and only purchase OEM parts? Guess what, the manufacturers think you and your local aftermarket shop are too stupid to work on your own motorcycle, and they are working to take that ability from you.

    The REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566), currently assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, can affect our ability to work on or modify our motorcycles. The passage of this bill will ensure that OEMs provide us access to the manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts needed to repair, maintain, and modify our motorcycles without going through the OEM’s dealership. If it doesn’t pass, we are barreling towards a world where ALL of your maintenance and repair work (tires, oil changes, etc) must be done by a licensed dealer or the OEM will render your motorcycle inoperable. As for that local shop you currently use for oil changes or parts, you know, the one you hang out at trading riding stories with your buddies, they will be driven out of business.

    DEFINITION OF A MOTORCYCLE

    Today, there are vehicles classified as motorcycles that have a steering wheel, bucket seats, and seatbelts. Yes, you read that right. The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) thinks this is a good thing, because their OEMs created and sell these vehicles. H.R. 3385 was written to update the nearly 60-year-old definition of a motorcycle and is assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It states a motorcycle, as originally manufactured, has a seat or saddle requiring the rider to sit astride, not more than three wheels, steering controlled by handlebars, acceleration and braking controlled by handlebar and foot controls, and capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 mph.

    The MIC disagrees with MRF on this issue and doesn’t understand our concern. Why does this definition matter?

    • Accident and fatality statistics from these vehicles, which are used to create new laws and regulations, roll into the motorcycle category in the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). When analyzing data to create crash avoidance strategies, the different vehicle types involved in these crashes will drive researchers toward different solutions. Meaning, the mixed data will probably lead to incorrect root causes and ultimately incorrect solutions.
    • An “M” Class license is required to operate a motorcycle and training exists to instruct and test individuals on proper riding techniques to obtain such a license. There is no training course or practical riding course for these “other” types of vehicles.
    • State laws differ for these types of vehicles. Some continue to classify them as motorcycles, others created the autocycle category for them, and some have not dealt with them at all. If you cross state lines while driving one of these, how do you know you’re legal? Do you need to wear a helmet? Are you required to have an “M” classification?

    It is imperative you act now! Click each of the buttons below to inform your legislator on these issues:

    RIGHT TO REPAIR

    H.R. 1566
     

    DEFINITION OF A MOTORCYCLE

    H.R. 3385

    Your attendance is needed at Bikers Inside the Beltway on May 18th and 19th. While there, you will personally meet with your legislators and / or their staff members on these important issues. The section below contains all the information you need to attend.

    Now is the time to stand and be counted. Can we count on you?

     

    SCHEDULE

    Monday, May 18th
    MRF Board Meeting @ Embassy Suites
    Lobbying Prep. Session @ Embassy Suites 6-8 pm

    Tuesday, May 19th
    Lobby Day @ Congressional Offices (KSU: TBD)
    Post Debrief Session @ Embassy Suites 6-8pm

    Room Rate $270 per night incl. breakfast
    Room Rate Cutoff: April 22, 2026

     

    HOTEL

    EMBASSY SUITES
    1900 Diagonal Rd
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    703-684-5900

    Reservation Phone #: 800-362-2779
    Ref. Code: MRF

    REGISTER FOR BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2026

    Event Registration

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