Hi!
If you ride in Germany you may be aware that there can be issues around modifying your bike with aftermarket parts.
A little while ago Peter, a wonderful German customer, shared an experience with us that you may find useful.
Peter (an ex TÜV inspector) wanted to attach our Mini Fairing and screen to his CRF 300L.
His research discovered that according to the StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations), if you can see through the fairing, it is considered a screen and needs to have type approval to be fitted to a motorcycle.
However, there appears to be a loophole in that if the screen is not transparent, it is considered a fairing part, so does not need type approval and can be individually approved by the TÜV on a per-motorcycle basis.
Peter attached a coloured screen to his Mini Fairing and submitted his bike for approval, which passed.
Now that this has been done once, if German customers want to get their bike individually approved with a COLOURED mini fairing screen, then they can send the vehicle registration document Peter passed over (below) to the TÜV as precedent, and have an entry made there according to §19.2 in conjunction with §21.
In Peter's case the TÜV inspector interpreted the rules favourably and from Adventure Spec's point of view we are passing on Peter's experience in case others in a similar situation may find it useful.
We are, of course, not TÜV inspectors and have no control over the way the rules are applied, but we just wanted you to know that Peter found a way.
I know you have another question.
"Hey Adventure Spec why don't you get your screens TÜV tested?"
It's a fair point, and one that is answered by simple economics. TÜV testing comes at a considerable financial cost. It may be that in the future, our volume of sales of clear mini fairing screens in Germany tips the balance and makes TÜV certification the right financial decision. However right now it's difficult for us to justify the cost.
In the meantime, we are grateful to our community and customers like Peter who help us navigate the various rules and regulations around making gear for lightweight adventure motorcyclists.
Thank you Peter.
🙌 🙂
Greg Villalobos
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