Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Denial of Petition for Rulemaking

Résumé

This document denies a petition for rulemaking submitted by Mr. Keith Gross to initiate an investigation to evaluate and regulate the ``high profile gas tank design'' on motorcycles relating to the rider's injury potential during a frontal crash. Specifically, Mr. Gross noted that Kawasaki does not crash test their Ninja model motorcycle to evaluate the effect that a high profile gas tank design has on the rider during a crash. Mr. Gross provided insufficient information to support his contention that the high profile fuel tank design on motorcycles presents a safety problem warranting investigation and possible regulation. Further, available data reviewed by NHTSA do not show that Kawasaki motorcycle riders suffered more injuries than other motorcycle riders.