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There is not much I like about government and their legislation, but every now and then they get it right.  I am proud to say that the sponsor of this HR 2048 Bill (not passed as a law yet) is a Texan…not that I’m a Texan, but I probably should be.  I am also proud to say that this Bill has bi-partisan support.

To demonstrate the efficiency of our government, this Bill was introduced in May of 2005 and has been sitting in subcommittee since May of this year.  One full year to get to subcommittee.  I only wish I could sit on my arse that much and get paid what they do. 

Anyway, here is the Executive Summary of the Bill according to the AMA:

Support Your Right to Repair Your Motorcycle!

Tell your U.S. House Representative where you stand on this issue!
U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-6-TX) recently introduced H.R. 2048, the “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.” This legislation provides motorcycle owners with the right to decide where and how they get their vehicle serviced, whether it is from a dealer or independent service facility.

With the increased use of computers and electronics controlling many systems on late model motorcycles, bike companies now possess the ability to control access to the information and tools necessary for fixing these bikes. Therefore, lacking the ability to “talk” to the bike’s computers, owners or their vehicle technicians cannot accurately diagnose and repair mechanical problems. This leaves shopping around for the best prices and most convenient service locations nearly impossible for many motorcyclists.

H.R. 2048 instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop regulations requiring motorcycle companies to share the same information and tools that they make available to their franchised dealers, with the independent service industry and bike owners. This bill would not hinder the proprietary information of the manufactures, but would only allow owners or their motorcycle technicians’ access to the same information and tools available to franchised dealers in order to repair and maintain late model computer controlled vehicle systems.

Congressman Barton stated, “I believe that honest competition makes for better service and lower prices. That’s how good businesses win customers in America, and why bad businesses lose them. Right now there’s not much competition in the [vehicle] repair business.”

If the auto/motorcycle manufacturers ever gathered a monopoly on their vehicle service, we would all be in handcuffs.  Think of my brand of choice as an example - Aprilia.  There are two dealers in the whole Phoenix valley adn both have spotty records in my book.  The Aprilia brand’s weakness is in its dealer network.  To some degree, we are already slaves to them since the diagnostic tool is priced out of the weekend warrior / general independent shops at about $2k each.  I HAD to go to the dealer to have them set my CO in order for me to pass emissions on my Futura.

Competition is the key to better products and services in my little world.  I think by keeping independent options available, the dealers will have to compete (to some degree) with people who are willing to do the work for less.  Who wins?  The consumer.  Example:  look at the way that consumables such as tires have come down in price at auto dealers to compete with tire shops.  Good dealers with reasonable prices always do well servicing the products they sell.  The mega dealers who have enough business that they don’t need yours or mine are the worry.  Anyway, this is one letter that is worth writing.