I’ve seen quite a few comments recently about how WOF tests are becoming more strict and vehicles are being failed for mods that previously haven’t been an issue.
In the bike world I’ve heard of a adventure bike being rejected for a WOF because certification is required for bar risers, and in the 4wd world I’ve read of a number of vehicles in the last month or so being failed for a WOF for not having the standard alloy rims fitted.
Adventure bikes are possibly the most modified class of bikes on the market in NZ, dare I suggest even more so than Harleys, so is what I’m hearing just a small hiccup by a few over zealous testers or is making your adventure bike fit you and be more capable about to become a lot harder and/or expensive?
Have you experienced this or know of someone who has? Post your experiences below.
WOF inspectors have been under pressure by Waka Kotahi for a few years now and so have had to tighten up on their inspections and fail stuff that they would previously have ignored. Bar risers are commonly fitted but do require certifying as they are not a permitted modification. 4wd failing for rims could be due to oversize rims meaning the circumference was over 5% bigger or a certed vehicle has to match the cert details.
Led headlight bulbs are illegal ? Even though they allow you to see better at night and be seen !?
Well that’s an easy one. Yes, they’re illegal if it’s not OEM, or a complete headlamp replacement.
Ed, as for things like bar risers, I find it hard to believe. The rules are not subjective, they’re black and white, all in the VIRM. For example, bar risers are under steering, and there is the LVV table (9-1-1) that spells out what requires LVV: https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/motorcycles/steering-and-suspension/steering-and-suspension-systems
bar risers seems a little hard to believe when there are so many Harley’s with ape-hangers
My DR was rejected for a WoF today (VTVZ Rotorua) because of the bar risers. Noted as “Front handlebars modified LVV required”.