[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36579-36582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13080]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2021-0037; Notice 1]


BMW of North America, LLC, Receipt of Petition for Decision of 
Inconsequential Noncompliance

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

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SUMMARY: BMW of North America, LLC, a subsidiary of BMW AG, Munich, 
Germany, (collectively ``BMW''), has determined that certain Model Year 
(MY) 2018-2021 BMW K 1600 motorcycles do not fully comply with Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 123, Motorcycle Controls and 
Displays. BMW filed an original noncompliance report dated March 18, 
2021, and, subsequently, BMW petitioned NHTSA on April 9, 2021, for a 
decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it 
relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of BMW's 
petition.

DATES: Send comments on or before July 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data, 
views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the 
docket and notice number cited in the title of this notice and 
submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Send comments by mail addressed to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver comments by hand to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
except for Federal holidays.

[[Page 36580]]

     Electronically: Submit comments electronically by logging 
onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Comments may also be faxed to (202) 493-2181.
    Comments must be written in the English language and be no greater 
than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to the length of 
necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are submitted in 
hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are provided. If you wish 
to receive confirmation that comments you have submitted by mail were 
received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the 
comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without change 
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided.
    All comments and supporting materials received before the close of 
business on the closing date indicated above will be filed in the 
docket and will be considered. All comments and supporting materials 
received after the closing date will also be filed and will be 
considered to the fullest extent possible.
    When the petition is granted or denied, notice of the decision will 
also be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority 
indicated at the end of this notice.
    All comments, background documentation, and supporting materials 
submitted to the docket may be viewed by anyone at the address and 
times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for 
accessing the docket. The docket ID number for this petition is shown 
in the heading of this notice.
    DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement is available for review in a 
Federal Register notice published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Smith, General Engineer, 
NHTSA, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, (202) 366-7487.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Overview

    BMW has determined that certain MY 2018-2021 BMW K 1600 motorcycles 
do not fully comply with the requirements of paragraph S5.2.5 of FMVSS 
No. 123, Motorcycle Controls and Displays (49 CFR 571.123). BMW filed a 
noncompliance report dated March 18, 2021, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, 
Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. BMW subsequently 
petitioned NHTSA on April 9, 2021, for an exemption from the 
notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the 
basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor 
vehicle safety, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and 49 CFR 
part 556, Exemption for Inconsequential Defect or Noncompliance.
    This notice of receipt of BMW's petition is published under 49 
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not represent any Agency decision or 
other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the petition.

II. Motorcycles Involved

    Approximately 4,966 MY 2018-2021 BMW K 1600 GTL, B, and Grand 
America motorcycles manufactured between April 13, 2017, and February 
23, 2021, are potentially involved.

III. Noncompliance

    BMW explains that the noncompliance is that the subject motorcycles 
are equipped with passenger footrests that fold upward and slightly 
forward, but not rearward, when not in use, and, therefore, do not 
fully comply to the requirements specified in paragraph S5.2.5 of FMVSS 
No. 123.

IV. Rule Requirements

    Paragraph S5.2.5 of FMVSS No. 123 includes the requirements 
relevant to this petition. Footrests shall be provided for each 
designated seating position. Each footrest for a passenger other than 
an operator shall fold rearward and upward when not in use.

V. Summary of BMW's Petition

    The following views and arguments presented in this section, ``V. 
Summary of BMW's Petition,'' are the views and arguments provided by 
BMW. They have not been evaluated by the Agency and do not reflect the 
views of the Agency. BMW describes the subject noncompliance and 
contends that the noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to 
motor vehicle safety.
    In support of its petition, BMW submitted the following reasoning:
    1. Passenger Footrest Location: For the MY 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL, the 
passenger footrest is attached to the mounting bracket and the bracket 
is bolted to the motorcycle frame. Similar configurations are 
applicable to the K 1600 B and K 1600 Grand America. There are slight 
differences in the geometry and mounting locations for the passenger 
footrest between the K 1600 GTL and the K 1600 B/Grand America. The 
mounting locations for the rider footrest are identical, but for the K 
1600 GTL, the mounting location for the passenger footrest is higher.
    2. Lean Angle: The lean angle is the angle that is subtended by the 
intersection of a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the 
motorcycle when it is upright (vertical), and a plane passing through 
the longitudinal axis of the motorcycle when the motorcycle is at a 
specific angle (i.e., the lean angle) from upright (vertical).
    3. Ground Contact of Certain Components/Distance to Passenger 
Footrest: During a banked turn, although there is no possibility for 
ground contact to occur with the passenger footrest, an analysis was 
performed to determine the distance between the passenger footrest and 
the ground when other motorcycle components contact the ground.
    a. K 1600 GTL: While in a banked turn, the first component that 
could contact the ground would be the rider's footrest at an angle of 
approximately 39 degrees. At this lean angle, the passenger footrest 
would be at a distance to the ground of approximately 95.4 mm (3.8 in) 
in a left lean angle, and approximately 93.9 mm (3.7 in) in a right 
lean angle.
    If the rider continued to increase the lean angle, other 
components, such as the engine spoiler, or the engine protection guard 
(if equipped), at approximately 43 degrees, would contact the ground. 
At this lean angle, the passenger footrest would be at a distance to 
the ground of approximately 63.3 mm (2.5 in) in a left lean angle, and 
approximately 61.8 mm (2.4 in) in a right lean angle. The distance-to-
ground measurements for the passenger footrest, if it were even 
possible for the silencer to contact the ground at a lean angle of 
approximately 46 degrees (left) and approximately 47.9 degrees (right), 
was calculated, see Table 1 below.
    b. K 1600 B/K 1600 Grand America: Similar to the analysis for the K 
1600 GTL, analyses were performed for the K 1600 B and the K 1600 Grand 
America. In a banked turn, if the rider continued to increase the lean 
angle, there are a number of components that would contact the ground, 
and at those points, the passenger footrest would be several inches 
from the ground.
    c. K 1600 Grand America: Please note that for the K 1600 Grand 
America, the rider floorboard and the engine protection guard are 
standard equipment. While in a banked turn, the first component that 
could contact the ground would be the rider's floorboard at an angle of 
approximately 34.5 degrees. At this lean angle, the passenger footrest 
would be at a

[[Page 36581]]

distance to the ground of approximately 85.1 mm (3.4 in) in a left lean 
angle, and approximately 83.5 mm (3.3 in) in a right lean angle.
    If the rider continued to increase the lean angle, the rider's 
footrest could contact the ground at an angle of approximately 39 
degrees. At this lean angle, the passenger footrest would be at a 
distance to the ground of approximately 51.1 mm (2.0 in) in a left lean 
angle, and approximately 49.5 mm (1.9 in) in a right lean angle. If the 
rider continued to increase the lean angle, the silencer, at 
approximately 42 degrees, would contact the ground. At this lean angle, 
the passenger footrest would be at a distance to the ground of 
approximately 24.4 mm (1.0 inches) in a left-leaning condition and 
approximately 18.8 mm (0.7 inches) in a right-leaning condition.
    d. K 1600 B: While in a banked turn, the first component that could 
contact the ground would be the rider's footrest at an angle of 
approximately 39 degrees. At this lean angle, the passenger footrest 
would be at a distance to the ground of approximately 51.1 mm (2.0 in) 
in a left lean angle, and approximately 49.5 mm (1.9 in) in a right 
lean angle.
    If the rider continued to increase the lean angle, the passenger 
footrest would be at a distance to the ground of approximately 24.4 mm 
(1.0 inches) in a left-leaning condition, and approximately 18.8 mm 
(0.7 inches) in a right-leaning condition.
    e. Summary Table for All Models: A summary of the measurements is 
contained in Tables 1 and 2 below. Table 1 includes the motorcycle 
models, components that were used in the analyses, and the lean angles 
for the various components. Table 2 contains the distance to the ground 
of the passenger footrest when specific components are in contact with 
the ground.

                                                                         Table 1
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             Model                     K 1600 GTL              K 1600 B              K 1600 GA               K 1600 GTL            K 1600 B/K 1600 GA
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                                                                                                                    Lean angle                Lean angle
           Component                  Std/Opt/Acc            Std/Opt/Acc            Std/Opt/Acc        Lean angle     right      Lean angle     right
                                                                                                      left  (deg)     (deg)     left  (deg)     (deg)
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Rider Footrest.................  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................           39           39           39           39
Engine Protection Guard........  Opt..................  Opt..................  Std..................           43           43           43           43
Rider Floorboard...............  Not available........  Acc..................  Std..................          N/A          N/A         34.5         34.5
LED Auxiliary Light............  Opt..................  Opt..................  Opt..................           43           43           43           43
Engine Spoiler.................  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................         43.5         43.5         43.5         43.5
Gear Lever.....................  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................         42.5          N/A         42.5          N/A
Foot Brake.....................  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................          N/A         43.7          N/A         43.7
Silencer.......................  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................           46         47.9           42           42
Side Stand.....................  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................           46          N/A         43.8          N/A
Center Stand...................  Std..................  Opt..................  Opt..................           46           46         42.5         42.5
Engine Protector Pad...........  Std..................  Std..................  Std..................         48.5         47.9         48.5         47.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                         Table 2
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                      Model                                           K 1600 GTL                                 K 1600 B/K 1600 Grand America
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                                                               Distance to   Lean angle  Distance to               Distance to   Lean angle  Distance to
                    Component                      Lean angle     ground       right        ground     Lean angle     ground       right        ground
                                                  left  (deg)      (mm)        (deg)         (mm)     left  (deg)      (mm)        (deg)         (mm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Passenger Footrest..............................           39         95.4         39.0         93.9         34.5         85.1         34.5         83.5
                                                           43         63.3         43.0         61.8         39.0         51.1         39.0         49.5
                                                           46         39.3         47.9         22.5         42.0         24.4         42.0         18.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Test Rides to Assess Component Contact with Ground: Test rides 
were conducted with a K 1600 GTL and with a K 1600 Grand America to 
evaluate the issue in a dynamic/real-world environment. Brief on-board 
videos were taken to provide a close-up view of certain components 
prior to, and at, contact with the Ground.
    a. K 1600 GTL: When the rider is performing a banked turn and is 
just starting to increase the lean angle, at this point no component 
has contacted the ground. As the angle increases, the rider achieves an 
angle where the rider's footrest first starts to contact the ground and 
is evident by white ``sparks'' as a result of the contact. At this 
point, the passenger footrest is still approximately several inches 
from the ground.
    b. K 1600 B/Grand America: A similar video for the K 1600 Grand 
America depicts a similar condition. As the rider increases the lean 
angle in a banked turn, the rider's footrest will eventually contact 
the ground and, at that point, the passenger footrest is still 
approximately several inches from the ground.
    5. Conclusion: While in a banked turn, there is no possibility for 
the passenger footrest to contact the ground. If the lean angle is 
increased, there are a number of motorcycle components that would 
contact the ground and, at those points, the passenger footrest is 
still approximately several inches from the ground.
    6. Field Experience: BMW has not received any complaints from 
vehicle owners and is not aware of any accidents or injuries that have 
occurred as a result of this issue.
    7. Vehicle Production: Vehicle production has been corrected to 
conform to paragraph S5.2.25 of FMVSS No. 123.
    BMW concludes that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as 
it relates to motor vehicle safety and that its petition to be exempted 
from providing notification of the noncompliance, as required by 49 
U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the noncompliance, as required by 49 
U.S.C. 30120, should be granted.
    NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a 
determination of

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inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers only from the 
duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, to notify 
owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance and to 
remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, any decision on this 
petition only applies to the subject vehicles that BMW no longer 
controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. 
However, any decision on this petition does not relieve vehicle 
distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for 
sale, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate 
commerce of the noncompliant vehicles under their control after BMW 
notified them that the subject noncompliance existed.

(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 49 
CFR 1.95 and 501.8)

Otto G. Matheke, III,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2022-13080 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P