[Mrfnews] 08NR03 - MRF News Release - AZ Motorcyclists meet with Sen. Kyl about the "Right to Repair"

[mrfnews at mrf.org]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
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For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations
Email: jeff at mrf.org

March 25, 2008

On March 19, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona there was a productive meeting with
motorcyclists' rights activists, automotive aftermarket industry
representatives and a staff member of United States Senator John Kyl. The
meetings purpose was to get constituent input on "Right to Repair"
legislation. Such legislation has currently been introduced in the United
States House of Representatives. Such legislation has not been introduced
in the senate to date, but Senator Kyl has indicated interest in the
issue.

Carol O'Reilly, ABATE of Arizona lobbyist, Tim O'Reilly, vice president of
ABATE of Arizona were present representing their membership and the
consumers of the aftermarket motorcycle industry. I was in attendance
representing the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and as the founder of
a motorcycle aftermarket shop; in addition as the Arizona MRF State
Representative I represented the membership of Modified Motorcycle
Association of Arizona and the Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs.

Jeff Hennie MRF vice president of Government Relations was able to work
with one of the automotive aftermarket lobbyists to allow the Arizona
motorcyclists rights activists and the MRF to be present at this meeting
in Senator Kyl's home state. It is obvious the auto and motorcycle
aftermarket industry parallel one another on the "Right to Repair" issue.

The discussion went well with Sen. Kyl’s staffer; we discussed the issues
of the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket industry. The dealers won’t
give current downloads to allow the completion of repairing the autos or
motorcycles. Shops can no longer work on certain makes of vehicles due to
lack of data/download information.

We discussed the economic impact on aftermarket industry and the trickle
down effect to the consumer; the fact the dealership has set policy,
pricing and diagnostics which give the consumer no choices about their
vehicle's repair. This all holds true for the motorcycle aftermarket
industry as well.

The language by EPA that states the manufacturer must provide the
information to the aftermarket is there and some companies partially
comply by posting information on their web site but when you follow
direction you get to a point you can go no further without the data
downloads, current updates or specialty tools to finish the repairs on the
vehicle.

The MRF will continue to follow and be involved with this legislation
representing its members.


Deborah Butitta
MRF Ex-Officio Board Member


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(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction
permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated
in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights
organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists'
rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC,
the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted
exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early
1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause
of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the
very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading
members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and
regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public
awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights
organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional
and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as
well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.