In 1970the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was established, which is responsible for the improvement of the national highway traffic safety according to national laws on traffic, vehicle and road safety. As parts of these responsibilities, the NHTSA established and enforced the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which prescribed the minimum level of the motorcycle safety performance. The mandatory part is to monitor whether the vehicle production, sales, and vehicles imported into the U.S. meet the requirements of FMVSS.

      According to the requirements of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), the motorcycle products to be imported to the U.S. for sales shall comply with all applicable FMVSS standards. The motorcycle manufacturer's information shall be registered on the NHTSA's website.

Standards and regulations applicable to motorcycles:

FMVSS 106 Brake hoses

FMVSS 108 Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

FMVSS 111 Rear visibility

FMVSS 116 Motor vehicle brake fluids

FMVSS 119 New pneumatic tires for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and motorcycles.

FMVSS 120 Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)

FMVSS 122 Motorcycle brake systems

FMVSS 123 Motorcycle controls and displays

FMVSS 205 Glazing materials

49 CFR PART 565 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Requirements