ISO 9021:2020

Motorcycles and mopeds - Controls - Types, positions and functions

This document describes the types, positions and functions of the rider-operated controls on a motorcycle/moped[1], in order to facilitate use. Annex A specifies controls, indicators and tell-tales for which identification is obligatory and the appropriate graphical symbols. Annex B provides the information for applying for electrically propelled motorcycle/moped1). This document applies to those controls which, when fitted, are commonly used by the rider of a motorcycle/moped. The definition or specification of a control does not signify the mandatory presence of each and every control listed in this document on a vehicle. [1] "motorcycle/moped" as defined in ISO 3833 but does not include a steering wheel type.

Motocycles et cyclomoteurs — Commandes — Types, positions et fonctions

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 24-Mar-2020
• ICS: 43.140 - Motorcycles and mopeds
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 38 - Motorcycles and mopeds
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 38/WG 5 - Controls
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 05-Jun-2025
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 9021:1988 - Motorcycles - Controls - Types, positions and functions
• Effective Date: 11-Jun-2016

Overview

ISO 9021:2020 - Motorcycles and mopeds: Controls - Types, positions and functions defines the types, positions and functions of rider‑operated controls on motorcycles and mopeds to facilitate safe, ergonomic and consistent use. The standard covers control layout on handlebars and the vehicle, reach/access requirements, orientation conventions (right/left, forward, clockwise/anticlockwise), and mandatory identification where fitted. Annex A lists controls, indicators and tell‑tales that require obligatory identification and the graphical symbols to use; Annex B provides guidance for electrically propelled motorcycles/mopeds.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope & definitions: Applies to rider‑operated controls commonly fitted to motorcycles and mopeds (ISO 3833 definition), excluding steering‑wheel types.
• General design and reach: Controls must be within reach when the rider is seated; handlebar controls must be operable without removing hands from handgrips.
• Orientation conventions: Right/left defined relative to the vehicle’s longitudinal plane; clockwise/anticlockwise specified as viewed from the outer/upper side.
• Handlebar controls (examples included in the standard):
  • Starter / electric starter: Push‑type, located on handlebars, right side.
  • Ignition/main switch: Rotary switches move clockwise from “off” to “on”.
  • Throttle (accelerator): Rotating handgrip on right handlebar; anticlockwise rotation increases speed; self‑closing to idle in the clockwise direction.
  • Front brake: Hand lever on the right, forward position of handlebars.
  • Engine cut‑out (stop): Located on handlebars, right side.
• Systems covered: Electrical controls, engine controls (starting, speed, stop), brakes (front, rear, combined service brake, parking brake), transmission (clutch, gear selection), lighting and signalling (horn, lights, direction indicators, hazard), and fuel supply (choke, manual shut‑off).
• Identification & symbols: When fitted, controls, indicators and tell‑tales must use symbols and identifications as specified in Annex A and referenced standards (e.g., ISO 6727 for symbols).

Applications and who uses it

ISO 9021:2020 is practical for:

• Motorcycle and moped OEMs designing ergonomic control layouts and complying with international expectations.
• Component manufacturers (switches, throttles, levers, tell‑tales) specifying position and operation.
• Regulatory and homologation bodies assessing vehicle control conformity.
• Test laboratories and safety engineers evaluating reach, orientation and identification.
• Workshop manuals, aftermarket designers and rider trainers ensuring consistent control operation and user guidance.

Related standards

• ISO 6727 - Symbols for controls, indicators and tell‑tales (normative reference)
• ISO 3833 - Vehicle definitions (reference for “motorcycle/moped”)
• Work prepared by ISO/TC 22/SC 38 (Motorcycles and mopeds)

Keywords: ISO 9021:2020, motorcycle controls, moped controls, rider‑operated controls, handlebar layout, control identification, throttle, ignition switch, front brake, control symbols.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 9021
Second edition
2020-03
Motorcycles and mopeds — Controls
— Types, positions and functions
Motocycles et cyclomoteurs — Commandes — Types, positions et
fonctions
Reference number
©
ISO 2020
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
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below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements . 3
4.1 Type and position . 3
4.2 General design . 3
4.3 Access . 3
4.4 Identification . 3
4.5 Orientation and directions . 4
4.5.1 Right side/left side . 4
4.5.2 Forward (in relation to the handlebars). 4
4.5.3 Clockwise/anticlockwise . 4
5 Individual requirements . 4
5.1 Electrical controls . 4
5.1.1 Ignition switch/main switch . 4
5.2 Engine controls . 4
5.2.1 Starting . 4
5.2.2 Speed . 4
5.2.3 Stop . 5
5.3 Brakes . 5
5.3.1 Front (wheel) brake . 5
5.3.2 Rear (wheel) brake . 5
5.3.3 Combined service brake . 5
5.3.4 Parking brake . 6
5.4 Transmission . 6
5.4.1 Clutch . 6
5.4.2 Gear selection . 6
5.5 Lighting and signalling controls . 7
5.5.1 Horn (audible warning device) . 7
5.5.2 Lighting . 8
5.5.3 Direction-indicator switch . 8
5.5.4 Hazard warning signal . 8
5.6 Fuel supply controls . 9
5.6.1 Cold starting device (manual choke) . 9
5.6.2 Manual fuel shut-off control (manual fuel shut-off valve) . 9
Annex A (normative) Controls, indicators and tell-tales for which (when fitted)
identification is mandatory, and symbols to be used .10
Annex B (informative) Control for electrically propelled motorcycles and mopeds .11
Bibliography .13
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 38,
Motorcycles and mopeds.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 9021:1988), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— the scope has been expanded to mopeds, and the second edition of ISO 4151:1987 which was
technically revised has been integrated, and
— new controls have been added due to technology changes.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9021:2020(E)
Motorcycles and mopeds — Controls — Types, positions
and functions
1 Scope
This document describes the types, positions and functions of the rider-operated controls on a
1)
motorcycle/moped , in order to facilitate use.
Annex A specifies controls, indicators and tell-tales for which identification is obligatory and the
appropriate graphical symbols. Annex B provides the information for applying for electrically propelled
1)
motorcycle/moped .
This document applies to those controls which, when fitted, are commonly used by the rider of a
motorcycle/moped.
The definition or specification of a control does not signify the mandatory presence of each and every
control listed in this document on a vehicle.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 6727, Road vehicles — Motorcycles and Mopeds — Symbols for controls, indicators and tell-tales
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
vehicle
motorcycles and mopeds as defined in ISO 3833 but not including a steering wheel type
3.2
device
element or assembly of elements used to perform one or more functions
3.3
control
device (3.2) operated by the rider to obtain functions for which the different mechanisms of the vehicle
(3.1) are designed
EXAMPLE Accelerator, brake, etc.
1)  “motorcycle/moped” as defined in ISO 3833 but does not include a steering wheel type.
3.4
handlebar
any part of the bar or bars connected to the fork top by means of which the vehicle (3.1) is steered
3.5
handgrip
part of the handlebars (3.4), furthest from the centre, by which the rider holds the handlebars
3.5.1
rotating handgrip
handgrip (3.5), operating some functional mechanism of the vehicle (3.1), which is free to rotate round
the handlebars (3.4) when so turned by the rider
3.6
frame
any part of the frame, chassis or cradle of the vehicle (3.1) to which the engine and/or transmission unit
and/or the engine and transmission unit itself are attached
3.7
lever
device (3.2) consisting of an arm turning on a fulcrum, by means of which some functional mechanism
of the vehicle (3.1) is operated
3.7.1
hand lever
lever (3.7) operated by the rider's hand
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise stated, a hand lever is operated by compression (i.e. moving the apex of the
lever towards the supporting structure), e.g. for braking or declutching.
3.7.2
foot lever
lever (3.7) operated by contact between the rider 's foot and a spur projecting from the lever arm
3.7.3
pedal
lever (3.7) operated by contact between the rider 's foot and a pad on the lever, so placed as to allow
pressure to be applied to the lever arm
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise stated, a pedal is operated by depression, e.g. for braking.
3.7.4
riding pedal
device (3.2) which is linked to some form of transmission and may be used to propel a moped
3.7.5
rocker arm
lever (3.7), pivoted at or near its centre and having a pad or spur at each end, operated by contact
between the driver's foot and the pads or spurs
3.8
combined service brake
system of operation (by hydraulic action or mechanical linkage or both or by any actuation by means
of electrical and/or electronic signal and equipment) whereby both the front and the rear brakes of the
vehicle (3.1) are brought into operation, at least partially, by the use of only one control (3.3)
3.9
indicator
device (3.2) which presents information on the functioning or situation of a system or part of a system
2 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

3.10
tell-tale
display that indicates, by means of a light-emitting device (3.2), the actuation of a device, a correct or
defective functioning or condition, or a failure to function
3.11
symbol
visually perceptible figure used to transmit information
...