ISO 9132:1990

Overview

ISO 9132:1990 is an International Standard that provides a unified vocabulary of mass-related terms for three-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles. It defines base terms (for example, bare chassis, chassis and cab, complete vehicle, axle), terms relating to mass (such as bare chassis dry mass, kerb mass), and terms relating to load. The standard is multilingual (English/French/Russian), includes an informative bibliography (Annex A) and alphabetical indexes, and is intended to be used alongside ISO 3833 (Road vehicles - Types - Terms and definitions).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and exclusions: Applies to three-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles as defined in ISO 3833. It explicitly excludes pedestrian-controlled vehicles, vehicles designed exclusively for handicapped users, agricultural/forestry tractors, contractors’ plant, and earth‑moving equipment.
• Definitions provided:
  • Bare chassis - chassis complete with engine, transmission, steering and running gear but without cab, body or coachwork.
  • Chassis and cab / complete vehicle - distinctions for configuration when cab or coachwork are fitted.
  • Axle - real or imaginary axis on which symmetrical wheels are mounted.
  • Bare chassis dry mass - mass of the bare chassis including parts necessary for operation, full electrical equipment, supplied instruments and mounting, and complements of liquids required for correct functioning (battery acid, coolant, engine oil, etc.). Fuel mass is not included.
• Measurement assumptions: Masses and loads are defined under specific conditions - vehicle stationary, engine not running, wheels in straight-ahead position, measured on horizontal supporting surfaces in the same plane.
• Limitations: ISO 9132 does not specify measurement methods, reporting units, required accuracy, or order of magnitude thresholds.

Applications and users

ISO 9132 is useful for:

• Vehicle manufacturers and designers who need consistent terminology for mass reporting and documentation for three-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles.
• Regulatory and certification bodies establishing compliance, labeling, or homologation criteria where clear mass definitions are required.
• Test laboratories, technical writers, and standards committees aligning test reports, specifications, or technical literature with international terminology.
• Supply chain and procurement teams preparing technical specifications or contracts for vehicle components.

Related standards

• ISO 3833:1977 - referenced normative standard for road vehicle types and definitions; users of ISO 9132 are encouraged to consult the latest editions of ISO 3833 and other current ISO/IEC registers of standards.

Keywords: ISO 9132, three-wheeled mopeds, three-wheeled motorcycles, masses vocabulary, vehicle mass definitions, ISO standard, ISO 3833.