To everyone with above a 50cc engine:

GoldenMotor.com

mrblack98

New Member
Oct 30, 2012
27
0
0
north carolina
EDIT: Particular those of us with the 100cc plus engines on these cruisers; How do you keep these things legal? Or do you try to fool the cops into thinking it's legal? Anybody actually go through the taxes title tags B.S.?
(I mean come on are they actually going to check your displacement?)
 

Harold_B

Active Member
May 23, 2012
997
246
43
Grand Rapids, MI
It is going to depend on what State you are riding in. Max displacement is 50cc in MI and the Deputy inspecting my bike just asked if that was the case. Could have been a 212cc Preditor as far as he was concerned. It's not a problem until you are in an accident or break the law (speeding, etc) then it gets looked at closely. That's when it an cost a lot on money. In MI being a no-fault insurance State you have to have a registered bike to be covered by your insurance. Get in an accident on a bike that is not registered or is not legal and your insurance company may not pay. Again, depends a lot on which State you are operating in and the laws there since they all vary.
 

Groove

New Member
Nov 2, 2012
245
2
0
Lexington, KY
It's been my experience that as long as you give people a nod (you don't necessarily need to smile although sometimes I will), and don't ride on sidewalks or be a nuisance.. you'll be fine. Keep in mind you should also wear mirrored aviator sunglasses and a retro German style half helmet. Follow this recipe and you're good as gold, Mr. Black.

-Groove
 

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
63
up north now
Just keep in mind that the cops are not stupid. Just because they are driving a police car doesn't mean that they are not aware that a lawnmower engine on a bike is under 50cc.
Cops can be motor heads too.

If you live in a populated area, and want to ride without a hassle, or the potential for a hassle, make your bike legal, or deal with it when you are stopped.
 

racie35

Active Member
Nov 17, 2012
1,702
5
38
usa
its the first glance the sticker addresses....im sure plenty of them know better but they'ld hafta be interested enough
 

scotto-

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder
Jun 3, 2010
6,505
24
38
Ridin' inSane Diego, CA.
I got pulled over one late afternoon a little while back on my 212cc race bike and the officer said "nice contraption ya got there". I agreed and told him it was my race bike, he was just interested in me not having a headlight as it was getting dark out. I told him I had one in my backpack but didn't realize it was that dark and I was a block from home. No problem.

dnut
 

chainmaker

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2010
2,634
69
48
Ma USA
We have a 50 cc limit and 2.5 hp.... I've never built either, I'm always over. I think a lot has to do with riding style. Ride responsibly, obey the rules of the road and I'm fine. I did get pulled over in a large parking lot by 2 motorcycle police, but that was because they wanted to check the bike out. They knew I was over the limit.
 

Don P

Member
Sep 1, 2010
234
0
16
indiana
same here i obay all laws to the letter, traffic laws that is. have pased cops with scooters pulled over, all they do is smile wave and say nice bike as i pass by.
i had a 66cc 2 smoke ported milled head open pipe and would do 40mph + but never in town. but after i cleared the city limits all bets were off lol
 

Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,266
1,797
113
Los Angeles, CA.
California is one of the most hotly debated states for the laws on motorized bicycles...

From everything that I've read about the Cali laws, It's actually legal to have up to a 125cc engine on a bicycle. Anything over 49cc is supposed to wear a have a DMV plate & M1 drivers license, DOT helmet, full lights, mirrors, horn etc...)

It's supposed to be that 49cc & under doesn't require a helmet & other items, but most cops don't care about that & say that if the bicycle has any engine on it at all?, you have to comply with those laws.

So basically, if you just wear the DOT helmet, have the DMV plate & M1 drivers license & all lights, you are OK to ride it no matter what size the engine is; (up to 125cc).
 

MotorBicycleRacing

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2010
5,844
109
63
SoCal Baby!!!
www.facebook.com
California is one of the most hotly debated states for the laws on motorized bicycles...

From everything that I've read about the Cali laws, It's actually legal to have up to a 125cc engine on a bicycle. Anything over 49cc is supposed to wear a have a DMV plate & M1 drivers license, DOT helmet, full lights, mirrors, horn etc...)

It's supposed to be that 49cc & under doesn't require a helmet & other items, but most cops don't care about that & say that if the bicycle has any engine on it at all?, you have to comply with those laws.

So basically, if you just wear the DOT helmet, have the DMV plate & M1 drivers license & all lights, you are OK to ride it no matter what size the engine is; (up to 125cc).
California is very clear about the laws if you read them carefully.

There is absolutely NO mention of any cc limit for motorized bicycles,
just says less than 2 gross brake HP

The 49 cc law is a fallacy and there is no mention of it in any
CA CVC codes.
If you have a 10 cc gas motor and pedals you are in the less than
2 hp motorized bicycle category.
There is also no mention of a 125 cc limit for motorized bikes.

A motor-driven cycle is any motorcycle under 150 cc and requires
registration and a M1 license.
The main difference between a motor-driven cycle and a motorcycle
is that a 150cc and less motor-driven cycle is not allowed on Freeways.

ALL gas powered 2 wheeler's in CA require a helmet with motorized bikes
needing a DOT helmet.
Even ebikes require a bicycle helmet and you have to be over 16.

Motorized bikes, Mopeds and Gopeds (scooters) require a M2 license but
of course a M1 covers all motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and all the M2
classes as well.

Yes, it is just as easy to get a M1 as a M2.

Just because a lot of cops and DMV drones don't enforce or know these laws doesn't
make them not valid.
 
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