I just got pulled over and cited in Newport Beach, on PCH and Tustin, riding my new, as yet, unregistered bike.
my ticket is for NOT wearing a DOT approved motorcycle helmet (i had a pro-tec skateboard helmet,)
Not having a special plate
No M2 license.
the special plate can be signed off when i get one, and the M2 license will probably get tossed if i show up at court with one, but the helmet law's gonna get me. the good thing is, none of these count as a point on my license.
the cop was pretty cool, except for giving me the ticket, and basically gave me the run down, and told me to stop by the police dept and ask them for a "cheat sheet" they had specially printed up to deal with us. he told me since these are gaining in popularity, the cops are all being trained as to what's legal, so you won't be able to b.s. your way out of it. this guy knew all the codes by heart, for gas, electric, golf carts, gopeds, motorized skateboards, etc.
forget all the other b.s. and the ten page threads, this is straight from the horse's mouth, and from a cop who's sole purpose is to bust us, so we become legal under the eyes of the law. he told me straight out that he's not trying to keep us from riding, but to make sure we're riding legal. he actually really liked my bike, and it was the best he's seen yet.
so here's what we need to ride gas powered motored bikes legally, without hassle:
*M2 license. an M1 works too, but the least we need is an M2, moped license.
*special plate and registration.
*taillight, brakelight, headlight with hi and lo beam
*left side mirror
*horn
(edit: we don't need insurance. )
we don't need turn signals, and there is no classification for engine size.
the only thing he was unclear on was insurance. he said all vehicles registered in Ca need to be insured, and when i told him it was impossible to insure them, he didn't have an answer. he said that would be up to the judge to decide.
we talked for at least 45 minutes, and i showed him the registration from my other bike, and he said it was strange that the DMV would allow the bike's serial number as a VIN. Usually vehicles without one need to get a "blue sticker."
he wrote me up for 28mph, and i asked him what would happen if i was conforming to all the other laws, but was doing 50. he told me he probably wouldn't even stop me, as long as i wasn't breaking the speed limit for the street.
he did say that in the event that i did get pulled over for going over 30mph, the DMV could take away my license plate, and the bike would be illegal to ride on the street.
so that's it. better get legal and learn the laws now, because the man is.
do to the actual meaning of the law vice my own ignorant understanding of the whole mess. Well he is 17, so we booked his MC safety course so he can get his permit after completion in a couple weeks. Will get the paperwork sent off to Sac as well. Might as well play by the rules!
... btw ... just uploaded a larger pic to my page... more coming soon with the new features ...