The Real Deal on California Law.

[The_Aleman]

You definitely need an M1 or M2 license in Long Beach - to get pulled over

One is supposed to have the moped plate, too. Having a plate and a DOT helmet while riding safely will usually keep you from getting pulled over tho.

 

[PjayStandAlone]

Okay thanks

 

[showcaller]

It's a state law, it is not a city by city or county kind of thing.

If you are pulled over, he is going to want to know you are wearing a DOT helmet, your bike is registered and you are showing your (with the one time fee) plate. ($18 or $19 dollars, something like that) and you have an M1 or M2 license. I was going to get the M2 but realized very quickly it is easier just to go for the motorcycle certification. I did the CHP school over a weekend and you do the training class and all the course work over a weekend. The school I did it at used Kawasaki 175's. The weird? bizarre? interesting? part about doing the CHP course is when you are done you can go out and buy a 1200 CC cycle whereas if you take your test on anything below 600 CC at the local DMV the largest bike you can legally purchase is 600 cc unless you take your driving test on a bike bigger than 600 cc. I realize that in the context of this web site where we are trying to figure out how to get a little extra boost from our 49 and 66 cc engines it's kind of silly to be talking about 1200 cc motorcycles but my point is the CHP is a really good course because they teach you how to think like a motorcyclist, which is how your average motorist in a car sees you.

 

[fatdaddy]

So do we need a license if we ride our motorized bicycles in long beach ?

The registration part is iffy. Nowhere does it say registration is REQUIRED, It only says an $18 PAYMENT is required to GET the plates. Then you also have section 4020. I might get an arguement, but that's what it say's.

V C Section 4020 Motorized Bicycles
Motorized Bicycles
4020. A motorized bicycle operated upon a highway is exempt from registration.
_________________________________________________________________

_THEN the license, under "Motorcycles, Mopeds and Scooters Defined"._


A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is:
•A two or three-wheeled device, capable of no more than 30 mph on level ground, and equipped with:
– Fully operative pedals for human propulsion.
– A motor producing less than two gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission.
– An electric motor, with or without pedals for human propulsion. (CVC §406(a))
Driver must have a motorcycle license (M1 or M2).

______________ you notice it says driver MUST have a M-1 or M-2_______
So you can get plates if you want. I think it's a good idea if only to keep the cops from getting confused. But the M-2 IS a requirment, no way around it.
That being said, where I live the cops NEVER ask for either. As long as I'm riding sane and wearing a helmet, all they ever ask for is an I.D. I do have my personal bike registered simply because it's cheap, easy and looks cool on my bike.
fatdaddy.

 

[cmanns]

What you've said is true... but there are areas in CA that have their own laws, & require riders to have a license!! (OC & Ventura being the most notable.)

I found this thread a few minutes ago and just finished talking to a traffic enforcement supervisor who claimed to be up on these laws. She said if the engine is under 50cc, (make sure the engine is stamped 49cc) without an automatic transmission, (a clutch to engage the engine with the rear wheel does not count as a transmission) the rider is not required to hold a moped / motorcycle endorsement on their license and the bicycle does not need to be registered in the state of California. That said it seems that some officers do not know what the law is and some might issue a traffic citation for being endorsed. All I can say is if you feel better by obtaining the endorsement, registration, etc do whatever you want and wear a helmet.

The registration part is iffy. Nowhere does it say registration is REQUIRED, It only says an $18 PAYMENT is required to GET the plates. Then you also have section 4020. I might get an arguement, but that's what it say's.

V C Section 4020 Motorized Bicycles
Motorized Bicycles
4020. A motorized bicycle operated upon a highway is exempt from registration.
_________________________________________________________________

_THEN the license, under "Motorcycles, Mopeds and Scooters Defined"._


A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is:
•A two or three-wheeled device, capable of no more than 30 mph on level ground, and equipped with:
– Fully operative pedals for human propulsion.
– A motor producing less than two gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission.
– An electric motor, with or without pedals for human propulsion. (CVC §406(a))
Driver must have a motorcycle license (M1 or M2).

______________ you notice it says driver MUST have a M-1 or M-2_______
So you can get plates if you want. I think it's a good idea if only to keep the cops from getting confused. But the M-2 IS a requirment, no way around it.
That being said, where I live the cops NEVER ask for either. As long as I'm riding sane and wearing a helmet, all they ever ask for is an I.D. I do have my personal bike registered simply because it's cheap, easy and looks cool on my bike.
fatdaddy.

Now to get the plate, do you need an M-2? Going to be building a custom one soon.

I'm in santa cruz county, from San Jose though- shocked with the luck you have. If they only ask for I.D. that must be why folk in this county's cities often ride w/out license, lights, etc. They go the limit though and wear helmets. I've seen only one or two people with a plate.

I lost my license due to an ashing cigarette on highway, imagine on your bike the wind kicked up the dry cigarette ash, thats the law but it's more for like cigar's apparently. The cop was having a bad day, and him not appearing to court didn't null the fine. So now it's multiplied like crazy as a disabled person with no income at the time.

I'm sketched though what they do if your driving on a suspended? I think I'll ask local PD and local CHP.

 

[fatdaddy]

Hey cmanns, Like I've said before, Most cops don't care about license and reg. on a Motorized. BUT, there's always gonna be that one cop thats having a bad day. Wear a helmet, ride sane, be respectfull when they pull you over and 99.9% of the time you'll be OK. I don't really like cops too much but they sure can ruin your day, So I'm always a pleasant, smiling face when they pull me over. I've NEVER recieved a ticket on any of my bikes.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYBODY
fatdaddy.

 

[gera229]

fatdaddy, I wanted to ask you; do you have an M-1 or M-2 license?
Just curious if cops ever asked you to show them your license?

Do you have a license plate?

I'm seriously considering not getting an M-license and just stick my plate on as well as a mirror and ride with just my C drivers license in Sac.

 

[fatdaddy]

I've been on two wheels since I was 10 years old, NEVER had a motorcycle endorsement. I did put a plate on my Cranbrook just couse it looks cool and it's only $18. I've been riding Motorized bikes for about eight years and this is my first plate. I don't know about Sac, but here in San Jo the cops only care about riding safe and wearing a helmet. I get pulled over once in a while and all the cops ever ask for is an I.D. Not a drivers license.
fatdaddy.

 

[cmanns]

I've been on two wheels since I was 10 years old, NEVER had a motorcycle endorsement. I did put a plate on my Cranbrook just couse it looks cool and it's only $18. I've been riding Motorized bikes for about eight years and this is my first plate. I don't know about Sac, but here in San Jo the cops only care about riding safe and wearing a helmet. I get pulled over once in a while and all the cops ever ask for is an I.D. Not a drivers license.
fatdaddy.

Oh OK so I CAN get a plate without the license?

I'm barely 30 mins from ya doubt they care here, esp if I had the plate they'd let me rock the speed limit without issues

 

[gera229]

Well I guess I will be the man here in Sac that will be "testing" this method of riding without a license.
It never happened to you, so I hope it doesn't happen to me either. I ride fairly safe so I'm good.
I hope I never get pulled over.
And an ID? Haha I'll just use my college ID.

 

[MysterySandwich]

Okay, I've managed to read a lot of this info (about until things began to go around in circles)

I was going to ask, in California how do you guys get away with engines that go more than 30 MPH (how do people ship to CA with engines that go faster than 30 MPH?), I feel like that's the most blatant piece of information that classifies a motorized bicycle as 406 (a). Do they sell kits that actually have a max of 30mph?

Also, how do we know about horse power? On these kits i see online, i only see cc and no horsepower written anywhere...

 

[gera229]

If an engine looks small cops wouldn't bother test measuring the HorsePower. I mean all of these engines look so small, they don't look like they generate over 2hp. 66cc vs 50cc is not visible by eye. It's literally like no difference in looks, but power may be.

As far as shipping to CA, I got a CAG engine on my bike instead of a ChinaGirl. Got it from bigmotorsport for $125 brand new. Ships to CA no problem. Be aware, they they can be unreliable, but I've dealt with them a lot and know how to properly maintain them and keep them lasting. They're also louder and more powerful than ChinaGirls.

 

[MysterySandwich]

If an engine looks small cops wouldn't bother test measuring the HorsePower. I mean all of these engines look so small, they don't look like they generate over 2hp. 66cc vs 50cc is not visible by eye. It's literally like no difference in looks, but power may be.

As far as shipping to CA, I got a CAG engine on my bike instead of a ChinaGirl. Got it from bigmotorsport for $125 brand new. Ships to CA no problem. Be aware, they they can be unreliable, but I've dealt with them a lot and know how to properly maintain them and keep them lasting. They're also louder and more powerful than ChinaGirls.

But then don't we have to lie on the registration (to get the plate) form ?

http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg230.pdf I think that's the form... and it says "Maximum speed of 30 miles per hour on ground level?" and it asks you to check yes....

 

[cmanns]

Well if you get ticketed going over 30 they may impound it.... and ticket you.. :3

 

[The_Aleman]

2HP is the legal limit and that's capable of about 36-42MPH, depending on resistances you're fighting or lack of. Takes the right gearing, too.

If you're worried about the 30MPH limit, gear your bike down so it's redlining at 30 then cruise at 20-25.

You could wear really baggy jeans, a big floppy shirt, throw on some apehangers and let some air out of your tires, too. That'll cut down on top speed

 

[cmanns]

Now what if you had multiple engines? ^^

that'll be a head spinner.

 

[MysterySandwich]

Erhmm... still wondering if everybody living in CA is lying on their registration forms?
"Maximum speed of 30 miles per hour on ground level?"

"Maximum speed of 30 miles per hour on ground level?" [ ] YES [ ] NO

I know most of your motorbicycles go past 30mph...

 

[gera229]

MysterySandwich, I am not a liar. My gearing is geared so that my bike maxes out at around 35mph. I can gear it lower so that it only peaks at 30mph, but then that would be too much stress on the engine constantly running 30mph at full throttle. I want 30mph to be a cruising speed, plus it saves the engine. Also I would say acceleration to me matters a lot, I want quick acceleration so HP somewhat matters, but I certainly would not go FAR past 2hp, but as high as possible that is also as much legal as possible.

Cars are limited to no more than 65-70mph by law, yet they can go WELL over 100mph. Does that mean they are lying? No unless they speed, just follow the rules and don't go past that limit if you want to avoid being ticketed.
Are they legal? Yes.

As far as horsepower goes, I think they are pretty good within the limit. If you want a GOOD RELIABLE but rather expensive Japanese engine that qualifies for the 2hp rating, look at a Tanaka. It's a trouble free engine and has different versions of various horsepower. The one below 2hp is 1.6hp and the ones above 2hp are probably 2.2hp, 2.4hp, and 2.6hp if I remember correctly. That's not a big jump and should be no big deal. They cost ALOT, but are rather very reliable and require only minimal maintenance compared to ChinaGirls. It's your call. To me Tanka's just don't have enough power for the acceleration I want, well unless you lay an investment on modifications, then it would be more comparable and competitive. However, for the price it would cost I would rather just get a Chinese clone and maintain it properly.

50cc engines can produce over 12hp if made right.

 

[fatdaddy]

NOWHERE in the law does it say you're limited to 49cc. It only says 2 gross brake horsepower. You can de-tune a V-8 engine to put out only 2 gbh, so a 66cc engine is not really a problem at all. BUT, yeah, most people get the most they can out of their 66's. The only real problem is if their caught doing over 30mph. As of now, the state has NO WAY of measuring the HP output of any engine as small as a bike engine. SO, just watch your speed, or gear your bike so it WON'T and CAN'T do more then 30mph.
As soon as the law notices that the 49cc head is round and the 66cc head is more square they MIGHT start doing something, but I doubt it. They still can't measure the HP output, but a cop can clock yer speed in a heartbeat.
fatdaddy.
P.S. And, OH YEAH, I lied my arse off.(Dude, It's the DMV.)
(Hey, The guy I bought the engine from SAID it was a 49cc, hee hee.)

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

2HP is the legal limit and that's capable of about 36-42MPH, depending on resistances you're fighting or lack of. Takes the right gearing, too.

If you're worried about the 30MPH limit, gear your bike down so it's redlining at 30 then cruise at 20-25.

You could wear really baggy jeans, a big floppy shirt, throw on some apehangers and let some air out of your tires, too. That'll cut down on top speed

You can also just NOT twist the throttle all the way!