Motoped street legal in CA

bromoto · Aug 28, 2016

hey guys,

I'm pretty new to this whole motorized bicycle world. I'm looking to buy a Motoped Pro (attached)

I have read all the forums about what is legal and what is not legal based on the DMV rules. However, my question is: i'm 31 and looking at the 49cc motor option to ride in bike lanes to and from work....Do i need an M1 or M2 license or not? and if so then why?

THank you,

Bromoto

0megaMan · Aug 28, 2016

Yes you'll need your M2 for any moped.

bromoto · Aug 28, 2016

Thanks Omega man,

I guess what i'm confused about is on the DMV website anything with less than 2 brake horsepower? So if I have a bike with 49cc does that make it okay? If not.....

whats the difference between that Motoped with 49cc and a motorized bicycle with a 49cc motor???

Motakitty · Aug 28, 2016

Scooters and motorized bicycle have different rules.Scooters it's 49cc but bicycles aren't limited by cc but rather horsepower. I believe it's actually 4hp and no more than 30mph. Yes you need a m2 but can't take the skills test on a bicycle so take that with a grain of salt. I'm in ca and I don't have my m2, I have my bike registered, I ride in the bike lane, wear dot helmet, and obey the laws of the road and I haven't been hassled......yet. I'm in San Jose where we hardly have enough police anyhow.

MotorBicycleRacing · Aug 28, 2016

bromoto said:
Thanks Omega man,

I guess what i'm confused about is on the DMV website anything with less than 2 brake horsepower? So if I have a bike with 49cc does that make it okay? If not.....

whats the difference between that Motoped with 49cc and a motorized bicycle with a 49cc motor???

Mopeds and motorized bcycles are the same in CA.
The DMV does not delete old laws off the website.

The new law is 4 HP or less. CVC 406 (A)

Better to get a M1 instead of a M2
You can get an M1 temp by taking the written test. It's good for
a year with the exclusion of not being able to ride at night.

Wear a DOT hemlet and you are good to go

Get the CA license plate in a couple of weels by mailing in $21
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/c...4063-a819-a5dfc8ff5691/reg230.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Does your Motoped have a frame number?
What area are you in?

bromoto · Aug 28, 2016

I live in San Diego. My bike does NOT have a frame number.

So I could build a motorized bicycle with a 66/80 cc motor, ride it around town. Except at night, and I'll be fine as long as I have it registered?

But how do I fill out the registration if I don't have the vin or frame number of the bike?

bromoto · Aug 28, 2016

0megaMan said:
Yes you'll need your M2 for any moped.

Omegaman, I'm not looking at a "moped" but a motoped. A bike that looks like a dirtbike but still operates with pedals and a small engine similar to a motorized bicycle.

(attached) notice the bicycle pedals....is this still considered a moped? or a motorized bicycle?

0megaMan · Aug 28, 2016

bromoto said:
I live in San Diego. My bike does NOT have a frame number.

So I could build a motorized bicycle with a 66/80 cc motor, ride it around town. Except at night, and I'll be fine as long as I have it registered?

But how do I fill out the registration if I don't have the vin or frame number of the bike?

Go to Harbor Freight and buy a set of metal stamps, run ya $10, amazon.com also has stamps sets pretty cheap. Stamp the appropriate amount of random numbers and you have your VIN.

As far as night is concerned, you cant ride a moped, scooter or motorcycle at night while you on your permit, once you have your M1 or M2 endorsment you can ride at night. Even then that is very loosely enforced.

The people at the DMV don't know Jack. All they care about is your money. Most people there dont know the rules. For example I took my M1 driving test on a Honda Ruckus 50cc. When doing the verbal he asked me to engage the clutch, I explaind the bike had a auto transmission and he didnt know the difference. Passed with flying colors while all the guys on their Harley Davidsons failed.

MotorBicycleRacing · Aug 28, 2016

bromoto said:
Omegaman, I'm not looking at a "moped" but a motoped. A bike that looks like a dirtbike but still operates with pedals and a small engine similar to a motorized bicycle.

(attached) notice the bicycle pedals....is this still considered a moped? or a motorized bicycle?

Mopeds and motorized bicycles are in the same catergory in CA.

Look at the license plate application.

This is the CA code.
CVC 406.(a)
A “motorized bicycle” or “moped” is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power,
or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy,
and an automatic transmission
and a motor that produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower
and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

Tyler6357 · Aug 28, 2016

The M1 and the M2 require the same written test. The M1 requires a driving test in addition to the written test. A M1 or M2 license is required to ride a motorized bicycle with a max of 4hp. Also you must register the motorized bicycle and attach a license plate at a cost of $21 with no annual renewal required. If your bike has no serial or VIN number you will have to make one up yourself and attach the number to your frame (stamped or engraved).

Filling out a reg 230 CA DMV Motorized bicycle application--> http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=42199

brnot

0megaMan · Aug 28, 2016

bromoto said:
Omegaman, I'm not looking at a "moped" but a motoped. A bike that looks like a dirtbike but still operates with pedals and a small engine similar to a motorized bicycle.

(attached) notice the bicycle pedals....is this still considered a moped? or a motorized bicycle?

They can call it what ever they like, its still a moped! Any motorcycle that you can pedal is a moped.

Motoped is a brand name, nothing more!

bromoto · Aug 29, 2016

Thanks omegaman. and everyone else for the information. I filled out my information for plate and registration and waiting for it to arrive.

user48067 · Aug 31, 2016

I got my M1 by going to a motorcycle safety training school. It was well worth it. After getting my M1, I wanted to get a real motorcycle, but the expense of a new one shot me down. My Grubee Skyhawk won the battle of decisions, and I don't ride it much anymore . I think I just liked building it. The thing has never let me down in 2500 miles. I don't have insurance on it, but it is legally required.

dmb · Sep 2, 2016

insurance? required? are you sure? are we all scofflaws? jeeze hear I go again?

Motakitty · Sep 2, 2016

You don't need insurance but you might be able to insure it.

Tyler6357 · Sep 2, 2016

Liability insurance is not required in CA for a motorized bicycle

Barnfresh · Sep 3, 2016

Tyler6357 said:
Liability insurance is not required in CA for a motorized bicycle

Most LEOs think it is. So which vehicle codes or definitions do you like to use to make your argument, or do you just whip out the City of Huntington Beach alt vehicle pamphlet?

Tony01 · Sep 4, 2016

MBR, or Crassus and I (can't quite remember) got into the discussion of liability on the other thread. The back of my registration says I need to have liability, in my own understanding. Far as I'm concerned anybody on the road with an engine needs to have it. With that said I don't ride with it... I've hit a car just slightly with my front tire on its bumper only once (hard and fast emergency stop) but the amount of times I have been almost hit, sideswiped, tailgated, etc, is a completely different story...

But if you guys want to be sure and ride with no rules at all, you can build yourself a standup scooter which has no limits. I just rode one that had a 300cc Briggs flathead on it, is about 6ft long and tops out higher than my 212cc...

Barnfresh · Sep 4, 2016

Tony01 said:
But if you guys want to be sure and ride with no rules at all, you can build yourself a standup scooter which has no limits. I just rode one that had a 300cc Briggs flathead on it, is about 6ft long and tops out higher than my 212cc...

That's what I though when I first got my 40mph standup electric scooter, no registration, no insurance, no license, woo hoo no rules! Then I found out the law changed requiring a valid drivers license, (no big deal i got that) but then I find out the max speed limit is 15mph. What the he!!, 15mph? oh well so much for that idea of unregulated fun.....

user48067 · Sep 6, 2016

If it's law that you need at least a M2, and it's law that the bike needs a license plate, liability insurance is also required. It's all about pedestrians. If a pedestrian got mowed down by a motorized bike, the emergency room bill could be 25,000 to 50,000 bucks. After litigation, guess where the bill will be sent. ( not to your insurance company cause you don't have one). I myself don't have insurance, but I ride my bike with people in mind, and always give them the right of way.

Barnfresh · Sep 7, 2016

87octane said:
If it's law that you need at least a M2, and it's law that the bike needs a license plate, liability insurance is also required.

If it's law....however it's not, at least not in any California statute or vehicle code that I'm aware of. If you have something that says otherwise please share. I'm always interested in learning more about California law as it pertains to our motorized bikes.

This is the law that I'm aware of and the one that a leo may read you when you are asked for proof of insurance.

16020. (a) All drivers and all owners of a motor vehicle shall at
all times be able to establish financial responsibility pursuant to
Section 16021, and shall at all times carry in the vehicle evidence
of the form of financial responsibility in effect for the vehicle.

Now I have my own personal argument (with all due respect officer) for this and how it applies or doesn't apply to our motorized bicycles. I'm interested in hearing from others here on how they have got out being ticketed when pulled over and asked for their proof of insurance.

Motoped street legal in CA

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