Dave, It's not really that bad in California. Sure, Plates are required, but I've been riding MB's for almost seven years and have never registered any of my bikes. Only one time did a cop ever say, "ya know yer supposed to have a plate on that thing".( I said, Yes sir.) He then said something about not having time to deal with the petty stuff, and then said, Have a great day, as he was walking away.
But it's easy to register a bike anyway. Just print out the form, fill it out. Then send it to Sacramento with a $19.00 M.O. and yer done. It's a one time only, lifetime of the bike registration. You'll get yer plates in the mail in a week or two.
Now the M-2 license requirment is a whole different thing. That one really does kind of suck. The M-2 is for anything street legal 49cc or less. Mopeds,gopeds and MB's and such. Thing is, you can't take the test on your MB. It's gotta be a real motorcycle with registration, insurance and all equipment in working order. Ya might as well just get the M-1 license instead. That way you can ride anything with two (or three) wheels.
All that being said, I've been pulled over a few times and was NEVER asked for a license, just an I.D. My bikes are always clean (and cool looking) and the cop just want's to check out my bike. I stay within the speed limit,(kinda,) and have good lights and wear a helmet. I don't give them a reason to pull me over except most of my bikes are too cool to ignore, So they make up some silly excuse just to check out the bike. Most cops around here are cool with the MB thing. I try to leave them with a good impression of the rider also.
Rubber Side Down,
fatdaddy.
But it's easy to register a bike anyway. Just print out the form, fill it out. Then send it to Sacramento with a $19.00 M.O. and yer done. It's a one time only, lifetime of the bike registration. You'll get yer plates in the mail in a week or two.
Now the M-2 license requirment is a whole different thing. That one really does kind of suck. The M-2 is for anything street legal 49cc or less. Mopeds,gopeds and MB's and such. Thing is, you can't take the test on your MB. It's gotta be a real motorcycle with registration, insurance and all equipment in working order. Ya might as well just get the M-1 license instead. That way you can ride anything with two (or three) wheels.
All that being said, I've been pulled over a few times and was NEVER asked for a license, just an I.D. My bikes are always clean (and cool looking) and the cop just want's to check out my bike. I stay within the speed limit,(kinda,) and have good lights and wear a helmet. I don't give them a reason to pull me over except most of my bikes are too cool to ignore, So they make up some silly excuse just to check out the bike. Most cops around here are cool with the MB thing. I try to leave them with a good impression of the rider also.
Rubber Side Down,
fatdaddy.