Questions about State Motorcycle Laws

[Brian_D]

I know most states require motorcycles to have:

a) left-side mirror
b) turn signals - especially if factory equipped.

but what about hazard lights? and horns? are they required by state law as well?

[HobbyMan]

All I know is that my state inspection guy checks for a high beam with some sort of indicator light that it is on. I think you need a horn but am not sure. we are also in different states

[Yamaniac]

see ks motorcycle handbook, page 7. they say at minimum your bike should have: headlight, tailight, brakelight, front and rear brakes, turn signals, horn, two mirrors.

you might call the DOT station right there at Dennison and 7 hwy in Olathe, they could tell you what it HAS to have to pass inspection.

[xswilly]

in maine

head light, tail light, horn, brake lights
if signals are there they must work
if no signals the operator must know the hand signals

[Wildkat]

This is what I found on the Texas DPS website

05.07 Inspect Every Motorcycle and Motor-Driven Cycle For: (listed in suggested order of inspection)

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility

1. Horn
2. Mirror
3. Steering
4. Brakes (system)
5. Tires
6. Wheel Assembly
7. Exhaust System
8. Tail Lamp (1)
9. Stop Lamp (1)
10. License Plate Lamp
11. Rear Red Reflector (1)
12. Head Lamp (1)
13. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number

Definitions:

Motorcycle: Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to propel itself with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground but excluding a tractor.

Motor-Driven Cycle: Every motorcycle with a motor which has an engine piston displacement of not more than 125cc.


Turn signals... only if they were factory equipped...

[dpotter58]

but what about hazard lights? and horns? are they required by state law as well?
the horn is in MD but not the hazzards

[malber]

The AMA has a great compedium of US state specific motorcycle laws. You can find it here:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

[Brian_D]

Originally posted by malber
The AMA has a great compedium of US state specific motorcycle laws. You can find it here:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

Thanks for the link. Had seen it before but seemed to have misplaced it

however, need to be aware that the site is not entirely accurate, and does not list requirements on Horn, etc.

[malber]

Originally posted by Brian_D
Thanks for the link. Had seen it before but seemed to have misplaced it

however, need to be aware that the site is not entirely accurate, and does not list requirements on Horn, etc.

I think the AMA listing is specific laws that are required for operating a motorcycle in the particular state. That way, you'll know what you might be pulled over for before riding through that state. I think what you may be looking for are the requirements to pass a state inspection in a state that requires one. For example, in my state there is a requirement to have a working horn for a bike to pass inspection, but you wouldn't be pulled over if your horn doesn't work (how would the statie know?). You'd have to refer to the NH state motor vehicle law to find the inspection requirements. If that's the kind of detail you're looking for you may want to look up the state statutes online in the particular state you're interested in.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Brian,

One of the finer points here in Va. is that IF the vehicle came with a feature....like Emergency flashers, then they had to work, but if it only had turn signals, then no. I just passed my inspection, and the bike came with ER flasher, but I changed the handlebar switch assembly and NO ER flasher switch, so they didn't know or realize to check for them. Since the bike already had the wiring and separate flasher for them, I made a switch that is under the left side tool cover that I can easily reach if needed!
T.C.

[webbcraft2150]

Texas guys seem to be pretty laid back on inspections, at least at the shop I go to. But then again, everything works. I passed a NM inspection on a desert prepped DT400, no horn, no turn signals, no brake light, no baffle. I did put a rearview on which I ususally left on anyway when I rode in the city. Always passed. The "local county sheriff" seemed to have a problem with it, I never really found out what there issue was, have yet to see a Crown Vic keep up with a big bore 2-stroke, in the dirt/sand, and yes, they did try. Hard to see those flashing reds without a rearview, can't hear the siren over the unbaffled muffler singin at 6k.

[Brian_D]

KS Inspection

when I purchased the LH (years ago) it had an out-of-state title, so I had to pay the Highway Patrol officer $20 to just compare the VIN number on the title to the frame. of course, I then paid the DMV for a new KS title plus registration fees.

But what prompted my question is the desire to eliminate all unnessary electrical loads from the bike - I've never used the horn or the hazard lights.

After my last problem with the main switch (and checking over the wiring diagrams), I realized that not only can the hazards be activated with the key removed AND in the PARK position, but the tail lights are also turned ON. Now I know why the battery totally discharged the *LAST* time I used the fork lock - I thought the switch was in LOCK when it was in PARK.

What is the purpose for the PARK position where the forks are locked, the key can be removed, the tail lights are turned ON, but power is removed from the igntion circuit?

[fredintoon]

weird switching

Brian asks:-
What is the purpose for the PARK position where the forks are locked, the key can be removed, the tail lights are turned ON, but power is removed from the igntion circuit?
Hi Brian,
In some countries, and perhaps Japan is one of them, any vehicle parked in the street at night must show a parking light.
I'd suppose that Yamaha had to build in that system for certain markets and never bothered to change it on exports to places where it weren't needed. BTW, you are not alone in running your battery flat by mistaking PARK for LOCK. Although one only ever does that once, right? What gets to me is the 4-way not being key controlled.
Any clown can wander up to your bike and click that little switch across just for giggles and kill your battery.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[Brian_D]

Re: weird switching

Originally posted by fredintoon
...Any clown can wander up to your bike and click that little switch across just for giggles and kill your battery.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

XSactly

[malber]

Re: KS Inspection

Originally posted by Brian_D
What is the purpose for the PARK position where the forks are locked, the key can be removed, the tail lights are turned ON, but power is removed from the igntion circuit?

I always thought that this was for if you had auxillary equipment like a radio and lights that you would want to leave on while parked, sort of like the A/C key position on most cars. Don't know why you'd ever leave this on though. I killed the battery after just a half hour of leaving it in ignition position when I was adjusting the brake light switch spring on the rear brake.