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I moved to Utah about 18 months ago. My Missouri stickers were good till 4/2015 (yes, I know the law states I only have 30 days from move-in to register/title in the state), so I let it ride. In Missouri, the inspections were done at specially-licensed motorcycle inspection stations. These were usually motorcycle shops with trained techs. Here, any garage can inspect any vehicle (of course, they have to be licensed), including Jiffy Lube! 
Well, I took my bike to get inspected at the local garage without knowing what to expect. I parked on the side of the building, assuming the tech would need to wheel it into the bay to inspect it. This was not the case...
I was greeted by a tech who came out front with me, carrying a clip-board. He asked me to start it up (still on the side stand). He looked over the top of the front wheel, I assume to glance at the tire and the brake calipers, then checked the turn signals, and headlight before moving to the back where he checked all the rear lights. He asked me to honk the horn, then flip the kill switch. That was it!
The inspection paper I got back said that I passed things like steering, brakes, and fuel system that were not even looked at. It also says that I don't have a windshield, which I do. I found the regulations regarding what they are supposed to inspect, and while I admit that the $7.00 maximum fee that can be charged would never cover the time and effort needed to fulfill a proper inspection, I feel like I was given a piece of paper that doesn't really mean a thing...
I understand that we don't always like the idea that someone else has to determine if our bikes are road worthy, but there is a reason for it, and I understand it. On my first inspection in Missouri, I was taught of the importance of free-play in the brake levers (which the tech fixed for me right there at no charge). Things like steering head bearings need to be inspected, and without lifting it off the ground, you really can't get a decent inspection as prescribed by the law. They are even supposed to determine the amount of pressure applied by the brake calipers, with a special tool, and inspect the swing arm bearings.
What is the point of getting an inspection if all they are going to do is check the lights?
Well, I took my bike to get inspected at the local garage without knowing what to expect. I parked on the side of the building, assuming the tech would need to wheel it into the bay to inspect it. This was not the case...
I was greeted by a tech who came out front with me, carrying a clip-board. He asked me to start it up (still on the side stand). He looked over the top of the front wheel, I assume to glance at the tire and the brake calipers, then checked the turn signals, and headlight before moving to the back where he checked all the rear lights. He asked me to honk the horn, then flip the kill switch. That was it!
The inspection paper I got back said that I passed things like steering, brakes, and fuel system that were not even looked at. It also says that I don't have a windshield, which I do. I found the regulations regarding what they are supposed to inspect, and while I admit that the $7.00 maximum fee that can be charged would never cover the time and effort needed to fulfill a proper inspection, I feel like I was given a piece of paper that doesn't really mean a thing...
I understand that we don't always like the idea that someone else has to determine if our bikes are road worthy, but there is a reason for it, and I understand it. On my first inspection in Missouri, I was taught of the importance of free-play in the brake levers (which the tech fixed for me right there at no charge). Things like steering head bearings need to be inspected, and without lifting it off the ground, you really can't get a decent inspection as prescribed by the law. They are even supposed to determine the amount of pressure applied by the brake calipers, with a special tool, and inspect the swing arm bearings.
What is the point of getting an inspection if all they are going to do is check the lights?
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