Are Pocket Bikes Street Legal?
For a pocket bike to be street legal, it will take a little bit of work. Straight out of the box, pocket bikes lack a few things to be allowed on the streets, although specific rules vary from state to state. It is also not uncommon for pocket bikes to disqualify simply because they are miniature in size.
Smaller models don't really have much of a chance in becoming street legal simply because most bikes would be in a class with motorcycles. And according to the rules, the seat of a motorcycle must be at least 25 inches off the ground. A pocket bike obviously violates that simple test and raising the seat is not a viable mod for any bike.
In many cases, just riding a pocket bike out on the streets is considered reckless driving because of the sheer number of violations. The sum total of all the violations for riding a pocket bike in public could set you back as much as $2,000 in fines.
One other big feature that most bikes don't have is the rear indicator lights for night driving. This is in addition to the lack of rearview mirrors, horns, or signal lights for turns. These are the design restrictions that keep pocket bikes hobby vehicles to be driven on private grounds and off the streets.
In every state a vehicle must be registered to be allowed on the streets. Since most bikes can't get registered because of all the obvious violations, they technically should never be on the streets. In strict neighborhoods the rider could also be cited for noise pollution depending on the muffler of the bike.
Of course everything stated is based on general guidelines. There are models of pocket bikes that are larger than most mini bikes known as super bikes. These bikes come with headlights, break lights, turning signal lights, a speedometer, and a horn. And by many definitions these bikes can be street legal with minor modifications.
In many cases small modifications such as adding a rear view mirror and brackets for a license plate will allow you to register the bike for legal street use in most states. With the few modifications the pocket bikes can sometimes be categorized as unique or home built vehicles.
If it is classified as a regular motorcycle then motorcycles laws apply, such as the helmet requirement and special motorcycle driver's license. If it is class as something else such as a moped, then a regular driver's license is enough. - 21396
Smaller models don't really have much of a chance in becoming street legal simply because most bikes would be in a class with motorcycles. And according to the rules, the seat of a motorcycle must be at least 25 inches off the ground. A pocket bike obviously violates that simple test and raising the seat is not a viable mod for any bike.
In many cases, just riding a pocket bike out on the streets is considered reckless driving because of the sheer number of violations. The sum total of all the violations for riding a pocket bike in public could set you back as much as $2,000 in fines.
One other big feature that most bikes don't have is the rear indicator lights for night driving. This is in addition to the lack of rearview mirrors, horns, or signal lights for turns. These are the design restrictions that keep pocket bikes hobby vehicles to be driven on private grounds and off the streets.
In every state a vehicle must be registered to be allowed on the streets. Since most bikes can't get registered because of all the obvious violations, they technically should never be on the streets. In strict neighborhoods the rider could also be cited for noise pollution depending on the muffler of the bike.
Of course everything stated is based on general guidelines. There are models of pocket bikes that are larger than most mini bikes known as super bikes. These bikes come with headlights, break lights, turning signal lights, a speedometer, and a horn. And by many definitions these bikes can be street legal with minor modifications.
In many cases small modifications such as adding a rear view mirror and brackets for a license plate will allow you to register the bike for legal street use in most states. With the few modifications the pocket bikes can sometimes be categorized as unique or home built vehicles.
If it is classified as a regular motorcycle then motorcycles laws apply, such as the helmet requirement and special motorcycle driver's license. If it is class as something else such as a moped, then a regular driver's license is enough. - 21396
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Visit Pocket Bikes Guide to find a pocket bike for yourself or just for more information in general.
posted by X - Men @ 1:40 AM
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