I'm finally going to take the plunge and get my bike inspected and titled in VA, but I have some fears as my bike is pretty modified...
Rear turn signals are LED type -- will these get a fail? How closely do they look at the signals? Do I need front signals? I deleted mine. I heard VA requires DOT approved signals and mine are definitely NOT.
reflectors?
Anythign else I need to be aware of?
Got my explanation elsewhere:
http://www.bikerenews.com/Motorcycle_Inspection.htm#360 (http://www.bikerenews.com/Motorcycle_Inspection.htm#360)
In short, the LED turn lights MAY cause a fail, however, turn signals are not required on a motorcycle so they can be removed for the inspection!
I've not had a bike long enough to have it inspected in Virginia, although I have had it long enough to mod the crap out of it. When inspection time rolls around, where should I take it? Anyone have a line on a place that goes easy on bikes?
You best bet for an easy inspection is the local gas station inspection point. They won't fuss about the not DOT LED signals you have - or at least there's a smaller chance they will fuss. Similarly there's less chance they will fuss about some of the smaller random detailed requirements VA has. IF you got an inspection at a bike shop, the bike shops are on the hook to know the particular rules for motos and catch more flack if a bike they inspected gets pulled over and doesn't meet code. As a result they are stricter.
The basic rules of thumb for VA are
1. Tires must be good.
2. Brakes must be good and have sufficient pad life left.
3. Low beam and high beam
4. Brake and running lights - brake light must come on w/ both front a rear brakes.
5. Must have at least 1 mirror. If you have only one, it must be on the left side.
6. Turn signals are not required. But if you have them on the bike, they MUST work, and be on all 4 corners.
7. Horn
8. No obvious malfunctions, problem damage, heinous leaks
That's what my locla gas station checks... and it takes about 5 min
Quote from: yuu on March 16, 2009, 12:59:01 PM
6. Turn signals are not required. But if you have them on the bike, they MUST work, and be on all 4 corners.
... on all 4 corners?
so you can't remove the fronts, you have to remove all of them?
Quote from: ducatizzzz on March 16, 2009, 02:34:44 PM
... on all 4 corners?
so you can't remove the fronts, you have to remove all of them?
Yep, it's either ALL on and working or ALL OFF. You can't have just two. It's so stupid. If you have LED's, just go to a gas station and you should be fine.
Quote from: M(*)nster on March 16, 2009, 03:09:35 PM
Yep, it's either ALL on and working or ALL OFF. You can't have just two. It's so stupid. If you have LED's, just go to a gas station and you should be fine.
hmm well then the question for me is whether it's easier to remove my rear LED lights or add some in the front.. prob about the same amount of work!
Sorry I do not understand why people eliminate turn signals or go to ones that are less visible or even the integrated version in the rear. There are plenty of aftermarket choices that fit with the styling and are at least as visible as stock if not moreso. But heck what do I know - Gene
Quote from: twolanefun on March 16, 2009, 05:27:04 PM
Sorry I do not understand why people eliminate turn signals or go to ones that are less visible or even the integrated version in the rear. There are plenty of aftermarket choices that fit with the styling and are at least as visible as stock if not moreso. But heck what do I know - Gene
I'm with you on this one gene.
And yeah - all 4 corners, working - or none at all. Seems a bit silly.. but that's not the 1st silly VA law I've seen, and it won't be the last.
Another thing that a proper bike shop is probably on the line to check is reflectors. Though the plastic ones are ugly as sin, they do give you more visibility at night. To that end
Tape Works http://www.tapeworks.com/Rimstripes/RimstripesHome.html (http://www.tapeworks.com/Rimstripes/RimstripesHome.html)
makes reflective wheel tapes (even black) taht work quite well.
StreetGlo http://www.streetglo.net/ (http://www.streetglo.net/)
Sells all sorts of reflective stickers
Either place can do logos and stripe kits in any of their colors.
Went to a gas station and it literally took less than a minute. As soon as I pulled in the service bay they checked:
- high beam
- left/right signal (front/rear)
- brake light (front lever/foot lever)
- horn
My tires aren't down to the wear bars but I know they need replacing soon, along with my brakes. The dude didn't even look at them.
[moto] Saw a set of bar end weights that had LED turn signals built into them visible from both front and rear could easily replace OEM front turn signals and blends in very well. Can't remember the website I saw them on at the moment, but some other readers here probably have seen them. [popcorn]