shadow d hedgehog

As many of you are aware, when we register our dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs for the 2009 season we will be getting a license plate instead of the old stickers. There are some awsome changes in state law along with this that greately benefits us. I did my 2009 renewal for the GSXR and my KX yesterday and here is what I found out:

First off, you MUST have a title, and bring it with you to get the 2009 tag, no exceptions. For 2009, you can only get your tags from the DMV. Starting in 2010, we can go back to the dealers like we awlays have been. While this seems like a pain, this will get a few people off thier duffs and get thier titles. I have gone through a couple of titling issues in the past and this is very welcomed in my eyes.

The new plates are black/white instead of the red/white/blue we have on our street bikes.

Second, Idaho State law now reads that with the new plate, headlight, tail/brake light, mirror (with 200 foot visibility), horn, AND insurance, you can ride your OHV (off highway vehicle) on all public roads except state highways and the intersate unless restricted by local entities.

I had a nice long chat with Deputy Horan of Ada County and he informed me that you are golden in Ada, (but he would double check Boise City for me although he was sure it was still kosher) to ride on the roads provided you met the requirements above.

Those that live in Kuna or Canyon County may want to check for local ordnances.

What this means? It means that I will be able to leave my front door, head to the foothills or desert without having to mess with the pickup. I will also be able to run the store, commute to work, and buzz all over town on my KX. How cool is that?

My example: 1991 KX80. OEM spec lighting stator from Moose Racing = $80. Aftermarket headlight kit = $20, aftermarket tail/brake light kit = $30. Fuse box, misc wires, shrink tube, and time ~ $20-$30 dollars. So, for less than $200 bucks and an afternon tinkering in the garage, I can zip around town on my MX bike. As for insurance, 1 year liability, UI, NI, and comp for theft with $250 deductable ran me $35 with state farm. (Your welcome Shaner!)

As for speedo, for $35 you can pickup a basic bike computer from any local bicycle shop. Simple magnet that attaches to a spoke and a sensor that attaches to a fork leg and it will tell you how fast you are going and how far you have gone. They make highend bike computers for motorcycles that run over $100 and give you tach and other things as well as wire in and not run on batteries, but I doubt I will spend that much.

Some will wonder, if you go through all the trouble, why not just get a regular plate and be done with it.

Depending on your situation, sure, why not. It comes down to hassle and money. My bike only goes like 40 tops. It would be silly for me to try to take on the highway. Also, after 2009, renewal is only $10 compared to $50 for a street plate. Now if a rider lived in an area where they had to take the highway and/or had a cool 250+ that would do 60 or better, it may be worth it to get a full plate. All you need to do is convert your title from a "motor bike" to "motor cycle" per the DMV. To do this, you simply will have fill out an ITD 3018 form (Motorbike to Motorcycle Conversion Self Certification Affidavit) stating you did the conversion to DOT specs. There is no cost and no inspection for this so I leave that up to you to decide.

All of this applies to MX bikes, ATV's and UTV's.

I for one think it is cool and it gives me something to do this winter in the garage, but opinions may vary.

Hozhead

Thanks for reminding me! I need to get things squared away on the WR400 and renew the street plate for the SM610.

sandm

good info to know.
I have toyed around with selling the scoot to buy an off-road bike. this makes the decision that much more tempting as I could now use it to run to the store vs dragging out the kawi....

Bungeeguy

I think it's a bunch of chit! F the state and their bullchit tax collecting asses! Great for you, but most people have true MX bikes that don't need the states BS on their bikes and up their asses.

IDAHOBALLER

I agree!!!

mxroostin

i have to agree...

where the hell are you suppose to place the plate? ON the rear fender, who is going to see it...I cant figure out anywhere but the front number plate to mount that beeatch...With as much plastic as I used to break this is a terrible plan for the DIRT BIKE MOTOCROSSER....I couldnt see Y anyone would want to ride a dirt bike to the store...R these the same guys that load their bikes in the back of the truck and take em to party's look at me I gotta dirt bike...

This is a crock...What about MT. Bikers...They should be required to pay a Registration FEE....

Liscence Plates, crappy...I see NO positives to this....

shadow d hedgehog

Sadly, regardless of what you guys think, it is law now. The way I see it there are two choices, embrace it and comply (I really like the no truck factor, just open the garage and head out for a ride) or resist and be the guinee (sp) pig for the supreme court challenge to the law.

While I am not die-hard motocrosser but more of a casual trail rider, the point is to get rid of the truck portion of my dirt riding.

IDAHOBALLER

I dont know about you guys but my dirtbike doesnt hold enough gas to even make it to most of the places I ride at. I can only go like 45miles on a full tank and then I am empty so at most all I would be able to do is ride out there and then turn around and come back. By the time I got there my rear knobbie would be toast as well.

This is just a way for them to get more money out of our pockets. They should have just left things as they were so that you could get a plate if you wanted to but wasnt required for all. You could already have gotten any bike plated and be street legal on ALL ROADS already anyways so from a 2 wheeler stand point there is absolutly no benefit. Why would you want to put one of these restricted (cant be on highways/interstates) plates on a 2 wheeler when you could just get it plated for real and be able to go anywhere? Really the only people that this new law benefits is people riding quads and UTV's who want to be able to ride on the road.

I still think it is a bunch of B.S.

Hozhead

As someone who already had a plate on his dirt bike, I kinda like the new setup because the plates will cost less. If I didn't have a plate already, I'd be annoyed with the additional charge but its certainly not terribly expensive and with all bikes having a plate, its much easier for them to identify people who are riding in prohibited areas (riding in prohibited areas, by the way, is a good way to get legit riding areas closed when people throw a fit about OHV riders).

Bikejunky

It's total that you have to register your bike in the first place, if it's truly public access why the hell should I have to pay for anything ever, this is just another way for the government to track you and waste our money. I'm totally against this!!

Liteone

As a Desert Racer there many things that I really would like to say. But, I can't type for that long. I like the new fact that a tittle or official bill of sale has to be shown to get registered= maybe less stolen bikes? The cost is the same as always. $10.00 every year, Except the first and every seven after add $3. Personally I am NOT bolting a chunck of metal to my plastics. Last word I have from. Idaho parks and rec. is that they have not made a requirement as to how these plates are to by mounted. As for the idea of two-stroke dirt bikes on the roads around boise? knock Yourself out. I'm with Idahoballer. My bike fuel and tires are worth too much.

Mrniss99

I am not sure, but I heard from a local shop that the Mayor of Nampa is really lobbying to get the stupid plate thing taken away. It seems he has a few dirt bikes himself and thinks it is a load of crap as well.

Anyone else heard anything like that?

whitedevil

WoW! I saw the statements about riding bikes to stores or stuff like that, lol, NOOOOO, that's not what this does. If you happen to have a dual sport, and you can get a "motorcycle license/registration, THIS LAW HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!

They are a "RESTRICED" Plate! The reason it went down this way was because too many people thought they could get a plate for ATV's and 4wheelers and ride them down the road to the corner store, and because of all the stolen or untitled bikes.

The information for mounting the "Restricted" plate are actually stated very clearly with code numbers, which state no lower than 12" from the ground, on the back of the bike in a place that debris will not cover the plate to be seen from 75'. They have mounting brackets at many places now, such as dealers and cycle shops.

Now, I do not agree with the law that we have to have the plates, but I do agree with the fact that they are registered. With that said, get more involved, we have many organizations and this is a STATE law, not a city ordinance or county regulation. I have spoken directly with parks/recreations and our lobbyists about the laws and several ideas have been expressed. Nothing is specific as to how it will all pan out after 2009 yet.

GET INVOLVED, numbers speak louder.

hellfire24

I am with WD and make sure your bike has a spark arrestor in the stupid thing

whitedevil

As much as I agree about the spark arrester, what a pain in the ARSE!!! - Your exhaust is back on Hellfire, shiny screen and all!

hellfire24

You dummy you should of waited for tommorow.. you have done plenty already

theduckllr

It may also be well worth mentioning that no vehicle can be operated legaly on the roads in the state of idaho without liability insurance. Yes, with enough time and money you can put a Briggs & Stratten motor in a wheelbarrow and get it licensed, but you would still need it insured.

whitedevil

The insurance comment I agree with, but in order to actually have a vehicle that is allowed to be on the roadway, it would have to meet very specific safety requirements and tech spec.

Tanman

I heard a rumor yesterday that the law was changed about two weeks ago that dirtbikes no longer need the actual metal plate attached to the bike but they will still need to register the bike at the DMV and get the sticker. So far the DMV is not aware of the change but it should be comming soon. Once again this is just something that I heard.

IDAHOBALLER

I hope that is true!

Matt

I was cruzing craigslist and found a guy selling machined aluminum brackets for about 7 bucks. I think it is asinine to have to have a plate on a dirtbike, but thought I would post it up anyway...

http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/1072535123.html

whitedevil

These are the same brackets that some desert racers picked up to be legal for the Oreana race, but the people that picked license plates up along with the "broken brackets" in the desert after the race were far from impressed with them.