CA DMV Motorcycle handbook

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 7:25 pm

Hi,

I was at DMV today (because I'm a masochist), and I picked up a copy of the Motorcycle Handbook. Something I found interesting:

California definition of a motorcycle: "A motorcycle is a motor vehicle with a seat or saddle for the rider designed to travel on not more than three wheels."

Other than how badly written the sentence is, if you attach a two-wheeled sidecar to a motorcycle, the resulting four-wheeled vehicle is no longer legally a motorcycle, and you need only a class C (car) license to drive it.

specs95t · Post by **specs95t** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 7:30 pm

To that end, I had a buddy that was seriously thinking of taking an old '70's Cadillac El Dorado (V8 with front wheel drive), and replacing the rear axle with a single wheel to make it a trike.

The whole point was to be able to cruise in the HOV lane - which is naturally available to motorcycles!

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palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 7:51 pm

I think that would have worked.

Uncle Hud · Post by **Uncle Hud** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 10:46 am

I thought sidecars only had one wheel.

And your buddy's modified Eldo would be a Spyder or Slingshot on steroids -- especially if it's a convertible.

LKLD · Post by **LKLD** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 11:46 am

Uncle Hud wrote:I thought sidecars only had one wheel.

Me too. Don't see the point of a two wheeled sidecar, at least opposed. But we are talking about California.

Powerman · Post by **Powerman** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:33 pm

You did very good on your MC test, you missed one.
Actually the question is wrong, and goes against the laws of physics.
She was not impressed. So just go away? Yes sir, thank you.

fjray · Post by **fjray** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:48 pm

But, as far as I know you don't have to have an endorsement to ride a Can Am spyder. So is it a motorcycle or not. It is the land of fruits and nuts.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:56 pm

As I read the CA handbook, if it has three wheels, it's a motorcycle, and you need an endorsement.

fjray · Post by **fjray** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:21 pm

Don't know for sure but I was told it wasn't needed when I was trying to rent one a couple years ago.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:25 pm

Beats the hell out of me.

Twigg · Post by **Twigg** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:28 pm

Laws on the Can-Am Spyder (and others, similar like the Slingshot) vary from state to state.

The dealers are usually up to date with local info.

fjray · Post by **fjray** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:53 pm

Just did a little Google research and it's about as clear as shit.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:57 pm

I found this, which contradicts my reading of the handbook:

No motorcycle license (M1) required for a Spyder in the state of California. You only need a Class C driver's license. ... Any following trips will not require training, as long as all individuals driving have completed the 1 hour certified training course with a Spyder-Rentals.com representative

Uncle Hud · Post by **Uncle Hud** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:07 pm

Well, since I'm not planning on riding a Spyder anytime in the next few weeks ..... ESPECIALLY in California ..... y'all knock yourselves out with all this legal analysis. I'll shrug my shoulders and ride my FJR this evening for a few more BMR points.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:36 pm

Uncle Hud wrote:Well, since I'm not planning on riding a Spyder anytime in the next few weeks ..... ESPECIALLY in California ..... y'all knock yourselves out with all this legal analysis. I'll shrug my shoulders and ride my FJR this evening for a few more BMR points.

You're correct, of course. It's just that it's annoying. One would think that the official DMV handbook would clarify this instead of making it even more confusing.

It's even more annoying to be annoyed by something I don't actually care about.

0face · Post by **0face** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 1:26 pm

palerider wrote:
Uncle Hud wrote:Well, since I'm not planning on riding a Spyder anytime in the next few weeks ..... ESPECIALLY in California ..... y'all knock yourselves out with all this legal analysis. I'll shrug my shoulders and ride my FJR this evening for a few more BMR points.
You're correct, of course. It's just that it's annoying. One would think that the official DMV handbook would clarify this instead of making it even more confusing.

It's even more annoying to be annoyed by something I don't actually care about.

Oh there's a couple threads you can hop on if you want to be more annoyed...

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 1:37 pm

0face wrote:
palerider wrote:
Uncle Hud wrote:Well, since I'm not planning on riding a Spyder anytime in the next few weeks ..... ESPECIALLY in California ..... y'all knock yourselves out with all this legal analysis. I'll shrug my shoulders and ride my FJR this evening for a few more BMR points.
You're correct, of course. It's just that it's annoying. One would think that the official DMV handbook would clarify this instead of making it even more confusing.

It's even more annoying to be annoyed by something I don't actually care about.
Oh there's a couple threads you can hop on if you want to be more annoyed...

I'm good.

wheatonFJR · Post by **wheatonFJR** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:07 pm

palerider wrote:
0face wrote: Oh there's a couple threads you can hop on if you want to be more annoyed...
I'm good.

HotRodZilla · Post by **HotRodZilla** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:58 am

Ok, that was only funny because it was so true!

FJRiders.com