• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Oh no you didn't

Well, I got my M1 two years ago and I'm pretty sure we talked about it between then and when they were actually released (3 years ago?). So it could've been the dealer...no one (DMV, insurance, CHP, etc.) knew how to classify it when it came out. Getting insurance quotes was hilarious because they thought he was lying, CHP didn't care about it being in the HOV lanes, and his insurance company finally classified it as a "recreational vehicle". So I'm sure a lot has changed in the past 2-3 years so my info is likely equally outdated.
 
CoolBDPhenom03 said:
Well, I got my M1 two years ago and I'm pretty sure we talked about it between then and when they were actually released (3 years ago?). So it could've been the dealer...no one (DMV, insurance, CHP, etc.) knew how to classify it when it came out. Getting insurance quotes was hilarious because they thought he was lying, CHP didn't care about it being in the HOV lanes, and his insurance company finally classified it as a "recreational vehicle". So I'm sure a lot has changed in the past 2-3 years so my info is likely equally outdated.
Click to expand...

Things haven't changed for many years. 3 wheels and it's a motorcycle--BUT because it has 3 wheels, you don't need an M1. Since it's under a certain weight (1500 pound cutoff, I think? I heard Corbin lobbied for this exception because of the Sparrow), it can go in the carpool lane. Same with sidecars. But you do need a helmet--weird case where you don't need an M1 endorsement, but you do need a helmet!
 
You guys are killing me.

A motorcycle is a motorcycle by CA Vehicle Code can have two or three wheels (and a fourth wheel if two of the wheels are part of a sidecar. See 400 CVC

An M1 endorsement is only required for two wheeled motorcycles. See 12804.9(h)(4) VC

Everyone riding a motorcycle must wear a DOT compliant helmet. See 27803(b) VC

The only helmet exemption is a fully enclosed three wheeled motorcycle. See 27803(f) VC

There is no difference in any of these sections by type of transmission or weight of the vehicle.

And Gabe is sort of right in regard to HOV lane usage. A fully enclosed three wheeled motorcycle that weighs more than 900 pounds is prohibited from lane sharing, but not from using the HOV lane. See 21714 VC.
 
silversvs said:
You guys are killing me.

A motorcycle is a motorcycle by CA Vehicle Code can have two or three wheels (and a fourth wheel if two of the wheels are part of a sidecar. See 400 CVC

An M1 endorsement is only required for two wheeled motorcycles. See 12804.9(h)(4) VC

Everyone riding a motorcycle must wear a DOT compliant helmet. See 27803(b) VC

The only helmet exemption is a fully enclosed three wheeled motorcycle. See 27803(f) VC

There is no difference in any of these sections by type of transmission or weight of the vehicle.
Click to expand...
It is illegal to laugh at a three-wheeled vehicle operator?
 
silversvs said:
And Gabe is sort of right in regard to HOV lane usage. A fully enclosed three wheeled motorcycle that weighs more than 900 pounds is prohibited from lane sharing, but not from using the HOV lane. See 21714 VC.
Click to expand...

Does this mean it would actually be legal to lane-share in a sidecar?

Not that it would be a good idea...


And I will agree with others here that three wheelers needing some kind of license other than a class C would make sense. My sidecar rig was the only vehicle I have owned that required real practice just to ride down the street, and you can get in trouble real fast on them. Not sure a separate three wheel license would make sense, but more than a car license.
 
It might be a rider who has a disability. I'm going to give three wheel guys a break. I have met a few guys on those and HD trikes that just want to keep riding even though they have been hurt.
 
Parx400 said:
It might be a rider who has a disability. I'm going to give three wheel guys a break. I have met a few guys on those and HD trikes that just want to keep riding even though they have been hurt.
Click to expand...

:thumbup That's why I got the Spyder first, my back is so screwed up I didn't think I could ever ride again. But after a year on the Spyder I decided to go for it, worked hard and got myself into riding shape, and now I am thrilled to be riding the FA. But I got attached to the Phantom, so I decided to keep it as well. It really is a lot of fun.

I called the CHP in RWC right after I bought it and asked them about the HOV lane, and the officer I spoke to said absolutely OK to be there. It was pretty wild getting it insured that first year too! I left AAA because they wanted to rape me over the thing, so I told them to shove off and went with Allstate, who gave me a pretty good deal considering it was a new type of vehicle and all.
 
silversvs said:
You guys are killing me.

A motorcycle is a motorcycle by CA Vehicle Code can have two or three wheels (and a fourth wheel if two of the wheels are part of a sidecar. See 400 CVC

An M1 endorsement is only required for two wheeled motorcycles. See 12804.9(h)(4) VC

Everyone riding a motorcycle must wear a DOT compliant helmet. See 27803(b) VC

The only helmet exemption is a fully enclosed three wheeled motorcycle. See 27803(f) VC

There is no difference in any of these sections by type of transmission or weight of the vehicle.

And Gabe is sort of right in regard to HOV lane usage. A fully enclosed three wheeled motorcycle that weighs more than 900 pounds is prohibited from lane sharing, but not from using the HOV lane. See 21714 VC.
Click to expand...

Good stuff. Thanks! Yeah so even an RT model, which is over 900 pounds fully loaded still requires a helmet because it's open but no M1 because of the vehicle code. Believe me, you don't want to be riding this thing without a helmet on!
 
Parx400 said:
It might be a rider who has a disability. I'm going to give three wheel guys a break. I have met a few guys on those and HD trikes that just want to keep riding even though they have been hurt.
Click to expand...

It's also a decent safety precaution. For example, my gf has no interest in riding motorcycles, but she still wants to get an M1 to say she can. If she rides something, it would be a Spyder.

My buddy who has 4 of these got t-boned a couple of years ago in Santa Rosa by someone to ran a red light. He was only in the hospital for 3 days with a few cracked ribs and a punctured lung. Had he been on a 2-wheeler, he probably would've lost his leg. Then again, if he had remembered to wear his armor vest, he might've been able to walk away from that one altogether. The two front wheels are able to take a lot of impact if hit from the side.

On the practical side, it's really nice to have a huge trunk. It doesn't mess with the aesthetics or aerodynamics and you don't have to carry a backpack, unless you really want to. It is pretty comfortable too. And if you're older and either can't or don't want to mess with rolling a bike backwards, there's a reverse gear.
 
CoolBDPhenom03 said:
It's also a decent safety precaution. For example, my gf has no interest in riding motorcycles, but she still wants to get an M1 to say she can. If she rides something, it would be a Spyder.
Click to expand...

I have to say that having a reverse gear is very nice indeed, although I would gladly trade it for 6th! :teeth And your lady will enjoy it very much as well. I ended up getting my Wife one also with the SE5 tranny. It's very accurate and never misses. And now she can ride with me and really experience the ride and not just be luggage in the pillion position.
 
Safety? Why not just get a Miata and have a cage with the abilty to chat, no need for a helmet, wind in your hair? That thing has all of the drawbacks of a motorcycle with none of the advantages.
 
bpw said:
And I will agree with others here that three wheelers needing some kind of license other than a class C would make sense. My sidecar rig was the only vehicle I have owned that required real practice just to ride down the street, and you can get in trouble real fast on them. Not sure a separate three wheel license would make sense, but more than a car license.
Click to expand...

I'd posit that a sidecar-rigged motorcycle requires much different skills to operate than a Can-Am or even a standard trike. Don't believe me? Go ride one of them. Having the two wheels in the front is much more stable than a motorcycle with a side car and frankly, much easier to get used to and ride safely.

Roadstergal said:
Safety? Why not just get a Miata and have a cage with the abilty to chat, no need for a helmet, wind in your hair? That thing has all of the drawbacks of a motorcycle with none of the advantages.
Click to expand...

Totally disagree. Convertibles are not motorcycles. You don't sit out in the open with a convertible. The sensation of riding something isn't there at all. Still can't use the HOV/T lanes solo in the cage either.
 
Kornholio said:
I'd posit that a sidecar-rigged motorcycle requires much different skills to operate than a Can-Am or even a standard trike. Don't believe me? Go ride one of them. Having the two wheels in the front is much more stable than a motorcycle with a side car and frankly, much easier to get used to and ride safely.
Click to expand...

Can't argue with that, the asymmetry of a sidecar is one of the hardest parts. That and sidecars are rarely designed from the start as sidecars.

And Roadstergal is right, any three wheeled bike is a combo of all the downsides of both two and four wheelers. There is not much logical reason for coming around a corner at 50mph with the chair two feet off the ground and your passenger hanging out to keep this stable, but it scores a 10 on the awesome scale.
 
bpw said:
Can't argue with that, the asymmetry of a sidecar is one of the hardest parts. That and sidecars are rarely designed from the start as sidecars.

And Roadstergal is right, any three wheeled bike is a combo of all the downsides of both two and four wheelers. There is not much logical reason for coming around a corner at 50mph with the chair two feet off the ground and your passenger hanging out to keep this stable, but it scores a 10 on the awesome scale.
Click to expand...

Trikes don't do that. Sidecar rigs do.
 
This is simple and I'm surprised that so many people don't know it. A three wheel vehicle, in the state of California, is considered a motorcycle, thus they have all the privilages and restrictions associated with motorcycles.

That said, parking one of those things in a "motorcycle" spot is, perhaps, pushing it a bit. But, if the motorcycle is completely within the painted lines, then I see nothing wrong with it.

If it was me, I'd park in a regular spot so I could have more space around my ride.
 
ST Guy said:
This is simple and I'm surprised that so many people don't know it. A three wheel vehicle, in the state of California, is considered a motorcycle, thus they have all the privilages and restrictions associated with motorcycles.
Click to expand...

Unless it's enclosed, in which case it doesn't. But this has already been discussed a few times. :thumbup
 
bpw said:
Can't argue with that, the asymmetry of a sidecar is one of the hardest parts. That and sidecars are rarely designed from the start as sidecars.
Click to expand...

Sometimes they are...

studio1.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top