Ca Moped License Denied

[evermore]

I have ridden Carnegie and Hollister, and you either need a plate or a sticker (this time of year it can be either Green or Red); I have not ridden Metcalf yet, but I expect the situation to be similar there.

This doesn't mean that a ranger comes and checks every vehicle every time someone enters OHV premises, but I wouldn't risk it.

(so I got the plate from Luna but after I had already submitted the Reg. 230 form using the frame and engine number plus just writing down the information from a jpeg of that little plaque from Luna).

In regards to riding at Metcalf, Hollister, Carnegie, my understanding is that if your vehicle is street legal, you are allowed to ride and dont need a separate green sticker. Basically, street legal effectively gives you a green sticker (since this is about emissions). So the whole point of getting the moped plate via the Reg. 230 route was to render the Sur Ron street legal and hence ridable at the parks. While they may not check, if they ever do, this makes it legal.

[AZguy]

Yes, REG 230 is for electric bicycles ("moped" in DMV parlance).....

As has been pointed out several times - "electric bicycle" is not "moped" in DMV parlance - this is a fallacy!

From CA vehicle code:

312.5 (a) An “electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.

....

406 (a) A “motorized bicycle” or “moped” is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor that produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.


Pretty clear, yes?

[JohnKol]

So is it true that Metcalf no longer requires a plate or green sticker? My brothers bike doesn't have either and he's been missing out on riding there with me.

I have ridden Carnegie and Hollister, and you either need a plate or a sticker (this time of year it can be either Green or Red); I have not ridden Metcalf yet, but I expect the situation to be similar there.

This doesn't mean that a ranger comes and checks every vehicle every time someone enters OHV premises, but I wouldn't risk it.

[JohnKol]

So it seems that to avoid requiring safety equipment and a plate, you would want to be classified as an electric bicycle.

Yes, REG 230 is for electric bicycles ("moped" in DMV parlance), and the Sur Ron falls into this category.

So I think you could legally use the manufacturer statement to register the bike, but if you are caught operating the machine outside those perimeters, you are in violation of the law.

It is illegal in CA to modify emission control equipment in vehicles; this renders about 90% of motorcycles in CA illegal to operate on public roads because the owners have installed at least an aftermarket exhaust, not to mention ECUs, AIS, air boxes, etc. Have you ever seen LEOs arresting motorcyclists because they have aftermarket exhausts on their bikes? Neither have I. The concern that they might start arresting moped riders is beyond the wildest imagination.

A DOT approved helmet is required
Motorcycle license required
Special insurance may also be required

None of those things are required for mopeds. However, if you show up at an OHV park with your Sur Ron, it would be prudent to wear a helmet and have a motorcycle license, given that you would be riding the Sur Ron like a dirt bike.

[sc-surfer]

^^^^ THAT. Get the ID plate. Use the info on it. Get your moped plate. Done.

[JohnKol]

I think you’re mixing up the ID plate, (installed by the manufacturer) and tag or license plate, issued by the governing authority, eg: California in this case.

No I'm not. The Sur Ron does not have an ID plate affixed like motorcycles have, you need to buy it as a separate item from Luna; with the information from the ID plate you can fill in REG 230, submit to the DMV, and obtain a moped license plate.

[sc-surfer]

So is it true that Metcalf no longer requires a plate or green sticker? My brothers bike doesn't have either and he's been missing out on riding there with me.

[AZguy]

There's also the 30mph max issue, but if a person doesn't ride it faster than that (or limits it in the controller) it doesn't really matter I suppose

[evermore]

Y'all need to stop stressin' and go ride!
I've been poaching trails and zooting around town 24/7, as have thousands of other jokers all over the country. I have a plate but at this point, I don't even attach it anymore. Cops really don't care about Surrons, I think in order to get ticketed, you'd need to roll up to the police-officer's station with documentation proving that your bike is in violation of the law, walk in, sit down and ask them to ticket you. If you ever get stopped, a good ol' "It's electric, bro" is enough.

Also evermore : You don't need registration to ride a sur ron at Metcalf last I checked. I've been to Metcalf and Hollister multiple times, they've never cared.

Well, I guess I missed out on a couple weekends of riding at Metcalf but I'll go tomorrow morning once it's no longer in the 30s ;)

[paxtana]

Maybe.

On the other hand, it would not measure 6 hp in eco mode, and depending on the production run to reach that power level would also require you to physically modify the bike by cutting or joining the hotrod signal wire.

IIRC the rationale for it being something where you have to modify it with tools was supposed to be so it technically would be classed as a lower power level to regulators, similar to how most actual mopeds can do more than 50cc with simple modification but start out as 50cc so they can be licensed as a moped.

[X-Nitro]

If they put true information on the form it is denied.

[X-Nitro]

I'm glad to see where you stand, this is the result of your "i ride where i want" mentality and behavior, I think people care.
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-...ain-biker.html
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/...by-motorcycle/
Giant lawsuits should be able to settle this.

[paxtana]

To be fair there are mods you can do to add pedals. Latest kaniwaba pedals can even do pedal assist with the Surron. We measured that bike on the dyno at about 6 hp though. Last few times I seen dmv deny someone their rationale was that it was too high power for the 4 hp limit, but it sounds like the dmv does not always consistently say this to people for whatever reason.

[Niterunnr]

I appreciate your attitude trailpoacher and love your location! I have multiple motorcycles and always ride safely and courteously. That said, the SurRon sure looks a lot more aggressive than other bicycles. Orange County is notoriously strict and I don’t want an expensive lesson. I think if it had pedals and looked less like a motorcycle. Maybe I’ll simply ask a local cop if they have problems.

[trailpoacher]

Y'all need to stop stressin' and go ride!
I've been zooting around town 24/7, as have thousands of other jokers all over the country. I have a plate but at this point, I don't even attach it anymore. Cops really don't care about Surrons, I think in order to get ticketed, you'd need to roll up to the police-officer's station with documentation proving that your bike is in violation of the law, walk in, sit down and ask them to ticket you. If you ever get stopped, a good ol' "It's electric, bro" is enough.

Edit: You may need registration to ride at Metcalf now.