Why arent ATV's street legal?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why arent ATV's street legal?

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:11:56 PM EDT

I cant figure it out? Ride height and wheelbase are not much different than a motorcycle and they could easily have turn signals and the whole nine yards adapted to them. I dont see how they would be unsafer than motorcycles.

What am I missing?

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:12:47 PM EDT

[#1]

Because of shit like this:

http://www.ratetheride.com/Pictures/Web/70554GhettoATV.jpg

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:12:57 PM EDT

[#2]

Because they dont meet DOT specs.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:12:59 PM EDT

[#3]

Fun police.....

bastards.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:13:05 PM EDT

[#4]

Because the government wants rednecks to live into old age...

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:15:21 PM EDT

[#5]

They are street legal in Montana.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:15:31 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Because they dont meet DOT specs.

exactly

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:17:58 PM EDT

[#7]

no safety/driving lights?

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:19:09 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Because they dont meet DOT specs.

What DOT specs?

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:25:37 PM EDT

[#9]

I have been thinking about that, they could easily be upgraded to street trim, lights, turnsignals and such, not much different from a motorcycle. The biggest obstacle is updating the laws to accommodate them, presently any vehicle with 4 wheels is considered a car, and must have a windshield and wipers etc, the states would need to come up with a new classification for a "4 wheel motorcycle", with the required equipment the same as a motorcycle except with 4 wheels, states currently define a motorcycle as having 2 or 3 wheels.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:25:50 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Because they dont meet DOT specs.

What DOT specs?

For a lot of things, crash safety being the biggie.
It's got 4 wheels so it cant fall under the motorcycle definition.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:31:47 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I cant figure it out? Ride height and wheelbase are not much different than a motorcycle and they could easily have turn signals and the whole nine yards adapted to them. I dont see how they would be unsafer than motorcycles.

What am I missing?

Not DOT approved.

I don't understand how, but they CAN be licensed in AZ.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:32:07 PM EDT

[#12]

Easy to make street legal in AZ Brake light and DOT approved headlights. Do not need turn signals.
Not for Highway use. I had a Suzuki DRZ400 Dirt bike that was made street legal by the previous owner. Not street legal from the factory. Depends on state laws.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:34:23 PM EDT

[#13]

So they are not DOT approved.

Can anyone come up with anything that would make them more hazerdous than a motorcycle providing they were fitted with signals, horn etc.?

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:35:22 PM EDT

[#14]

They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:39:11 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

With a live rear axle, they can't turn at low speeds safely, on pavement, either..

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:52:31 PM EDT

[#16]

Tires are one part that is not approved.

Posted: 5/18/2005 7:56:48 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Quoted:
They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

With a live rear axle, they can't turn at low speeds safely, on pavement, either..

So are you guys saying it takes more effort or hand eye coordination to turn an ATV at high and low speeds than it does to turn a motorcycle or dual purpose sport bike?

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:15:30 PM EDT

[#18]

Why are horses street legal? They don't meet DOT standards....they don't handle or brake as good as cars, and worse their wieners hang out for everyone to see.

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:17:49 PM EDT

[#19]

No, any tard can operate a quad.
It takes skill to ride on two wheels.

That's the reason to keep quads off the street.

Quoted:
So are you guys saying it takes more effort or hand eye coordination to turn an ATV at high and low speeds than it does to turn a motorcycle or dual purpose sport bike?

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:19:53 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

With a live rear axle, they can't turn at low speeds safely, on pavement, either..

So are you guys saying it takes more effort or hand eye coordination to turn an ATV at high and low speeds than it does to turn a motorcycle or dual purpose sport bike?

It's not that it takes more effort or coordination, it's that it won't work very well either.

AND any idiot can get on one and get far enough to be out in traffic, unlike a motorcycle which requires a basic skill set to get yourself into harms way.

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:20:25 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Why are horses street legal? They don't meet DOT standards....they don't handle or brake as good as cars, and worse their wieners hang out for everyone to see.

Grandfathered in?

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:22:00 PM EDT

[#22]

must. resist. urge. to. post. horseporn.

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:31:26 PM EDT

[#23]

Buggies are street legal in Europe
www.bugxter.net/videos.php

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:32:27 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
www.nan-buggy.com/Raider%20Max%20250-D%20min.jpg
Buggies are street legal in Europe
www.bugxter.net/videos.php

That looks like a typical eurobox minus paneling.

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:39:19 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
So they are not DOT approved.

Can anyone come up with anything that would make them more hazerdous than a motorcycle providing they were fitted with signals, horn etc.?

Like they said, It's the DOT certification. Any vehicle with more than 3 wheels needs to be DOT certified. More than just signals and horn, you'll need legal bumpers, no open cockpit(roll-over protection), seatbelt, windshield, tires, etc... By the time you're done modding your quad it will look strikingly similar to any small convertible car. But your quad is now overweight, underpowered, shitty on-road and even shittier off-road.

Motorcycles are exempt from much of these restrictions and 3 wheel trikes are still considerd motorcycles.

Many 4 wheel drive only quad transmissions would be very unhappy on pavement.

Money for certification would not be cheap.

Many ATV engines would not fair well at prolonged high speed operation, just not designed for it. How fast does a 250cc or 400cc quad top out at? Do you want to ride WFO just to not quite keep up with traffic.

There are some places you can ride ATVs on-road, done for several reasons including access to trails, usually not highly populated areas.

ATVs are for hunters, ice fisherman, farmers and people who are scared to do it on two wheels!!!

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:40:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

With a live rear axle, they can't turn at low speeds safely, on pavement, either..

So are you guys saying it takes more effort or hand eye coordination to turn an ATV at high and low speeds than it does to turn a motorcycle or dual purpose sport bike?

Lets say that someone like me who has been riding high performance ATVs for over 20 years wouldn't need any extra coordination, but Joe Shit the ragman's son who just turned 16 and wants to ride a knobby tired 660cc ATV on the street is going to be problematic. Remember the law is to protect you from yourself....

If it has hair on it, I can ride it. If it has a beat, I can dance to it.

I wouldn't ride knobbies on the street, mounted on a quad. I HAVE done it, and it is not a good idea.

Posted: 5/18/2005 8:43:48 PM EDT

[#27]

A lot of the newer ATVs are street legal in Montana. All you have to do is get it licensed and you're good to go.
Here it was a wheel base and height of headlight diamension issue. I think in the ATVs made in the last 2-3 years that isn't an issue and when it is apparently it isn't that difficult to get it into spec.

Posted: 5/19/2005 4:58:56 AM EDT

[#28]

While I don't disagree with a man's right to not wear a helmet or drive a vehicle that's unafe, anyone with 5 minutes riding time on an ATV after any amount of motorcycle riding experience will tell you that ATV's are unstable at speed.

Sure, they go straight and turn when you crank the bars but directional changes at speed are bad news. ATV's carry their weight too high to be safe for street travel IMO.

Dave

Posted: 5/19/2005 5:45:43 AM EDT

[#29]

They are street legal in good ole West Virginia. Just have to wear a helmet.

Posted: 5/19/2005 5:50:10 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
No, any tard can operate a quad.
It takes skill to ride on two wheels.
That's the reason to keep quads off the street.

That's exactly what I was thinking

Posted: 5/19/2005 5:51:30 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
Because the government wants rednecks to live into old age...

and there's that too...

Posted: 5/19/2005 5:52:25 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Quoted:
No, any tard can operate a quad.
It takes skill to ride on two wheels.
That's the reason to keep quads off the street.

That's exactly what I was thinking

As a former ATV racer, I can tell you you are wrong.

Posted: 5/19/2005 5:53:28 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
They are street legal in Montana.

Montana has streets?

Posted: 5/19/2005 5:56:56 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

With a live rear axle, they can't turn at low speeds safely, on pavement, either..

So are you guys saying it takes more effort or hand eye coordination to turn an ATV at high and low speeds than it does to turn a motorcycle or dual purpose sport bike?

I have both and ATV and a dual sport motorcycle. With a high center of gravity, short and narrow wheelbase, I would say the ATV is more dangerous and less manuvarable at high speed than a motorcycle.

I do know of one town in Michigan that now allows ATVs on the street. This town is near an off road recreation (ORV) area and the town fathers finally figured out that it would be good for buisness to allow ATVers to ride into town.

Posted: 5/19/2005 6:02:52 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
No, any tard can operate a quad.
It takes skill to ride on two wheels.
That's the reason to keep quads off the street.

That's exactly what I was thinking

As a former ATV racer, I can tell you you are wrong.

race is not the same as ride.....

let me know when you're ready for 2 wheels...

Posted: 5/19/2005 6:15:32 AM EDT

[#36]

Make 'em legal tomorrow, assign point values to each one, and crank up a web site where we can keep score.

Posted: 5/19/2005 6:22:51 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
While I don't disagree with a man's right to not wear a helmet or drive a vehicle that's unafe, anyone with 5 minutes riding time on an ATV after any amount of motorcycle riding experience will tell you that ATV's are unstable at speed.

Sure, they go straight and turn when you crank the bars but directional changes at speed are bad news. ATV's carry their weight too high to be safe for street travel IMO.

Dave

You must be a pretty shitty rider then.

Posted: 5/19/2005 6:47:17 AM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
No, any tard can operate a quad.
It takes skill to ride on two wheels.
That's the reason to keep quads off the street.

I see plenty of 'tard squids weaving in and out of heavy traffic at high speeds while wearing nothing but shorts and flip-flops on sportbikes. I also see plenty of 'tards drop their bikes at lights.

Maybe we should keep sportbikes off the streets? For the children...

Posted: 5/19/2005 9:38:43 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
They can't turn at high speeds reliably.

With a live rear axle, they can't turn at low speeds safely, on pavement, either..

So are you guys saying it takes more effort or hand eye coordination to turn an ATV at high and low speeds than it does to turn a motorcycle or dual purpose sport bike?

Lets say that someone like me who has been riding high performance ATVs for over 20 years wouldn't need any extra coordination, but Joe Shit the ragman's son who just turned 16 and wants to ride a knobby tired 660cc ATV on the street is going to be problematic. Remember the law is to protect you from yourself....

Well lets just say a certain 5 time top 10 finish Ketucky Mud Run ATV'er with 40 hours of extensive one on one ATV training with Jeremy McGrath riding the worlds most high performance ATV's thinks he should be able to drive on local roads and run errands on his ATV.

I dont think thats too much to ask.

Posted: 5/19/2005 9:42:32 AM EDT

[#40]

Too freaking dangerous!

Post 2400!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why arent ATV's street legal?

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