Pages: 1
Posted by: JohnO
I have experienced it. Used to own a 350 Big Bear. Get it on hard pavement over 30mph, and it was an accident waiting to happen. Steering was way too sensitive. When I would turn a corner, it kept trying to veer in sharper, and the tail would start to swing out. I later moved to an IRS equipped Cat, and it's more civil on pavement, though it still should be driven with caution at speed on roads. Steering is just too sensitive.
Here in KY, we get quads on the road on occasion, especially in the rural areas. Typical road fatality is a young person who turns quickly to clear an oncoming vehicle, it fishtails, they overcorrect... right into the vehicle coming the other way. Bang. Dead rider.
Quads can be operated on hard pavement. Cat sells a 400 that's street legal in parts of Europe. Headights, turn signals, street tires, and a revised suspension. Probably wouldn't make it far off road, but it's apparently a good handling vehicle on the road.
And I run my big Cat down to a neighbor's farm on occasion without a problem. But... I'm well aware that it isn't that stable of a vehicle, and I'm duly cautious. Put an inexperienced rider on a quad on pavement, and they may be unaware of how evil handling it can be on hard surfaces.
Posted by: Scooter86
One huge reason they are not street legal is the fact that they don't have an open diff in the rear but rather most are solid axle. Combine that with the narrow width(especially those models made in the 80's when the laws were first passed) and the soft, offroad only tires gives you handling characteristics that are pretty poor on paved roads. Many places that have legalized quads on the roads are only legalizing certain roads, and there are several restrictions in place.
Posted by: Scooter86
Quote
Originally posted by: Deeplaker60
I keep seeing postings about control problems with ATV's on paved roads, but I just don't see it. I've been riding on paved roads for years and haven't had any problems. I do slow down for turns and don't take chances. Whenever possible, I put the wheels on one side on the gravel shoulder when making a sharp turn. That's not always possible, but when it's not, there's no big deal. Seems like there is more of a problem when I accidentally leave my pickup in 4wd, then try to make a turn on pavement.
Most people may not have an issue handling an atv on the road, but the laws are generally designed to account for the minority. Also, like I stated above, many of these laws have been in place since the old trike days. Do me a favor and look at the sidewall of your tires, are they DOT approved for street use? Mine sure aren't. They are to soft/grippy a compound for starters. Would you be able to ride all the trails you normally do shod with a DOT approved tire?
Posted by: azsandrider
ATVs can be made street legal in Arizona. You just need to add a horn and a mirror. Then get insurance and a plate. I've seen a Banshee on the freeway and he was keeping up with traffic.....
Posted by: deanz400
In MN since a Quad has 4 tires it's considered a automobile ,and would need a wind shield and wiper with signals ,break lights ,and head lights.but you could take a three wheeler and make it street legal since it has three wheel ,like the trik motorcycles you see out there ,
Posted by: Deeplaker60
I keep seeing postings about control problems with ATV's on paved roads, but I just don't see it. I've been riding on paved roads for years and haven't had any problems. I do slow down for turns and don't take chances. Whenever possible, I put the wheels on one side on the gravel shoulder when making a sharp turn. That's not always possible, but when it's not, there's no big deal. Seems like there is more of a problem when I accidentally leave my pickup in 4wd, then try to make a turn on pavement.
Posted by: Deeplaker60
Interesting. No, I don't see anything on my ATV tires that says "DOT Approved."
But, I have DOT approved tires on my truck, and I can tell you I can take it almost everywhere that I do my ATV. There's that show on cable TV (I think it's called "4 Wheelin'") where they take trucks and jeeps on trails where I'd never go with my ATV. I can't see that DOT approval has any bearing for off-road.
For on-road, I'm wondering if we might be looking at a situation where the ATV tire manufactuers just haven't bothered to get DOT approval. You would think the same tire safety concerns would apply both on- and off-road.
My feeliing is that ATV's should be allowed on roads, except for major highways and freeways. There are fewer people killed or injured on ATV's than motorcycles, or even bicycles. We've even had a couple of on-road accidents around here that involved horse riders. AVT's are allowed on roads in several townships in this county, but there have been no accidents involving ATV's...knock on wood.
Posted by: Deeplaker60
I checked it out on http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/index.html#SN119. Looks like those standards are mainly concerned with "passenger cars, trucks and buses." I just glanced through it, so I may have missed some subpart that mentions ATV's and motorcycles.
Posted by: Deeplaker60
I checked the fed regs again and did find sections dealing with motorcycles (Standards 122 and 123). I couldn't see anywhere that a motorcycle is defined as a 2-wheeled vehicle. They probably didn't want to get into the wheel thing. Some cycles have more than two wheels, and they probably wanted the standards to apply to all.
Looks like a quad would only need turn signals and a horn to meet those standards. However, these are minimum standards and the states probably have stricter ones.
Personally, I would not want to ride my quad in fast or heavy traffic. But, I do like to ride around my neighborhood and on back roads.
Posted by: Deeplaker60
It's all part of making quads more usable and more fun.
Posted by: fastblaster00
Quote
Originally posted by: Deeplaker60
I keep seeing postings about control problems with ATV's on paved roads, but I just don't see it. I've been riding on paved roads for years and haven't had any problems. I do slow down for turns and don't take chances. Whenever possible, I put the wheels on one side on the gravel shoulder when making a sharp turn. That's not always possible, but when it's not, there's no big deal. Seems like there is more of a problem when I accidentally leave my pickup in 4wd, then try to make a turn on pavement.
i live in the suburbs and lets just say they dont like it here. i wish you could tho. i think that as long as you have dot aproved tires, mirriors, indicators, and propper lights you should be allowed.
Posted by: DeeDawg
Originally posted by LW:..........In Idaho and I think in Wisconsin too, there are still small rural communties that going to a market, cafe, or historic town areas that are along dirt roads. During the winter, once the snow floor is down, a lot communties authorize ATV use through the towns, where it's paved beneath.
In NW Mn where I am from, it is legal for me to ride from one town to the next. I even park right in front of the bank!!! I have to stay off the paved roads except when in town, so no highway riding except to cross.
Posted by: SEADAWG
I think it is a great idea. We could have two/three sets of tires. One for trails, sand and roads. They get great gas mileage and take up much less space. SEADAWG
Posted by: MotoF150
In certain townships in Potter County, Pennsylvania you can register ur ATV as street legal only if ur a resident of that township, they are registered the same as a motorcycle. The local goverments have the power to make them steet legal, it was done because ATV's out-number cars in that area. Take a drive thru Potter County during buck season you will see more ATV's in one place than you ever seen.
Posted by: LW
Off road quads don't meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) set by the National Highway Safety Administration, i. e. DOT tire, etc as the others mentioned above. However I did read last year in an ATV magazine that Polaris was going to introduce a street quad in Europe. What Idaho is doing is addressing primarily the improved graded unpaved public roads and reinforcing the issue that off-road dirt bikes, ATVs, & UTVs must stay on dirt unless the vehicle meets FMVSS. In Idaho it's extremely important to be able to use public maintain dirt roads to link to different OHV trail systems on Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Idaho State lands. Idaho has thousands of miles of OHV trails, however with the new proposal it will allow OHVs to use improved public (dirt) roads to go to rural markets, gas stations, cabins, and motels too.
Posted by: LW
In Idaho, adopts Title 49 Code of Federal Regulation Chapter V for safe construction and manufacturing of motorized vehicles as they relate to FMVSS or certified by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Idaho code further reads: Motor vehicle. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and meets FMVSS pursant to Idaho Code Title 49 Section 107.....For purposes of chapter 12 and 24 of this title it shall also include all-terrain vehicles, utility type vehicles, off-road motorcycles, motor driven cycles, motorbikes, and mopeds.
Self propelled motor vehicles which do not meet the FMVSS to 49-107(4) shall not be permitted to operate on public highways, as defined in Idaho Code Title 40 section 117(5).
I'm not sure how the laws read other states in the U.S.
Posted by: LW
That's about all I know on Idaho laws.
I agree, it's nice to take some easy drives on the back country roads. In Idaho and I think in Wisconsin too, there are still small rural communties that going to a market, cafe, or historic town areas that are along dirt roads. During the winter, once the snow floor is down, a lot communties authorize ATV use through the towns, where it's paved beneath.
Posted by: radejr
Because your newer ATV's have brake lights, head lights. They are street legal around here. You just hafta register them with the BMV or the woods people I can't remember what their called. They give you a number you hafta display on your 4 wheeler and then you can drive it around the roads here were I live.
Posted by: z400rider18
why they are safe
Posted by: 300Rider
In general they are not engineered to take the loads you see on cement. Yes I know they can of large jumps, but sharp turns puts alot of lateral stress on the chassis.
They also would need full lights. That means not only adding the lights, but increasing the size of the alternator to provide the power and upping the battery size for the larger loads.
Posted by: benjaminjones
Dude!
Forget Europe!Come to Africa!
The weather is always good,
the $ exchange rate is 1 to 8,
two stroke bikes welcome,
plenty of open farm trails,
people are friendly,
WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR????
No street legal riding tho...sorry!
Have a merry x-mas & prosperous new year!
Benjamin.
Posted by: pawpasno
Hi there
Quads are street legal in communities that pass bylaws to allow them.
Ontario has passed the required laws that allow quads to use the roads in Ontario.
visit our snowmobile website: www.rcsasnow.com
Posted by: gas300
i have a gas-gas 300 and it made for the street and dirt. at 60mph it was not sensitive at all.I would drive it in the rain over any street motorcycle it that good. it all in the camber adjustment .
Posted by: Vulcan700
Quote
Originally posted by: 300Rider
In general they are not engineered to take the loads you see on cement. Yes I know they can of large jumps, but sharp turns puts alot of lateral stress on the chassis.
They also would need full lights. That means not only adding the lights, but increasing the size of the alternator to provide the power and upping the battery size for the larger loads.
Hum I race on hard tracks Hoosier tires and go super fast in the corners I bet one car could not take a corner as fast as I do sorry no stress on my chassis LMAO I guess I need to quit racing before I break my bike BR>
Posted by: kingbutthead
I'm accually trying to tackle the same issue in nj here. i took a 95 ninja 250 made a blaster swingarm fit and grafted the blaster front end on the streetbike frame using the uncut ninja with numbers still on it ran the quad steering stem through it and all the only real problem i'm having is trying to find tires that fit my rim's they do make dot approved golf cart tires in 10 inch though my rears are 8 inch front's are 10 but to skinny would be sweet to run kart tires all the way around and take to motor vehicle but then i gota have rim's that bolt my bike looks like a ninja used all streetbike parts tank shroud seat and all just stuck 4 wheel's on it is done very well to make it street legal you need dot approved tires, high beam, low beam, tail light, brake light with front and rear, blinkers, horn, speedo, mirror's that's a nother thing i gota figur out how to make the speedo pickup work offa the blaster front wheel build in progress here's some pic's http://photos.yahoo.com/king_butt_head
Posted by: gohip2000
In germany they are. When I was stationed in Germany, I got passed by quadson the highways and city streets. Granted they have to have a license for them, insurence, license plates, the proper lights and street tires for highway use. I actually got pulled over there riding a Go-Ped (motorized skate board) on the sidewalk and got my european license taken away for driving without insurence and license plates
Posted by: SawHugger
A few things to consider:
Rules and regulations about ATV operation are mostly set by local and state bureaucrats and officials. I am not criticizing any one but if you do a psychological profile on the kind of people who fill those positions you will find that they generally do not like new things and they do not like change. I have actually seen some of the results of some of these profiles. These people are empowered by the rules and regulations and often have little concept or care about what the rule or regulation is actually supposed to accomplish or what problem it is supposed to solve. They care about the empowerment and strength the law gives them and their agency.
Laws in the US, Europe and elsewhere usually employ a principle called precedent. Rules and procedures that occur first take precedent over what happens later. As an example in many areas in Europe an ox cart has more right of way on a road than a car does, because ox carts came before cars therefore establishing precedent. Try running a car into an ox cart in Germany and see who gets the ticket. In the US. You won?t find very many laws against operating an ox cart or riding a horse on a county road because there are none. ATVs are relatively new on the scene in the past 20 years or so. Can you imagine if motorcycles had just been introduced 20 years ago. Safety is generally not a factor. An ox cart, a horse or a motorcycle may be more dangerous than an ATV but the ATV has the disadvantage of being newer.
Some of the more open minded officials recognize the opportunities ATVs offer for raising licensing revenue. In Arizona, South Dakota and some other states they are happy to license an ATV for use on a public road because of the revenue it generates. I also want to complement our Canadian friends for their progressive attitudes toward ATVs.
Posted by: SawHugger
The problem that we as ATV riders in the U.S. face is that the regulation of all terrain vehicles is left up to each state, county, national forest, BLM unit or political sub-division. Some allow use on public roads and some don't. There is no nationwide standard like there is with automobiles or trucks. SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE FAR AHEAD OF US IN THIS REGARD. In the U.S., there are tens of thousands of local bureaucracies each implementing their own ideas of ATV regulation. They are often diametrically opposed to one another. This fragmentation of rules and standards should be challenged.
Yes there are special safety considerations for ATV operation just like there are special safety considerations for motorcycle, aircraft or semi-truck operation. Standards and regulations regarding ATV use should be uniform nationwide like they are for other forms of transportation.
If you register and license a car or truck in any state you can operate it in any other state without special permits or restrictions because you are from out of state. That comes from federal law and standards.
The trucking industry and railroad industry have been successful in lobbying for more uniform laws. And they have won Federal court cases against local state authorities who imposed "special regulations" on transportation activities through those local state areas.
A favorable solution for ATV users can come as a result of a strong unified national organization filing class action legal challenges and lobbying the Federal Congress for our benefit.
We can use the National Rifle Association as an example: They strongly and successfully challenge and lobby in opposition to laws that restrict the safe, legal, responsible possession and use of firearms.
Right now a similar strong unified national ATV organization does not exist.
Please feel free to copy this and forward it to other ATV owners, organizations, law makers, forums or publications.
Posted by: recon250submarine
i wish we could do something about this in n.j. but even if we had a few hundred people protest the laws, probably nothing would budge at all.
i think they should DEFINTALY be legal. it'd make life a lot easier for people. man , i could write a report right now but most of you already know. man, if i had to spend 2000buks to make my bike street legal, i'd do it in a heart beat. maybe make people take learning courses (mainly for turns on roads) and once you pass it, your set.
once of my dads friend is a cop and he said our town chief said his biggest priority is the quads and dirtbikes riding on the roads! if its sucha big deal, legalize em' and then you dont have to worry about it unless they arent registered or they're driving crazy!
Posted by: TrailxRider
Quote
Originally posted by: Deeplaker60
I keep seeing postings about control problems with ATV's on paved roads, but I just don't see it. I've been riding on paved roads for years and haven't had any problems. I do slow down for turns and don't take chances. Whenever possible, I put the wheels on one side on the gravel shoulder when making a sharp turn. That's not always possible, but when it's not, there's no big deal. Seems like there is more of a problem when I accidentally leave my pickup in 4wd, then try to make a turn on pavement.
EXACTLY!!! Nobody agrees with me
Posted by: TrailxRider
Quote
Originally posted by: Deeplaker60
I keep seeing postings about control problems with ATV's on paved roads, but I just don't see it. I've been riding on paved roads for years and haven't had any problems. I do slow down for turns and don't take chances. Whenever possible, I put the wheels on one side on the gravel shoulder when making a sharp turn. That's not always possible, but when it's not, there's no big deal. Seems like there is more of a problem when I accidentally leave my pickup in 4wd, then try to make a turn on pavement.
EXACTLY!!! Nobody agrees with me
Posted by: TrailxRider
I wanna go to Europe.
Posted by: rodeo999
The reason is they have not caught on yet. I know what you?re going to say ?we have over a million of them" registered in the US but most ATV clubs and organizations cannot agree about this subject.
We had a State Representative in Iowa ready to draft a bill much like South Dakotas where the ATV would be licensed like a motorcycle over 200cc could be ridden pretty much everywhere but the interstate highway system.
The local clubs and Iowa OHV were invited for input and they did not agree at all. The bill did not get drafted and is tabled till there is enough grass roots support to bring it up again.
Iowa had already passed a law allowing ATV's to be used in road ditches and Iowa OHV lobbied to have it reverse asking all members not to use the ditches and support the reversal.
I have been in many states where it is legal and have enjoyed riding our machines there. I agree with the all in the camber statement and maybe the tires and disagree with the others trying to sight some type of flaw in the ATV?s design. The are safer than mopeds and motorcycles when training and licensing is required.
Posted by: brianr134
In Montana atv's can be made street legal also. Main restrictions that I can think off the top of my head is that they are forbidden on interstates. There might as well be restrictions for certain highways, but as I do not ride my 400EX on highways for extended lengths, so I don't worry about it. All I needed to do was throw a mirror on, wire up a brake light, which I just drilled 2 holes in my original rear lamp and throw 2 bulbs in and connected a switch via a spring to my foot pedal. A horn is also needed. Also, theres about 25-30 items that you need to have but most ATV's cover them as stock, i.e. you need 1 or more reflecters (rear light counted) and at least 1 but not more than 2 head lamps. Where I got my quad licensed it was all self check off but some less populated counties will a sheriff deputy to check over it (they'll just look for brake light, mirror, and horn).
Even with my HMF Sport pipe I don't have an issue with sound as I use the insertable silencer and its still much quieter than alot of these rice cars that are driven now-a-days. I've had no issues so far with cornering or stability on the pavement either. Peace officers are mainly aggitated if you do not have your proof of licensing for your plate on you when riding them. Insurance wise, as long as the quad is covered under your home owner's insurance policy I believe you are alright, haven't looked into that too much though.
Posted by: morethanrich
Where do you live?
Posted by: 425mag
I'm another one in AZ, where they can be street legal. I never realized it wasnt a nationwide thing. I'm actually going to get my motorcycle plate on Tuesday.
Posted by: 425mag
Quote
Originally posted by: deanz400
In MN since a Quad has 4 tires it's considered a automobile ,and would need a wind shield and wiper with signals ,break lights ,and head lights.but you could take a three wheeler and make it street legal since it has three wheel ,like the trik motorcycles you see out there ,
Someone in AZ can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that AZ considers it a motorcycle based on seating position and the fact that it has a motorcycle motor in it.
Posted by: josmuck
Hi over here in Europa almost all of the quads are street legal. here in the last 1 or 2 years they just changed the rules about 2 strokes but other than that no problem. my Suzuki lt230 has plates and i can even drive it on the main highway. (autobahn=as fast as you can Now there is a big market for the Korean and chinese built quads that are pretty much only for pavement.
Laterz Brian
