49cc scoots

[christop]

How do the police know your cc?

[benji]

Usually by what the manufacturer lists it as on the registration. But, I've noticed that the police around here are finding out about aftermarket pipes and what they look like, especially expansion pipes on 2t bikes. they seem to know if it has a pipe then it has a big bore usually.

There are 'streetrace' bores available that match the factory castings, so they say "49cc" on them even tho they are 70cc ;D

[iwannascoot]

The only way they would know what the size your scoot is would be the stickers that may be on it. In most states there is also a maximum speed that a scoot cannot exceed. In Georgia that is 30 mph. Lots of people put BBKs in their scoots and use them as if they were 50cc.

Billy

[90GTVert]

If you mean when the see you riding down the road; then probably by expected appearance and whatever registration info may be displayed. If you're obeying the scooter speed limit and laws on a fairly inconspicuous even modified scooter then they'd likely have no expectation that it's anything but 49cc.

If you mean how can someone tell if your scooter is really a 49cc, that's a bit different. To know for sure, they'd have to measure the bore and stroke and do the math if it's a stock engine case. Some cylinders do have a cc or bore stamped on them, so that could be an issue if an officer really wanted to look. If it's an engine swap, perhaps they could decipher the engine code, but I'm not too sure that's a likely scenario. Some have been trained to ID the GY6 125+ engines because they are so popular for swaps and so many have been rode like 49ccs. If you put something like a 250cc in your scoot, then it may be pretty obvious that something is up.

In some European countries they have small simple dynos that they can carry around. Won't tell the cc, but if it's too fast or makes too much power then it's not legal. I don't think most markets in the US care nearly that much because scooters are much less popular.

[fuzzyruttin]

Well let's be clear, a scooter is not illegal as a result of going too fast or making too much power, but big brother might otherwise consider it to be a motorcycle, and it must be registered as such. I am assuming this is the general flow of the law from state to state (or country). "Our" definition of a scooter is built-in drivetrain and automatic transmission, but when you go to register a Yamaha T-Max for example, pretty sure it will carry motorcycle title. Is the fuzz going to automatically pull these riders over to check for proper registration? More generally, are LEOs required to take training to identify specific scooter models and know when they are breaking scooter speed laws? Rhetorical, of course, but it seems like a very gray area, and LEOs are not going to mess with you unless your riding tactics are conspicuous. Then they just have an excuse to slap another charge on you.

[moofus02]

In Michigan they upped the size to 100cc but still 30mph? Might be 35? Some towns mess with them. Scooter going 40 on flat ground is a big revenue stream for the town. No insurance, cycle endorsement and registration. If they are dicks about it those 3 charges could loose your driver's license.

On anything that will break the scooter speed limit i carry insurance and i have a cycle endorsement. On the few occasions i got popped above the limit the cop was so impressed i had the endorsement and insurance he let me go.

Insurance is dirt cheep in Michigan for any bike 50cc and under

Also scooters don't require a helmet but motorcycles do unless you have medical insurance on the bike. One more ticket for the revenue seekers

[eclark5483]

Here, they ask at the DMV, you either tell the truth, or forget the truth and let them go by whats on the title. Then, if you want the police to "suspect" something higher then a 49cc, you put on fancy/loud pipes and you exceed the speed limit and get caught.

OR

You register your modified, once 49cc bike, as a motorcycle as defined by your local laws.

So, I guess what I am saying, is if you want the HONEST answer. The cops don't care unless you give them a reason, and this should not worry you if you are a law abiding citizen. Yep, my stock engine Spree is registered as a motorcycle. But don't think for a second that the bikes registered as scooters are less capable, they are probably more capable of speeds and displacement that put it past a 49cc point. Doesn't mean that's how they get used. So the answer is really subjective on... are you a good citizen, or are you a VERY VERY good citizen.. or do you just think it's better to play it cool and not take chances with legality's.. it doesn't make you a bad person either way. The CC laws are mundane and nothing more then a way for the counties to pick up a few extra bucks in taxes and fees from scooter riders.

P.S. ALL my scooters are insured under my motorcycle policy, regardless of what the law wants to claim they are.

[benji]

Most of my scoot'rs aren't even registered haha. I see a cop n I go the other way.

[mrkswthwrth]

Benji youre a lucky ducky. Im not ballsy enough to bring my unrego'd scoot into town. But it does look pretty motorcycleish so im probably a bit more likely to get a ticket.

[bluegoatwoods]

Mar 25, 2018 19:49:30 GMT -5 eclark5483 said:

....... is if you want the HONEST answer. The cops don't care unless you give them a reason, and this should not worry you if you are a law abiding citizen. Yep, my stock engine Spree is registered as a motorcycle. But don't think for a second that the bikes registered as scooters are less capable, they are probably more capable of speeds and displacement that put it past a 49cc point. Doesn't mean that's how they get used. So the answer is really subjective on... are you a good citizen, or are you a VERY VERY good citizen.. or do you just think it's better to play it cool and not take chances with legality's.. it doesn't make you a bad person either way. The CC laws are mundane and nothing more then a way for the counties to pick up a few extra bucks in taxes and fees from scooter riders.

P.S. ALL my scooters are insured under my motorcycle policy, regardless of what the law wants to claim they are.

I think eclark put it pretty well. The police don't really seem to care as long as you're not tearing up the streets. And he's also correct in saying that if you're a hot rod, that doesn't mean you're a bad person. But it does mean that you're likely to annoy the police. If this is the case, then you'd probably better have all of your legal ducks in a row.

My experience: Not long after buying my first scooter I got pulled over. The cop even said that the reason he'd pulled me over is because I didn't have the proper endorsement on my driver's license. No doubt he knew that by running my plate. Once he had my name he could check my license.

He kept me there for a few minutes. I suppose he was checking to see if I had any warrants or anything like that.  But I'm clean.

When he let me go he told me that I really shouldn't ride like that, but that he didn't mind as long as I stayed off the highway. The 45 mph main drag through our town.

Now that didn't agree with what the law says. It's a 150cc scooter and clearly legal on a 45 mph road. He was only telling me what he would, and would not, put up with. And that's okay with me.

I guess I really ought to just get my class L license. But I just don't care enough to load my scooter into the pickup and go wait in line at the driver's license place.  I don't like being treated like cattle and I'm only gonna do it when they twist my arm pretty hard.

[islandscrub]

It's silly to think the cops don't know. They know, it's just hard to prove. I always told myself if a PO asked me about my engine* i'd just say "47"

Edited.