Rides endorsement for Voyager and Tow Pac

[burgman2170]

I have a question for any one who has a Voyager or Tow Pac add on to their motorcycle or scooter.

In your state and all states have different laws I know did you take a riders test on your bike if you have a Voyager kit, Tow-Pac Danson or any other outrigger kit on the back of your bike. This would be a kit that the middle wheel or drive and break wheel stays on the bike.

I would want to get a feel what other states are doing as four wheel bikes are popular with older adults who have injuries, disabilities or feel more confortable on a four wheel bike.

Thanks

 

[onebigtrk]

I took my test on a Honda 350 then in may 2011 instaled a TowPac unit on my 08 eg and haven't had any problems riding here in Michigan

 

[Cybyrd1]

Here in Tennessee, I took the MSA riders course. That certificate allowed me to get my motorcycle endorsement without taking the DMV written or road test. When I bought the 04 Nighttrain, it had the Voyager kit on it. Since I was already licensed, I never found out if I could have tested with it or not. I do know that they consider the Voyagers in the same way that a trailer would be. My insurance covers the kit as an accessorie. Sorry I'm not more help.

 

[ronchi]

i have a vstar with a voyager kit here in delaware . also i,ve had my m/c license for 40 years but we do have to have our vehicles inspected for tags (license plates) every 1-2 years. did not have any problems taking my trike through the inspection lane.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

I can kinda understand why they wouldn't let someone take a trike endorsement test on 4 wheels. What would stop someone from taking them off and being on two wheels? Why don't you go to a MSF course and they will put you on a small bike and get your endorsement that way. You could handle the clutch on one of those bikes and you really don't use it to the point of being painful to arthritis or other handicaps. When I took the course, I had an automatic MC I had been riding and didn't want a clutch bike because of arthritis in my hands. I did fine and now ride a 6 speed.

 

[burgman2170]

It looks like I may just take the MSF course as you say. I guess that is the only other option at this point. Still awaiting a letter from the OMV to see what they say for the second time. I made a valid point but legally it appears the only way of getting a riders endorsement is to either take a test on a threewheeler, a two wheeler or take the MSF course.

Now I was wondering if I get a Burgman 650 with a true trike set on the back two wheels
like a Trinity Trike Set will the OMV let me take a riders test on it since it is a true trike set. One of the officers told me last time any add on is not considered a trike, yet there are many Goldwings out there that have trike sets on the back and the riders get endorsements. I found out a long time ago that nobody who works for the State has any idea what the true rules are. Same way for the Feds. Just call the Social Security Office and ask one question. YOU can call back a few minutes later and the person on the phone will give you a different anwser. Go figure!

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

I don't know about Ohio, but here in Va. there was no choice. Had to get a MC endorsement. I will say one thing.....the MSF class is the best thing you can do for yourself. You will learn so much and it is fun!!! The bikes are so small. We got to pick which bike we wanted to ride and I picked a 125 cc tiny thing. No problem with clutch or putting my feet down flat footed. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Like you, I fought it tooth and nail because of the clutch issue. It wasn't even a factor in the end. Good luck!ThumbUp

 

[whitefatboy]

I took my test on a Honda 350 then in may 2011 instaled a TowPac unit on my 08 eg and haven't had any problems riding here in Michigan

Still some riding left..back to bricks bike rally in Flint
THIS WEEKEND hope we meet, if ya see me, stop say hey !!
will be down sat,

 

[vol02]

Took my test in Michigan with voyager kit installed.

 

[Woolie]

In Texas all MC endorsement now require the MC Safety Course. With that requirement there is no driving test at DPS, just written test. The driving part is through the safety course on smaller bikes provided. A rider can furnish their own bike and I have not heard if the add-on kits with drive wheel are allowed or not, good question. If the people at the safety course were asked I would be willing to bet they would not know how to answer the question. As far as I know there is not a 3 wheel only endorsement in Texas but I could be wrong, that being the case I am not sure even a three wheel kit would be approved. Time to replace some regulators.

 

[burgman2170]

I agree time for a change. With new kits coming out the BMV are still back in the horse and buggy days. I joined the AMA and they can make things happen on all fronts. I sent them a letter and made some calls. I would be willing to bet there must be a 3 wheel endorsement in Texas. I do believe there is a well-known kit manufactured in Texas. Maybe to get the endorsement one may need to take a test on a two wheeler but that inself is stupid. Not everyone can ride a two wheeler. There is the Disabilites Act.

 

[Duffy]

Washington has special endorsements for 2 or 3 wheeled motorcycles but since the
Voyager makes it 4 wheels it doesn't seem to apply (just meets the description for a motor vehicle). DMV and DOL both say the same thing. I already have the 2 wheel endorsement and have been trying to find out if I need the "trike" one. Doesn't look like it so far but I am still waiting to hear from the State Patrol.

 

[Ol' Grey]

Took my test in Michigan with voyager kit installed.

There's 2 threads on this subject, here's the other one:

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/other-trikes/8049-ohio-has-worst-laws-when-getting-riders-permit.html

"vol02".......You're the only one so far who's been able to take the rider's test with a "4 wheel trike". I most definitely am not trying to embarrass you and it's your choice whether to respond or not.......Speaking with the utmost respect, are you disabled and, if so, did you have to provide documentation of your disability in order to take your test in Michigan ? Or does Michigan allow "4 wheel trikes" to be used for the rider's endorsement test regardless of disability or no disability ?

Question for the folks in Ohio who are experiencing this problem........Has anyone even ASKED the Ohio BMV if a documented letter of disability would allow one to take the test on a "4 wheeled trike" ? Just wondering.......

 

[Loner]

This doesn't address the issue in any way, but I took my first license test of any kind at the age of 14 on my motorcycle (hey, little Honda) and have kept that motorcycle endorsement on my licenses ever since (that was in the early 60's). Ole farts rule.

 

[vol02]

There's 2 threads on this subject, here's the other one:

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/other-trikes/8049-ohio-has-worst-laws-when-getting-riders-permit.html

"vol02".......You're the only one so far who's been able to take the rider's test with a "4 wheel trike". I most definitely am not trying to embarrass you and it's your choice whether to respond or not.......Speaking with the utmost respect, are you disabled and, if so, did you have to provide documentation of your disability in order to take your test in Michigan ? Or does Michigan allow "4 wheel trikes" to be used for the rider's endorsement test regardless of disability or no disability ?

Question for the folks in Ohio who are experiencing this problem........Has anyone even ASKED the Ohio BMV if a documented letter of disability would allow one to take the test on a "4 wheeled trike" ? Just wondering.......

Not disabled just old and little. Wanted a trike can't afford one. Hadn't been on a bike in over forty years. Got no business on a bike. Still trying to come up with away to get a trike. Until I do I'm happy with the kit. Put over eight thousand miles on it this summer. Called testing center told them what I had and they said no problem bring it on up. I did. Got my trike endoresment. Been on the rode ever since. Took a 1200 mile rode trip through four states no problem.

 

[bigjoey38]

Funny thing is the Colorado CRS states the definition of a motorcycle:
“Motorcycle” means every motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, except any such vehicle as may be included within the term “farm tractor” and except a motorized bicycle as defined in paragraph (b) of subsection (59) of this section.

But does not tell you what infraction or the violation is for 4 or more wheels....

 

[Ol' Grey]

Not disabled just old and little. Wanted a trike can't afford one. Hadn't been on a bike in over forty years. Got no business on a bike. Still trying to come up with away to get a trike. Until I do I'm happy with the kit. Put over eight thousand miles on it this summer. Called testing center told them what I had and they said no problem bring it on up. I did. Got my trike endoresment. Been on the rode ever since. Took a 1200 mile rode trip through four states no problem.

Thanx very much, "vol02".....Every state Motor Vehicle Dept. has it's own sets of rules and it sure sounds like Michigan is a lot more reasonable than Ohio. Glad to hear that you're in the wind and putting on some decent mileage. Here's trusting that you'll eventually get the trike you want, but in the meantime, you're obviously more than content with the Voyager Kit. ThumbUp

Ride Safe........

 

[Ol' Grey]

Funny thing is the Colorado CRS states the definition of a motorcycle:
“Motorcycle” means every motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, except any such vehicle as may be included within the term “farm tractor” and except a motorized bicycle as defined in paragraph (b) of subsection (59) of this section.

But does not tell you what infraction or the violation is for 4 or more wheels....

Below is part of what MarciaG posted in the other thread. It's a quote from the woman who trains the Ohio BMV instructors:

************

"Hi, Marcia -

Unfortunately you are falling into one of those "weird" areas in Ohio motorcycle laws. A "motorcycle" in Ohio is basically defined as a vehicle with two or three wheels in contact with the ground. Your base motorcycle would be registered in the State of Ohio as a motorcycle as it was manufactured to operate with 2 wheels on the ground. By adding an additional 2 wheels, you technically take it out of the realm of "motorcyle" but that does not mean it is automatically then considered a "car" (because you can always remove the kit wheels and return the vehicle to its original base state of being a "motorcycle"). That's also one of the reasons why the State requires an m/c endorsement (or permit) to legally operate the vehicle."

***********

After reading this, can't say with certainty, but can only guess that maybe there isn't any problem with a 4-wheeled "trike" in Colorado as long as one has the normal bike/trike endorsement already, since the add-on could always be removed to bring the bike back to it's original design........:Shrug:

Ride Safe........

 

[MarciaG]

Seems like Michigan is the best place to be if you have a trike kit that adds a 4th wheel.

I actually heard back from the "powers that be" at the state capitol. They actually threatened that I could be cited for operating an illegal vehicle...well, something to that effect because I don't have the letter here in front of me. I've seen a lot of "trikes" with these kits. There are motorcycles with trailers, sidecars, all manner of set-ups. I can't imagine the police don't have better things to do than to start pulling people over for riding a motorcycle with an "outrigger" kit on it. Welcome to the dark ages. Unbelievable!

MarciaG

 

[Ol' Grey]

Seems like Michigan is the best place to be if you have a trike kit that adds a 4th wheel.

I actually heard back from the "powers that be" at the state capitol. They actually threatened that I could be cited for operating an illegal vehicle...well, something to that effect because I don't have the letter here in front of me. I've seen a lot of "trikes" with these kits. There are motorcycles with trailers, sidecars, all manner of set-ups. I can't imagine the police don't have better things to do than to start pulling people over for riding a motorcycle with an "outrigger" kit on it. Welcome to the dark ages. Unbelievable!

MarciaG

Agreed, it seems like Michigan is one of the few "enlightened" states.

In the bigger picture, it seems like this country is moving backwards rather than forwards! Dang shame.......I love my country, but it sure ain't what it used to be........not by a long stretch.

"Out-riggers Occupy Ohio BMV" :laugh::laugh::laugh: Disclaimer: ONLY TEASING!