TheMightyGoat
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- Mar 25, 2011
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I just learned of these motor bicycle kits, and the idea quite appeals to me. Unfortunately I talked myself into researching the laws in Vermont before ordering one of these kits, which reveals nothing but obstacles.
In Vermont, if it has two or three wheels and a motor, it's either a motorcycle or a "motor-driven cycle", both of which are subject to insurance and registration. The literal reading of the law is this:
Motorcycle: "Any motor driven vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding motor-driven cycles..."
Motor-driven cycle: "Any vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, a power source providing up to a maximum of two brake horsepower and having a maximum piston or rotor displacement of 50 cubic centimeters... speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour on a level road... and which is equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged."
Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/DOCS/2010/ACTS/ACT152.PDF
Basically, unless it has more than three wheels, or some sort of enclosed cab, it's either a motor-driven cycle or a motorcycle. Here is a flowchart that simplifies the process: http://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/pdf/DMV-Motorcycle_Moped_Flowchart.pdf
The problem of course is getting an insurance company to insure something that was cobbled together in your garage and has no identification number or receipt from a manufacturer. Plus it'd just be a pain in the codpiece to make this thing compliant with lights, etc, to be able to inspect it. So, my questions are as follows.
1) Has anyone had success getting an insurance company to insure a motor bicycle?
2) What would happen if I were to build one of these bikes, and affix two additional wheels to the frame of the bike that would be touching the ground? They would be superfluous, but could serve some contrived purpose - perhaps they would be under spring tension so as to feign a suspension. I'm thinking these would be in line with the original two wheels, not off to the sides. This is the only loophole I see. Think it'd fly?
Appreciate any input.
In Vermont, if it has two or three wheels and a motor, it's either a motorcycle or a "motor-driven cycle", both of which are subject to insurance and registration. The literal reading of the law is this:
Motorcycle: "Any motor driven vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding motor-driven cycles..."
Motor-driven cycle: "Any vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, a power source providing up to a maximum of two brake horsepower and having a maximum piston or rotor displacement of 50 cubic centimeters... speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour on a level road... and which is equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged."
Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/DOCS/2010/ACTS/ACT152.PDF
Basically, unless it has more than three wheels, or some sort of enclosed cab, it's either a motor-driven cycle or a motorcycle. Here is a flowchart that simplifies the process: http://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/pdf/DMV-Motorcycle_Moped_Flowchart.pdf
The problem of course is getting an insurance company to insure something that was cobbled together in your garage and has no identification number or receipt from a manufacturer. Plus it'd just be a pain in the codpiece to make this thing compliant with lights, etc, to be able to inspect it. So, my questions are as follows.
1) Has anyone had success getting an insurance company to insure a motor bicycle?
2) What would happen if I were to build one of these bikes, and affix two additional wheels to the frame of the bike that would be touching the ground? They would be superfluous, but could serve some contrived purpose - perhaps they would be under spring tension so as to feign a suspension. I'm thinking these would be in line with the original two wheels, not off to the sides. This is the only loophole I see. Think it'd fly?
Appreciate any input.
