why arent four wheelers street legal? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

rathr-b-cruisin · 10-21-2007, 07:54 AM

The latest topic at work is why cant we drive four wheelers on the road. I know they do in the UK, and some counties up north for a limited time of the year, but why not all of the time. We cant come up with a good reason, especially when people are driving dual sport bikes on the road.

NateHarris · 10-21-2007, 08:10 AM

I suspect if you wanted to spend the time and money to wire the vehicle for turn signals, add rear view mirrors and DOT certified tires, and assuming the hieadlight is already good, then you could probably get one certified for street use. But I have never seen DOT tires for quads.

**Clint** · 10-21-2007, 08:33 AM

For the reasons Nate mentioned, along with exhaust emissions.

**inspiron** · 10-21-2007, 09:35 AM

There are street-legal quads in Europe. In Switzerland, they are treated like motorcycles - you have to wear a helmet, and the quad must have lighting, turn signals and meet the noise and pollution restrictions. Suzuki, Yamaha and several other manufacturers produce them, and there is no problem getting it registered and insured (if you have the appropriate driver's license).

Easy Rider · 10-21-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

For the reasons Nate mentioned, along with exhaust emissions.

Just guessing here but don't they tend to be top-heavy, especially when a rider is added? So is part of it a fear (probably justified) that they would be prone to roll-over, especially at highway speeds?

Rickster · 10-21-2007, 11:45 AM

Why would the exhaust emissions be any worse on an ATV, than they are on a motorcycle?

**Clint** · 10-21-2007, 12:38 PM

Because they haven't been subject to highway legislation. There's a seperate standard for snowmobiles and atv's.

Yeah, their long-travel offroad suspension does make them rather unstable. That could be said about half the pickups and suv's on the road too, though.

Barbarian · 10-21-2007, 04:13 PM

I suppose you could always get a three-wheeled Spyder...

md2lgyk · 10-21-2007, 04:32 PM

They ARE legal in some states (Kansas, for example, if they are equipped with appropriate lights and etc.).

rathr-b-cruisin · 10-21-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Just guessing here but don't they tend to be top-heavy, especially when a rider is added? So is part of it a fear (probably justified) that they would be prone to roll-over, especially at highway speeds?

arent motorcycles themselves extremely proned to roll over?

mflueras · 10-21-2007, 09:50 PM

motorcycles are not in fact more prone to roll overs.

tricker · 10-21-2007, 10:04 PM

beyond the previously mentioned.... i think it has to do with the standard tires too.. half the idiots i see flying around on the road have their off road tires that don't have as much pressure in them.. causing great instability at higher speeds..

JmalB · 10-22-2007, 04:34 AM

There's a guy at my company that used to ride his ATV to work during the gas price spike of summer. Bone stock down to the offroad biased wheels and tires.

Easy Rider · 10-22-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rathr-b-cruisin

arent motorcycles themselves extremely proned to roll over?

No!
Fall over, maybe; ROLL over, no.

Tab B. · 10-26-2007, 09:20 AM

Think of the hijinks you could get into with a street designed, street legal quad. Low to the ground and with properly matched tires, squidly types {I'd be in that group, for a little while anyways!}, would be having a slide-a-rama good time. If it is light enough, wheelies and stoppies would be a hoot. Going to work in the rain would be outrageous. Hmmm, maybe that is why you don't see them. A little too much potential for mischief.

**intimid8er** · 10-26-2007, 11:52 AM

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**intimid8er** · 10-26-2007, 11:56 AM

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Tab B. · 10-26-2007, 12:24 PM

Yeah, that is the idea, but I'd want one with some serious liter class 4 cyl. power, while, MAYBE, a bit smaller all around, and pretty darn light too. I'm talking something that would come off the line with some real authority.

**intimid8er** · 10-26-2007, 12:46 PM

Tab...When I was searching for the above vid's, I found and R1 equipped quad!!! Lost the link for it though...I'll check later.

**intimid8er** · 10-26-2007, 12:50 PM

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10-21-2007, 07:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
rathr-b-cruisin Found second gear by accident Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard C50 Location: Michigan Posts: 322	why arent four wheelers street legal? The latest topic at work is why cant we drive four wheelers on the road. I know they do in the UK, and some counties up north for a limited time of the year, but why not all of the time. We cant come up with a good reason, especially when people are driving dual sport bikes on the road. __________________ Ride Hard, Pray Harder.

10-21-2007, 08:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
NateHarris Clunked into first gear Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 07 Suzuki M50 Location: Fort Mill, SC 29707 Posts: 214	I suspect if you wanted to spend the time and money to wire the vehicle for turn signals, add rear view mirrors and DOT certified tires, and assuming the hieadlight is already good, then you could probably get one certified for street use. But I have never seen DOT tires for quads. __________________ Nate 07 M50 Some folks are forever telling us the glass is half full. Others that it is half empty. Did it ever occur to any of these folks that maybe the glass is too big? -George Carlin

10-21-2007, 09:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,947	There are street-legal quads in Europe. In Switzerland, they are treated like motorcycles - you have to wear a helmet, and the quad must have lighting, turn signals and meet the noise and pollution restrictions. Suzuki, Yamaha and several other manufacturers produce them, and there is no problem getting it registered and insured (if you have the appropriate driver's license). __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

10-21-2007, 11:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,987	Why would the exhaust emissions be any worse on an ATV, than they are on a motorcycle? __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

10-21-2007, 04:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Barbarian Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Bandit 650S w/ABS Location: Montreal Posts: 299	I suppose you could always get a three-wheeled Spyder... __________________ See ABS in action complete with plummy voiceover.

10-21-2007, 04:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
md2lgyk Wants Better Weather Joined: May 2004 Bike: '03 Marauder 800 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 663	They ARE legal in some states (Kansas, for example, if they are equipped with appropriate lights and etc.). __________________ "The great object is, that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." - Thomas Jefferson

10-21-2007, 09:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
mflueras Clunked into first gear Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: 05 M50 and 03 Lightning Location: Hot Springs AR Posts: 211	motorcycles are not in fact more prone to roll overs. __________________ ...a chicken...I'd slap a chicken...

10-21-2007, 10:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
tricker Top Gear ! Full Throttle! Joined: May 2007 Bike: 2004 kawasaki zzr 600 Location: rochester, minnesota Posts: 5,232	beyond the previously mentioned.... i think it has to do with the standard tires too.. half the idiots i see flying around on the road have their off road tires that don't have as much pressure in them.. causing great instability at higher speeds..

10-26-2007, 09:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tab B. Third gear and cruising Joined: May 2007 Bike: 86 GSXR750G, 93 GSX1100G, 89 YSR50 Location: Kingston NH Posts: 493	Think of the hijinks you could get into with a street designed, street legal quad. Low to the ground and with properly matched tires, squidly types {I'd be in that group, for a little while anyways!}, would be having a slide-a-rama good time. If it is light enough, wheelies and stoppies would be a hoot. Going to work in the rain would be outrageous. Hmmm, maybe that is why you don't see them. A little too much potential for mischief.

10-26-2007, 12:24 PM	#18 (permalink)
Tab B. Third gear and cruising Joined: May 2007 Bike: 86 GSXR750G, 93 GSX1100G, 89 YSR50 Location: Kingston NH Posts: 493	Yeah, that is the idea, but I'd want one with some serious liter class 4 cyl. power, while, MAYBE, a bit smaller all around, and pretty darn light too. I'm talking something that would come off the line with some real authority.

10-26-2007, 12:46 PM	#19 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 9,801	Tab...When I was searching for the above vid's, I found and R1 equipped quad!!! Lost the link for it though...I'll check later. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 10/08 The Butthole Surfer's - Who Was In My Room Last Night? <Insert nothing original in this space>

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