Today at the Capital

[John Luciano]

I went to the State Capital in Conn. Trying to get a Bill passed to allow people to take Motorcycle Test on a Trike. I ended sharing the spot light with people that were trying to get Electric wheelchairs and Golf carts on the road to use as energy saving vehicles . Questions I got: What is the difference between a Quad an ATV and the TRIKE U R talking about? You say for use on the highway, how fast can they go? I didn't think you needed a license to ride a trike. Why can't you use your motorcycle license? Don't they tip over real easy? I saw a little car in Europe driving down the road weaving then as we passed I noticed only 3 wheels, they don't look too safe to me.
I may have my work cut out for me. i am not finished yet.

 

[Juju]

It sounds like you certainly do have your work cut out for you. If people are asking those kinds of questions, you're clearly dealing with some folks who don't get out much, or don't read very much, or maybe even think very much. What's the difference between a street-legal trike and a golf cart? Please!

Well, good luck with non-reading hordes and keep us updated!

 

[Nana]

I'm with Juju on this. Sounds like certain lawmakers aren't very well versed on real life! How frustrating to deal with questions like that! Hang in there, John. And do keep us updated.

 

[ThirdWheel]

John: Welcome to the world of politicians!! Your tax dollars keeping the stupid working. About two more meetings and you will share my options on professional politicians, which is lower than whale poop. Keep on trucking

 

[Trikerjim]

John, I know how you feel. Most politicians are not not really from this planet. The next time you meet, GWRRA has some films on the TRC course that you may be able to obtain to show what you are talking about. Here is a link to the samples with a little info. Good Luck.

Rider Educator Videos

 

[John Luciano]

Newest and most powerful info I just found this. Open and go to page 5 we should archive this
http://www.msf-usa.org/Downloads/StateMotorcycleOperatorLicensingCSI2007Final.pdf

 

[FBTRIKE]

John, good for you for trying to get something done. I'm not trying to push an organization, and maybe you already know of it, but A.B.A.T.E. may be someone to contact with your struggle. They currently work towards similar goals concerning motorcycle rights and training.
Just a suggestion, and good luck with the uphill battle you're sure to have.

 

[John Luciano]

Well we ( myself and Senator Roaraback) had our meeting with the CT Lawyers from CT DMV. Everything went smooth. They may be able to just add the Trike testing to the law with out any major legislation . They are checking into if it is already possible to take the test and that the information my not just be clear to the area DMV offices. Only issue they have is with the legality of the Stallion being a motorcycle. The DMV people consider it a 3 wheel car that doen not meet CT safety standards. If they allow it to be a motorcycle or a car they are opening the door to all the Chinese cars.
3 Wheel Car China Manufacturers

 

[BoomBoom61]

hi John, here in Michigan you can take a test on a trike..25$ for the test..you have to have the sec of state written and passed first..also you can take the MSF course on a trike..BoomBoom

 

[John Luciano]

That is almost always true except here in NE ( New York , Mass, CT, RI , VT and NH ) a trike is a motorcycle and you need a M endorsement to ride it. I know every time I say this, someone tells me their state says it is ok . I am aware of that and I am trying to get CT to be the same It is not a FED law,every state is different. I would not doubt for a min. that if an out of state trike rider was stopped in CT by a LEO he would not be given a hard time if he didn't have the endorsement.

 

[BoomBoom61]

a trike in Michigan is considered a motorcycle so we have a CY endorsement..I know my friend in Iowa had to have a trike endorsement..apparently here if you take a test on a trike it is considered restricted for 3 wheelers only but it doesn't show that on our licence..it still shows CY..I guess if you rode a 2 wheeler and got into an accident they could dig in the paperwork, wherever they send it after your trike test, and you could get into trouble ..I don't know..how would a cop know if I was only allowed to drive a trike as everyone has CY..Boom???????

 

[John Luciano]

Some states don't require even a motorcycle license at all . A car driver is all you need to drive a trike . I am saying if you got stopped here with out any endorsement they would give u a hard time. Here you need a 2 wheel license to drive a trike. I Am TRYING to get it changed so you can have just a TRIKE endorsement and with that you can only drive a trike , but you will also be allowed to test on a trike NOW you can't.

 

[John Luciano]

The wheels are in motion Maryann got a call from CT DMV and when she is ready they will follow her for about 1/2 an hr and test her this will be her test for a trike license . I hope that this will be a possible test for the chosen few that wish to get the trike license . Date set for some time in MAY

 

[ricle41]

Here in the Sunflower state, wether or not a vehicle can be used on the road is decided by a legal description of the vehicle. They must include, for instance, brakes on all wheels, legal lighting system front and rear, turn signals, windshield are the ones I remember off the top of my head. This of course precludes golf carts, most ATV's, etc.

Also, the driving test for a motorcycle endorsement is entirely low speed parking lot manuvers around pilons. I was told, in person, by the lady that does the testing for this 4 county area, not to bring my Yamaha Road Star 1700 bike, as the test was impossible to pass on that heavy a bike. She recommended I borrow someone's scooter (Min. 100cc) to use for the test.
So for the state's permission to run up and down the highway at 75 mph, I had to take a test on a vehicle at 2 mph that won't even run 75 mph!

The sorry part, is that the lady was right. I don't know any experienced bikers that could run an 800 lb. bike through that course.

 

[John Luciano]

i expressed this same thing to our MVD . Ok never been on a bike in your life. 1) U watch a movie . 2)then you take a 20 question test. 3) then they show you the controls on the bike and you practice for 3 hrs. 4) the next day you take a road test around some cones on a 125 cc bike and do figure 8's . (Raise your hand if you have ever done a fig. 8 in real life.. ) You pass on the 125cc bike , go home jump on your Harley Electraglide or Goldwing and off you go. Sounds ok to me ( NOT). same thing I said about taking the test on a 125cc 2 wheeler and then driving a trike . U have to unlearn what you learned. She will be taking the test on a 2004 Goldwing Champion Trike that has 6,000 miles on it.

 

[5thwheel]

The rules for these things are always so different everywhere. I was curious about how a stallion would fit into the motorcycle description here. It did seem to, they mention that it can have 3 wheels but can't be enclosed. Which would exclude the Chinese 3 wheeled car.
And it was a good thing that I started to look for that because I also found out that if I take my final part of my license on my trike they put a condition on that I can only drive a 3 wheel motorcycle.
We have a 3 part license;
- m1- written
-m2-the parking lot test (it sounds the same as most states final license)
-m3-20 months later(18 when you do a course) a road and highway test. they give you a headset and follow you in a car giving you instructions and grading you.

Also wanted to thank trikerjim for posting the videos. I have never seen a trike course and it looked really interesting.

 

[John Luciano]

Fast forward 5 years
So this week I see an article in the paper , guess what I read?
The State of Conn. Has decided that there should be a special endorsement and test to trikes.
whata concept. They added that it would add jobs, it would add taxes, and add revenue to the testing program. Why all of a sudden the interested? The Polaris dealers want to sell the sling shot, and the new Elio is due to be sold starting next year. When it was my idea it sucked . Now that they thought of it they passed it 441 to 0. Read the beginning of this thread IF you forgot what I said in 2010 when my friend Maryann ( who finally got her endorsement ) and passed away last year. My proposal 686 is still on the books.

 

[DblTrbl]

I went to the State Capital in Conn. Trying to get a Bill passed to allow people to take Motorcycle Test on a Trike. I ended sharing the spot light with people that were trying to get Electric wheelchairs and Golf carts on the road to use as energy saving vehicles . Questions I got: What is the difference between a Quad an ATV and the TRIKE U R talking about? You say for use on the highway, how fast can they go? I didn't think you needed a license to ride a trike. Why can't you use your motorcycle license? Don't they tip over real easy? I saw a little car in Europe driving down the road weaving then as we passed I noticed only 3 wheels, they don't look too safe to me.
I may have my work cut out for me. i am not finished yet.

I know what you must be going thru.....take a look at this!!

 

[Veritas44]

Regardless of Origin or Motive or Intent,,,,
Adding to an inane Bureaucracy and the confiscatory Power of an already bloated and rapacious Government is not a Panacea and never a "good thing".

The Primary Rallying Cry and Platform for this New Regulation;
It "Adds Jobs"... Government Bureaucratic Positions funded by and paid for solely from the already overly burdened wallets of the People. Another Leech upon the anemic Zero-Sum of the Private Sector.
It "Adds Revenue"... as if it magically creates NEW Money and Income as opposed to the Reality of taking and misusing even more from the People.
It "Adds Taxes"... well I'll be! An Honest Statement.
Then again, I forgot that there are some People and Places that actually embrace and laud new burgeoning Taxation.

Many a Great and Altruistic Idea throughout History has been bastardized and corrupted by the Bastards of Corruption.

 

[stinger608]

hi John, here in Michigan you can take a test on a trike..25$ for the test..you have to have the sec of state written and passed first..also you can take the MSF course on a trike..BoomBoom

Pretty much the same here in Wyoming. You are able to take the road test on a trike. You have to have the motorcycle endorsement to legally ride a trike.

 

[2006gold]

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.