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Post by wheelbender6 on Nov 20, 2014 19:14:01 GMT -5
Trikes are not always able to be registered as motorcycles. Texas has banned the Polaris Slingshot trike because it has conventional seats, rather than a saddle, that must be straddled. That means that those Scoot Coupes offered on the internet could not be registered there either. Link to the press release is below. www.motorcycle.com/features/slingshot-saleslicensing-banned-texas.html  |
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Post by scooter on Nov 20, 2014 19:30:24 GMT -5
Texas has banned the Polaris Slingshot trike because it has conventional seats,
rather than a saddle, that must be straddled. Do they explain the reasoning behind that decision? |
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Post by wheelbender6 on Nov 20, 2014 20:05:35 GMT -5
The seats were the only reason given. Ironically, the T-Rex trike can be registered in TX. The T-Rex has auto style seats too, rather than a saddle. Perhaps the T-Rex is considered a kit car type of vehicle.  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 21, 2014 2:24:16 GMT -5
Wow!
THAT really SUCKS! Apparently, my home state is being totally hypocritical about the Slingshot. For 30 years or more, ANYTHING on 3 wheels (and I mean ANYTHING on 3 wheels... LOL!) was registered here as a motorcycle.
Lots of guys have taken junked front-wheel drive cars, cut off the thing behind the front seats, added a rear wheel and had a 3-wheel motorcycle... V6, power-steering, AC and all... SWEET!
Since other side-by-side seating trikes like the Slingshot ARE approved in Texas, I would imagine Polaris must have ticked off somebody in Austin. Texas legislature CAN be a real horse's south-end if one rubs the wrong politico the wrong way. Something about this Slingshot non-approval as a cycle will NOT pass the smell-test for sure.
I really hope Polaris gets around this. The Slingshot is a sweet trike, as is the T-Rex and others. I'd also hate to see the REALLY creative conversion of front-drive CARS to TRIKES banned.
Leo (not happy with Austin's take on this) in Texas
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Post by JerryScript on Nov 21, 2014 2:45:50 GMT -5
The fix is simple enough, if someone is willing to go through the legal trouble. Replace the seats with saddles you straddle in a reclined position, like a recumbant bike. Get it registered, put the stock seats back in, swap them out next time it needs to be inspected. If they refuse to register it, file suit against the DMV. Most Texas judges have more sense than the legislature. I grew up in Killeen and had the honor of knowing a couple of honors, both were no-nonsense, if it smells like horse's poop it is horse's poop, kind of men.
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Post by Paladin on Nov 21, 2014 9:19:54 GMT -5
I got the Vespa because I did not had to straddle the seat. People do not have to straddle a saddle. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SidesaddleIs my scooter a car, or is it a motorcycle? |
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Post by earlwb on Nov 21, 2014 13:35:25 GMT -5
IT sounds like some sort of a political thing done by some auto manufacturers. They were selling them on the internet. Thus it bypasses the dealer networks. That is a huge no no in Texas as the automobile and motorcycle dealer network has a powerful lobbying presence as the state capital.
I remember seeing a number of three wheel vehicles on the roads out here where people sit inside them in seats. There was a guy I used to know that has a nice bullet shaped or rocket shaped trike powered with a Triumph 650cc engine. Anyway they were all titled and registered in Texas.
It could also be registered as a automobile, but then it has to meet emissions laws and DOT and EPA regulations. That might be the issue. Polaris might have tried to get it in as a motorcycle to get around all the motor vehicle regulations that apply to cars.
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Post by shalomdawg on Nov 21, 2014 13:52:03 GMT -5
hoedy, the above is the issue probably in that the crazies want that vehicle to have airbags and seatbelts and crash test ratings and such which would add so much weight and complexity that the advantages of the trike completely go away. then when they have all that added , the insurance also has to go to what a car is which adds even more cost to the whole "affair". here just liability for a car is usually over three hundred a year where a motorcycle(scooter) is one hundred. it is the do gooders that are trying to force everyone into thier concept of acceptable that are the problem.
lotsa miles and smiles to ya---go libertarian attitude
ken
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Post by scooter on Nov 21, 2014 17:12:40 GMT -5
I got the Vespa because I did not had to straddle the seat. People do not have to straddle a saddle. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SidesaddleIs my scooter a car, or is it a motorcycle? It depends on how you're sitting. If you want to save on insurance, keep your legs apart.  |
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Post by wheelbender6 on Nov 21, 2014 18:12:44 GMT -5
"I got the Vespa because I did not have to straddle the seat. People do not have to straddle a saddle." You have a good point there, Paladin. I can ride my scooter with my heels and knees together also. -As a Texan (non-native), one of the things that really bothers me about the TX Slingshot decision is that the same reasoning would also mean the Elio couldn't be registered here. However, the design of the Elio would make it easy to modify the seat as posted above.   |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 21, 2014 21:58:21 GMT -5
IT sounds like some sort of a political thing done by some auto manufacturers. They were selling them on the internet. Thus it bypasses the dealer networks. That is a huge no no in Texas as the automobile and motorcycle dealer network has a powerful lobbying presence as the state capital. I remember seeing a number of three wheel vehicles on the roads out here where people sit inside them in seats. There was a guy I used to know that has a nice bullet shaped or rocket shaped trike powered with a Triumph 650cc engine. Anyway they were all titled and registered in Texas. It could also be registered as a automobile, but then it has to meet emissions laws and DOT and EPA regulations. That might be the issue. Polaris might have tried to get it in as a motorcycle to get around all the motor vehicle regulations that apply to cars. Earlwb,
You hit it on the head! Texas DOT is screwing around with Tesla, too because of the same dealer network business. Probably cost us that SWEET Tesla battery manufacturing plant, too... Sad!
Leo
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Post by rockynv on Nov 22, 2014 9:49:08 GMT -5
It was initially approved but something happened and the approval was rescinded. It probably will come down to some fee or such that they want to collect from Polaris.
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