An article published in the Waterbury American Republican, a newspaper based in Connecticut, points out that the state's Department of Motor Vehicles actually allows people to use a scooter when performing the motorcycle endorsement test.

The DMV already allows scooters to be used for its road test, a fact that doesn't seem to be widely known. If it were, I suspect more impatient "newbies" would try to beat the system by showing up to take the road test on easier-to-ride scooters.

Here's a link to their article...
http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/04/18/lifestyle/334366.txt

In response, the Department of Transporation, which administers a Basic Rider Course, an alternative to the DMV's endorsement test, will be offering a scooter riding course. Somehow, the DOT is trying to send a message to the DMV.

As it stands now, Connecticut does not have a special endorsement for scooter riders. It sounds like all they need is the standard drivers license. So, if you want a motorcycle endorsement, just bring in a little Honda Metropolitan, whizz through the cones, and get yourself a Class M endorsement.

On the flip side, scooters these days are nothing to laugh at. The Gilera GP800 has an 850cc engine in it, the same engine used by the Aprilia Mana, a motorcycle, and capable of hitting 120mph. I'm not sure why scooters should be treated differently than motorcycles.

The manifestation of all this, are people killing themselves on two-wheeled vehicles. Often times it's because they're drunk or high, trying to do something foolish, or getting hit by somebody else. Aside from those three things, most riders do just fine.

Me thinks that using a scooter to obtain a motorcycle endorsement is probably ok; it just sounds shocking. But I think scooter riding should require a motorcycle endorsement.

Labels: Connecticut Motorcycle Laws, Motorcycle Endorsements, Scooters

According to the Boston Globe, among the new laws taking effect in the State of Connecticut is one that exempts fuel-efficient passenger vehicles from the State's sales tax.

If a passenger vehicle gets at least 40 miles on a gallon of gas, you don't have to pay sales tax to purchase it. Except, this law doesn't include motorcycles.

The original article from the Boston Globe originally said that motorcycles were included, but a few days later published a correction saying that the law does not include motorcycles...

In a Dec. 31 story about Connecticut sales tax exemptions beginning in 2008 for fuel-efficient passenger vehicles, The Associated Press incorrectly reported that motorcycles are among the vehicles eligible for the exemptions. Motorcycles are not considered passenger vehicles and are not exempt from sales taxes, according to the state Department of Revenue Services.

I mean if the State is going to reward people for driving fuel-efficient vehicles, then why isn't it rewarding people for riding motorcycles? Motorcycles are MORE fuel-efficient than cars.

Me thinks there's some kind of discrimination here.

Hell, I can get anywhere from 40-50mpg on my Harley, depending on how I ride it, and it helps reduce congestion on roadways, and frees up parking space for environmentalist wackos and their Volkswagen Beetles.

Why is that when people talk about the need for more fuel-efficient vehicles, motorcycles are never mentioned as a solution?

I think Connecticut legislators need to reconsider.

Labels: Connecticut Motorcycle Laws