[BigBird]

Ok guys as some of you may or may not know I have been working on street legality for quads in my home state of Oklahoma. The second and very large hurdle has been passed, the state has granted the go ahead of the road feasibility study. This is where myself and the state will be gathering all the info we can to support our case. After this time we will move on to the next hurdle which will be the hearing in front of the state reps. I believe we can make this happen but I have to all my ducks in a row. This is where you guys come in.

I will need all the info I can find on just about every quad out there 125cc and above.

I will need the following info and in this order so I can build a spreadsheet. Only stock or close to stock ( filter/intake/exhaust/tune) need apply and must be noted. You will see why later.

Manufacturer

Year of manufacture.

Style (Raptor etc…)

CC (engine size)

Weight (dry/wet please specify)

LxWxH (length x width x saddle height)

Transmission (Auto/Manual)

Fuel capacity (gallons)

Drive (2 wheel / 4 wheel)

Stock tire size.

Brake type (disc/drum)

Headlight (yes/no)

Brake light (yes no)

Other (This is the thing that could possibly put us over the top)


The last category “Other” is big. Why? Because this where I want to put MPG. That’s right if you have or can get it I need it. If you have the ability to go out and gather MPG’s at 35MPH and 50 MPH this would be a great help. We may have to enlist the help of our brothers over seas, Arizona, Canada and wherever else they are road ridden. We need GOOD solid mpg numbers to help our case. Basically what is achievable if you try to get MPG’s at 35 and 50? I don’t know how much bad numbers will hurt but, I do know good numbers will help greatly.

If I don’t receive enough info I will try to commandeer the services of the OHP and maybe with any luck they will help escort us over a given piece of road for viable testing. This is just thinking out loud right now though.

If the testing does indeed come into play I will need willing participants from all walks of quad life. If you are from Oklahoma and would be willing to participate in testing and have transportation to and from the testing site let me know. If you won’t actually show up then please spare us both the time and effort. I will be setting up an email address to receive the info. And once again tell your friends and fellow Okies who ride, brand does not matter as this is for all flavors and not just raptors. You can post any info or ask questions here. Thanks BigBird

P.S. Okies, this will NOT happen without you guys help. We have an honest shot here so put in some time to help us all out as I will not continue without the support of my peers.

 

[Colorado700R]

Good stuff BB. The concern out here has been for Solid axle/locked rear diff quads ability to remain stable doing manuevers at high speeds (Accident prevention type stuff).

Let me know what I can do for ya.

Aaron

 

[BigBird]

Below is a copy of the letter that started it all off. I ask that this thread be used for informational purposes only. thanks BB



"Dear Lawmakers,

As a citizen of Oklahoma I come to you in search of help and understanding. Times are changing fast gas is now $3.10 a gallon and we are well on our way to over $4. I remember when gas was a buck a gallon, and im just 35 years old. I believe the time has come to accept alternative vehicles on our roads. Not alternative fuels but alternative modes of transportation.

As it sits we allow many types of vehicles on our roads but there is one major one we are leaving out. These vehicles are safe, great on gas, widely accepted in the U.K. and Canada and some of our own states here in the U.S.A such as Utah, Montana, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Arizona and probably a few more that I don’t know of. They are used in all the aforementioned places as viable everyday on-road and highway transportation. Yes im talking about A.T.V.’s.

Please at least hear me out before you decide to turn the channel. The ATV’s nowadays are not the ATV’s of old. They are far from the old smoky noisy 2 strokes that many people who are not familiar with them think of. The ATV engines of today are efficient, clean burning, water cooled, fuel injected 4 stroke engines. Basically it the same engine design that we use in our cars and motorcycles of today. Many achieve far greater than 60 mpg easily.

Today All ATV’s come with headlights, brake lights, disc brakes (98%) and all of the same features that a motorcycle such as a Harley or Honda come with. With one exception, another set of wheels. This extra set of wheels makes an ATV inherently safer than any motorcycle. There is no sliding around or falling on pavement. They can be ridden year round, from the most impassable snow/ice covered roads to muddy terrain, rain or shine. My wife came close losing her job because we could not get out during the ice storm, but my ATV could.

As for standard safety equipment, only a few things need to be added to bring an ATV up to the same specifications as any ordinary motorcycle.

1) Horn

2) Rearview Mirror

3) Directional Signals

4) D.O.T Tires

All of these things can actually be purchased as a kit (except tires as they will be separate) fairly easily and at a reasonable cost. You can even run high pressure high speed automobile tires on them. The down side of the ATV is that generally they are not as loud as the average Harley and they wont do 150+ mph like the average sportbike ( please read the sarcasm).

Do I believe there should be regulations? Yes by all means.

1) Have a valid driver’s license or a motorcycle license (I personally believe a person should be 18 years old to drive). And have taken and passed an ATV safety course.

2) Insurance

3) Helmet

4) Vehicle must pass an inspection by a state officer.

5) Yearly inspections

6) DOT tires

7) And should be subject to pay any all fees associated with the licensing and tagging just like a motorcycle.

It’s really hard for me to come to a downside. I see less impact on roads, less congestion in congested areas, better gas mileage, easier to park and maneuver than a car, safer than a motorcycle, can be used year round unlike a motorcycle and more income for the state in fees and licenses.

Do I dislike motorcycles you ask? No, I love them. But when it gets down to it a motorcycle is a fair weather friend and so are many cars.

Can they be dangerous, sure the same as any gun, knife, car, truck, motorcycle, doctor …and the list goes on. It all comes down to person using it. If a person is an unsafe rider/driver it really does not matter what their mode of transportation is but I know if I was to get hit in my car or truck I would rather be hit by a 500-800lb ATV than a 4000 lb car or worse a 6500lb truck.

I ride atv’s, motorcycles and drive a car. I have not had a ticket in 12 years or so and no wrecks. I have also never been hurt on an ATV or motorcycle or car for that matter neither has my wife. My 5 and 6 year old boys ride ATV’s with me and I have taken all the time and measures I can to make sure they learn how to operate their machines safely. When it comes time to drive I will do the same. What I guess im getting at is it’s the operators not the machines.

What I am asking for is the opportunity to earn my way onto the road legally, the same as any motorcycle or car. If my machine is roadworthy and I am a responsible licensed operator why should there be a problem.

Thank you for your time and look forward to your responses."

 

[Wreckless]

Nice stuff BB would you mind if I borrow your letter and send it into the MI lawmakers and see if I get a response?

I think you need to make a year cutoff point on quads that can be made street legal. Some of the old LT250's would be scary at highway speeds. I would say something like 2001 and above. That would make your job easier and the roads safer. Just my opinion.. :beerchug:

 

[Colorado700R]

Personally, I would aim for legalization of ATVs on Non-hwys first. It's the highway speeds that make lawmakers nervous about control. So if we prove the concept at lower speed roads, we'll have more ammo to legislate for full road access.

Aaron

 

[BigBird]

I have a pretty well thought out plan that covers most of the stuff. What you see is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Am I saying that I have thought of everything? No but I am months into this and have that time advantage on top of that I can be pretty sharp when I need to be.

There is more to it but right now thats all that needs to be known.

Yes you can use it, but I would wait for a bit if I were you to see what happens here as there should be more info available for me to pass on. If we are/are not successful I will gladly help you out all I can.

 

[SEVEN00]

I am not aware of any wide spread legal road riding in the state of, Pennsylvania.

Where did you hear this? and where is this, occuring?

Please advise!

 

[Colorado700R]

I am not aware of any wide spread legal road riding in the state of, Pennsylvania.

Where did you hear this? and where is this, occuring?

Please advise!

+1, I don't know of any Legal road riding in PA :stupid:

 

[BigBird]

I spoke to a couple of guys on another forum sometime back and both of them had got their quads road legal.

I dont recall where it was now as its been a while, the only thing I really remember right off hand is that one of them was a can-am outlander 800.

 

[RaptorRacer45]

Yes im all for pushin Road Legal Quads here in PA(little california) as well

 

[Colorado700R]

I spoke to a couple of guys on another forum sometime back and both of them had got their quads road legal.

I dont recall where it was now as its been a while, the only thing I really remember right off hand is that one of them was a can-am outlander 800.

That explains it !!:duh:


JK

 

[Wreckless]

If this happened in Mi, I would have one bad ass road racer to ride to work!! :lol:

Good luck BB, I hope you get it pushed through. I will wait it out and see what happens in your case. How was it legalized in AZ? Is it an old law? What are their limitations there?

 

[Dynomite]

In South Dakota......you must be 18 and wear a helmet. You must have liability insurance and not operate on interstate highway system (interstate 29 or interstate 90). You must have the following:

Rearview mirror
Horn
Exhaust and muffler
Headlights
License plate light
Parking lights, tail lights, stop lights
200 cc engine

 

[Perpetual]

I was recently talking to a few buds about this in michigan. While the rappy has enough power to keep up with cars on the highway, I was told that the engine can not handle long trips at that high of a speed. Truth to it, I do not know.

As for gas mileage, on a less than full tank I drove all week on the roads while my truck was being worked on. Gas light never came on and I drove everyday with numerous trips. Took it to where I was working on the truck and to the store numerous times a day. I found out that carrying a large pizza and 2-2liters is not hard to do =).

Wreckless, I would be willing to help ya out in making it legal in Michigan if I can. Riding the rappy saves me so much money in gas...well worth it. I personally do not understand why they do not make it legal, you can make so many other type of machines street legal which are not even close to safe as our quad's.

Keep up the good work, more places that make it legal, the more places that will follow in stride.

 

[BigBird]

bump

 

[Perpetual]

BigBird, read this post...might give you some insight into some hurdles you will encounter. The post is about making it legal for a atv to ride the shoulder at 25mph in northern Michigan.

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=51509

 

[BigBird]

Update:

The interim study has been approved and I have my first Meeting/Presentation with the House of Reps on Oct the 7th.

I have a meeting with the dealers association today (9-29) to answer any of their questions and make sure I have their support. I have been assured that they will build up a few display models for the Reps to look at.

Also I invited Mr. Keith Smith from GG quad N.A. and he has confirmed he will attend. Check his site out, I would love to have one of these.
www.GG-Quad-NorthAmerica.com

 

[Jamie700R]

Update:

The interim study has been approved and I have my first Meeting/Presentation with the House of Reps on Oct the 7th.

I have a meeting with the dealers association today (9-29) to answer any of their questions and make sure I have their support. I have been assured that they will build up a few display models for the Reps to look at.

Also I invited Mr. Keith Smith from GG quad N.A. and he has confirmed he will attend. Check his site out, I would love to have one of these.
www.GG-Quad-NorthAmerica.com

Best of luck, I signed a petition to get it legalized in PA. But i don't think thats doing very well.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ma...-wheel-motorcycles-legal-why-not-4-wheel-atvs

 

[Jamie700R]

Hey BigBird most of these specs can be found on the manfacture web site.


Year of manufacture. 07

Style (raptor)

CC (686cc)

Weight (dry 396lbs)

LxWxH (72.6 x 46.1 x 44.5 in)

Transmission (5-speed w/reverse; wet multiplate clutch )

Fuel capacity (2.9)

Drive ( 2WD; sealed O-ring chain, eccentric adjustment)


Stock tire size. ( AT21x7-10 radial Front /AT20x10-9 radial rear)

Brake type (Dual ventilated hydraulic disc, twin piston front)
(Ventilated hydraulic disc, self adjusting park brake function rear)

Headlight (yes)

Brake light (yes)

Other (This is the thing that could possibly put us over the top)

 

[shawnz]

I think MPG might be to your detriment.

I was planning on riding mine to work for a week to see if it can beat my Diesel Jetta. I doubt it!

The fuel economy might look good vs a Powerstoke or something but it isn't a motorcycle and sure isn't going to be putting down any big numbers like 50 MPG, especially not on knobbies.

I was gonna pick up some on-road tires when I was seriously considering it but I can get consistent high 30s out of my Jetta driving to work (currently 41 MPG). This is gonna be hard to beat, even with the premium price for diesel.

Don't forget that cruising at 50 MPH we're at like 2/3 our top speed. That motor is sing'n!