Okay, I have searched and came up with some information from a while back, but I'm wondering if anyone has more definitive recommendataions...
I'd like to add my GS to my FastLane (a.k.a. EZPass) transponder to handle toll booths, but does anyone have practical experience with the best way to 'present' it? There doesn't seem to be any official guidance on using it on a motorcycle. I would have assumed that I could keep in in the breast pocket of my coat, but looking through prior posts indicates otherwise. I very rarely need it on the bike so I'd rather not have to attach anything permanent, but the thought of having to dig around for cash at a toll is very unappealing.
I'm thinking I might be able to fabricate a clip that I could velcro the transponder to and then clip it to the top of the windshield when I'm going to be headed over a toll road (thus no permanently mounted velcro).
Thoughts? Anyone have a good technique for using a toll transponder with minimum fuss?
my understanding was that you were require to permanently fixate to the vehicle.
I just stick mine under the seat and i have yet to have a problem.
In NY we have two types. One is the flat, square box you stick above the rear view mirror, and the other is this long, black rectangular thing that usually mounts on a car's front license plate.
I ordered one of the license plate transponders, and i figured I would use zip ties or something of the sort, and attach it to the handlebars. It wouldn't read passing through the Thruway's toll booths :(
I have heard of people putting them on their front forks, right below the headlight, or if you have a small fairing, get a square transponder and buy one of those suction cup mounting kits for your pass.
Some people also take a square transponder, chuck it in their chest pocket, and sit up straight while going through. :dunno:
Quote from: JetSwingmy understanding was that you were require to permanently fixate to the vehicle.
They do allow one transponder to be registered to multiple vehicles, so it can't be that permanent. They're also typcially attached with velcro...which to me, does not count as "permanently fixated".
Quote from: aclassicgetawayI just stick mine under the seat and i have yet to have a problem.
How do you have it oriented under there? Velcro strips on the underside of the seat?
Here's my fear:
1. Attach transponder under seat.
2. Ride up to FastLane booth, slow down.
3. Realize that transponder isn't being recognized
4. Stop suddenly in toll booth, slip on greasy patch, drop bike.
4a. Pick up the bike, avoid eye contact with the car behind you that had to screech to a halt to avoid hitting you.
5. Pull key, use key to open seat.
6. Remove cargo net, try again.
6a. Wave to people lining up behind you and smile.
7. Pull out transponder, wave the thing at the toll booth to get green light.
8. Put seat back on, stuff cargo net in jacket, and transponder in pocket.
8a. Make apologetic gesture at the now long, irate line of cars behind you
9. Start bike.
10. Try to get out of the way as quickly as possible. Slip on greasy patch, drop bike.
10a. Gather up the parts that have broken off the bike, make obscene gesture at the people now honking horns at you.
11. Ride away.
Quote from: TurkinaIn NY we have two types. One is the flat, square box you stick above the rear view mirror, and the other is this long, black rectangular thing that usually mounts on a car's front license plate.
I've got the windshield box. (note that I want to use the -same- transponder I have for my car.)
Quote from: TurkinaSome people also take a square transponder, chuck it in their chest pocket, and sit up straight while going through. :dunno:
That would be ideal, but according to
this thread, it doesn't work. :dunno:
I have a NJ EZpass, it might be different where you are. but on the parkway or turnpike, it gets picked up no matter where it is. and im not to worried if it doesnt. there have been times where even in the car on the windsheild in plain view it wouldnt read, but then you just keep going and you get a letter in the mail with a nice picture of the back of your vehicle. I just call them and tell them I have EZ pass and they dont complain.
FastLane violations come with a letter and a fine.
Quote from: BadgerHere's my fear:
1. Attach transponder under seat.
2. Ride up to FastLane booth, slow down.
3. Realize that transponder isn't being recognized
4. Stop suddenly in toll booth, slip on greasy patch, drop bike.
5. Get squashed by SUV or truck.
Voila...no more worries! :nana:
Quote from: pandy5. Get squashed by SUV or truck.
Voila...no more worries! :nana:
Noted.
After some more research, I'm getting the feeling that the issue has less to do with the transponder mounting, but more with the way that the Massachusetts system recognizes the vehicle. It could be the same problem that exists with vehicle-sensing traffic lights.
It seems the way to deal with it is to ignore it and appeal any violations. The common word is that as long as the motorcycle plate is associated with the account and it's in good standing, they will revoke the citation. I saw a couple people post that they don't even bother carrying the transponder with them anymore. :dunno:
Of course, I suppose I could just call them and get the 'official' answer...but where's the fun in that?
Don't worry about the toll booths. Just blow through them with your left hand covering the plate! :lol: :o :mrgreen:
Quote from: TurkinaDon't worry about the toll booths. Just blow through them with your left hand covering the plate! :lol: :o :mrgreen:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I had a good one that read all the time but they called it back.
The one I have now I have to hold over my head being
careful not to cover it with my fingers.
Just make sure you register your bike on your account. If it does not read it's not a problem, they will cross reference your plate to your account and you will still get billed.
I don't have any of that kinda stuff around here. Lucky me! :mrgreen:
This thread makes me glad to live in Seattle, where I haven't been on a toll road in my life :)
(although I suppose the bad traffic makes up for it)
Quote from: syphonThis thread makes me glad to live in Seattle, where I haven't been on a toll road in my life :)
(although I suppose the bad traffic makes up for it)
And how much is a gallon of gasoline there now?
Have no fear...they'll get their money.
I'm in Portland oregon and our regular is $2.29 a gallon
I have a friend who likes to blow by the EZ-passtoll booth at 100+ mph on his gsxr (or so he says, i've never actually witnessed this behavior).
According to my roommate, the cameras that take the pictures of the license plates *supposedly* lack the resolution to get an accurate-enough photo of a bike license plate (especially if it is under your tail, as his is). Personally, I'd take that resolution theory with a grain of salt.
Stopping for a toll sucks... but i have misgivings about giving a govt entity arbitrary access to my bank account. Paying the toll the normal way is not all that much of an inconvenience when in a car, but putting an EZPASS transponder under the windshield of my bike would eliminate the chances of dropping the bike on all the leaked oil under the toll booth....
....HOWEVER this would also mean that i'd have to stop treating the toll-booth gate as my personal race-track color bar! The toll booth is one of the few places you can fully open up the throttle and not have to worry about a speeding ticket on the GS.... its a fun place to burn many-a-car.
Decisions, decisions!
Average retail gas prices (11/14/2005):
By city:
Boston: 2.212
New York City: 2.335
Seattle: 2.487
San Francisco: 2.550
Los Angeles: 2.638
By region:
New England: 2.242
West Coast (excluding CA): 2.486
Gas at the most convenient station to me was $2.19 this morning for 87 octane. My point is simply that at least some of that difference is probably taxes. We pay per use, you pay per gallon. Which is better seems to be a matter of personal preference. :dunno:
$1.97
Blacksburg, VA
I went through this in NH. I called the EZPASS people, and they told me that it doesn't matter where it was carried on the bike. So, I put it in the pocket of my MC jacket for a while. It failed to register at toll booths more often than not. I now have it attached to the windshield of my bike, in the same way that the other ones are on our cars, and I have not had a problem in this configuration.
Gas is about $2.16 here last I looked.
Anyone have experience with the California system? I'm thinking of getting it to make going to SF easier....
8)
I use the Nj EZ-pass, I just carry mine in my tank bag, I have yet to get a letter saying I blew a toll. I see a lot of people with it on the windscreen.
We have the high speed lane now on the AC expresway....no troubles.