I guys I'm new here and at riding bikes , legally anyway . I was wondering is getting your bike inspected like getting a car inspected . I work at aplace that inspects cars and I don't agree at all how it's done , selling people stuff they really don't need . I don't no nothing about motorcyles at all to be honest with you , but the bike seems to be all good . I guess I'm just wondering what to expect . I already messed up and put it on the road and then I found out that I have to turn around and do it again next month , every april I did not no that . I have been riding on my permit for now till I get my road test done , just getting used to the bike a little . But I seem to have very bad luck with the police so I try not to go to far .
That depends.. What state do you live in?
Aside from the legal aspect, check the tires, brakes, suspension, oil, all lights and all that stuff. The basics. Make sure everything is operating properly and you should be ok.
There are a million things that they can fail a bike for, but plenty of dealerships just make sure your lights, turn signals, tire tread, horn, and brake light work. Then they'll take it for a quick spin around the block and give you a sticker. If you take it to a fancier kind of shop they'll definitely go through it in detail and try to sell you some parts. If you go to a smaller shop, they're probably not gonna hassle you.
+1.
Check out your local DOT codes for inspection or go to a place that does it and ask them for specifics. And whatever you do, be as nice as possible at all times if you talk to a shop. Sometimes they will let stuff slide if you are gonna take care of it soon.
Going to a dealership is definitely the wrong way to go. Just find a smaller shop somewhere. The place I took the GS to last year was a custom HD kind of shop. I think my gs was the least of their worries, not to mention no one there wants to waste their time doing regular maintenance work on a 500cc suzuki so they're not gonna nitpick.
Oh ya, that reminds me: try to ask somebody with a similar bike as you where they got it inspected and how it went. There is a shop local to me that is an absolute nightmare.
I searched for "NY Motorcycle inspection requirements" on Google, and this is what the NY DMV site says:
A MOTORCYCLE MUST HAVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER:
- Approved lights, including headlight, taillight, stop lamp and license plate lamp, at least one red reflector on the rear and directional signals if the motorcycle was originally equipped with directionals or is a 1985 or newer model.
- Brakes, on 1971 and newer motorcycles brakes are required on both wheels.
- A horn or other warning device.
- At least one rearview mirror mounted on a handle bar, although mirrors on both handlebars are strongly recommended.
- A suitable muffler, "cutouts" or mufflers with removable baffles are prohibited.
- Suitable handlebars that place the operator's hands no higher than the operator's shoulders when seated in the riding position.
- A seat for the operator and a passenger seat in the rear if a passenger is carried (no more than one passenger is permitted)
I unfortantly don't no anybody else with a bike , and I to have been reading up on the subject . But I hear alot about things they can find wrong , like fork seals and all that good stuff . And not nowing a darn thing about it I figured I would ask for your opionon . The bike is inspected till april , and it's like new the only thing not stock is the blue headlight I installed but the park light is still stock . Do they sell the blue park light ? I've searched and searched but I haven't came up with nothing yet . Thanks guys for all your advise .
If the inspection station gives you any BS about ANYTHING not included in the "required" checklist provided by the NY state, call the DMV on your cell phone right in front of the shop owner and as you are dialing, just politely say, that you are about to report them. The fear of losing their "Official Inspection Station" license will quickly make them nicer to you. If your bike passes the state checklist, there is no reason for it to fail the test and no reason for any shop to give you BS over it or try to sell you crap you don't need.
Ok I just found out that the shop that I go to four my quad parts also does bike inspections . I just called them to make a appiontment and they said no need just drive it there during store hours . And these guys are great to deal with , Ive been going there for years . They are SSR POWERSPORTS I had no Idea that they did inspections though . I should be good , thanks for the advise .