Hey all, I was planning on getting some new parts for my bike to get it up to inspection-passing standards and found this site that specifically outlines what they look for in Virginia.

http://www.bikerenews.com/Motorcycle_Inspection.htm

Looks like the exhaust will have to be welded closed, and I'll need some new shoes! 

It makes for pretty interesting reading at the least, and maybe clears up some of that gray area rumor law. One funny one is that turn signals are optional, but if you have them they must work.

I remember around 1990 when I got my first street legal bike(1987 Yamaha XT350). Took it in for inspection at the local Harley shop...

owner: "Everything work?"
me: "Yep"
owner: "Let me get you a sticker."


That shop has grown from a very small building to a huge business. I doubt they'd be so lenient for inspections now since they're rated one of the top dealers in the southeast.

As far as getting your bike inspected you'll want all your lights to work, good brakes and rubber. They may let you slide on the exhaust if it isn't too obnoxious.

I dont know how NOVA is but in Richmond we got shops that check the basic's and move on .  if you have race modefications they will over look it as long as the bike is safe.  bike shops are cool like that and expecially if you are cool with the people there. although I have never had to inspect my bike in the past few years but I just got a ticket for it a few months ago and I just paid 87$ today. so my stupid self is going to get it inspected when I get it back on the road.

well when i got my GS inspected, mind you its still stock, i rode it into the bay .....

beep horn, front turn signals, high beam, front brake peak, fork peak, brake light, rear turn signals, rear brake peak ->let me get you a sticker.

You don't even have to have turn signals but if they are on the bike they have to work.  I am pretty sure that if you had an aftermarket muffler they would look it over.

pay for that sticker man its  only 12.50!!!  and it  helps put money down to keep the roads fixed ! (well ... at least thats what they say on the radio ...)

Yeah thats what I'm hoping for, just a simple check up, and away I go... Only problem is once my Honda MB-5 flunked because the neutral light was out. I guess you never know how people will inspect your bike, I just thought I'd throw that link out there for future searchers since it took me a while to find some real useful information. 

yea I lived in PA- they saw you had 2 wheels and handlebars and said here this year's sticker But seriously it's your a** on the bike...I'd want more than 2 wheels and handlebars to hold on to

MD---HAHA because the state dosn't require yearly inspections it only gets inspected once in the vehicle's ownership....meaning every one of 5 shops near me it's a very intensive...4 of them recorded front rotor thickness, all of them wrote down air pressure(yea you fail for bad pressure no lie been there ) Don't even get me started on reflectors at ever corner...I've tried the "cool" aproach method at the different shops MD dosn't budge


Horns and signals are optional in MD unless their on your bike....then they have to work...so is the rear seat...if you have a rear seat (like on a FZR600) you also have to have passenger pegs...It's funny tho I didn't see a spot to mark down if your helmet (required by law) is DOT approved....Seems like that's what should be inspected