did you tell them that she can hold onto your love handles? That's where my wife holds on.

There is a strap on the seat of many european models of motorcycles, but I haven't seen any on USA versions recently. I'd ask them for the specific MV code there are stopping you under, then remember state rules cannot trump federal rules for motor vehicles. If the Feds do not require it, then the state cannot add it in. Max

Max_Morley wrote on 12/05/10 at 09:42:36:

Not so. If your local regulations are more stringent than federal regulations you're required to follow local regulations. Try getting inspected in california and explaning that you dont need CA emissions equipment because the federal govt doesnt require it. And im pretty sure you're required federally to have hand holds for passengers on MCs, its just never enforced.

BurnPgh wrote on 12/05/10 at 10:00:47:


If your bike is not registered in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, they can not hold you to certain requirements as long as you're a non-resident. I worked in Kalifornia for 156 days and had to get a safety inspection on my 1979 F-100. No emissions on the truck at all (Va doesn't require it on trucks as mandatory till 1984 and then only on 1/2 ton truck till 1987). No converter, no air pump. Since it was registered in Va, I was null to the visual as well as the sniffer aspect of the inspection.

If it didn't come with it from the factory, it isn't needed. All the bike has to do is pass the NHSTAB safety requirements for that year, and that year alone. There are very few bikes that come with 'grab rails' as standard equipment anymore. And the little leather strap on the seat is for jackets/clothing/small parcels, not as a means of passenger restraint. State law does not dictate safety equipment standards on motor vehicles....only the use of factory installed safety equipment. You don't have to have a seat area for a passenger to ride one on the back, but you must have passenger pegs. NHSTAB required all road going motorcycles to have left side shift/right side brake controls starting in 1975....does that mean that all pre 1975 Sportsters and Brit bikes have to be converted?? Hell no, same with a 'grab rail'. In Virginia, we don't have to run any lights in the day time-as long as the bike came from the factory with a separate on off switch or uses non-factory parts. We also do not have to run a front brake on any motorcycle made before 1972.... All you have to do is go to a dealer and see how many bikes have 'grab rails' as standard equipment or go to your state website and look at the safety inspection requirements for motorcycles-there will be an exclusion date for any 'new' laws. And campus police have state police powers, they know nothing of federal laws....if they did, you'd be wearing a green reflective belt (40 square inches minimum and can be seen for 360*) ............

FL Requires the following:
Passenger Seat Required if carrying a passenger
Passenger Footrest Required if carrying a passenger
Passenger Age Restriction None

"And Dat's the Name of Dat Tune!"

Fuzz? What year is this?

did they cite you for it and if so how much was it? Seems that they are trying to get you no matter what.

Why? Make them show ya the law.. dont let them just start making up new laws. Theyll have ya walking backwards & humming a tune if you dont make them obey the law.