Antique Plates?

I saw this come up in another thread today, and I have always been curious about this issue. Does anyone here have their motorcycle registered as an antique vehicle?

As I understand it, Texas charges $50 for a five year registration that requires no annual safety inspection, and I believe, no insurance requirements. The intent is that the vehicle should not be driven regularly. More for driving to car shows, parades, etc.

My father-in-law has an old Harley registered this way, and he rides it frequently. He says that he's never been questioned by the authorities about this. Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experience, or if I'm totally off base on the inspection/insurance.

Yeah, I have been considering it...just haven't gotten around to actually doing it. My understanding is that it may not be the State of Texas that has issues with putting too many miles on the bike, but rather the insurance company (as it will be insured as an antique/collector motorcycle)...as it is a mileage restricted motorcycle (although I don't know how either entity could possibly check as there is no mechanism to report mileage and you could be attending a colossal number of antique motorcycle shows )

I am absolutely doing this with my bike as I transfer my plate to my new bike and getting the antique for the old one. Do it and don't look back. As far as insurance, I'd probably at least carry liability but I have been riding dirty since I began riding 24 years ago with the exception of a couple years. I have always given them my insurance card from my automobile and they never had an issue with it. Technically each and every time you are riding it you are "showing it or riding it to mechanic" if they ask. It's just a one bike show. lol They don't care, I see all the time antique plates on cars that are daily drivers. How are they going to prove you aren't taking your car to mechanic or to an actual show? There is no way any cop will give you a hard time about that one. I know I wouldn't be pulling anyone over that spent his hard earned cash keeping up an old vehicle much less keep up on all the events around.

That sounds like some similar experience that I have read on some hot rod forums. My KZ is registered on a normal plate, but that little Suzuki that I just bought might just get an antique vehicle tag. $50 every five years sure sounds better than $40 every year. Especially when it it's my third motorcycle. :ohmy:

I wonder if any members here are LEO's? Would be good to know their take on this.

I have an antique plate on my 68' triumph and my 69' firebird here in Illinois, same deal on both $6 a year you must buy it for the 6 year cycle so $36 for 6 years. If the state is say 2 years into its cycle you pay $6 a year for the remaining 4 years till the end of the cycle. still have to have insurance. I have been pulled over in the firebird and ticketed for improper registration because I was not going to or from a parade or car show, but the court dismissed it because a car/bike is a machine and as such it must be "exercised" inorder to maintain it properly and protect my investment. So, there are loop holes built into the system. you may get hassled once in awhile by one of "those" kinda cops but I don't sweat it!

i think i paid $38.00 for my antique tag here in mississippi. i NEVER have to buy another tag for it

mine is classified as antique but I dont know if I can get a tag for it specifically, i do know I never have to haveit inspected again, that is after the DMV inspector certifies it :woohoo:

testarossa wrote:

That sounds like some similar experience that I have read on some hot rod forums. My KZ is registered on a normal plate, but that little Suzuki that I just bought might just get an antique vehicle tag. $50 every five years sure sounds better than $40 every year. Especially when it it's my third motorcycle. :ohmy:

I wonder if any members here are LEO's? Would be good to know their take on this.

alright I'll ask ...LEO ???

edit I got it Law enforcement official

OK, I'll bite... In my previous life I don't know of anyone that hassled folks for "antique" classified plates. If you can get them past the DMV, then you should be good to go as far as most reasonable cops are concerned.

Now...If you live in a small town where the cops know you, and see you riding everyday? Well, it might get you a comment or two. I imagine every state is different, but in Washington State they are to be used for to and from shows, "testing", and for the "enjoyment of others without financial compensation", whatever that means.

In 18 years, I never saw a citation issued for a violation on this.

Caveat... Young rookie cop + jackass rider = gonna find something wrong to write him up for.

Oh yeah, state troopers are in their own little world and are capable of writing anything if they're bored or low on "contacts".

My conclusion is that if you can get them and save yourself a few bucks, go for it

Oh yeah, Josh, you're screwed man, they will stop you just to get a closer look at that amazing bike. I would have :laugh:

Thanks for the real experience Marneman. I live in a suburb of Houston, so the likelyhood of crossing paths with the same officer is low. My father-in-law gets away with it in a small town, but he rides with the guy who used to be the Police Chief, and knows most of the local PD. I'm sure that has some influence.

Anyway, I registered the KZ normally. I'm still on the fence about what to do with that GS750. That's the one that I'm considering this for.

You are bringing back bad memories of High School for me. When I used to drive that 1967 Ranchero. I would get pulled over all the time for looksies. Heaven forbid that I had a license plate light out. I don't remember ever getting a ticket in that car, but I sure got stopped a lot.

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