Smoked Lenses Now Illegal!!!

[ThunderBueller]

Originally Posted by wtf6316

It is up to the individual to know the law. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Considering the quantity of them these days I'm thinking that unless one is an expert ignorance is pretty much going to be a factor. By leo's as well as civilians. I got yelled at for not displaying a license tag on the rear of my semi-tractor one night by a local cop. (Not required in MN, state only issues one, for the front) I argued with him about it knowing I was right hoping he would write a citation for it. I guess he prevailed though by writing one for blowing a red light instead, no law to argue in court just his word against mine, something I'd never win.

[tdkkart]

Wow, lots of direct contradictions in the laws quoted here. So far we've see lights/ and or reflectors being visible from 300,600, or 1000ft, which is it??

Reflectors must be red with light shined on them, the LIGHT emitted from a taillight or brake light must appear red or amber, neither statement says what color the LENSE of the light must be when the light or reflector is not activated.

If you look at various state and federal laws, there a lot of motorcycles that do not meet the laws FROM THE FACTORY. Most rear fenders on crotch rockets, older Wide Glides and the new sportsters do not meet our state laws. Many state laws contain handlebar measurements based on height above the seat cushion, according to those laws the stock handlebars on my Ultra Classic were illegal.
I see the new Sportster "72" has a fold-away license plate, I'd imagine for "display purposes only" which I'm sure is illegal in most states.

"Shoddy" wiring??? By who's definition?? I see it all he time, but if it's working who's to say it's bad or good??

[wtf6316]

O wait a minute. If you feel you are wronged take it to court. There are alot of local cops and I mean no disrespect to any of them, but they are not as well trained. I was a city cop and sheriff deputy before. So I know. I have made mistakes and I always make the person write there number on the citation. I have called a person and told them I took the citation out of the system because I was wrong. Cops are people and make mistakes.

Now for the different quotes. I can help. different states = different laws. But the best thing to do is get the current laws for your state off of the internet. They also should post all laws changes and new laws when they take effect. Do not take someones word on it. If it is published on the states website then it is legit. I carry a Law book in the car. If I am uncertain of something or someone asks me a question I look it up.

[faceracer]

Originally Posted by wtf6316

Here is the best I can do. All state laws mirror Federal Transportation Laws. But a state can add its own laws. Harley would not be able to sell the bike if it did not meet the reqiremnts of that years laws. However if your bike is 2010 and the laws changed in 2012 and harley made new taillights for that year then they were still in compliance for the 2010 model. Most aftermarket parts have on the box for off road and show only not street legal. most just ignore it and install the parts

I'll tell you this. Any level darker than what came from the factory is illegal. If you made an alteration to factory installed tail lights. As delivered from the factory, your vehicle met all applicable Federal DOT and Texas standards. Your modifications changed that.

Though actually making a traffic stop for this violation, or issuing a citation, warning, or repair order for it, may be at the officers discretion as with all violations.

Thanks for Clearing that up. Last thing I need is to be ticketed for my factory lighting! FACE

[JJSW1283]

+1 for not having to live in tx and deal with their bs lighting laws!

[L-Premo]

And some thought I was crazy to volunteer for Korea to get out of Tx back in '88.

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by wtf6316

Here is my reply to that. I am also a soldier who has served in Iraq and I am in Afghanistan as I type. You are free. I take care of that. When Im home and you break the law. I then take care of that. You wont be hassled if you dont break the laws of your state. As far as your signature of ride fast and take chances. Good luck in that. Working motorcycle fatalities is always a great way to start the day.

It is up to the individual to know the law. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Look I am not there as you are typing this but it seems you are getting a little heated. This is just the internet and folks say things on here that they don't really mean or are taken wrong. Your some where it is easy to get heated up. So relax and just offer your advise and leave it at that.

I like everyone else and I'm sure you included don't like to be hassled over something that "YOU" feel is stupid. It could be your 1SG raggin on you about your hair cut, or it could be a cop having a bad day pulling you over cause he feels you were driving too fast for conditions. There are tons of things we all can say we want to be "FREE" from.

I like to ride fast sometimes too but as I have aged I have learned to choose the when and where better. Your not the only one here who has defended others freedom. If you go down to the military section there are a lot of us who have served.

Thanks for what your doing and make it home safe.

[wtf6316]

I am not heated. People just need to realize there are laws. You may not agree with it but you have to obey it. If you dont there are consequences. Laws change every year. Like Tint laws. One year it is one % the next they lowered it. But last year you got a ticket because its to dark and now it legal after you changed it. Lights are the same way. You can have different lights on your bike as long as they meet the requirements.

[laxinharley]

Ct has had the stupid smoked lens law for years. On both my bikes I have had them and none of the cops say much. Could they? Absolutley. On my last bike I had 21" apes. Also illegal in CT but they never really hassled me other than a few that just wanted to run my info and make sure I was clean. I was let off with a warning. Probably because I was polite and didn't say what I wanted to. When my recall was done for my brake switch, it melted my rear smoked lens. The dealer by law couldn't give me those as a replacement it had to be the red ones. Did I bitch and complain, no I just spent another 30 bucks. What are you gonna do??

[Wildman]

Originally Posted by wtf6316

I am not heated. People just need to realize there are laws. You may not agree with it but you have to obey it. If you dont there are consequences. Laws change every year. Like Tint laws. One year it is one % the next they lowered it. But last year you got a ticket because its to dark and now it legal after you changed it. Lights are the same way. You can have different lights on your bike as long as they meet the requirements.

I don't think anyone at anytime said that they didn't know there were laws. And everyone here is an adult even if some of us choose not to act like one. So that means we all know if we do something wrong and get caught there will be consequences. I know most everyone is thankful for you sharing your experiance and knowledge. And everyone is also thankful for your service as most here are a pretty patriotic bunch. But what none of us are is kids and we don't need a lecture from dad. Because your a law enforcement officer you view things in a different way than others. Being a soldier who has seen combat makes you view things differently too.

I am trying to be nice and suggest you lighten up just a little. Some of us break the law everyday and others once a month maybe. Some do it knowingly while others have no idea. But we all have the "RIGHT" to come on here and bitch about a stupid law or a new law we feel is stupid. Or bitch about some dumba$$ cop who pulled us over for doing 100+ in a 25. It really doesn't matter what the complant is about some folks just like to vent. And some like to voice all their anger at the "MAN". It ain't personal.

I have a Jeep that everytime I drive it is a moving violation for about 5 thiings at least. Most of them I think are stupid laws. I know what I am doing and I'll take the ticket if I get one.
I'm the same way with speeding. I have had 5 speeding tickets in my life and have paid each and everyone of them because I knew I was wrong. My last ticket I faught and won because I was written up for "Driving too Fast for Conditions". I didn't get in a accident nor did I loose control of my vehicle. The cop was just having a bad day and took it out on me. He was very unprofessional and yelled at me in front of my wife and kid.

Please don't get wrapped around the axle over this and keep your head in the game over there. You don't need any distractions.