My Licensing and Registration Experience

bikedad · Post by **bikedad** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:59 pm

The Modern Buddy forum has been a wonderful resource for me as I was shopping for my first scooter. Now that the Buddy is tucked away in the garage I thought I could share my licensing and registration experience. This is the last bit of information I was looking for but never quite found it all in one place. I initially regarded the licensing and registration process as tedious and cumbersome (which is was) and not worth the effort (but it is!). This hurdle had me squarely in the 49cc market. Thanks to many of the posts here as well as the fantastic information over at www.justgottascoot.com I decided to take the plunge into 125cc territory. I'm glad I did! It didn't hurt that a neighbor was selling his black Buddy 125 with a very nice Prima pipe upgrade. The extra speed means I can keep up with traffic, get some thrills and perhaps even take the 50mph backroads to the office occasionally. It's nice to have options. Of course, I was concerned about the cost of insurance, registration and difficulty of the licensing test. Here's what I've learned (now that I'm fully legal!):

1. Insurance. The new insurance through Allstate is a little over $200 per year. I didn't shop around. This is my long-time agent and I'm not willing to go somewhere else. I'm pretty sure this is a ton of coverage including medical and uninsured motorist. They do offer a discount if you take the motorcycle safety course.
2. Registration. I'm sure this is different in every state. In Colorado I paid $28. I remember it being high in Wisconsin but hey... I got a great public education (all signs to the contrary not withstanding). The whole process took about a half-hour for a new plate and some tags.
3. Licensing. I was nervous about this. Primarily because I really wanted to pass the tests and start riding! From what I've read and friends I've asked, the safetly skills class is the way to go. A couple days in the classroom and you're rewarded with a new license. Unfortunately, with two kids, a new house and a wife in graduate school asking for two solid days at motorcycle school would be like asking for two tickets to paradise (pack your bags we'll leave tonight). So I went for the down and dirty. I printed the motorcycle handbook from the Colorado Department of Revenue. I read this cover to cover several times (because this is my new obsession). There's a lot of good advice packed away in there. I thought I'd be prepared with my driving skills and my experience as a cyclist and bicycle commuter, but there are a lot of motorcycle-specific lessons that had never occurred to me. The last page of the handbook outlines the driving test. Day 1. I headed down to the DMV to take the test. Ugh, the DMV, insert typical comedic rant about employees and your fellow citizens. The bus from central casting must have emptied out just before I got there. 20 minute wait, took the written test. I got one question wrong, something about a group of motorcycles passing a car, where should the first motorcycle position himself after reentering the lane? Wow, you'd have thought I'd never read the manual! (ok, just read it... return to the LEFT position) But oh well, it's a pass. 20 more minutes for a photo and $40 and I've got my permit. I called immediately to schedule the driving test. Day 2, the driving test. Someone told me the driving test was a snap on a scooter. This advice tempered my diligence. I should have practiced. 5 cones spaced 12 feet apart and staggered by two feet didn't sound so bad. At my slow speed I felt like a weeble wobble. I'm able to mountain bike down the hairiest rocky descent but I looked pure amateur hour through the cones. I made it by the skin of my teeth only to overthrottle around the u-turn and blow over the line. On a heavier bike I'm sure I would have dropped it through the cones. The stopping tests were of course a breeze. You absolutely must hang on the tester's every word. During the swerve test I was instructed to accelerate to 15 mph, swerve and STOP AT THE YELLOW LINE. I accellerated to 15 mph, swerved, blew past the yellow line and returned to the tester, smiling, "how'd I do coach?". Well, you can't follow instructions (like I've never heard that before). Luckily, though not pretty, I managed to only get dinged 5 points for the ugly u-turn (something I HAD practiced) and was awarded a license. 20 more minutes at the DMV, $2 and I was good to roll.

So if my math is correct, that's $270 and I'm cruising on my Buddy. $228 of that is recurring yearly.

The DMV experience was a spiritual drain but I'm glad to be legal now. I feel confident riding around town each day. If I can find a good schedule I still believe the skills class is a good idea if only to prepare me for an impromptu obstacle course outing.

If you're trying to decide between 49cc or more I heartily endorse more. I'm sure I'd be having a blast on a 49cc bike, but I find myself up around 45 a lot when cruising with traffic. If you're careful, I also find the extra zip just what's needed for getting out of the way in a sketchy situation. Good shopping!

Now on to modifications. I need saddle bags, a new headlight, assorted chrome racks, a riding jacket, new grips........ whee.

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:14 pm

Great story, CONGRATS!!!

Black's the fastest color no matter the make or model.

The pipe's gotta be NICE!

Glad to see you've already got the modification bug. It never stops even when the wallet/checkbook say no more...you dream and have a list.

that ALWAYS grows!

Welcome, please post photo's of you and the scoot (or just the scoot) and keep us updated on and mod you do to her.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:18 pm

Great detailed post on the DMV skill test; sounds similiar to MN skill test.

Did I read in there the Sharp left turn @ 90 degree angle?

My dealer processed the registration and license plate.

You bought the neighbors black Buddy? If so, does that mean you forfiet the Buddy warranty?

Congrats on passing all tests! Now don't let that "M" endorsement expire...it's solid gold achievement.

scoot50 · Post by **scoot50** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 3:39 am

In Colorado it is only necessary to have uninsured motorist coverage on one vehicle in your family. Uninsured motorist is a large portion of your premium.

sotied · Post by **sotied** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:52 pm

Just a head's up for some registration hiccups...ESPECIALLY in MA and other common-sense-lacking states.

Make sure the dealer and insurance agent fills out all the paperwork EXACTLY as your name and address appears on your license.

I've been to the registry twice now because I go by Jeff and that's on all my credit cards, but my passport and license have my first name (ROBERT) on them.

I was uncerimoniously turned away yesterday and the day before and now have to get notarized documents of all my paperwork before they'll give me my plates.

I was so peeved that I just took all the badging off the scoot so you can't tell it's a 125 so I can at least ride it if the process with the registry takes more than a week. (In MA they give you seven days to get plates and you can ride during this time).

Oh, Safe Rider courses here are around $250, a refresher course (if you have your license already) are $125 or so.

I haven't been on a motorcycle in a while so I'm taking the refresher even though I've had my license for 17 years.

It's a great idea for any rider. Teaches you tricks and techniques and makes you more comfy on the bike. Picture yourself as comfortable as those Harley riders who are riding with just one hand on the bars, sitting back, making out with their girl, eating a sandwich. You know the ones.