Ohio motorcycle laws
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
You're only screwed if you get caught. There is so much on my bike that is against Japanese law that I could get cited on everything from the bars to the pipes to my plate to the tail lights to the helmet I usually wear. Hell, even my wheels are technically illegal because they don't have a certain stamp on them. But I pull up beside a cop with it's flashers on (meaning "on duty") and they just look over in admiration instead of scrutinization. Pretty funny. I gotta change everything pretty much back to stock every two years, tho, for the mandatory safety & emissions inspection. On the bars I just have to apply for a dimension change at my next inspection. Then they'll be good to go.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
WoW! Your bike is amazing! If I had that, I could care less about the laws here. I'm sure the police wouldn't care either. We would just sit and stare. Very Nice. Just trying to do everything by the book! Gettin older ya know!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
Thanks for the compliment, bro. Means a lot, really. My bike doesn't get a whole lot of love around here, cuz people are prejudiced against the "Duracell bike" colors and the composite rear fender - "if it ain't steel, it ain't real" (or something to that effect).
That's a pretty sick Train you got there, too. I think the drag bars look great on the FXST style bikes. If you want apes, go with shorter ones that put your hands at or just below chest level for maximum comfort and for minimum attention draw from the cops.
That's a pretty sick Train you got there, too. I think the drag bars look great on the FXST style bikes. If you want apes, go with shorter ones that put your hands at or just below chest level for maximum comfort and for minimum attention draw from the cops.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
As a fellow Ohioan, that's what the law says, but not really what happens. Where I'm from the cops generally could give two rat's asses about handlebars and pipes because there are real drug deals and murders going on. I don't know anyone who has gotten a no baffles/high bars/loud pipes ticket.
However, when traveling to and from a few female acquaintance's houses in the nicer parts of town, their PD has a hard on for my loud pipes. They follow me out of their jurisdiction every night I'm up there.
However, when traveling to and from a few female acquaintance's houses in the nicer parts of town, their PD has a hard on for my loud pipes. They follow me out of their jurisdiction every night I'm up there.
Most aftermarket pipes, regardless of the condition of the baffles, exceed the legal maximum decibel level for exhaust systems. Why do you think stock pipes are so quiet? It's not because they want to make them that way, It's because they have to meet DOT regs off the showroom floor.
All that aside, most law doesn't really bother with bars and pipes as long as you're not trying to get away with anything crazy like 30"ers. But it can be an add on ticket if you ever do get stopped for doing something else. Run what you want, just put a little cash aside in the "stupid ticket" fund!
All that aside, most law doesn't really bother with bars and pipes as long as you're not trying to get away with anything crazy like 30"ers. But it can be an add on ticket if you ever do get stopped for doing something else. Run what you want, just put a little cash aside in the "stupid ticket" fund!
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Here's some more laws of Ur state... also from AMA.
Ohio State Motorcycle Laws
Road
Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States
Yes
Daytime Use of Headlight
Modulating headlight permitted per Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, 571.108
Eye Protection
Required by law unless equipped with windscreen; ORC 4511.53 (b)
Handlebar Height
Maximum of 15" above seat; ORC 4511.53 (b)
Helmet Speakers
No Restrictions
Lane Splitting
Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes
Lemon Law Coverage
Yes; PDF - Ohio (OH) Sections 1345.71 to 1345.78 of the Revised Code
Maximum Sound Level
Counties and Townships may adopt regulations that establish Max A-weighted sound level based on measurement at a distance not less than 50 feet from center line of travel:
1)82dBA at 35 mph or less
2)86dBA at more than 35 mph
ORC 4513.221
Mirror Left(L) Right(R)
One required by law; ORC 4513.23
Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane
Yes; ORC 4511.55
Muffler
Required, cut-outs prohibited; ORC 4513.22
Passenger Age Restriction
None
Passenger Footrest
Required if carrying a passenger
Passenger Seat
Required if carrying a passenger; ORC 4511.53 (b)
Periodic Safety Inspection
Required by law - random; ORC 4513.02
Radar Detector
No Restriction
Rider-Education Waiver
Skill Test
Safety Helmet
Helments required by law for novice riders, required under age 18 and for any passenger when the operator is required to wear a helmet; Ohio Revised Code, Title XLV, Chapter 4511, Section 4511.53, b
State Funded Rider Ed
Available for all eligible applicants -required under age 18; Motorcycle Ohio
State Insurance Requirements
Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(12.5/25/7.5)
Turn Signals
Required if manufactured in or after 1968; ORC 4513.26 (2)
From the link below..
gives state by state laws...
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...spx?stateid=35
.
Ohio State Motorcycle Laws
Road
Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States
Yes
Daytime Use of Headlight
Modulating headlight permitted per Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, 571.108
Eye Protection
Required by law unless equipped with windscreen; ORC 4511.53 (b)
Handlebar Height
Maximum of 15" above seat; ORC 4511.53 (b)
Helmet Speakers
No Restrictions
Lane Splitting
Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes
Lemon Law Coverage
Yes; PDF - Ohio (OH) Sections 1345.71 to 1345.78 of the Revised Code
Maximum Sound Level
Counties and Townships may adopt regulations that establish Max A-weighted sound level based on measurement at a distance not less than 50 feet from center line of travel:
1)82dBA at 35 mph or less
2)86dBA at more than 35 mph
ORC 4513.221
Mirror Left(L) Right(R)
One required by law; ORC 4513.23
Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane
Yes; ORC 4511.55
Muffler
Required, cut-outs prohibited; ORC 4513.22
Passenger Age Restriction
None
Passenger Footrest
Required if carrying a passenger
Passenger Seat
Required if carrying a passenger; ORC 4511.53 (b)
Periodic Safety Inspection
Required by law - random; ORC 4513.02
Radar Detector
No Restriction
Rider-Education Waiver
Skill Test
Safety Helmet
Helments required by law for novice riders, required under age 18 and for any passenger when the operator is required to wear a helmet; Ohio Revised Code, Title XLV, Chapter 4511, Section 4511.53, b
State Funded Rider Ed
Available for all eligible applicants -required under age 18; Motorcycle Ohio
State Insurance Requirements
Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(12.5/25/7.5)
Turn Signals
Required if manufactured in or after 1968; ORC 4513.26 (2)
From the link below..
gives state by state laws...
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...spx?stateid=35
.
Last edited by oct1949; Aug 13, 2012 at 08:25 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,742
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From: Jamestown, CA
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
unless you are doing something really stupid you probably will never get stopped or if so be polite and they will usually give you a warning. Most police officers are cool to bikers if you act respectful and dont do stupid crap in front of them. Put the apes on stay at shoulder hieght so not to draw too much attention and ride sensibly.