This mite be kinda weird question, so bear with me, Does the inspection sticker have to be mounted on your bike and visible in Virginia, or can you just have it, and show it, if by chance you get pulled over. I ask because I installed my lower Fairings today, and had to remove the inspection sticker plate, it was rubbing against the fairing on left side, cannot really find another good place to mount it.

 

Mine is mounted on a plate that is attached to one of the bolts for the pivot of the rear swing arm on the left side. It's visible, but you got to look for it. I also have a sport bike and it's mounted on one of the front forks in the fairing and isn't visible, both were put where they are by a dealer. It may not need to to visible, but I bet it has to be attached to the bike.

http://lmgt4u.com/?q=Are+motorcycle+...le+in+Virginia

 

The law requires that it be displayed. According to the Virginia Motorcycle Law Group's website (a great resource for Va law relating to motorcycles-- http://www.motorcyclevirginia.com/statutes.aspx ) Virginia Code section 46.2-1163 provides "If the vehicle is a motorcycle, the approval sticker may be placed on a plate securely fastened to the motorcycle for the purpose of displaying the sticker or in any other location designated by the Superintendent." According to that website the Superintendent has designated the left side of the motorcycle.

On my Sportster it was down at left side of the bottom of the frame, oriented sideways and facing forward and usually was covered with road grime (and therefore illegible). (See photo). I commented to one of the service guys at my dealer and he said that Law Enforcement Officers don't even know where to look for them on bikes because they can be anywhere. The service guy told me that alot of people do exactly what you suggest and just carry it in their saddlebags. If challenged, they pull it out and tell the LEO that is fell off and that they haven't had the opportunity to put it back on.

On my RKC it is to the rear of the derby cover, partially behind the headpipe for the left side muffler and also obscured by the passenger floor board. You can hide it almost anywhere. (See the photo)

 

Maine will be trying a new idea this year with theirs.....
A much smaller version to be attached to the license plate,
in one of the corners.

 

I ride with guys that have never had a inspection, I may gamble and just carry it on the bike.

 

mines up high in front of the engine on the upper engine guard bolt.

 

To the OP--I edited my previous post and gave you the Virginia statute and photos of where they were on my bikes to give you some ideas of where you can stick it if you decide to mount it.

 

Inspection sticker must be attached to the vehicle by the inspector at time of inspection in Va...

 

I'm not putting no stickers on my bike! Haven't for years!

 

On my Ultra Limited, mine is in the same area as TDKurt has his on his Road King. When I had a Dyna, I had a plate attached where the highway pegs attached to the frame. I do have my county sticker (proof that I paid the personal property tax) on the left fork leg, since the only time I have every been stopped on a bike is when one of Fairfax County's finest could not see my county sticker