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[X Marks the Spot]

Hello Texas X Riders.  I just moved to San Antonio from Phoenix, AZ.  I am about to register my '04 1300c and have a few questions.  How strict are the inspections?  Do you think they will ding me for not having a reflector on the back?  Also, where are you required to display the inspection sticker?  Never lived in a state with these...

Thanks for your help!

[hooter]

where are you required to display the inspection sticker?

By law, under the LP. Lot of people mount it on the swing arm or that area and seem to get away with it.

How strict are the inspections

Generally speaking,TOUGH

Do you think they will ding me for not having a reflector on the back?

There's supposed to be something there. How strickly this inforced is up to the inspector or the inspection station.

[Morgan Buchanan]

I've been inspected twice, with the inspect sticker on the opposite side of the bike from the license plate with no issues, personally (and it was inspected at different dealers each time.)  Just my own mileage.  I don't have any reflectors on the back of my bike at all.

[skipppy75]

welcome
where are you located? Houston/Dallas/Austin??

I had them put my inspection sticker inside the left plastic cover where the tool bok access is.
I have been pulled over, but no ticket or anything and was just asked if everything was up to date.
If a cop doesn't ask then don't give them more information than what they requested

Never has a problem with the inspection station

just depends on where you go to get it inspected.
If you list where you live someone maybe able to point you to an inspection station where they have never had a problem.

[hooter]

 Texas Motorcycle Laws
Table of Contents

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/txmclaws.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Chapter 1 General Information
Chapter 2 Vehicles and Equipment
Chapter 3 Driver License
Chapter 4 Registration
Chapter 5 Helmet
Chapter 6 Motorcycle Safety Program
Chapter 7 Miscellaneous Laws
Chapter 8 Administrative Rules

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Chapter 1
General Information
 

TRC §548.255.

ATTACHMENT OR PRODUCTION OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATE.

(a) An inspection certificate shall be attached to or produced for a vehicle in the manner required by department rule.

(b) The department shall:

(1) require that a certificate for a motorcycle be attached to the rear of the motorcycle near the license plate; and(2) adopt rules with respect to display of an inspection certificate for a moped.

TRC §547.801.

LIGHTING EQUIPMENT.

(a) A motorcycle, including a motor-driven cycle, shall be equipped with:

(1) not more than two headlamps mounted at a height from 24 to 54 inches;

(2) at least one taillamp mounted at a height from 20 to 72 inches;

(3) a taillamp or separate lamp to illuminate the rear license plate that complies with the requirements of Sections 547.322(f) and (g);

(4) at least one stoplamp that complies with the requirements of Section 547.323(d); and

(5) at least one rear red reflector that complies with the requirements of Section 547.325(b) and may be included as a part of the taillamp.

Kind of hard to argue with what the law states and you trying to get your first time state inspection I believe I'd read this and not follow hear say, or what somebody else gets away with, but you can do what you want.

By the way WELCOME TO TEXAS AND THE TXR's BOARD

[txgaboy]

    Welcome to Texas, and the board!!   Put it on the X !!!

[MRVTX]

I've inspected mine four years in a row, with no reflectors on the license plate area.  I have an inspection sticker mount made by Claw from our board, and it is mounted on the lower left shock bolt.  I've had no issues, and I'm usually in and out in under 10 minutes.  They check the turn signals, brake light & horn! 

[bigdogsgal]

I've never had one and it hasn't been an issue.  I can tell you that recently someone said that to me so one of the screws that holds the license plate on is a reflector. 

geri

[ViciousNoob]

I had to have them on the back. I got the little 1" ones that are used to attach the license plate. they worked fine.

[hipshot]

Because most automobiles have the reflectors incorporated into the taillamp lenses, many inspectors assume that the motorcycle taillamp lenses also incorporate the reflectors, and don't check for them.

[Morgan Buchanan]

Actually, I must stand corrected.  My license plate frame has a brake light that has a red reflector on it.  And while my inspection sticker isn't on the same side as my LP, it's clearly visible from the rear and it's just on the opposite end of the axle so I would think that qualifies as "near" which this very ambiguous law states.

[wwaggett]

I've inspected mine four years in a row, with no reflectors on the license plate area.  I have an inspection sticker mount made by Claw from our board, and it is mounted on the lower left shock bolt.  I've had no issues, and I'm usually in and out in under 10 minutes.  They check the turn signals, brake light & horn! 

I have done my inspections at Jiffy Lube the past couple of years. They make me ride across the parking lot to make sure the brakes work, they test the turn signals and brake light. That is all.

On another note, I would not take my car to Jiffy Lube for inspection, they are very anal about everything.

[hooter]

Ok I agree that a normal inspection for us locals, so to say, are basically in and out situations. Ok heres X marks the spot with an out of state bike may run into a more rigerious and detailed inspection than you or I for the first time. The local Mom and Pop's inspection station may not know the law, he just wants you in and out. On the same hand a lot of LEO's may not actually know the law either for inspection sticker placement on a motorcycle and just sees one somewhere or knows you've got one somewhere and doesn't mess with ya. This is just my $.02 and take it for what it's worth, read the laws, it might save some time and a lot of disapointments later.

[skipppy75]

X Marks the spot

another thing is to make sure you get your bike inspected before you go to regester it or you will have to wait in line twice at the resigstra's office.
Make sure you get the out of state document/slip that the inspection station needs to give you also don't bend or fold it since some registration offices will not except a creased paper.
Don't ask me how I know

[SouthernXer]

X Marks the spot

another thing is to make sure you get your bike inspected before you go to regester it or you will have to wait in line twice at the resigstra's office.
Make sure you get the out of state document/slip that the inspection station needs to give you also don't bend or fold it since some registration offices will not except a creased paper.
Don't ask me how I know

+1, if you fold that green piece of paper up and put it in your pocket you might as well have just flushed it down the crapper.     Those ladies at vehicle registration are direct decendents of Hitler when it comes to this.