Even though it is smaller than passenger cars, a motorcycle can still be a complex piece of machinery. It is incumbent upon you to maintain it in roadworthy condition. Your motorcycle is subject to safety inspections, just like motor vehicles are. Beforehand, you need to know what is covered during the inspection, so you can properly maintain your bike. If you do not perform proper motorcycle maintenance, you may be judged to be partially or completely at fault for a motorcycle accident that has injured you.
Below is what you can expect to be covered during a motorcycle safety inspection.
Inspection Requirements for Pennsylvania Motorcycles
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that motorcycles be inspected on an annual basis. The inspection sticker that you would receive if your bike passes is valid for one year. You can get your bike inspected at any time during the year, but you cannot go past the deadline. You can be pulled over and fined if your motorcycle has not been properly inspected, and you could be ordered to pay for repairs.
What Must Be Inspected on Your Bike?
To obtain a motorcycle inspection, you would take your bike to an authorized mechanic. They would perform a comprehensive evaluation in accordance with the requirements published by the state. Pennsylvania has released an 11-page manual that specifies everything that is inspected. Everything must be in proper working order for your motorcycle to pass inspection.
Here are some of the things that are included in a motorcycle inspection in Pennsylvania:
- Suspension: A motorcycle shall be equipped with a suspension system on at least the front wheel, and the suspension system shall be effective in reducing road shock and shall be designed for the purpose of maximizing the vehicle’s stability.
- Steering: The inspection evaluates both the design and construction of the steering mechanism, whether it is handlebars or a wheel.
- Braking System: The inspector looks at the design and functioning of the braking system to ensure that it is in proper operating order.
- Tires: The inspector is evaluating both the type of tire that is on your bike and the condition of your existing two tires. For example, they are looking at the depth of the tread and whether the tire could be at an increased risk of a blowout.
- Lighting and Electrical Systems: Every required lamp or switch shall be in a safe operating condition. The inspector will check both the headlights and other electrical systems on the bike.
- Glazing: The windscreen is a crucial part of the motorcycle. It protects the driver from the wind while also allowing them to see the road. The inspector will check the condition of the windscreen and the glazing that is used to ensure that the biker is still able to see.
- Mirrors: The mirrors are checked to see whether they are cracked, if they can hold an adjustment, and if they have a minimum amount of reflective surface.
- Exhaust System: A motorcycle shall be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise-suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation. There may not be any modifications that can increase the level of noise that a motorcycle makes.
These are just some of the many things that are inspected on an annual basis. The inspector largely performs a visual inspection. They can refuse to issue your sticker if your motorcycle does not pass. Then, you may need to get modifications or repairs for your bike to pass a subsequent inspection.
Remember, it is your obligation to ensure that your motorcycle is in a roadworthy condition. You may be blamed for a motorcycle accident if your bike was not in proper operating condition.
Contact a Norristown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Bikers Have Rights if You Are Seeking Compensation for Your Motorcycle Crash Injuries
A Norristown motorcycle accident lawyer at Bikers Have Rights can provide you with key legal assistance if you have been injured in a crash. We know what you are going through because we ride too. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call today at 877-333-0300. Located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.