Questions on getting antique plates for the Valks

[Jess from VA]

Of course this varies by State DMV rules.

VA allows you to go antique plates after 25 years (but before 1 January of the current year).  So even though all '99 Interstates will be 25 this year (I have 2), none were 25yo BEFORE 1 January.  So I have to wait another year.  

VA allows antique vehicles to go with no personal property taxes, no annual safety inspections, and no more annual plate renewals (GREAT).

But VA has a rule that you can't go farther than 250 miles (from home or garage) which is stupid.  It's just a civil infraction ticket (that you would be unlikely to earn), and even if you did, you just pay the ticket as a cost of doing business.  And it's a VA rule, so no other state could enforce the VA 250 mile rule.  I don't know if such ticket could result in loss of antique plates.

Then there's the insurance angle.  I did some research years ago, but none lately, but I seem to recall insurance companies putting a low annual mileage limit on antique licensed vehicles.  Like maybe only some hundreds of miles a year.  In 50 years of riding, I've never carried more than low liability and uninsured motorists on any motorcycle, even a brand new one (bought with cash).  And I've never been sorry once.  The biggest liability risk on any motorcycle is to a passenger, and I NEVER carry one.

I'm not sure how an insurance company can track your mileage, but they may require you state your current mileage at policy purchase and renewals.  

Ignoring a DMV 250 mile distance limit for your plates is one thing, but no one would ever want to put themselves in a position of being denied insurance coverage (especially liability), even though the chances of getting sued for liability are very slim.  At risk is everything you own.  

But if I was limited to only some hundreds of miles per year for antique plate insurance, I would not get antique plates at all.  That's a deal breaker.

Any personal experience, thoughts, comments on this issue?

Any '97 or '98 Valks with antique plates out there?

[Oldfishguy]

Yes, and complicated.

Every state is different, and you have done your research.  I have had “Classic” plates on my 2001 Valkyrie since the spring of 2021 in Minnesota (20 year minimum).  No annual renewal fees.  I have done numerous motorcycles and cages over the years.  And every time at the DMV I get the lecture about only for parades, shows, and special events.  (We have no mileage limit from home)

I was stopped one night close to home in my 1997 Range Rover because I have a decorative surround (US Army) around my Classic plate.  Apparently it is not allowed to have any of the plate covered.  It became apparent quickly the Officier was looking for a DUI stop; I quickly disappointed him on that prospect.  And then, he asked me: “So you use classic plates, because you can??”  My response was humbly, “Yes”.  And I was on my way.  This vehicle is used on average two days a week.  I know if I used this vehicle every day for work or other it would be a problem.  As I have said before on this forum, just don’t take advantage of it and I think you will be fine.  Arguable, I know.

As far as insurance, I use Hagerty on multiple bikes.  They were reluctant to insure it as it is newer than what they normally do.  But since I constantly have multiply 1970’s bikes insured (six plus at times) they took the Valkyrie too.  And  collector/classic insurance is cheap, so cheap.  And that for stated values, zero deductible comp and collision.  No milage limit.  Hagerty is widely used by the classic vehicle population, highly respected.  Maybe at some point here they will take all our Valkyries; it is definitely worth the call to try every year.

Our machines are quickly moving in to the “Classic” stage of life.  They are moving pieces of art, that are reliable as the day they rolled out of Marysville.  Why not recognize the machine for what it is though, a timeless classic.  

[Jess from VA]

I'm not finished studying but I've discovered that many offering antique insurance do so upon an "agreed value."  Our Valks are not classic cars worth huge money, more like $5K and under.  And some of these outfits apparently allow you to pick an annual mileage limit (2K, 5K, 10K) and pay for it.

It also occurs to me that you could get an antique plate, but lay off antique insurance and just stick with your regular coverage.  The antique ins will be cheaper, but could be too restrictive.

[Rams]

Mississippi, I have looked and can't find any restrictions on motorcycles for antique tags with the exception of the bike must be 25 years old.   The county tag agent will check date of production and if the bike qualifies an Antique Tag will be issued.   This is the last tag to be required by Mississippi as long as the bike/owner reside in MS.

Currently, I have two Valks with Antique Tags with the third coming up for renewal this month and it will get an Antique Tag.   All bikes are insured and my insurance company has never enquired as to annual mileage with the exception of when I first got the insurance and was asked the expected annual mileage and who else might ride the bike(s).

I have never considered "Antique" insurance, I carry full coverage with an increased heath coverage incase of an "incident".   Don't ask why............... 

Rams

[Chrisj CMA]

When I registered my Austin Healey the model year was 1992 so I automatically got the antique plate. In Florida it’s 30 years to get the antique plate. Since the original owner did not put the mileage on the first registration, I’m not required to track or disclose mileage. In fact the speedometer died and I replaced it so now it shows a bit over 1,000 miles.

I too have Hagartys on the car and I really do drive it as intended for weekend pleasure rides and car shows/events. However, the DMV told me there are no mileage restrictions for this plate.

Another bonus for living in a free state I suppose. lol

[Serk]

I got Texas antique plates on my '98 Standard fist thing beginning of last year. There was no question of production date or when it was first titled (I bought it brand new out of the crate late in 2000, but it's a 1998 model year), they went on model year alone and were fine with it.

The exact verbiage of the restrictions in Texas are:

I certify I am the owner of the above-described vehicle, and as statutorily required, I also certify the frame, body, and motor are at least 25 years old; the vehicle is a collector’s item that will be used solely for exhibition, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest; it is not a replica or aftermarket vehicle; will not be used for daily transportation except when routine maintenance is needed; and will not carry advertising.

I figure any time a bike as unique and beautiful as a Valkyrie parks somewhere in public, it's an exhibition and a function of public interest, and I'm going with that. I work from home, so I don't commute on the bike, but I do ride it some, but even a ride to the grocery store could be construed as being for routine maintenance as the death of any vehicle is parking it and not running it (As we sadly often see with Valkyries)

There's no mileage restriction in The Republic, so that wasn't a concern for me. If I had someone that could do the rear end maintenance I'd happily ride it to Inzane, and in my mind meet the requirements of the law.

I've always carried full coverage on my bikes, and was glad I did, when Kali wrecked my Valk in West Virginia a few years back, Progressive gave me  $6,800 to fix some mostly cosmetic issues on my at the time 23 year old motorcycle worth, sadly, half that on a good day... (And did NOT total it!)

Now that it's an antique vehicle, I haven't changed anything with my insurance, the insurance company didn't ask and I didn't tell 'em?



For me, the lack of idiotic inspections, and I think it was $50 for 5 years of registration (Instead of the usual $75ish a year), plus the cachet of the bike proclaiming to the world that she's not brand new but is indeed, an antique, made it an easy decision.... For you and your situation? Guess we'll find out...

[Jess from VA]

I figure any time a bike as unique and beautiful as a Valkyrie parks somewhere in public, it's an exhibition and a function of public interest, and I'm going with that.

   

But can you argue that to the judge with a straight face?

I suppose you could put a small flag on the bike and call it a one man parade too.  

Aside from any insurance issue (which I will sort out), this is a great plan and I'm going to do it.  I've never heard of antique plates being a cop magnet for any reason in VA (or elsewhere).

If I had a daughter (or anyone really) who was going to ride one of my bikes, I'd get better coverage first.

I've never wrecked or seriously damaged any motorcycle (over 50yrs).  Only two fall and slides in my lifetime on road bikes (lifted them back up and rode away, and replaced a few parts), not counting the motocrosser.  I broke off handlebars, pegs, shift levers, dinged and scratched it all up, and it would never have occurred to me to make an ins claim for those pretty intentional damages.  

Edit: Here's the VA DMV rules:

Registering your vehicle with antique plates limits your use of the vehicle to:

Participation in antique car club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar events.
Testing its operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, selling the vehicle or trailer, transportation to and from events as described above and for the occasional pleasure driving, not to exceed 250 miles from your residence.

Carrying or transporting passengers, personal effects or other antique motor vehicles being transported for show purposes.

You may not use your vehicle for general, daily transportation. This includes, but is not limited to, driving to and from work.

Violations of the antique vehicle rules are Class 4 misdemeanors and will result in the revocation of your antique or permanent vintage license plates for a period of five years from the date DMV is notified of your conviction.

[3fan4life]

I have an antique plate on my 1983 750 Nighthawk.

It was a one time fee of $50 at the time and never expires.

I've yet to be questioned about the distance I was from home and I've never had an insurance company attempt to limit or verify the distance that I was riding.

I did go through a road check once while riding the bike and the officer had trouble believing that the bike was really 25 yrs old.

I showed him the mfg sticker on the neck of the frame and he was satisfied.

At the time that I bought the plate, VA did require that it could not be the only motorcycle that you owned.

If that policy is still in place it might create a hassle for you to put an antique plate on both bikes.

[h13man]

Well no inspection here but the cost of full coverage insurance $212 and $45 per yr. for registration/plate fees.

Indiana cost just to register a "antique" vehicle are the same as regular plates.

What are the rules for antique plates in Indiana?

A historic vehicle is a vehicle that is at least 25 years old may be registered with a historic license plate. Historic vehicles are charged a standard registration fee, vehicle excise tax, and county and municipal vehicle excise tax, if applicable.

[Serk]

I figure any time a bike as unique and beautiful as a Valkyrie parks somewhere in public, it's an exhibition and a function of public interest, and I'm going with that.

   

But can you argue that to the judge with a straight face?

That, combined with the "Not using it will kill it, so rides are maintenance" argument, yeah, I could say that with a totally straight face and mean it...

Maybe it's just me, but I have noticed more folks come up to me and wanna talk about the bike now that she's wearing Antique Motorcycle plates.

I've never wrecked or seriously damaged any motorcycle (over 50yrs).  

Doing this for you right now...

[Rams]

Maybe it's just me, but I have noticed more folks come up to me and wanna talk about the bike now that she's wearing Antique Motorcycle plates.

Honestly, I doubt the tag is the first thing to get their attention.  One of the biggest thrills I've had on my Valkyrie was while at a V Twin shop looking for a new helmet, I came back out of the retail store and there were quite a few Twinkie riders standing around my Valkyrie looking at it, there were at least a dozen V Twins within a few yards and one GW.   Yet, they were admiring my Valkyrie.   Yes, it made me feel good.   Having an antique tag was just frosting on the cake.

Rams  

[Jess from VA]

The admiring comment (of many) that was most amusing to me was.

Hey buddy, ya' think you got enough motor in that thing? 

I said, Yes I do.   

[DarkSideR]

Here in Colorado vehicle must be built before 1975, and limited to 4,500 miles per year.

[sandy]

AZ offers copper plates at 25 years. We mine LOTS of copper here. No restrictions or tax advantages but it costs $25 extra per year for the plate. I now pay $20 bucks so it's not cost effective for me.

[The emperor has no clothes]

AZ offers copper plates at 25 years. We mine LOTS of copper here. No restrictions or tax advantages but it costs $25 extra per year for the plate. I now pay $20 bucks so it's not cost effective for me.

I thought they were just painted a copper color ?

[vanagon40]

Participation in antique car club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar events.
Testing its operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, selling the vehicle or trailer, transportation to and from events as described above and for the occasional pleasure driving, not to exceed 250 miles from your residence.

It appears that the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has interpreted that phrase "not to exceed 250 miles from your residence" to apply to only the phrase "occasional pleasure driving."

See Form VSA 10B (07/01/2019) ANTIQUE LICENSE PLATE APPLICANT CERTIFICATION:

USE OF ANTIQUE PLATES
Virginia Code, Section 46.2-730, limits use of antique vehicles, trailers, motorcycles and autocycles registered with antique plates to the participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar events and to carrying or transporting passengers, personal effects and other antique vehicles for show purposes. They may also be used on Virginia highways to test vehicle/trailer operation, obtaining maintenance or repairs and/or to sell the vehicle or trailer. Antique plates permit occasional pleasure driving (not to exceed 250 miles from the owner's residence) but are not to be used for general transportation purposes, including but not limited to, daily travel to and from the owner's place of employment.

If you are engaged any of the specified activities other than "occasional pleasure driving," there does not appear to be any mileage limit (e.g., you could ride 1,000 miles to an Inzane gathering).

Edit to add:-----------------------------------------------------------------

Also note the Virginia Code Section 46.2-730 does not include the ambiguous comma before "not to exceed 250 miles from your residence":

1. For participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events;

2. On the highways of the Commonwealth for the purpose of testing their operation or selling the vehicle or trailer, obtaining repairs or maintenance, transportation to and from events as described in subdivision 1, and for occasional pleasure driving not exceeding 250 miles from the residence of the owner; and

3. To carry or transport (i) passengers in the antique motor vehicles, (ii) personal effects in the antique motor vehicles and antique trailers, or (iii) other antique motor vehicles being transported for show purposes.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks Vanagon.  That may be their interpretation of how the law is written.

I have not been pulled over in some 15 years, and that was in my car.

Not getting pulled over is my plan.

VA State Police will do early spring 100% stops for inspection and safety compliance here and there.  I got caught with an expired inspection tag on my Valk long ago ($100) in one of those.  It was the first nice warm day of Spring, and I wanted to ride, not sit in line at an inspection station.  Whoops.

I think the provision allowing... Testing Its Operation is the best one to hang my hat on if stopped or asked about it.  Motor vehicles must be run (on the road) periodically to ensure reliability and safe operation.  I'm retired and 70 and mostly obey traffic laws. 

[LadyDraco]

We looked into it  many times. And  felt it's  not worth the  hassles if one  gets  stopped.
And  I  have  full coverage on my Valks. And  no taxes as it  has  fallen off that in the  DVM  here.
Just have  to buy a  stupid co tag 20 a  friggen year. Reg is  26 bucks  a year.
Ins  is 180 a  year.. For  each bike W/Allstate
They are still primary use for me

[Jess from VA]

Well Tracy, VA car taxes vary by county, and Fairfax is as high as it gets, and my bikes had leveled off, but will never go away (without an antique tag).  I was around $50 a year each, but last year it kicked back up to $70 something.

And even though the motorcycle safety inspection is cheaper than property tax, I will be glad to never again sit for a pencil whipping stupid inspection where all they do is check lights, brake lights, signals and horn.  Never look at brakes or tires, and no emissions.  They are a joke and an insult.

By your leave sir may I please have my sticker so I can ride my bike for another year sir.  Kiss my ass!!

And I will not let them stick that gooey thing on my bodywork or shield and have a small plate for it, and sometimes they fight me on that.  

[LadyDraco]

Yuppers  . And  that 20 bucks  for  a  Co. sticker  that we  can't  get a  new  one  each year is  how  they  put everyone  back in on a  tax. Because  so many folks  have  had  items roll off..
But I  will never  live  in Northern VA.

[Rams]

Well, of those who have responded, I believe that Texas and Mississippi have the best Antique tag programs.   I believe Tennessee is similar to Mississippi but don't take my word on that.   It would seem that living in Northern VA is a bit more expensive based on what I've read here.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

It would seem that living in Northern VA is a bit more expensive based on what I've read here.

Ya think??

If Fairfax County could tax your bowel movements, they'd do it. 

[sandy]

AZ offers copper plates at 25 years. We mine LOTS of copper here. No restrictions or tax advantages but it costs $25 extra per year for the plate. I now pay $20 bucks so it's not cost effective for me.

I thought they were just painted a copper color ?

Nope: Truly made of copper.