Darkside in Virginia

[Serk]

I've been reluctant to post this, don't wanna kick up another round in the Dark Side Holy Wars, so please, if you belong to the religion of "Dark Side is flaming death!" that's fine, but that's NOT what this topic is about.

On the other hand, folks need a heads up, from multiple discussions on social media looks like Virginia has decided, in their infinite wisdom, to start denying inspections to motorcycles that don't have motorcycle specific tires on them.

The exact letter, as posted:



Again, requesting we don't kick up a holy way on the virtues of running or not running Dark Side, but didn't want a Virginia Valk rider to get a nasty surprise when they try to get their bike inspected.

If I see any updates on the topic, I'll pass them along.

[NewValker]

I wonder how many “sudden and catastrophic failures” Virginia has had?
I am going on 130,000 miles without one…..

Craig

[old2soon]

    Gotta wunder do Capt. Sen L. Stewart RIDE? NOW? EVER? See No D/S holy war!  RIDE SAFE.

[Challenger]

Interesting,  so they can wright official safety bulletins with no scientific data whatsoever. Politicians W.T.F.

[da prez]

  Remember politician Mr. Moron that wanted seat belt on motorcycles.
   Out riding a while back , I had a guy flag me down by pointing to the rear tire.  I stopped to inspect.
  He told me that my rear tire was flat and surprised I could not feel it. He was a sales manager at HD.
  I told him it was a car tire. He said I should get it off the bike as it is dangerous. 
  I thanked him for his concern and left.

                                                              da prez

[98valk]

most likely fake, esp., when it states rims and tire beads are different, cause physics is different btwn both to keep a tire bead on a rim.

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section400/

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I suspect this is because of lobbying by the motorcycle tire industry, not actual safety concerns.

[LadyDraco]

I'm not worried about it. 
 

[Jersey mike]

I’m not a darksider but I’ve read and heard some great things and many many testimonials on the benefits of the dark side.

I’d like to see a head to head challenge and get their responses then and I mean some heavy duty riding and slalom course challenges.

[Hook#3287]

I wonder if Capt Stewart could please provide any documented "sudden and catastrophic failures which can lead to serious injury and or death"

In the over 10+ years I've been using car tires and following the discussion on many forum's, never have I seen one example of the Flaming Death claimed by non-darksiders.

In fact, many bikers, me included,  have installed Run Flats and some have reported riding many miles on a deflated tire.  

Some 2-up.

A tire guy that declined to swap out my Pirelli P1 with another told me they have had to cut the bead on a R-F with a die grinder to get them off.  And, the tire guy that ended up swapping them stated he probably won't do that again.

I understand Capt. Stewart is doing his job, but why?  Why point out this non-issue?  Does he think the regulation will be amended?  

Of course not, so why?

Maybe his brother-in-law works for a motorcycle tire producer.

[LadyDraco]

I know some Police that are HOG riders, that ride darkside..
  I bet they looked at that ; and said BS

[Hook#3287]

most likely fake, esp., when it states rims and tire beads are different, cause physics is different btwn both to keep a tire bead on a rim.

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section400/

I was unable to find any reference to "Inspection Bulletin #470" on the site above or in a internet search.

It would have to be officially posted somewhere, I believe, for it to be enforced.

Then again, it's possible Capt. Stewart has ultimate authority over vehicle inspection process.

[Jersey mike]

Let me ask this, are smaller/lighter bikes…non cruiser or touring bikes going dark side?

I’ve been under the impression dark side best suits riders traveling longer distances, logging lots of miles whose bikes are on the heavier side, dressed and carrying heavier loads making standard motorcycle tires replacement cycle expensive.

[98valk]

Let me ask this, are smaller/lighter bikes…non cruiser or touring bikes going dark side?

I’ve been under the impression dark side best suits riders traveling longer distances, logging lots of miles whose bikes are on the heavier side, dressed and carrying heavier loads making standard motorcycle tires replacement cycle expensive.

yes.  many smaller bikes, adventure bikes, sport tourers and sport bikes are running modern 1950s style motorcycle tires know today as car tires.  rounded motorcycle tires are race track tires from the 1960s which only make sense on the front for a street ridden motorcycle.

[carolinarider09]

most likely fake, esp., when it states rims and tire beads are different, cause physics is different btwn both to keep a tire bead on a rim.

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section400/

I was unable to find any reference to "Inspection Bulletin #470" on the site above or in a internet search.

It would have to be officially posted somewhere, I believe, for it to be enforced.

Then again, it's possible Capt. Stewart has ultimate authority over vehicle inspection process.

I did a similar search and could not find a "relevant" document.  So.......   just an observation.

[old2soon]

    Sooooo whatta we got here a tempest in a teapot?  RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

Did a new search and found the link below. 

Words from the link:

19VAC30-70-400. Motorcycle tires, wheels, rims.
Inspect for and reject if:

1. Any tire has a cut or puncture, not to include a plug or patch that may be used as a manner of repair, or is worn so that the fabric is visible.

NOTE: Plugs/patches shall be in the tread area only. Plugs/patches are not permitted in the side wall of the tire.

2. Any tire has knots or bulges in any side wall or if there is evidence of a broken belt under the tread or of the tread separating from the fabric.

3. Any bolts, nuts, lugs or spokes are bent, loose or missing. Rims or wheels are bent, cracked or damaged so as to affect the safe operation of the motorcycle.

4. Wheel bearings are excessively worn or out of adjustment.

5. Any motorcycle is equipped with a tire that has a tread depth measuring less than 2/32 of an inch when measured in accordance with the instructions set forth in subdivisions 6, 7, and 8 of 19VAC30-70-130.

6. Any tire is marked specifically for use other than on the highway such as "For Farm Use Only," "For Off-Highway Use Only," "For Mobile Home Use Only," or "For Trailer Use Only."

7. Any motorcycle tire has been recut or regrooved.

8. Directional tires or wheels designed and manufactured to go in a certain direction or rotation are not installed in the proper direction of rotation.


https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section400/


Since the link above is from Virginia Code of Laws, it would seem to be authentic.  And it does not discuss the issue using a "non-motorcycle" tire on a motorcycle. 

[Serk]

I was also suspicious of this being a hoax/fake but it passed my initial sniff test.

-The person who posted it has been in the VRCC Facebook group over a year.
-They appear to actually be in Virginia.
-The date is not near the first of April.
-They appear to actually work in a capacity that would have access to such bulletins as a function of their job.
-Searching around, I found a different posting from a different person of the same memo but as a photograph off a screen instead of a direct capture as the above one is.



-The bulletin itself states to be from "Captain Sean L. Stewart"  who is indeed the Division Commander of the "Safety Division" of the Virginia state police:

https://vsp.virginia.gov/safety-and-enforcement/safety-division/

-Plus, knowing what I know of Virginia from my dad as a former truck driver, this sounds like exactly the kind of Mickey Mouse thing Virginia would try to do. There's a reason truckers, at least used to, refer to Virginia as "The communist state"

I hope I'm wrong and this is a hoax, but I'm usually fairly decently skilled at sniffing out a hoax, and this one smells legit.... I do not, however, proclaim to be infallible...

[carolinarider09]

When I made my post of the "current" documents, what crossed my mind was the time required to update a "government document".   

Governments are not all that "efficient".  So, it might well be a matter of "timing". 

Or it could be someone pushing an agenda by having a "discussion" started. 

We will find out.

[carolinarider09]

From the forum linked below (Post #49)

"Regulatory Order from Capt. Stewart of the Virginia State Police"

Hmmmm, So, this Captain Stewart, if he in fact actually exists, did IN FACT decide, potentially ON HIS OWN, to up and decide that C/T's on a motorcycle are an issue??? I wonder, is HE also targeting pickups that are 9' off the ground, headlights waaaaaaaaaay over the legal height limit, headlights that are BLUE instead of OEM brightness and effectiveness, tires sticking 10" or more out of fenderwells with no fenders to cover the actual tread as it's stated in about 99.9999% of state and federal regs, blacked out tail lights with zero reflection as is also stipulated in regs concerning OEM tail lights, completely BLACK window tint that is more than likely waaaaaaaaay beyond what the legal limit is for specific windows on a vehicle, MASSIVELY EXCESSIVE NOISE from Harley's and any of the crotch rockets, completely DELETETED DEF and DPF systems from diesel pickups (yes, it's done all over the country) and a whole lot more.

Most, if not all of what I've mentioned above IS in the books pertaining to what's legal and what isn't whereas, to the best of my knowledge, I'm not aware of ANY motor vehicle manuals, DOT books of regs, or any other sets of regs that state IN WRITING, that a C/T on a motorcycle is illegal or in any way, not permitted. My kind-a point is, if an officer is going to just assume he/she/they can just up and decide, ON THEIR OWN, that something is not legal or unsafe or in any fashion, not for use as intended, then they better start ENFORCING WHAT'S ALREADY WRITTEN as LAWS and infractions.
Scott

https://www.gl1800riders.com/threads/attention-virgina-darksiders.493544/page-3

[Jess from VA]

This may be the fix.

In VA, vehicles over 25 years old can get a one time Antique registration which supposedly requires no more annual safety inspections.  Both my '99 Interstates are eligible for Antique VA tags this year.  There are some use limits put on antique vehicles (no more than 250 miles from home), but unless pulled over for cause, I can't see this getting easily or much enforced, and if it is, it'll be an administrative fine, not a pointed moving violation.

Also, (no expert) I seem to recall 3-wheel motorcycle trikes (including all police trikes) are still considered motorcycles in VA, and most run rear car tires on MC rims.  Don't they?    

I am withholding any comments on VA vehicle policy or big fat rear tires for fear of personal VA vendetta against me.

All I can say is....    

 

[LadyDraco]

The rears  are NOT motorcycle  rims this is a fact
But yes trikes are still listed as Motorcycles..

I don't know about  Spyders

[old2soon]

     Both the 88 and 12 G/W trikes are D/S on automobile Wheels and said Wheels Are CHROMED!  Jess I checked here in the ShoMe and the 88 G/W and my former 99 I/S are both eligible for antique tags BUT I'd be Too RESTRICTED on Annual mileage so I continue with regulat tagging which ain't That terrible here in the ShoMe!  Just cecked Google fer yuks and giggles! ANY antique vehicle so tagged in Missouri are Restricted to Just 1000 miles Annually!      RIDE SAFE.