The Darkside of getting an inspection sticker...

[us385south]

My mechanic at my local Honda dealer (who's name shall remain unnamed) has already told me that he will not inspect my Valk unless I remove the CT. (Sounds a lot like he is "legislating from the bench," so to speak!)  So what's next?  Any CT friendly places in Cen-Tex?

[f-Stop]

I take all my vehicles - personal, business, recreational - to Davis Tire on 290 West near Cedar Valley.  Even though I run motorcycle tires on my motorcycles - - they have never checked anything other than to make sure the bike stops properly (me driving) and then check brake lights, running lights, headlight.  I always remind them that I have front and rear brake controls and that both should be checked.

Might be a drive, but you might get your inspection.  Brent is the owner.  If he is there, let him know that Charlie from Producers Choice Lighting sent you.  They know me, my business partner (Bobby) and our families by first name.  This is due to the fact that we have something like sixty tires rolling all the time and constantly have tire issues.

[Daniel Meyer]

He is wrong, but you're probably wasting your time worrying him.

Take it to any other inspection station. The criteria that tire has to meet is:
1) DOT Certified for highway use
2) Minimum tread depth.

[us385south]

I mean it pisses this guy off to no end that I run a CT.  He really spits and hisses about it!

It seems odd to me that the folks that are most passionate about this issue are the ones that have never ridden on a CT.  I don't even defend myself or address it anymore.  (of course this makes them even more angry!)

It's a some sort of weird religious cult... they seem "compelled" to save me from my own ignorance when in reality, it is they that has the more limited perspective.

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."

[Houdini]

That is an isolated a*****e at that dealership.  I had my Valk inspected on Tuesday at Maxim Honda in Allen and nothing was said about the CT.  Just take it to a different dealership.

[RainMaker]

I go to 10 minute inspection. They always complement me on the CT.

I only go to the stealers when there is no other choice.....

[Disco]

Speaking of Maxim Honda, their Service Manager and GM told me about an incident that happened there a couple of years ago... 

A guy rode in on a metric bike and asked if they did State Inspections.  He explained that he had just been at the HD dealership next door to get an inspection but was told that they only inspect Harley Davidsons.  Coincidentally, the State Inspection Supervisor lady was at Maxim and heard the entire explanation.  She went directly to the HD store and seized their inspection equipment and supplies.  Held it for months.  Maxim still inspects lots of HDs that had to go there while their home dealership couldn't. 

Bottom line is, if the above story is true, I'm not so sure your dealer has the discretion to choose not to inspect a bike.  Depending on how much "fun" you want to have with him, you might call the State and ask a few questions.   

[SideCar]

Kind of fun to tell him to take a flying leap, eh?  I've never had any of the 3 places I use question the type of tire, whether it was 2 wheels or 3.

[GreenLantern57]

Tell the shop forman, if he doesn't fix the problem, go to the owner. Bet one of them would rather kick the mechanic's ass than lose the state inspection business.
But if they don't back you, turn him in and find another mechanic.  That is like telling me to change wipers on my car because he doesn't like my brand new Rain-X blades.
FWIW, those guys do not make much money for those inspections, but nowdays, every dollar counts.

[Jess from VA]

I'll say it again.... never go to a dealer for an inspection (unless you have past good experience with them.)  If you want a good inspection, then by all means go to a dealer, but if you just want to pass in five minutes, then go elsewhere.  

The thing to do with any inspection where you think the guy is wrong, is ask (demand politely) to see it in the book.  Every State I know of publishes a code for inspections  (that's what government does) (and they better have a copy).  Course it's good if you have an idea what the book says.  Sounds like he could have been shut down on the spot. If he says no, then ask for a phone so you can call the State on it.  Or..... don't go to a dealer.

Some years ago, the exterior pot metal handle on my passenger door broke (frozen).  You couldn't open the door from outside, but it otherwise worked perfectly, always locked automatically after rolling, and I figure WTH, its safer not to have a passenger exterior handle anyway and don't fix it (97% of the time drive solo).  I can unlock and enter three other doors with my beeper.

Months later, I fail the annual safety inspection.  I argue, the door works fine, no risk to exit a disabled vehicle, it's always locked at all times unless I let someone in.  No dice.  So I produce a small needlenose vice grip and clamp it on the handle (inside the break) and open the door.  Tell him I'll leave the vice grips on there ('88 continental).  He's a guy I know, smiles and .. no dice.

'Lets see the book.'  Which says something like 'you have to have perfectly operating doors- OE operable.'  So I had 10 days, and fixed it.     But these guys always pass my bikes.  

[Rocketman]

I love dealing with people who think they can dictate their own preferences.  I had my inspection done yesterday.  I actually brought up the CT thing.  They NEVER implied it was "out of spec".
As for folks being overly passionate:  I went in to a shop here, and asked for some Valkyrie tires.  MC tires.  The owner asked me if I had heard of people running car tires on Valkyries.  I said I had.  I then got the 10 minute tirade about how terrible they are.  I didn't ask for a car tire.  I didn't tell him whether I liked the idea.  I didn't express any opinion at all.  Apparently, having a Valkyrie was enough of a trigger to set this guy off.

You know, if I think someone's doing something stupid, something that doesn't affect me, I do not go into a tirade about it.  If asked, I will tell them that I think it's a bad idea, and possibly a short explanation of why, only expounding if encouraged.  Beyond that, it's their responsibility to either change it, or go on their merry way.
I save my unsolicited rants (of which I have many) for stupidity that affects me (or the general public).  ("You're weaving all over the road", "You're dropping things off your trailer", "You're wasting my time with an unsolicited rant about car tires, I just want to buy a tire and leave.")

[Red Diamond]

You know, if I think someone's doing something stupid, something that doesn't affect me, I do not go into a tirade about it.  If asked, I will tell them that I think it's a bad idea, and possibly a short explanation of why, only expounding if encouraged.  Beyond that, it's their responsibility to either change it, or go on their merry way.
I save my unsolicited rants (of which I have many) for stupidity that affects me (or the general public).  ("You're weaving all over the road", "You're dropping things off your trailer", "You're wasting my time with an unsolicited rant about car tires, I just want to buy a tire and leave.")/quote]Well, did you buy a tire or just leave. (LOL)

[Rocketman]

Well, did you buy a tire or just leave. (LOL)

Actually, I did both.  In that order.
(:

[iliveforcurves]

All I can add to this is don't go to Jiffy Lube for an inspection.  They do bikes, but I was there to get my car inspected and the people getting oil changes got first priority.  As you can imagine, the inspection line moved very slowly.  Never again.

[hueco]

My mechanic at my local Honda dealer (who's name shall remain unnamed) has already told me that he will not inspect my Valk unless I remove the CT. (Sounds a lot like he is "legislating from the bench," so to speak!)  So what's next?  Any CT friendly places in Cen-Tex?

Do they have a Quicker Sticker in San Marcus? That is where I take my bikes here in Waco. Drive though inspection is all they do. CT? Probably would not know the difference. They don't care, so long has it has enough tread.

[HayHauler]

Here in Pearland I get mine inspected on I35 across the street from the McDonalds at the Chevron station.  I have inspected all of my vehicles there for the past 8-10 years and had no problem with the CT last summer.  I even showed it to them and all they could say was "WOW"...  hehe

Hay 
Jimmyt

[RainMaker]

My mechanic at my local Honda dealer (who's name shall remain unnamed) has already told me that he will not inspect my Valk unless I remove the CT. (Sounds a lot like he is "legislating from the bench," so to speak!)  So what's next?  Any CT friendly places in Cen-Tex?

As posted earlier, I go to 10 minute inspection in Arlington with all my vehicles.

Per Google, there is one in San Marcos.  From Yahoo reviews

Really, there's not much to say about this place. It literally is just a sticker station, housed in a small two-port garage in the back of car dealership on I-35. It can be tricky to find since Google Maps gives you the wrong location,so here are the actual directions: Heading south on I-35, exit  C M Allen and turn right onto Riverside Dr. like you're heading to the River Pub. You'll see a sign immediatly on your right that says "Sticker Station Entrance".

707 N I H 35
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-8996

RainMaker