[StPeteAPB]

One thing I despise about the Fury's initial design is that plate on the back. Seems like such a conservative thing on a non-conservative bike.

So, in looking around, I found this guy, Shayne, who waterjets designs on a vertical mount you can put on your Fury: Shayne's Custom Made Side-Mount

In talking to him over email about a custom design I want, he asked if I lived in FL because, if I do, vertical plates cost a hefty $1000 fine. He cited this: Vertical License Plates on Motorcycles in FL are Illegal

The plate must be at least 18" above the ground, be centrally located and mounted horizontally. The plate must be rigidly mounted and clearly visible from any angle behind the motorcycle. This means that plates mounted forward of the rear wheel, or on either side of the motorcycle, are in violation of the law. And, if a plate is mounted on a pivoting hanger it is also in violation of this vehicle code. The first time violation of this code is a fine of $1,141.00. The second infraction costs $2,500.00, the third costs $5,000 and loss of motorcycle license endorsement for 10 years.

And though I saw it there in black & white, I couldn't believe my eyes. I see custom choppers all of the time with vertical plates. So, frustrated as I was with this news, I kept searching. And lo & behold, I found this: Gov Crist Restores use of Vertical Plates

Melbourne, FL – Motorcycle Attorney Brad Sinclair, of Sinclair Law Offices, informs riders that Governor Charlie Crist signed an amended bill (SB 1100) restoring the legality of the use of a vertical tag/vertical license plate for motorcycles and scooters, if it cannot be adjusted or flipped up to conceal the plate numbers. The new law went into effect on June 16, 2009.

So, for all of you in FL who knew about the first law (illegal) and not about the second (now legal again), consider this my Happy Birthday present

Oh, and if you order one of these from Shayne (before I do), let him know you heard of him from me AND post your pictures on this forum for us to see how it turned out.

L8R G8R

 

[DeadSpider]

So that new law says it's ok to use a vertical mount but I guess it still has to be atleast 18" high and still in the rear of the bike, right?

 

[StPeteAPB]

So that new law says it's ok to use a vertical mount but I guess it still has to be atleast 18" high and still in the rear of the bike, right?

Nope. It's back to being legal so long as you cannot flip the holder in a fashion that would hide the plate from sight.

When I do mine, I'm going to by the low-profile light so it's illuminated at night - further keeping Johnny Law from having a reason to be concerned with me.

Here's the full text of statute 316.2085 as it now reads after the amendment - see #3 and notice nothing, anymore, about 18":

316.2085 Riding on motorcycles or mopeds.--

(1) A person operating a motorcycle or moped shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person, nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle or moped, unless such motorcycle or moped is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle or moped at the rear or side of the operator.

(2) A person shall ride upon a motorcycle or moped only while sitting astride the seat, with both wheels on the ground at all times, facing forward, and with one leg on each side of the motorcycle or moped. However, it is not a violation of this subsection if the wheels of a motorcycle or moped lose contact with the ground briefly due to the condition of the road surface or other circumstances beyond the control of the operator.

(3) The license tag of a motorcycle or moped must be permanently affixed to the vehicle and may not be adjusted or capable of being flipped up. No device for or method of concealing or obscuring the legibility of the license tag of a motorcycle shall be installed or used.

(4) No person shall operate a motorcycle or moped while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

(5) No operator shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride, in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or moped or the view of the operator.

(6) A person under 16 years of age may not:

(a) Operate a motorcycle that has a motor with more than 150 cubic centimeters displacement.

(b) Rent a motorcycle or a moped.

(7) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

 

[Wildfire]

no plate rules

 

[dBDynoMyte]

Wow I never knew about this reversal. I have been thinking about doing the side plate on my bike for a while, was just very affraid of the PO-PO. Thanks for the info!

 

[david.l.blair]

I have one of Shayne's side mount tag plates and it worked out great.

 

[Snuffdog76]

Only plate rule we have is it's out back somewhere and you can see it lol. I got stopped a few times on the crotch rocket due to having a hinged one way up under the rear. I have the side mount chrome one on my fury that pivots either vertical or horizontal.

 

[MyFury]

Thanks for the heads up! I did'nt know about the 1st law or the reversal. I still need to pick a plate mount and I am leaning towards the vertical mount. Thanks again!

 

[StPeteAPB]

Got a Vertical Plate? Then You MUST Have a SunPass Transponder On Your Bike

Thanks to Jesse (2011MatteOrange), I learned this FL statute has been amended, once again, that may affect some riders in this group.

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

316.2085 Riding on motorcycles or mopeds.

(3) The license tag of a motorcycle or moped must be permanently affixed to the vehicle and may not be adjusted or capable of being flipped up. No device for or method of concealing or obscuring the legibility of the license tag of a motorcycle shall be installed or used. The license tag of a motorcycle or moped may be affixed horizontally to the ground so that the numbers and letters read from left to right. Alternatively, a license tag for a motorcycle or moped for which the numbers and letters read from top to bottom may be affixed perpendicularly to the ground, provided that the registered owner of the motorcycle or moped maintains a prepaid toll account in good standing and a transponder associated with the prepaid toll account is affixed to the motorcycle or moped.
​

The "affixed" part of this law has me a little concerned.
I have it in the bag and it is getting picked up by the readers. But, "affixed" typically means "glued" or "screwed" on.

 

[T Bone]

yo my southeastern conference friend, what the hell are prepaid toll transponders? those must be like our new york state EZ passes for going through toll booths.......sounds like total bullshit to me, hope they kill that part of it for ya. those things are UGLY cant imagine having one on the scoot if it had a vertical plate or otherwise ......................course the horizontal plate holder from accutronix looks good also.....................t

 

[Billyh79]

Ok Im drinking a liitle so I didn't read into this totally but a $1000 license plate fine ????

 

[T Bone]

Ok Im drinking a liitle so I didn't read into this totally but a $1000 license plate fine ????

that sounds like some of the shit they come up with here....................t

 

[Billyh79]

that sounds like some of the shit they come up with here....................t

Yeah I hear ya thats one reason I rarely make it up your way .

 

[T Bone]

Yeah I hear ya thats one reason I rarely make it up your way .

well when ya do, the door to the t bone house is open.......................t

 

[Billyh79]

well when ya do, the door to the t bone house is open.......................t

Thank You ......

 

[StPeteAPB]

yo my southeastern conference friend, what the hell are prepaid toll transponders? those must be like our new york state EZ passes for going through toll booths.......sounds like total bullshit to me, hope they kill that part of it for ya. those things are UGLY cant imagine having one on the scoot if it had a vertical plate or otherwise ......................course the horizontal plate holder from accutronix looks good also.....................t

What up my Tide fan?

Yep, just like an EZ Pass.
However, "affixed" is relative. If a police officer pulls me over and asks where is said "affixed transponder", I will simple explain that the only one that could possibly be "affixed" is the one they sell that is a heavy-duty sticker --- and SunPass warns you they won't work on a motorcycle. Therefore, with a regular SunPass being easy to steal if I just put it out in the open, it's positioned in my forward bag and the system DOES pick it up 90% of the time.

How dat?

 

[skappiris]

my Sunpass is in a small pouch behind my windscreen.
i'll take that law to court any day; doubt you or i would lose on that count.

and yes billy, $1,000 fine was the orignal fine for side mounted plates until that law got annuled. but, the fine is still in place for the egregious act of vertical mount sans Sunpass.

gotta love Florida--these days there's more crooks in Tallahassee than at the U.

 

[medic3825]

I got Shane to make a Fireman Cross Waiting until he get back from Vacation.. Wished I could get him to wait on the Vacation but he would not listen to me.

 

[mrbyber]

I have one of Shayne's side mount tag plates and it worked out great.

I have the horizontal side plate from Accutronix. Much more expensive! For those with the Sumo you should know that the right side of the plate will actually be inside the rim! So you cant see the entire plate if you are behind the bike! I don't know about the laws in IL (need to find out) Shayne's side mount vertical would be a much better option like David Blair has!

 

[Smiley]

Shayne' LP

I'm a fan!