Maryland: Question regarding riding a motorcycle

[MikeisNissan]

What is the cc limit to ride a bike without a license? Thanks in regards!

[S14DB]

49cc unless the law as changed in the last 10yrs. Think you need a helmet. I'll check tomorrow.

[MikeisNissan]

oh darn.. I was hoping 250 or less.

[aNskY]

check out this 49cc beast

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop-460x345/Aprilia_RS_50_8w.jpg

[S14DB]

oh darn.. I was hoping 250 or less.

No, it would be 49cc or less if they haven't made those licensed too.

[DOOK]

pretty sure you're right, which is why a lot of the small scooters are ok

[S14DB]

A motor scooter is a type of non-pedaled vehicle that meets the following standards:

1. Has two wheels, of which one is 10 inches or more in diameter
2. Has a seat for the operator
3. Has a step-through chassis
4. Is equipped with an automatic transmission.
5. Has a motor with a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less, and if the motor is an internal combustion engine,with a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or less.

Generally, motor scooters can achieve a speed of up to 40 MPH, but this varies by the manufacturer and model that you have. However, a motor scooter is not allowed to exceed the speed of 30 MPH on public roadways.



To operate a moped in Maryland, riders must have a valid drivers license from which ever state that they live in, or a valid Maryland moped operator's permit issued by the Maryland MVA.

- Moped operators are not required to wear a helmet.
- Mopeds may not be operated at speed greater than 30mph
- Mopeds cannot be operated on highways that have a speed limit greater than 50mph.
- Where there is a bike lane paved to a smooth surface or a shoulder paved to a smooth surface, a person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter shall use the bike lane or shoulder and may not ride on the roadway, except for common traffic procedures, which include:

1. overtaking and passing another bicycle, motor scooter, pedestrian, or other vehicle within the bike lane or shoulder if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the bike lane or shoulder
2. preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway
3. When reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane or shoulder to avoid debris or other hazardous condition
4. When reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane or shoulder because the bike lane or shoulder is overlaid with a right turn lane, merge lane, or other marking that breaks the continuity of the bike lane or shoulder.

- Gas and electric motorized toy scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks
- A person may not operate a bicycle or a motor scooter on any highway or roadway while the person is wearing any headset covering both ears


All "motor vehicles" are required to be registered in Maryland, but vehicles classified as either motor scooters or mopeds are exempt from this law. So all mopeds and motor scooters do not need to be registered with tags in Maryland.

[whereda40at]

nice info me and my boss were talkin about this last night.

what is that bad ass lookin one that you said is 49cc

[aNskY]

its an aprilia RS50. they are like $3g brand new.

[MikeisNissan]

Do you guys know where I can get one of those Aprilia's?

[S14DB]

http://www.apriliausa.com/modelli/scooter/modello.asp?id=113

CASTLE KINGSVILLE
http://www.trycastle.com
11717 BELAIR RD.
KINGSVILLE, MD 21087
PHONE: (410) 803-0800

FUN ON WHEELS
http://www.funonwheelsusa.com
1780 NORTH MARKET STREET
FREDERICK, MD 21701
PHONE: (301) 696-1911

MOTO STRADA
http://www.motostrada.com
9918C YORK ROAD
COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030
PHONE: (410) 666-8377

XTREME POWER SPORTS
http://www.xtremepowersportsusa.com
2501 DEEP CREEK DRIVE
MCHENRY, MD 21541
PHONE: (301) 387-2095

[MikeisNissan]

Those Aprilia RS50's they are 50cc so it would require a license I assume?

[S14DB]

Those Aprilia RS50's they are 50cc so it would require a license I assume?

"3. Has a step-through chassis"

That is not a scooter.

[MikeisNissan]

thought so haha thank you!

[aNskY]

"3. Has a step-through chassis"

That is not a scooter.


The only way to be sure is to contact your local DMV. I was told no license/reg required for the rs50!

[S14DB]

The only way to be sure is to contact your local DMV. I was told no license/reg required for the rs50!

Maybe for the SR50. But I haven't seen that other thing sold in the US.

[Ineedparts]

I have seen the older version of the aprilia's on ebay a few times. The law might be different here but when I lost my licence I looked into getting one, and they fell into the 49cc category. Even for the 49cc we still have to get a moped licence, which you can get if yours is suspended or revoked.

[aNskY]

Maybe for the SR50. But I haven't seen that other thing sold in the US.


what other thing? first pic i posted is an rs50

[S14DB]

what other thing? first pic i posted is an rs50

RS50 is not marketed in the US, SR50 is. I have not seen the RS50 sold in the US, Europe it is popular cause of the laws on 50cc bikes. In the US it would not be considered a scooter.

[ryguy]

So to answer your question, you need a license for a Ninja 250.

[MikeisNissan]

haha yeah i know. dammit! Gotta study.. BTW how did you know I wanted a Ninja 250r?

[S14DB]

Lucky guess maybe. My friend wanted one. I know a lot of people like them.

[MikeisNissan]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/S14Kouki240sx/2464264260_2c70c2b092.jpgIn desperate need..

[S14DB]

Dude with MSF it's so easy to get a license in MD.
http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=MD

[MikeisNissan]

holy crap thanks alot for that link. Any personal experience with MSF?

[ryguy]

haha yeah i know. dammit! Gotta study.. BTW how did you know I wanted a Ninja 250r?

Well, the Ninja 250 is the only 250cc sportbike, and I assumed that Zilvia isnt exactly the harley-style crowd. By the way, GOOD LUCK finding an 08. The waiting lists are MONTHS long, and you won't find a used one for under $4000+.

[S14DB]

holy crap thanks alot for that link. Any personal experience with MSF?

Yes and Family and Friends have used them too. Friendly and helpful. Most people will be more newb then you so don't worry. Take the class then take the form they give you too the DMV and done.

[MikeisNissan]

Thanks again.