Oregon Motorcycle Plates : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Shortness · 05-20-2008, 11:54 PM

Any feedback would be appreciated.
A few months back I went into DMV to license my bike and in all my blissful ignorance I thought I could buy a custom plate, salmon or cultural, etc. I was told nope, bike plates are yellow/blue and the only customizing you can do is vanity style or group plates. I went to the top trying to find out why and the answer I was given is that it is a safety issue, ie, easier for police to read our plates. Well that just doesnt make any sense so I took it a few steps further. I contacted State Police and was personally told that they see so many different plates from other groups, states, and even Canada, that Oregons plates do not produce a safety issue to them. I did some research and found many states that have not only group plates but custom motorcycle plates as well. I then contacted my legislature and told them I wanted to change this. (Ok, so I asked real nicely hehe) At this point I have been asked to supply design ideas for new Oregon motorcycle plates by September and then working with one of our Senators I will try to push this through into law.
So heres a few questions:
Depending on the design would you be willing to pay a few dollars more for custom motorcycle plates?
Where would you like to see the profits from these plates go? Im thinking it should go back into motorcycle safety/education etc but Im not sure how.
If this comes down to voting would you vote yes?
Would you be willing to contact your senator or representative when the time comes giving your support for the plates?
Do you have any objections to custom motorcycle plates?
Do you have any ideas for plate designs?
If youre not from Oregon does your state have custom bike plates?
Thanks folks. Its going to be a long road to hoe but dammit we're worth it!

Tekkamaki · 05-21-2008, 04:29 PM

I myself would not pay for a custom plate. The current color goes well with my bike's color. But as long as there are poeple who would like another designs, why don't they supply them? It is one more way to personalize your bike and I think it is a great idea.
Yes, I think the profit should go to fund motorcycle safety programs.
Thanks for doing this for many of us.

Ahar · 05-22-2008, 12:31 AM

I'd campaign for a veterans plate. and that BS about the design being for safety is BS.

Shortness · 05-22-2008, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the input.
Oregon allows for Veterans, Ex-POW, and HAM plates on motorcycles but still, they are simple yellow/blue with veterans/pow/ham stamped on them.
I think the safety issue is BS too. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again!

Ahar · 05-23-2008, 02:55 AM

sort of like the veterans plate for cars, a generic plate that looks just like the square dancers plate.

coastrider · 07-25-2008, 09:37 PM

I would pay extra and would have the money go to motorcycle safety/training. Will think about designs.

Ride Safe.

doc_63 · 07-31-2008, 09:29 PM

Personally I like the idea. I'm sure Team Oregon could work somethimg out with the state to provide classes much cheaper if some of the money generated went back to them. That would prompt more riders to take the courses I bet. Just a thought.

ktwillys · 07-31-2008, 10:33 PM

Yep ,, I would go for a Vet's plate or some other custom plate with the funds going to the Vet's or motorcycle safety funding..

I already have my plates custom so the next step would be no problem for me..

good luck in the government cess-pool..

been there done that before..

FLSTFBLB · 08-01-2008, 01:38 AM

Nope.

Well, you asked.

My job is to read plates (among other things). M/C plates are small to begin with, and have 2 or 3 extra characters (and they usually go by quicker, lol). And... I'm frickin' tired of the 20 or so different plates from Oregon alone. Geez people, you need a frickin' license plate to prove you're special?

There - you got me in /rant mode already.

Ahar · 08-01-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLSTFBLB

Nope.

Well, you asked.

My job is to read plates (among other things). M/C plates are small to begin with, and have 2 or 3 extra characters (and they usually go by quicker, lol). And... I'm frickin' tired of the 20 or so different plates from Oregon alone. Geez people, you need a frickin' license plate to prove you're special?

There - you got me in /rant mode already.

yes
Cage plates are all different, but MC plates are all the same.
A crappy shade of yellow that just does not go with the theme of my bike.

and might I suggest glasses.

oregonkickstart · 08-01-2008, 05:30 AM

I dig the yellow and blue plates, but I suppose if cars can have them, then MCs should at least get an = for the most popular car plates (i.e. crater lake plate, salmon plate, etc.) Really I don't see why we can't have any graphic we want as long as there is a state abbreviation and a universal number, regardless of it being a car or motorcycle; just like a boat or airplane for example...

claydbal · 08-01-2008, 07:56 AM

good luck up there. here in alabama, they had custom plates on display. i asked for one and was told they were not for sale yet. ????????????????????????????????????? why? they wanted a $30 deposit, and if they got enough $30 deposits, they would start taking orders!!!! geniuses!!

hees another, alabama plates are blue and white and ugliest plates in the union. sticks out like sore thumb om my black bike. so--i ask a trooper if i can tint it. he says yes, as long as it can easily be read from 50 ft. (keep in mind all emergenvy and police plates are covered with dark blue lexan that you can barely see thru) so i tint with a light coat of spray windpw tint. i could read it from over 100 ft nd it blended nicely.showed trooper and he liked it!! so im riding through ozark al and get pulled over. cop told me he pulled me over because my tag was altered. LOL explained about the troper and cop called me a liiar. walked to rear of his car and pointed out his plate was altred. with one hand on his gun, he told me he could have my bike impounded!! finally let me go with a warning because he ws a "biker" too.

Jeffytune · 08-02-2008, 11:24 AM

Hi.

I would like to see four optional plates.
1) A Crater Lake plate. (I have one on my car)
2) A OSU & U of Oplate.
3) POW MIA plate
4) A Team Oregon plate.

Now, the Crater lake plate money would, just like the car plates to help maintain our only national park, Crater lake.
The U of O and OSU, well that goes to them.
The POW and MIA would pay a fund for family's of vets.
The Team Oregon plate would go to them to support there efforts to train riders.

I would also like to have a little more room to get custom plates.

I tried to get one, but they turned it down, said it was inappropriate.

What do you think?

WEL4Q2

How is that inappropriate?

oregonkickstart · 08-02-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffytune

Hi.

I would like to see four optional plates.
1) A Crater Lake plate. (I have one on my car)
2) A OSU & U of Oplate.
3) POW MIA plate
4) A Team Oregon plate.

>SNIP<

Speaking of Team Oregon, for those who are not aware, Leroy of the Free Souls MC (One of the original founders of Team Oregon) has died. He passed away a few months ago... RIP Leroy, you will be missed.

JCSM · 08-03-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffytune

Hi.

I would like to see four optional plates.
1) A Crater Lake plate. (I have one on my car)
2) A OSU & U of Oplate.
3) POW MIA plate
4) A Team Oregon plate.

Now, the Crater lake plate money would, just like the car plates to help maintain our only national park, Crater lake.
The U of O and OSU, well that goes to them.
The POW and MIA would pay a fund for family's of vets.
The Team Oregon plate would go to them to support there efforts to train riders.

I'll send this one.