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Some have quoted a fine of $250 for riding without a M/C endorsement. In Texas, if you take the MSF course that costs $200, it takes the place of the riding exam. Obtaining the endorsement costs $8 and is good for 6 years. Add it all up and you can legally ride for 36 years before it's cheaper to pay the fine. That's without figuring in additional insurance premiums for not having the endorsement and/or getting a moving vehicle violation on your record.

To me, the endorsement seems to be pretty cheap insurance. Plus, it's one less thing the officer can hassle you about.
 
I think that insurance companies and such are running the operators license number, not the plate. The plate number will only identify the owner of the bike. :s
 
In NJ and I'm sure most other states,the police can run your plates as they follow you.By the time you're pulled over they know if you have the proper credentials ie:license and insurance
 
Having an endorsement is like having a drivers license. Shows ability. Even though the tests conducted are no way representative of the real world.
My problem is with the specific targeting of someone on a motorcycle. Are the police also running the plates of all the cars on the road or stopped in a rest area?
The argument of looking for stolen vehicles (unless looking for the ones on a list of being stolen) really doesn't wash. Usually if a car or bike is stolen, either the vehicle has been pieced out or at least, the plates changed.
The fact is motorcyclists (pc term) are easy to target.
I don't have a problem with police policing the (edit) types who stunt on the highways, watch for the drunks or show evidence of wrongdoing. Just being on a bike isn't a crime - YET.
Oh, I do have an endorsement and insurance. Just don't like the cross-hairs on my back. Whether by the police or the cage drivers.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
joyflyin said:
I think that insurance companies and such are running the operators license number, not the plate. The plate number will only identify the owner of the bike. :s
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Joyflyin is correct; insurance companies run your operator's license, not your plates. As for the police running plates, more and more are getting technology in their cars now that scan and run plates while travelling down the highway. If a hit comes on one that is stolen, has outstanding warrants, or other specific reason, it will alert the officer so they can take appropriate action.

Given the relatively inexpensive cost of the endorsement, why risk an expensive inconvenience?
 
Do you have yours? Its easy to get . I believe you have it without taking the test if you pass the msf course.
I have noticed increased radio ads warning about drunk riding and the increased enforcement. I say about time. I would like to see the ba level lowered for motorcycle riders.
 
I believe Florida now requires you take a MSF course, or equivalent, to get a motorcycle endorsement on your license. I’m sure the folks who provide the courses appreciate the state passing that law! Maybe requiring a safety course will make some smarter/better riders. Not sure if you have to take the course if you’re moving into FL and had an endorsement on your previous state’s license.

I’m a bit surprised the insurance companies don’t find out if you have a motorcycle endorsement before they insure your bike. I have long felt they were ” big brother” concerning the info they could get on us.
 
All the talk about running plates and the cost of retrieving the bike back made me a little nevous. I have never had the endorsement and have never been pulled over, but I got to thinking if I happened to have a wreck I dought the insurance co. would cover the bike. Being a grown man I hate to cry. I finaly got the endorsement and the riding test was pull out of 1 parking spot and go around the lot and pull in another. I feel more secure about the insurance coverage now.
 
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