Tail Tidy in CA?

[mtbspeedfreak]

Howdy gents,

Unfortunately, I am not currently an S1K owner; however, with a little luck that will change by no later than mid-January

I'm putting together a "master wish list" of parts and upgrades that I'll purchase before and after I buy the bike: among them is a tail tidy.

Anyone have problems with any particular tail tidies out here in SoCal? I just moved here a few months ago, I haven't had any problems on my 1976 KZ900 lol. I like the Yoshi tail section- I'm somewhat hesitant to mount one of the forward mounts, with no turn signals or anything. I'll be spending roughly 50% of my time on the streets and the remaining 50% on the track.

Any suggestions? Pics would be nice too, but beggars can't be choosers

Thanks in advance,
Mark

[1000RR]

I made my own (link below). I'd talk to fellow riders in your area and take a look at the State Statutes to see what the technical aspect of the law is. Where I'm at is VERY relaxed, but my neighboring State (Colorado) seems to be a bit more strict... the one I made passes for Colorado (at least I haven't had any issues)

Custom Tidy Tail

[ocwaterguy]

Myself and another friend in Orange County CA both have the Yosh tail tidy and have not had any issues what so ever. You do need to be mindful of the plate light and not tucking a tail tidy all the way back to where the swing arm meets the engine.

[mtbspeedfreak]

Thanks! How's the plate light on the Yoshi tail work? As advertised?

[Mack]

Watch about about using a Tail Tidy in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia.

NorCalRiders.org Forums - Watch out for Moto CHP on the Skyway...Damn you instant-on!! Post in the link wasn't for speeding, but he nailed three for license plate violations (i.e. bent, no light bulb, unseen, etc.).

They go nuts over anything in CA for a buck. I even got pulled over for a 3" piece of windshield wiper blade that tore loose and was flapping around a bit - on the back window! Ticket costs here have began to approach the state income tax. Traffic court has a lot of $800-$900 fines with all these special fees being added on. It's bad enough they added their retirement pensions onto everyone's CA vehicle DMV license fees as well. Okay, more fees just added to license also for two stupid forest fires as well since the Central Valley broke federal air quality standards for one day and got a $29 million fine from the federal government that we have to pay with increased license fees for forest fires. Ridiculous.


Mack

[mtbspeedfreak]

Oh man! I'm sorry to hear that!

Having moved from PA, I was downright appalled at the sheer magnitude of "wrong" and hypocrisy in this state. The traffic laws over here are mere suggestions- 85 mph in a 55 mph zone, in the HOV lane, talking on the cell phone, reading the newspaper, drinking a skim latte, texting with both hands and steering with your knees, painting your toenails all without wearing your seatbelt and flippin' the world off.

Your loose windshield wiper blade is obviously MUCH more dangerous than a 16-year old talking on the phone. I mean, it's not like there's a law prohibiting talking while driving or anything.

I moved here back in February. I haven't switched insurance/registration/driver's license yet. One, I'm not exactly sure if I truly want to call myself a resident of California and two, the cost of virtually anything related to motor vehicles is downright robbery, no matter how you look at it.

[Metzger]

Originally Posted by mtbspeedfreak

I moved here back in February. I haven't switched insurance/registration/driver's license yet. One, I'm not exactly sure if I truly want to call myself a resident of California and two, the cost of virtually anything related to motor vehicles is downright robbery, no matter how you look at it.

I've heard stories from friends, on more than one occasion, about them pulling out their measuring tape to measure the distance between blinkers. The more stock it looks the less likely you'll get any headaches.

I've had R&G on my past two bikes. Pulled over once and stopped behind a fallen rider to help him out. In both cases didn't get bothered for the R&G tail tidy. Reuses stock blinkers and is legal by CA standards I believe. But all that really matters is that it looks legal. Stapling your plate (as some do) to the bottom of tail at an angle that makes it impossible to read your plate or check your registration is a sure way to get some attention.

Chances are if it looks stock, you won't get hassled. But your out of state plates might be a second reason to pull you over and generate some revenue for our broke a$$ state that has a spending problem.

P.S. Welcome to the Republic of California