| Author | Message | ||
     Radioelasais |
Ciao, I am moving to USA from Italy in April. I'll stay a couple of years so I am trying to get organized. I have a EU license for motorbikes and I plan to get a US license as well. I think it is necessary if you stay longer than a certain period. Am I wrong? What are the steps/procedures to get it? Do I need to sustain a theoretical exam + riding test? What about insurances rates? How much should I expect to pay for an XB9S or XB12S? Thanks. Sorry for the very basic questions. Gianluca (I felt in love with buells a very few days ago) | ||
| Jramsey |
In the state of Kansas you go to the local DMV take a open book written test then they take you out in the parking lot and have you weave in and out of some cones, do a couple of U turns then perform a zig zag and stop in a box. Pretty simple just don't put your foot down because its automatic fail. Full coverage insurance on my X1 and S3T( clean driving record) is about $175.00 per year each. (I'M old) Newer year model bikes the premium would be accordingly higher. | ||
| Slaughter |
If you're in Ohio - I'd bet some of the folks from that area should chime in here. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Gianluca- Try sending a personal message to Badweb member Buelltours; he's in Ohio and I'll bet he'll have relevant info. Link to his profile below: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/boar d-profile.cgi?action=view_profile&profile=buelltou rs-users | ||
| Indybuell |
http://www.state.gov | ||
| Ducbsa |
http://www.state.gov is a little bit broad brush. Is there a particular page that would help our new friend out? | ||
| Bhillberg |
In ohio you have to take a written test to get your "learners permit". With this you can ride all you want but 1) no passengers 2) no expressway 3) no after dark riding 4) must wear helmet (have to for first year of regular license as well) 5) no "heavily congested traffic" riding after you get your permit though all you have to do is go to the bmv and take the manuverability test. Nothing hard, cones, accelerate and stop within a certain area, and ride in a straight line. The only thing that sucks is it is different from county to county as when they give the tests. You can get your written out of the way pretty much anytime but the manuverability portion is sometimes only on one Saturday a month or something like that. Heavier populated areas usually offer it more. OR you can take a safety riders course. You need your learners permit. By me there is a Honda plant and you can go there and they either supply you with a 250 Nighthawk or you can use your own. I think it is like 2 Saturdays of class time and two weeknights of riding. I want to say it was about 3 or so hours for each day. When you pass that you can go straight to the bmv and they honor it as passing the manuverability test. I will try to get some links to post. Any other questions feel free to ask and I will try to figure them out for you. | ||
| Bhillberg |
link to Ohio bmv http://bmv.ohio.gov/driver_license/mc_lic.htm | ||
| Reepicheep |
Also, in Ohio, if you take and pass the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, you don't have to do the riding test to get your motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license. Its a good class, and subsidized by the state, so its dirt cheap. Gotta sign up early though, they fill up fast. | ||
| Bhillberg |
this might answer more questions http://www.motorcycle.ohio.gov/faq.htm | ||
| Bhillberg |
and I want to say that my insurance on my 00 X1 is about 100 bucks a year. | ||
| Bhillberg |
classes are $250 if you go on weekends and $175 if you go during the week | ||
| Thump4fun |
General information: http://www.dmv.org/oh-ohio/motorcycle-license.php How to get a license in Ohio: http://www.motorcycle.ohio.gov/license.htm I live in Columbus, Ohio and ride an XB12Ss. I'm 39 years old with a clean driving record. I pay $366/year (about $30/month) through State Farm for full coverage ($100 deductible comprehensive & $250 deductible collision) which seems pretty competetive from what I've found. Hope that helps! edit...I should mention my XB is a 2008. And the state classes are only about $25, while the Harley Davidson classes are $175/$250. Here in Columbus, they actually use many of the same instructors for HD and the state. I took the state class myself. (Message edited by thump4fun on March 11, 2009) | ||
| Aldaytona |
I'll bet if you sneak in across the Rio Grande, you'll get a license and insurance for FREE, no habla. D'oh. Did I write that?  | ||
| Radioelasais |
Heya. Thanks. I'll dig the links you provided me with. Insurance seems to be cheaper in USA (50% or lower). Gianluca | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
Gianluca, you should check out the WV Buell Rally. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/ 432249.html?1236732654 there will be a few of us from ohio attending this ride. it is "grate" fun and a good way to meet a bunch of fellow badwebbers and buellers. | ||
| Radioelasais |
Hum ... thanks all. I believe I will: 1) get a temporary permit 2) attend the basic course I couldn't find out if my EU license is valid in OH and if it would make things easier. I'll visit BMV as I get in Cinci. I'll ask also for my car license. For the time being I will be studying again the theory ... I forgot most of the rules and road signs  Ciao Gianluca | ||
| Ducbsa |
For cars, your EU license should be good for at least 90 days. For bikes, I don't know. Does it state that you have an EU motorcycle license? If so, you would have more time to be ready for any tests. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
If you're not becoming a US permanent resident your EU licence will be sufficient but an international one in addition would help. That said, without a US address & green card you'll not get a US permit or be able to register & insure a vehicle. | ||
| Bhillberg |
one of those sights had the complete study guide on it for the tests so you should be good on the laws if you just download it at take a look at it a few times before you take the test | ||
| Radioelasais |
>That said, without a US address & green card you'll not get a US permit or be able to register & insure a vehicle. Well, I should come to Cinci with a Visa. Other colleagues have been in the same position and had no problem with registering and insuring vehicles  . I'll have a US address clearly. I am not applying for a green card as I'll stay in US for just 2 years. I dwloaded a guide, it turns out be useful as I didn't know all the specific words. Thanks Gianluca |
