I know that some dirt bikes can have the lights on them and so forth, so why cant you do that with a four wheeler? Are there specific laws that deal with this issue?
2006-12-08 01:55:44 · 11 answers · asked by kiger151 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Actually, ATVs can be made legal for road use in several states. South Dakota, for one, and Arizona at the time that I lived there. But these are very sparsly populated states, and in general the vast majority of four wheelers don't have the power or design needed to hold it's own in traffic. In most states, you can't modify motorcycles to be street legal, either - you can only ride them on the street if they came from the manufacturer with certain features (turn signals, tail light, brake lights, headlight, license plate mount) that designate them as a street vehicle. Again, there are exceptions, but for the most part that's how it works.
There are several prototype vehicles in the works that are kind of quad/motorcycle/car hybrids that are very cool, very fuel efficient, and designed for street use. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on those - hopefully we'll be seeing a nice, safe option between a car and a motorcycle in the near future.
2006-12-08 02:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by fz1goddess 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
These vehicles are covered under a different set of laws than two wheeled vehicles. They are built as off road vehicles only.
Because they have 4 wheels, they would be be covered under the same laws as an automobile if they were to be allowed on the street.
They would need to pass automotive emissions standards, require seat-belts and a windshield with safety glass. Side impact protection. Longer and wider wheelbase. DOT approved lights, high mounted stop light, turn signals, horn. They would require windshield wipers. They would require DOT tires capable of sustained highway speeds. The 4 wheeler would be required to be able to sustain 70 MPH for extended times to be able to travel on the highway, most 4 wheelers can only maintain this speed for a couple of minutes if at all.
By the time you made all of these modifications, you might as well buy a car.
2006-12-08 02:14:13 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well four wheelers are really fun trust me I know. But the reson why you can't drive them on the road is because you can probably get in a crash very easily. and dirt bikes are like motorcycles. I don't know but thats what i think.
2006-12-08 02:10:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legal in the United States is too broad - every state has different vehicular laws. first - it doesn't have enough horsepower to comply with the laws maybe. Second, the modifications you'd have to do to it would so dramatic that it would have an outrageous cost. ie - turn signals, brake lights, horn, catalytic converter, other exhaust mods. Proper street legal tires, brakes, etc. The list goes on and on.
2006-12-08 01:59:54 · answer #4 · answered by slipnfall 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, some states like mt,id ect. to do it you can buy kits with turn signals all the wires brake light mirrors after you put it all on you have to take it to the DMV so they can check it out must have a battery most 4-wheelers today have them. no freeway driving i have a friend in san jose that had a honda pilot sreet legal but prepare to get pulled over alot if you drive it in the city. so yes it is possible
2016-05-23 06:27:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do have 4 wheel vehicles called cars. Other than that only Motorcycles and Trikes are street legal...no quads (they are not set up for road handling suspension).
2006-12-08 04:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by DAVER 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the idiots who drive four wheelers need to stay off the ROAD so when they mangle themselves in stupid "Accidents" that REGULAR NORMAL PEOPLE who dont live in trailer parks or watch wrestling can avoid them. ATVs are named such for a reason. THEYRE MADE FOR OFF THE ROAD. Theyre not called ALL ROAD VEHICLES. Or ALL STREET VEHICLES.
2006-12-08 01:58:22 · answer #7 · answered by . S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
actually you can street legalize them. in florida at least. u would just have to spend thousands of dollars to make it meet all of the requirements. but once u spend all that money u coulda just bought a lifted truck.
2006-12-08 07:52:05 · answer #8 · answered by motokid5000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 whlrs are built to be off road only. the emissions are different and the suspensions aren't engineered for road use. neither are the tires. it is designed for off road only. sorry
2006-12-08 01:59:49 · answer #9 · answered by spotlite 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These vehicles can't pass the crash safety tests.
2006-12-08 10:40:10 · answer #10 · answered by preacher55 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋