Is a Ninja 250 considered a moped by law?

Question

I have read that in some states (including AR) any motorcycle under 250CC is considered a moped, thus not requiring a license/tags/insurance to drive.

I have read the AR state license law over and over and it states; Class M - Any motorcycle with displaces more than 250 cc's. Minimum age 16.

My question is this, does the Ninja 250 bypass this law altogether? I have hard of people getting mopeds to bypass a DUI causing them to lose there license, but would a ninja 250 do the same?

Answer 1

Generally more than just the motor size is used to specify the delineation between moped and motorcycle. Usually a bike that is considered a moped or scooter and thereby not requiring a motorcycle permit is usually restricted by wheel size (having one or more wheels that is 10" or more) and by brake horsepower(no more that 2.5 bhp).
You can look up the moped laws for your state here:
http://moped2.org/mstates.htm

Answer 2

Check again to make sure that the law isn't "250cc and up" - which would answer your question right away. But, even that doesn't sound right to me. The aerodynamics of a 250cc moped would be completely different than that of a sports bike, and the riding characteristics are also undeniably different. And, while a 249cc Ninja could possibly be listed as a moped in terms of engine size (though I've never heard of anyone who's done it), I can almost guarantee that it will be labeled as a "sports bike" by an insurance company. Plus, if you get caught speeding on it - which you almost certainly will - AND you have no insurance, tags, or license, you're probably going to get into big trouble with the law.

Insurance companies slap a "sports bike" classification on damn near everything. I used to own a Yamaha YZF600R, which most would label as a sports-touring package, but my insurance company listed it as a sports bike and I was charged double for coverage. This may pose the same problem when registering your bike. Obviously a 250cc Ninja is NOT a moped. It will be ridden much faster than a moped, and you'll be riding it as a sports bike, as opposed to a moped, when you're riding with other higher cc bikes. You don't see too many mopeds carving corners on mountain roads, so I don't think it'll work.

...but, good luck in any case.

Answer 3

u do know what a moped looks like do u not? its a 2 wheeled vehicle that has not only an engine, but also bike pedals. it does require at bare minumum, a moped license if rider is 14 or older, but doesnt have a car or bike license. a standard car driver is legal to ride a moped. they also are required to have license plates here in ohio, and every state that i've ever been in and seen a moped, it had a license plate on the back.
for any1 to legally operate a moped on state roads...and yea that includes city/township roads also....u have to hold a valid license for either a moped, a car, motorcycle, or cdl.....at the absolute minumum, a moped license.
if u have a suspended license because of a dwi, u are ILLEGAL to ride even a moped. if u are caught, u will be tagged for driving on a suspended license. if u are intoxicated, i have actually have seen people arrested driving drunk on a moped up here in ohio.

a ninja is classified as a motorcycle in all 50 states. the dealer will have it on the title as a motorcycle. no motorcycles has bicycle pedals on them.

ur answer: no.....the ninja DOES NOT bypass this law. ninja's are required at the very minumum, insurance per state law, and motorcycle permit.

Answer 4

I believe i most countries consider a 250 a bona fide 'motorcycle', but Australia and NZ have imposed an engine size limit for new riders. It seems they have issues with a 15 year old on a Hayabusa touching the 185mph mark. It also opened up a market for smaller sized bikes.

I think you can get a no-name 250cc Chinese scooter delivered to your door, and as long as everyone thinks is your typical 49cc scoot, you're fine. Until you either crank it up or the crank falls out.

Answer 5

Any motor vehicle 50cc or above needs to be registered with the DMV and therefore have a license plate and an operator with a Motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license.

Mopeds/Scooters are commonly 49cc to avoid this.

Ninja 250 is way over the 50cc limit.

Answer 6

in straightforward words contained in the State of bewilderment ought to a 250cc powered , 100mph in a position 2-wheeled vehicle without pedals be stated as a 'moped'. South Carolina is in basic terms west from West Virginia yet north of North Dakota, proper?!?

Answer 7

That can't be correct there must be something you have missed, I certainly can't believe a 250cc motorcycle would fall into unlicensed moped class rules.

Answer 8

moPED as in PEDal (with your feet!)

BTW, laws are different in every state.
Some states you need a license, reg, etc...all the stuff, just like a bike.
Some states you don't need any of it, I hear.
Some thing to think about: there are places you CAN"T ride a BICYCLE if you had a DWI.

Answer 9

i have always heard it has to be under 50 cc and a top speed of 25 or 35, cant remember, to not have to have a cycle license

Answer 10

your registration papers should only state class of motor aka 250cc, and manufacturer, color, and s/n

but i agree with swenn, 50cc sounds more realistic