Illinois wheelie law

[leprecaun jon]

Don't know if anyone posted this up on here but bike bandit had it posted on face book The New Illinios Motorcycle Wheelie Law

>> Ashley Benson

5

January 4, 2013 - San Diego, CA



How much do you love popping wheelies on the freeway as you come home from a long day at work? Do you love it enough to risk a $100 fine? How about loving it enough to risk jail time?

If you live in the lovely state of Illinois, January 1st saw a new law go into effect that specifically targets motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles from riding on one wheel, taking both hands off of the handlebars at the same time while the bike is in motion or sitting/standing on any part of a motorcycle that isn't an actual motorcycle seat.

More of the cruiser type? Hope you don't love those ape hangers that you installed. This new law also prohibits motorcycle handlebars that reach higher than the rider's head.

In all instances, Illinois Senate Bill 3452 dishes out a $100 fine for all first time offences. Get caught twice? Pay up to $1,500 and spend six months behind bars. And if you're smart enough to do it a third time after all of that, you can expect to pay $2,500 and hang up your motorcycle jacket to spend an entire year in jail.

While most places make these same offenses illegal under the usual "reckless driving" umbrella, it's interesting that Illinois has taken it a step further to single out motorcyclists. And after all of the debate over motorcycle only checkpoints, I'm sure this will spark up another conversation about targeting motorcyclists especially when dangerously popping wheelies on the freeway or public streets is already an illegal act. Not to mention the severity of the law. For instance, we all know the dangerous of car drivers who text and drive, yet if you're caught doing that, you won't be sent to jail.

Does Illinois really have that big of a problem with stunters? Here's the full law. Fastforward to page 18 for the wheelie law.

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Open publication - Free publishing

 

[Sage]

You could face $1000 fine if you get caught doing a wheeling while exceeding the speed limit apparently too is what I've been hearing. =/
I don't stunt and don't really care, it's just another revenue maker for our republic of a state..

At least we can run a red after a 'reasonable' time now.

 

[yfz6r]

The wheelie thing is ok but some of the other laws are going way too far. Sme people love those giant ape-hangers. And if I read that correctly, you can get fined for standing on the foot pegs? BS. I know we don't own the streets but we are forced to drive on them. As long as we don't put others in danger we should be able to o as we please.


Also, Illinois has no helmet laws. Just a law for every other little things guess.

 

[Marthy]

Thats a chrap deal... searsh Florida!

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[Deathdiesel]

The wheelie thing is ok but some of the other laws are going way too far. Sme people love those giant ape-hangers. And if I read that correctly, you can get fined for standing on the foot pegs? BS. I know we don't own the streets but we are forced to drive on them. As long as we don't put others in danger we should be able to o as we please.


Also, Illinois has no helmet laws. Just a law for every other little things guess.

Surely they cannot mean you cant stand on the footpegs? Fact is its safer to do so when running over debris if you have to, I was taught it in the safety class.

And honestly I have no issue with any of these laws, huge ape hangers are stupid and not very efficient for driving. Wheelies are unsafe, especially on public roads, and standing anywhere besides the seat or pegs is rather dumb too. The no hands thing though is kind of dumb, seems a bit unnecessary to me.

 

[bmw675]

I don't have any problems with the no wheelies law. I never been into them and those that are, 9/10 are doing so in a reckless matter, giving the rest of us a bad reputation.

I don't stand on the pegs completely, but when going over bridge joints, tracks, or rough patches, I will elevate by butt off the seat so I don't get beat up.

And yes, we have red light law. I use that ALOT. Sometimes quicker than the 2 min you are supposed to wait, but that's only b/c I frequent certain intersections that I know to be a problem.

I wish they would throw the helmet law into effect too. Too many people behind the wheel that don't even deserve to be in the front passenger seat.

 

[leprecaun jon]

By no means am I supporting doing wheelies lol just thought the law was peculiar and wanted to inform other riders as many of you know I'm an AMA member so I continually fight for our right love And passion of motorcycles

 

[BoneJj]

I don't have any problems with the no wheelies law. I never been into them and those that are, 9/10 are doing so in a reckless matter, giving the rest of us a bad reputation.

I don't stand on the pegs completely, but when going over bridge joints, tracks, or rough patches, I will elevate by butt off the seat so I don't get beat up.

And yes, we have red light law. I use that ALOT. Sometimes quicker than the 2 min you are supposed to wait, but that's only b/c I frequent certain intersections that I know to be a problem.

I wish they would throw the helmet law into effect too. Too many people behind the wheel that don't even deserve to be in the front passenger seat.

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[FastFreddy]

It seems to severe to me.

Reasoning : you have to be concentrating a lot in order to do a balance point wheelie on a freeway. (I'd imagine, I've never done this myself).

Texting while driving would surely be much more dangerous.


Taking both hands off the handlebars ? This is also a severe punishment. Mainly because sportsbikes are designed precisely for stability, they will still keep travelling in a perfectly straight line with the hands off the handlebars. (or continue to hold the cornering line whilst in a corner). The only drawback with taking the hands off is that the engine back torque will make the bike slow down. So there is no scientific basis of risk assessment for this fine whatsoever.
Of course if there's parked cars around, driveways or other vehicles nearby it then wouldn't be safe to take both hands off the handlebars, but there are downhill road sections with no driveways or parked cars in which it is perfectly safe due to the inherit stability of the motorcycle design. (fork angle pointing ahead of the tyre patch, unlike most bicycles).

 

[FastFreddy]

The offence would be covered under "reckless driving" in Sydney and probably other offences tacked on. It's not worth the risk of injury and damage in any case.

 

[bmw675]

It seems to severe to me.

Reasoning : you have to be concentrating a lot in order to do a balance point wheelie on a freeway. (I'd imagine, I've never done this myself).

Texting while driving would surely be much more dangerous.


Taking both hands off the handlebars ? This is also a severe punishment.

You said wheelies take a lot of concentration... So they have even less concentration on their surroundings. Sounds like another reason to be against it. To me texting would be on par given the distraction/concentration levels.

Agree about the handlebars. They even teach you at track days to put as little pressure on the bars at all times. Som instructors even take both hands off in mid corner with knee down just to prove you need to relax on the bars. I'll take their word on that one.

 

[Invader Jim]

Those laws suck. They are way too harsh. I don't stunt, and don't think people should stunt on public roads but jail time is extreme for a wheelie. It is completely absurd for taking you hands off the bars or standing on your pegs. I have taken my hands off the bars at speed to adjust a glove. I have stood fully upright on my pegs on multi-hour rides to stretch a bit and get a little airflow down there.

Ape hangers? I would never want any but they should not be illegal.

People must hate motorcycles/riders.

 

[Nastybutler]

Yeah, I stand up on my pegs quite frequently to strech and readjust the "boys" when my riding pants start creeping up. If you want to put me in jail for that, be prepared for a court battle.

 

[bleedinblue]

That would be a good one to print out, and paste onto the side of a porta potty.That way everyone gets a chance to go in and donate a little support.

 

[leprecaun jon]

Yes I will agree that the charges are bogus some of the mentioned acts are done by a lot of us to ride safe and comfortably I know I stand on my pegs, so that's a battle to be won however they are fighting for the peoe standing on there gas tanks and shit too the ape hangers that's far fetched if I want ape hangers or clip ons no one should regulate my freedom to do so they don't reflate super swamp era and low profile tires because these laws exclusively single out motorcyclists like motorcycle only check points it will be gaining some heat from the AMA they don't have SUV only check points or bicycle only check points or laws like this.. If this floats I feed for my freedoms and liberties even more so living in the commonwealth of virginia

 

[06330i]

Just another reason I refuse to move to Chicago even though I love it there. Don't accept my CPL and now even more ridiculous motorcycle laws. I'll stay in Michigan.

 

[0150r]

That jail time is more than just about anyone serves for DUI's. That is way too severe.

As for no hands? When I roll up to a stop light that doesn't have traffic (IE: no one for me too hit). I will coast with my hands on my thighs so I can stretch my back a little and prevent hand cramps. Is that really jail worthy?

 

[BKP]

I have an issue with ANY "it's for your own good" law, and Illinois is one of the biggest offenders. If you want to kill yourself it's no one else's business, if it has no impact on anyone else.


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