Is A Pit Bike A Moped?
A pit bike is not the same as a moped; a pit bike is distinct because it was never intended for street use. They are primarily used in racing pits, allowing crew members to quickly move around as needed.
Although pit bikes have small engine displacements, their overall size is also compact. Before discussing what a moped is, it’s essential to clarify what a pit bike actually is.
A pit bike is not recognized as a legal category by the DMV, but it is also not classified as a moped. A pit bike is distinctively small, typically ranging from 50cc to 150cc, and features a smaller frame. Externally, it resembles a mini dirt bike, Merriam-Webster said.
Another important difference between dirt bikes and pit bikes is the level of protection around their engines and drivetrains. Dirt bikes are designed to withstand rough treatment, while pit bikes are intended for use in racing pits, Nevada DMV said.
As a result, pit bikes are not as sturdy and are generally built with lower-quality materials. However, they are not meant for off-road trails.
The definition of a moped varies by state but generally includes a maximum engine size of 50cc, no more than three brake horsepower, and a top speed of approximately 30mph on flat terrain.
A pit bike is a type of motorcycle. They can easily exceed 30 mph on flat ground, and there is no point in limiting yourself to a 50cc engine if you’re not riding a moped. Additionally, pit bikes are equipped with a transmission, while mopeds operate at a single speed, Risk Racing said.
So, it’s best to forget the idea of a moped; pit bikes are essentially small motorcycles. All standard traffic rules apply, along with the legal requirements for motorcycle equipment in your area.
If It’s A Pain To Title It, Why Bother?
The biggest challenge when registering a motorcycle that was not originally designed to be street-legal is ensuring it meets all the necessary requirements. While adding the required components to the bike is usually manageable, the real issue lies in how your state classifies a vehicle that was intended to be an off-highway vehicle (OHV) straight from the factory.
It is especially important to be aware of your state’s emissions regulations. One potential issue you might face is your state trying to classify your pit bike as a moped or a scooter, even though it is neither. This classification is significant.
If your bike is registered as a moped and you get pulled over for exceeding the 30 mph speed limit, the responsibility for the violation falls on you, not the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Additionally, the licensing requirements vary; typically, mopeds do not require a motorcycle endorsement on your license, while motorcycles do.
If you want to operate your pit bike as an inexpensive motorcycle, it’s crucial to resist your state’s attempts to categorize it as a moped. Accepting this classification could lead to unpleasant consequences during inspections.
What Parts Do I Need To Make A Pit Bike Street Legal?
So, since pit bikes are built as OHVs, they usually don’t come equipped with any lights or horns. Thankfully, finding street-legal light kits for a pit bike is not hard.
In most cases, a pit bike must be equipped with the following items to be considered street-legal:
- White headlight with low and high beam
- Red taillight with brighter or separate brake light
- Reflectors: yellow front and rear
- White license plate light
- Front and rear turn signals
- DOT tires
- Mirrors
- Horn
- Quiet exhaust with muffler
Is That All I Need to Do?
Well, that depends on exactly how you’re getting street-legal. If you walk into your local DMV, they might be unable to make it happen. Some states have obscure requirements, like a minimum CC for something to be registered as a motorcycle.
Other states won’t outright say anything until the inspection happens, at which time they will fail the bike based on the visual fact that it’s a pit bike. In other words, you could go through a lot of trouble and still come out empty-handed.
Dirt Legal does it differently. We work with a few states we know will title and register OHVs, including pit bikes. That’s right; we can make your pit bike street legal – guaranteed or your money back.
Your pit bike won’t need to be inspected with our program, so there’s no risk of failing at that step. Just keep in mind that if you get pulled over without the required parts, it’s your butt on the line
We’ve spent the better part of a decade finding the best insurance companies – check them out on our Insurance page along with some helpful advice for making your calls with insurance go as smoothly as possible.
The Dirt Legal Advantage
Dirt Legal is your solution for the problems you face. If you have vehicles that need to be street-legal, we can help. We understand the process, so you don’t have to worry.
All you need to do is provide us with the requested information, and we’ll take care of the rest.
If you are ready to get your pit bike out of the garage and on the road, check out our dirt bike titling and registration program.
Also, if you have any other vehicles needing titles taken care of or prefer not to spend thousands on sales tax, check out our Montana LLC program!
