So, I was having morning chit chat with 65 year old busa guy, a harley guy walked up to us and said TX is trying to pass a law that any passengers on Sportbike have to be 17 or older and have to also have motorcycle license.

I am not ever going to pack anybody, but still.. it seems very dumb.

 

On sportbike specifically? Wouldn't matter if it was a cruiser? That's stupid dumb.

 

The guy said "Sportbike" That's why he approached us, sportbikers

 

Yes its true. It went through pretty fast and is only for sportbikes. Pretty chitty but one to many dumba$$es will ruin it for eveyone.

Here is what i found.

Sec. 545.4161. OPERATION OF SPORT BIKE. (a) In addition to
the requirements and prohibitions under Section 545.416, an
operator may not carry another person on a sport bike unless the
sport bike is designed to carry more th...an one person and:

(1) the operator:

(A) is at least 18 years of age; and

(B) has had a Class M license for at least two
years; or

(2) the other person:

(A) is at least 18 years of age and holds a Class
M license; or

(B) is a motorcycle operator training and safety
course instructor certified under Chapter 662.

(b) An operator of a sport bike shall ensure that a
passenger on the sport bike complies with all department
regulations relating to motorcycle safety."


As long as you have had a M for 2 years you can carry a person. I doubt it will be enforced unless your doing something stupid with a passenger. I know a few police folks who ride bikes with their kids <18 Years old and they wont give it up.

 

Texas takes a step down from my "Most Sensible State In the U.S." list. It's still about 100 steps above the other 49 tho

 

Haha i still have love for my state mostly because the new rules wont apply to me. Ive had my M endorsment for 3 years and the only person i ride is my wife. All is good.

 

I dont think this is real, God bless the Republic of Texas

 

Even if it's just for sportbikes I don't think it's dumb at all. Sounds quite sensible to me..

Over here it's mandatory to get your license (not just a simple theoretical exam and you're done, it's actually quite extensive and expensive. It's a theoretical exam and two practical exams). The minimum age is 18 and if you are <21 you get a 'light' license which has a max of 25kw (either lower cc or restricted bike). If you get your license at 18 and have it for two years it bumps you up to a full license (unlimited kw) automatically. Getting your license at 21 and older gives you a full license by default. The government is trying to bump that up to 24 I think.

I can't imagine a 16/17 y/o on a 100bhp+ sportbike. Imagine how many more accidents there would be. Sure there are sensible people around that age but the young kids on scooters/mopeds already drive like complete retards (although nowadays you also need to get a proper license for that instead of just a theoretical certificate so it got a bit better).

All in all, sounds sensible to me.

EDIT: Ignore aforementioned; very little sleep + reading a post too quickly on an iPhone resulted in sounding like an ***.

 

Also, I find completely retarded that some states don't even have a helmet law!

 

Kuro - have no fear - notice that no where in there did it mention that the legal M-endorsed passenger has to be wearing a helmet. TX is a "no helmet law" state.

Doesn't it seem kinda stupid to be restricting who can and can't ride b!tch for what I assume are safety reasons, then not requiring them to at least wear a helmet?