License Plates

[bbytes]

As a student living in Arizona, I have two choices for registering my motorcycle. It is currently registered in Minnesota, and I can keep that registration as long as I'm a student. Or I can register it in Arizona. I was hoping you would give me an idea of what license plate you think looks best on my bike.

Here is my bike. Sorry about the grainy picture. It is nighttime.

Here is a slightly blurry picture of the current one.

For comparison, here is just the license plate (someone elses).

Here is the updated Minnesota plate that I could request.

Here is the standard Arizona motorcycle plate.

And here is the Arizona Historic Vehicle plate. I couldn't find the motorcycle one online, but it's the same thing but smaller.

So if you owned my bike, which plate would you put on it?

 

[DevanJones]

Both Arizona's are cooler but, as a fellow student, I would do whatever is cheapest.

 

[bbytes]

I'm thinking either keeping the old MN plate, or going to the historic AZ plate. Obviously, keeping my current plate is cheapest, but I do like the look of the historic plate. The other two look too modern for my old bike. I wish I could get my hands on a historic plate just to see if it would look good on my bike. I wonder if the copper/red colors would clash with the gold and red colors of my bike.

 

[gotgixers]

you will get hassled less by the LPD with local tags on your bike also ........

 

[bbytes]

That's probably true, but with the number of snowbirds down here, MN plates are almost as close as you can get to local. :lol:

It also looks like the historic plates might not need tags on them. They would look really nice without the ugly colored tags.

 

[ikantbreave]

They do need tags, but it just the one here in AZ (month and year). I really dig mine and it.s very simple. Just like my bike. $19 bux for a year too.

 

[bbytes]

Does it look any different from the car version of the license plate? I have yet to see one on a motorcycle.

 

[lurch12_2000]

I'm thinking either keeping the old MN plate, or going to the historic AZ plate. Obviously, keeping my current plate is cheapest, but I do like the look of the historic plate. The other two look too modern for my old bike. I wish I could get my hands on a historic plate just to see if it would look good on my bike. I wonder if the copper/red colors would clash with the gold and red colors of my bike.

As a student keep your MN plate, because it's cheaper. also, better night time visibilty of your existing MN plate to keep a car from running up your butt especially if your taillight is out, and since you'll probably be moving back to MN in a year or two, it would save any hassle of dealing remotely with AZ for any paperwork if selling or transferring.

 

[bbytes]

The AZ Historic plate is only $25.

Your other points are quite valid though.

 

[850GT_Rider]

It's an "L" - does it care?

Sorry, couldn't resist.....:lol:

 

[Steve]

Are there restrictions on the "historic" plate?

I know that in some places, you can not use it for commuting to work, you can only use it for "pleasure" use, you might be limited to a certain number of miles per year, etc. etc.

Might want to check into that kind of stuff before you switch.

.

 

[Bookmon]

Cheap is good. But the AZs are cooler. How much is vanity worth? Me, I rarely notice my tags. Unless someone asks why I am parked in a handicapped spot. I reply, "Please, look at my tag."

 

[Missile99]

If AZ doesn't have any restrictions for using the historic plate that's how I would go. It's just too cool to show that you're driving a classic. I waited until Dec. 29th just for my antique Flori-duh plate (that's for you Steve).

The color is light blue which doesn't contrast as well with my bike as your AZ plate would but to me having the plate is the coolest part. Hey, I ride on a 30 yr. old bike and I'm proud of it.

 

[ikantbreave]

This is the style I have on my bike. I couldnt find any restrictions as to use, they didn't mention it at MVD, and I've been riding it constantly since Nov. This plate is also MUCH thicker and heavier that the standard plate.

 

[MisterCinders]

Cheap is good. But the AZs are cooler. How much is vanity worth? Me, I rarely notice my tags. Unless someone asks why I am parked in a handicapped spot. I reply, "Please, look at my tag."

I am pretty sure that anyone riding an "L" can park in a handicapped spot, regardless of their tags.

 

[bbytes]

Steve, the reason I didn't mention the Minnesota "Classic Vehicle" plates is that they have a restriction on them. In Minnesota, a classic vehicle can only be driven occasionally, usually to car shows. You have to prove you have another vehicle. However, in Minnesota, the registration on a classic vehicle is permanent, and you don't pay tabs every year.

In Arizona, the only restriction is that your vehicle be more than 25 years old. It's kind of one of the reasons I want this plate. It would let me show off that I am still riding an old bike, and it's still awesome. The Arizona plates still need to be registered every year, and they don't put driving restrictions on them.

Ikantbreave, do they make tags that fit on the plates now? The tags on that plate look wrong because they hang over the border of the plate.

Also, what's with the ragging on the L model? It's got the same engine as the E model, just a different look. I like my GS550L.

 

[Missile99]

Florida did away with the classic 25 yr. plate and now offers antique (30yrs). I think there's historical too which if I remember is prior to 1945.

 

[Steve]

Steve, the reason I didn't mention the Minnesota "Classic Vehicle" plates is that they have a restriction on them. In Minnesota, a classic vehicle can only be driven occasionally, usually to car shows. You have to prove you have another vehicle. However, in Minnesota, the registration on a classic vehicle is permanent, and you don't pay tabs every year.

Yep, sounds like you already did some checking and know the limitations.

Yeah, the permanent registration is nice, but not nice enough to offset the "car show only" restriction.

In Arizona, the only restriction is that your vehicle be more than 25 years old. It's kind of one of the reasons I want this plate. It would let me show off that I am still riding an old bike, and it's still awesome. The Arizona plates still need to be registered every year, and they don't put driving restrictions on them.

That's the way it should be. Would be nicer to have permanent registration, but the "classic" acknowledgement is nice.

Also, what's with the ragging on the L model? It's got the same engine as the E model, just a different look. I like my GS550L.

Don't worry, they are just ragging because they are JEALOUS.

.

 

[MisterCinders]

Also, what's with the ragging on the L model? It's got the same engine as the E model, just a different look. I like my GS550L.

It's just a forum gimmick. Tkent's virulent hate for L models has become a GSR meme.

L-models lead to bobbers. Bobbers lead to choppers. Choppers lead to hate.

 

[bbytes]

It's just a forum gimmick. Tkent's virulent hate for L models has become a GSR meme.

L-models lead to bobbers. Bobbers lead to choppers. Choppers lead to hate.

Ah OK!

Don't worry. I'm putting this thing back to stock as much as possible. I think the tailpipes, and the grab bar both look silly on this bike, and I like the round mirrors too. Once I replace all of those, then the bike will look stock again.

Plus, bobbers and choppers look bad in my opinion. I like the look of the classic Japanese bike. Not to mention, they are super cheap to insure

I am thinking about just doing the historical plates. If the tabs bother me too much, I'll put a license plate frame around it, and cover the edges up.