Anyone in Canada register their bike as a LSM?

[zuora]

Has anyone in Canada managed to get their bike plated/insured as a limited speed motorcycle? If so, what was the process like?

I saw that it actually is possible to get a VIN for a custom build in BC (where I am), but looking at old posts here, it seems nearly impossible. Info here for anyone interested:

https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Pages/Ubilt-vehicles-and-trailers.aspx

I wonder if stock bikes that already go fast enough could even qualify under "custom built" status? Other than that, doesn't look like there'd be a way to get a VIN for it .

 

[markz]

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It is not worth it, you might as well just buy a motorcycle or convert a motorcycle.

 

[goatman]

andy Kirby in the uk did it. he mentioned vin issue but I don't know why you cant use bike serial number. I use it to register my bikes with garage 529 and cops are supposed to search garage 529 if they get a stolen bike to track down owner, its a number just your bike has call it a vin, no?. but to go on the road in traffic at higher speeds id convert a motor bike that's already registerable

 

[MadRhino]

Even if some provinces in Canada would approve them to be registered, the Canadian law has very strict rules for vehicles approval. One of them rules is mandatory destructive tests by federal approved lab. So you would need to build 2 or 3 exactly the same, to have one approved.

 

[markz]

https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Mopeds-and-scooters.aspx
You are limited to 1500W which is nothing, you wont be able to do anything if you have more then 1500W.

Your best bet, is to call up ICBC using something called a telephone.
https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/contact-us/Pages/default.aspx
I'd personally try to find a tele # of a small town then dialing the Vancouver or 1800/888 #. I remember I had to deal with the ICBC scumbags and I called up Kamloops and got someone right away who put me on to someone else, who put me onto someone else who....put........me...............onto............................someone......................................................................else.

BC Ministry of Transport would probably be a better start at doing the run around on the something called a telephone racket.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/transportation-and-infrastructure

 

[zuora]

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It is not worth it, you might as well just buy a motorcycle or convert a motorcycle.

Not worth it as in too much effort, money, both? But then do you ultimately think it's possible?

I saw it was $25 to apply for a new VIN, but I'm not sure what other costs there are. There's an inspection before it can be passed, but I see no price info for that.

andy Kirby in the uk did it. he mentioned vin issue but I don't know why you cant use bike serial number. I use it to register my bikes with garage 529 and cops are supposed to search garage 529 if they get a stolen bike to track down owner, its a number just your bike has call it a vin, no?. but to go on the road in traffic at higher speeds id convert a motor bike that's already registerable

Well I believe the serial number that's on the bike isn't long enough, so they wouldn't accept it as a VIN. That's what I heard anyway...

I like the look and feel of my bike, so I'd rather just upgrade what I have instead of buying another one. Plus it would cost more to buy another bike, this would be cheaper if it could be done.

Even if some provinces in Canada would approve them to be registered, the Canadian law has very strict rules for vehicles approval. One of them rules is mandatory destructive tests by federal approved lab. So you would need to build 2 or 3 exactly the same, to have one approved.

I would stay in my province, so if I could get it approved here, that's all I'd care about. Mine has a law that allows for custom builds, so I don't think the rule of multiples would apply. It seems you just need to get it inspected and passed by an authorized center. The nearest one to me is a motorcycle dealer.

I'm thinking that as long as I had a valid plate, I wouldn't be hassled by the police for anything (besides any traffic violations ).

https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Mopeds-and-scooters.aspx
You are limited to 1500W which is nothing, you wont be able to do anything if you have more then 1500W.

Your best bet, is to call up ICBC using something called a telephone.
https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/contact-us/Pages/default.aspx
I'd personally try to find a tele # of a small town then dialing the Vancouver or 1800/888 #. I remember I had to deal with the ICBC scumbags and I called up Kamloops and got someone right away who put me on to someone else, who put me onto someone else who....put........me...............onto............................someone......................................................................else.

BC Ministry of Transport would probably be a better start at doing the run around on the something called a telephone racket.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/transportation-and-infrastructure

My bike is within the wattage limits, and I know it could reach 65 km/hr ish without the limiter, as is. That speed's good enough for me, it'd just be for city use. It's one of those "motorcycle" lookalikes, which might help it pass?

Also pretty sure it's the same as a certain electric motorcycle sold in the US, so my bike could withstand those speeds.

Anyway I'll definitely call when they're open, just wanted to see if anyone here could give me hope that it could actually be done :? .

What did they tell you when you called?

Not planning on doing anything soon, but was thinking it'd be good to upgrade once my battery dies.

 

[markz]

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Please tell us exactly what you have in terms of the bicycle, enduro frame or motorcycle you are using
It'd be nice to know exactly what ebike kit/motor and controller you are using. You say you have a 1500W or 1000W motor, but what is it, or where did you buy it from. What controller, voltage and discharge amps you using.

Also, where exactly will you be riding and at what speeds, for how long.

 

[MadRhino]

‘’I'm thinking that as long as I had a valid plate, I wouldn't be hassled by the police for anything (besides any traffic violations ).’’

You don’t need a licence plate to keep the police off your back. And, a licence plate can’t keep the police off your back if they want you off the streets. This is only about how you behave and what you look like.

 

[zuora]

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Please tell us exactly what you have in terms of the bicycle, enduro frame or motorcycle you are using
It'd be nice to know exactly what ebike kit/motor and controller you are using. You say you have a 1500W or 1000W motor, but what is it, or where did you buy it from. What controller, voltage and discharge amps you using.

Also, where exactly will you be riding and at what speeds, for how long.

I have this one. They have the motor rated at 500 W.

https://motorino.ca/motorino-xmr

I've seen people who have removed the limiter, and it can go up to 65 km/hr without any other modification. And would fit limited speed motorcycle requirements...if they would allow it to be registered as such.

I'd just be riding in the city, so 70 km max. But it's mainly 50-60 km/hr on most roads.

‘’I'm thinking that as long as I had a valid plate, I wouldn't be hassled by the police for anything (besides any traffic violations ).’’

You don’t need a licence plate to keep the police off your back. And, a licence plate can’t keep the police off your back if they want you off the streets. This is only about how you behave and what you look like.

Well here in BC they are starting to persecute law abiding e-bike riders...getting it legally registered would remedy that, if that were possible.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-e-bikes-police-1.5581852?fbclid=IwAR2pGvZOzMuQyv-GEsewAm5b7XXfymZZzHCTYZ41cnRpqnh0gcjT_nml6EE

 

[goatman]

I think youre better off getting one of those super socco bikes, ive seen them a couple times on CL for about the same price. the only thing youll do on that bike is piss off drivers and you wont have any range.

 

[markz]

Ride a BICYCLE in courteous way and you will have no problems with a Trek BICYCLE and 1500W or 3000W mxus motor, just dont be doing 50kph, dont be riding on the highway neither or pissing anyone off (Walkers). The great thing with a BICYCLE is that you can take it on the train, or bus and you can ride it in a park, on pathway systems, single track trails. You will be hassled taking your Motorino on any pathway, or riding it in any park for that matter, dont matter if it has pedals and is 500W because the colorful papers you will be receiving with court date wont care, all they see is a MOTORCYCLE, your Motorino. Total heat score, dont even bother.

Otherwise get yourself a MOTORCYCLE or MOPED if you want to ride on the roads at 50kph+ and dont bother wasting your money on the Motorino, dont even waste your time on any Enduro ebike frame, just get yourself a normal bicycle.

Its really not worth your time or money to do anything otherwise. Why spend $3k on a 500W of anything, such a waste.

Buy yourself a used fat bike or mountain bike, get yourself a rear Leaf 1500W hub motor from Leafbike and a 48V50A controller with a sufficient battery, rear pannier bags to hide said motor and to stash your battery and controller in.

 

[MadRhino]

‘’I have this one. They have the motor rated at 500 W.

https://motorino’’

Sure, you would be persecuted here too. Scooters and motorcycle looking ebikes are hassled everywhere, even when they are legal.

I ride much higher performance, without any problems. I look like a bicycle. A fast, powerful bicycle that beats motorcycles on a start and can comfortably achieve highway speed. But still, because it is a bicycle, and I pedal all the time, I am not a target for the police. I obey the trafic laws, avoid bike paths most of the time and when I ride them it is at bicycle speed. I avoid highways most of the time too, and when I ride a highway shortcut I follow the trafic, not faster nor slower.

For the police, everything is about how you behave, and what you look like.

 

[goatman]

have you talked to motorino in Vancouver to see what they say? the super soco looks pretty close in build appearance, and ask why you can insure a soco and not yours
https://motorino.ca/super-soco-tc

 

[momus3]

"For the police, everything is about how you behave, and what you look like"

That's the truth. Add to that what side of the bed the cop got up on that day, whether the wife/hubby cut them off, etc. But the truly main thing is, it depends on where you live and what the local bike ordinances are.

Nowhere in Florida did I have any trouble w/ those folks, and you can ride your bike anywhere in the state on their sidewalks except on downtown crowded streets. The cops are used to seeing people on bikes. Places like Daytona have so many custom builds sporting 2, 3, 4, 10 wheels on the streets that no one blinks an eye. When I moved to the small, conservative town of Las Cruces, NM, I was endlessly hassled and stared down when doing nothing! Moved to Tucson, and it's back to being invisible. Maybe you can't fight city hall, but you can change the type of people you have to deal with :]

 

[miro13car]

it is all about look.
even if Motorino had labels/signs attached to it like - "max.32km/h" it would have been still scooter for most of people
and pedals are there for decoration/compliance.

 

[MadRhino]

All I can say about police perception is that, for them a Vespa style scooter is the usual DUI who is still on the street after he had lost his driver’s licence and, with the motorcycle style ebikes, they are cheating the law with fake pedals and purpose. That is how they see you, and why they want you off the streets.

It is not enough that your ebike has ‘pedals’, it must have real pedals and you have to pedal to look legitimate. Then it doesn't matter if it isn't legal. What matters next is how you behave. Even if you have registration and valid licence, if you behave like a hooligan or a criminal, they will treat you like one and find a reason to get you off the streets.

 

[miro13car]

in my book you either move your legs or you dont.
motionless legs are very weird on any pathway, anywhere.
stand up scooter is another matter, but is standing not sitting.