Wheelbase

The wheelbase of your motorcycle is measured from the centre of the front wheel to the centre of the rear wheel. It must be a minimum of 41 inches (1,040 mm).

Saddle height

The saddle height of your motorcycle is measured from the ground to the seat valley. It must not be less than 20 inches (500 mm) when loaded with 150 lb. (70 kg).

Frame height

The frame height of your motorcycle is measured from the top of the headstock to the ground (with the vehicle unloaded). It must be a minimum of 25.5 inches (650 mm).

Ground clearance

The ground clearance for your motorcycle is measured from the ground to the lowest part of the power-train. You should provide between 4 inches (10 mm) and 12.5 inches (320 mm).

Wheels

The wheels on your motorcycle must have a minimum diameter of 9.875 inches (250 mm).

Tires

The tires on your motorcycle must have the letters DOT (Department of Transportation) or a Canadian National Safety Mark (in the form of a maple leaf symbol) on the side wall.

Front and rear brakes

Your motorcycle must be equipped with front and rear brakes (mechanical or hydraulic is acceptable).

Note: A parking brake is not mandatory.

Front suspension

Your motorcycle must be equipped with a front suspension system (spring and damper forks).

Note: ‘Hardtails’ (no rear suspension) are acceptable.

Muffler

Your motorcycle must have one or more mufflers that ensure exhaust gases are cooled and effectively reduce combustion noise.

Mirror

Your motorcycle must be equipped with at least one mirror with a minimum reflective area of 8.5 inches² (55 cm²).

Drive train guard

Your motorcycle must have a chain, belt or propeller shaft drive train guard.

Handlebars

Your motorcycle must not have handlebars with grips that are higher than the shoulders of a seated driver.

Speedometer or tachometer

Your motorcycle must be equipped with either a speedometer or tachometer.

Fenders or mud flaps

Your motorcycle must be equipped with fenders or mud flaps.

Horn

Your motorcycle must be equipped with a horn that can be heard from 200 ft (60 m) away under normal traffic conditions.

Lamps – General

All motorcycle lamps must be DOT/SAE or “E” code approved and labeled or meet the specifications for a CMVSS compliant vehicle.

Headlamps

Your motorcycle must have high and low beams. The letters DOT must be embossed on the lens that turn on automatically when in a forward gear.

Note: Limited-speed motorcycles (LSM/scooters) do not require a high beam.

Stop lamps and tail lamps

The stop lamps and tail lamps must be red in colour and mounted on the rear vertical center-line of the vehicle (single lamp system) or symetrically on either side of the rear vertical center-line of the vehicle (two lamp system).

Note: The stop lamps on motorcycles built after 1996 must have minimum 7.75 inches² (50 cm²) lenses. The stop lamps on Limited Speed Motorcycles built after 1996 must have minimum 3.5 inches² (23 cm²) lenses.

Front signal lamps

The front signal lamps of your motorcycle must be amber in colour and mounted symmetrically on either side of the vehicle’s vertical centre-line a minimum of 16 inches (400 mm) apart, measured from the centre-line of the lamps.

Rear signal lamps

The rear signal lamps of your motorcycle must be either amber or red in colour and be mounted symmetrically on either side of the vehicle’s vertical centre-line a minimum of 9 inches (230 mm) apart, measured from the centre-line of the lamps.

The red rear signal lamps must be installed a minimum of 4 inches (100 mm) away from a stop lamp or tail lamp measured from lamp edge to lamp edge.

• Motorcycles built before 1974 do not require signal lamps.
• Motorcycles built after 1996 must have minimum 3.5 inches² (23 cm²) signal lamp lenses.

Reflectors

Your motorcycle must be equipped with one red rear reflector, one red reflector mounted on each side as close to the rear as practical and one amber reflector mounted on each side as close to the front as practical.

Stop lamps, tail lamps and reflectors

All stop lamps, tail lamps and reflectors on your motorcycle must be mounted not less than 15 inches (380 mm) above the road.

Stop lamps, signal lamps and tail lamps

All stop lamps, signal lamps and tail lamps on your motorcycle must be visible from 650 ft (200 m) on a clear night. In addition:

• Every operator and every passenger must wear a securely attached helmet that meets the standards of either the Canadian Standards Association, the American Motorcycle Association, the British Standards Institute, the Snell Memorial Foundation or the U.S. Department of Transport and be so labelled. The Snell Memorial Foundation, the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) or the U.S. Deptpartment of Transport and be so labelled.
• No passenger shall be carried unless there is a passenger seat or the operator’s seat has been designed to accommodate a passenger, and there are foot pegs supplied for the passenger.