plow u got it completly correct i just want to know why we need plates on our quads i think its because if you are gettin chased so people can tell who you are

 

lakota00,

You've hit the nail on the head. That is EXACTLY the reason why they want us to have plates. Personally that is really nothing a little mud can't take care of. After all they are all TERRAIN vehicles.

 

What about Washington County? That's where I live and there aren't ANY trails. Everything is made/maintained by me and a group of friends. Their hasn't been a single effort for the state to build trails out here(that anyone knows of). To ride out here you need to know know people with alot of land, or own a fast quad to run from the cops. The part that I ride in has a few places to ride, none of which are legal. The best places to ride are along horse trails and railroad tracks, but that gets boring after a few miles. I'm not registering nor am I getting insurance. I am already broke from the cost of overpriced gas and pre-mix. THEY want me to get registered and insured, THEY can pay for it.

 

This has been a great topic...just look at the hits. Now that we're all in a heated (friendly) battle, I did some homework on just exactly what the state is doing for us. The following moneys are being distributed towards atv trail systems throughout the state...
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Gov. Tom Ridge this week announced more than $3.5 million in grants for the planning, acquisition, construction and maintenance of more than 480 miles of recreational trails and rail-trails in 40 Pennsylvania counties.

Michaux State Forest, $22,400, to repair and improve deteriorating motorized recreation trails in Cooke and Menallen townships

Buchanan State Forest, $34,650, to repair and improve deteriorating ATV trail sections and construct approximately four miles of new trail.

Allegheny National Forest, $300,000, to maintain and restore the 38-mile ATV trail system in three phases.

Three Rivers Competition Riders, $86,950, to reconstruct an existing boardwalk and bridge that carries the Marienville Trail over Penoke Run.

Tiadaghton State Forest, $35,200, to purchase equipment and improve the Haneyville ATV Trail.
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I know it doesn't say anything about newly aquired trails, but be patient, they're in the mix.

The new liscense plates will most likely be distributed with you're nenewal of registration next year...unless you run out and buy a new atv beforehand. New laws normally take a years time to tighten up...such as the Personal Water Craft operators liscense. Last summer was warnings...but not this summer! The dealers also have several new regulations to follow with house bill 154. The reigns have tightened everywhere in the atv world. As to where to hang the plate...the state will tell you, without options. I've seen other states on the rear grab bar and on handle bars too. Time will tell. And for the young guys who "won't get caught", the purpose of a rear plate ain't for the cops, it's a uniform way to keep the atver's legal and show identification. Remember, riding is a privilage... and fun ain't cheap.

Oh yea, Insurance... I called my State Farm agent to get a quote on liability for my EX and it will cost me $52.00 a year for $25000.00 worth of coverage to someone's property, and $25000.00 for bodily injury to someone else. Also, it includes $1000.00 worth of coverage for myself if I wreck and get hurt...or for 10 more bucks, I can have $5000.00 on self injury. There is NO deductable on Liability...including the self coverage. Kind of a no-brainer for stitches, broken arm, or worse.

 

<< the purpose of a rear plate ain't for the cops >>



It may not be, but who is to say they can't use it? Lets say you get caught riding in a place you shouldn't, they see the plate, find out where you live and just wait for you to come home to bust you.

As for the trails mentioned, all of them seem to be near erie and the PA-NY border. There may be more available land up there, but I think most people won't register because they don't live/ride up there. That is why I won't. I'm not about to drive 5-6 hours to ride.

 

Dirt,
Yes, they might indeed use the plate and track you down, but it'll be awfull hard to see a little plate slamming down a trail at full speed. I can't read my own numbers from 20ft away...sitting still. It's your money...300 bucks if you're caught!

I try to refrain from directly promoting www.paatving.com but you have no excuse not to have places to ride in the Washington county area. We cover every event, poker run, club rides, and a host of forums including every possible place to ride in the Keystone state. I encourage you to stop by and have a look.

 

I just lookes at paatving.
this is about how far away those trails are:

Tiadaghton-220
Sproul-150
Allegheny-130
Buchanon-120
Susquehanock-170
Michaux-200
Shenango-80

The nearest tracks are high point and steel city. They aren't to close. High point is more than 1 hour from me, so is steel city. It would help if they had that clickable map up.

Get out a map some time and look around washington county. There aren't any state forests in the county and the nearest one is Raccoon Creek and Ryerson Station. There are a lot of (very)small parks out here. A few of which have walking trails and playgrounds. None of then are large enough for atv trails.
Now, more and more housing developments are moving into prime trail locations. I am just saying that there are NO state funded, state maintained trails with 45 minutes of my home. I don't get a chance to go to any of these events you speak of. I don't drive yet, my local motorcycle shops are nowhere near friendly, and there is nothing in my local newspaper. I usually hear about these events in magazines after they happen.

 

This is what we should be addressing not mine is better than yours. I think Mike is generally correct. I dont have an issue with the registration fee and I guess I can live with being TOLD I have to insure my ATV (insurance is never a bad idea I just dont like being told I have to do it). The idea of a licsence plate baffles me, what was not woring with the reg stickers ? that will work with the plates ? I do agree the general idea there is to identify you from a greater distance. If your not doing anything wrong it wont matter. My fear is that this is step # 1 and that its only going to get worse from here. Someone correct me if Im wrong but isnt this a dirrect result of trying to make the enviromentalists happy and if so then theyve won a battle regardless of what it MIGHT mean to us as far as trails go. If you're an enviromentalist isnt this a positive for you? havent you made a step in the right direction? Im worried about the fuel for the fire aspect. On a high note its nice to see everyone regardless of brand of ATV being concerned.

 

Scram500man,

It's not just the cops I worry about, it's the greenies. If they get your number, even if you're parked at McDonalds with your quads on a trailer, they could turn you in for stuff you didn't do. It would most likely be their word against yours, and hey, every one knows they're honest right?

 

We've got liquor control and now it seems like ATV control too. They make it sound so simple and good. You pay a fee for license and we'll build you trails. That is GREAT if that's the way it worked, but lets wake up this is the state government here. It will take years to see new trails come into existance. Anybody ever seen Penn Dot build a new road? Hello! Insurance is a good idea, but you can figure on the prices going through the roof just like anything else that is mandatory. I mean come on, look at how popular ATVing is in PA and all the people who have paid for registration over the past 5 years or so and look at the trails. is it really worth it? If you have a $125 a month fourwheeler payment, then you have to find time just to haul (how about a $800 trailer) your machine 1,2 or even 3 hours just to ride on a state trail. About 5 years ago there were about 4 local fire companies that had poker runs in Clearfield county, about everyother weekend there was a poker run. That was when this sport was fun. Now there is one lone survivor of fire companies that still has poker runs (these were/are all volunteer fire co.) 3 times a year! And they are rumored to be on their last year. The same people who bitch about them will be the first to cry when their house burns down. It's rumored that the state has had a signifigant influence on the others stopping their runs. Maybe an Monopoly here? I guess it's time to go back to the 2 wheeled variety and trade the quads in on some Dual Sport bikes!