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New Hampshire May Repeal Law Limiting Handlebars Height

Published by Cyril Huze January 2nd, 2016 in Editorial and Legal.

1apeIf you have been to the Laconia, New Hampshire event, you may have been pulled over by police because of your motorcycle high bars.

Senator Andrew Hosmer, a Democrat from Laconia, has introduced legislation to repeal the statute restricting the height of handlebars on motorcycles.

Since 1967 the Granite State is among more than 30 states that limit the height of handlebars, prohibiting motorcycles on the road fitted with grips higher than than the shoulder level of the driver when in the seat or saddle.” It also prohibits riding a motorcycle with “improvised, defective, or repaired handlebars.”

“I have never heard the height of handlebars presented as a safety issue,” Sen. Andrew Hosner said said. “There is no history of accidents caused by high bars.” The regulation of handlebars on motorcycles rests with the states. Currently, 12 states limit the height of handlebars to 15 inches above the saddle. 5 others require the handlebars to be below the height of the shoulder. Last summer, South Dakota, which hosts the annual Sturgis rally became the most recent state to repeal its shoulder level statute. New Hampshire Senate Bill 360 has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee and a hearing has to be scheduled.

10 Comments

10 Responses to “New Hampshire May Repeal Law Limiting Handlebars Height”

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  1. 1 Sharkey Jan 2nd, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Let the apes have their hangers; it’s safer than texting and driving…

  2. 2 Dave Jan 2nd, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Legislating against stupidity is always questionable.

  3. 3 nicker Jan 2nd, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    Why not?
    At this point its still a “free country”.
    And driving while wearing clown makeup is legal….

    -nicker-

  4. 4 Dave Blevins Jan 2nd, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    New Hampshire needs to focus more on their giant potholes than this nonsense. I’ve ridden most of the lower 48 states, and worst road surfaces I’ve been across were there.

  5. 5 Mike Jan 2nd, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    I am all for it when these rube states allow their citizens to engage in idiotic practices. Over 18 and you don’t need a helmet either. Hmmm. Ape hangers and no helmet. What could possibly go wrong? More motorcycle related deaths in NH? No worries, less dummies to breath our air.

  6. 6 domino Jan 2nd, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Bars to the Stars??? I will keep my 883 bars on my FXR …

    D.D.

  7. 7 Badams Jan 2nd, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    With all going on in this country and this is a thing?

  8. 8 BobS Jan 3rd, 2016 at 10:19 am

    A lot of nanny staters here. More freedom is good. Say “Thank you” and move on.

  9. 9 Captain Jan 4th, 2016 at 9:25 am

    You don’t steer a motorcycle anyway unless your backing into a parking spot.

  10. 10 David Jan 4th, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    Gee…I was really ok with this until I found out Nicker was still wearing his Clown makeup! ;-)!

    SSDD;David

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Cyril Huze