Topic: NJ DOUBLES REGISTRATION FEES FOR MOTORCYCLES!!! WTF???

[edbikerii]

My sedan costs $46.50.  Why the hell would a motorcycle cost $20 more per year to register than a sedan?

Damned Corzine.  What the hell is this?  They've nearly doubled since last year.

What possible reason could there possibly be for a motorcycle to cost more than a car, anyway?  It is just that we don't represent as many votes as car drivers.  The bastards are forcing motorcyclists to subsidize their vote-buying scheme by giving car-only drivers a break.

Let your representatives know you are PISSED OFF!  Let 'em know you vote, too!

[Duke McDukiedook]

I guess most people (and kneejerk legislators) think a motorcycle is a luxury item.
I was way glad last year when I was getting 40-45 MPG when gas was sky high and I would not call it a luxury item.

I guess they figure they can stick it to a minority of people that do ride motorcycles without much flack.

[MCRider]

In Indiana, our fee is higher as it contains portions that go to the Dept of Education for the MSF course training, and some to the Dept of Nat Resources (ICBW) for some off-road expenses.

Though in both cases I think the funds are hijacked and misused, but at least those are the reasons.

[edbikerii]

Well, not in NJ, mate.  In NJ you pay for your own MSF course AND you pay $65 to register your bike.  Totally ridiculous!

Besides, the real training should go to the non-motorcyclists, since they, typically, are driving with their heads up their asses.

This is nothing but a vote-buying scheme where the incumbents force motorcyclists (the minority) to subsidize lower registration fees for automobile drivers (lots more voters).  Damned corrupt NJ politicians -- the whole lot of them.  Every one of the incumbents should be thrown out on their asses.

In Indiana, our fee is higher as it contains portions that go to the Dept of Education for the MSF course training, and some to the Dept of Nat Resources (ICBW) for some off-road expenses.

Though in both cases I think the funds are hijacked and misused, but at least those are the reasons.

[Terry in Australia]

Boo-fckuking-hoo Ed, I pay 600 bucks a year to register each of my cars, and between 5-600 for each bike, depending on it's capacity. Of course, the majority of that is "Transport Accident Commission" (TAC) personal injury (not vehicle) insurance, but even so, with 3 (about to be 4) registered bikes and 4 registered cars currently, I'm paying my state government around 3 thousand bucks a year for the privilege of owning a few motor vehicles! Suck it up mate, you've got it easy!

[Retro Rocket]

{Nods head} spot on Terry, our Rego fees are a joke, those damn yankees have it easy....
{no offense intended}..


Mick

[toycollector10]

Two bikes in New Zealand costs me the best part of $650 NZD.

Plus the fact that the North American members just have to log on to eBay and it's an Aladdin's Cave of low mileage classic Japanese motorcycles within arms reach.

I should be so lucky.

[bucky katt]

i paid 89 last year to register a car with nearly half a million miles on it. paid 59 for the k4

[edbikerii]

So, let me get this straight.  You "down unders" are saying that because you guys are REALLY getting screwed, that us Americans should just bend over and take it?

You Aussies, and Kiwis apparently, are also overpaying for your government-run personal injury insurance that's included in your registration fees.  I pay $85USD/year for my CB550, and $250USD/year for my GL1200.  That includes property and personal injury limits that are very high (over $500,000USD), so I can be sure that if I get sued, my house will be protected.

Why aren't you guys fuming over that excessive taxation?  I don't understand why you guys aren't making your politicians answer for it.

NJ has more than doubled the motorcycle registration fees this year, with no justification whatsoever.  They offer no services in return.

[edit 8/20/2009:  CORRECTION:  I do not pay $85 for my CB550.  I checked, and it turns out that I'm paying $287.  Sorry for the confusion.]

[Duke McDukiedook]

They are just replacing the British colonial tyranny with self-made tax tyranny.
I guess it's like the English men that love the paddle and whip later in life after getting the bejeezus beat out of them in school.

Talk to Patty Hearst, maybe she can explain it better.

[lowmileage]

Whew, for a moment I thought you said NY!

[edbikerii]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's something in the works for NY too.  Gov. Paterson is planning new license plate fees for 2009:

This NY State Senator, Catharine Young, is against it, favoring cost-cutting over excessive taxing and spending for NY.  She points out that NY State's budget INCREASED by $13,000,000,000.00 despite deficits:

http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senator-young-license-plates-renewal-registration-fees-increase

Whew, for a moment I thought you said NY!

[lowmileage]

  Paterson's time is up IMO.

[myhondas]

Boo-fckuking-hoo Ed, I pay 600 bucks a year to register each of my cars, and between 5-600 for each bike, depending on it's capacity. Of course, the majority of that is "Transport Accident Commission" (TAC) personal injury (not vehicle) insurance, but even so, with 3 (about to be 4) registered bikes and 4 registered cars currently, I'm paying my state government around 3 thousand bucks a year for the privilege of owning a few motor vehicles! Suck it up mate, you've got it easy!

Terry,

Do you have to buy insurance in addition to what you pay to register your bikes?

[BobbyR]

This is all quite simple. There were very few motorcycles on the road in the past in NY anyway. So if you doubled the Tax on so few vehicles it amounted to nothing. Today on any sunny afternnon the roads are filled with bikes. So, it is now a profitable revenue stream for the State. Not hard to fugure.
As far as what goes on in other Countries, I sorta think that is up to them, and would hold my opinion of their systems to myself since I don;t live there.

[d3buttz]

i feel the pain, here in colorado registration went up 39 bucks for bikes and 59 for cars-it doesnt sound like much but it all adds up!

[TwoTired]

Boo-fckuking-hoo Ed, I pay 600 bucks a year to register each of my cars, and between 5-600 for each bike, depending on it's capacity. Of course, the majority of that is "Transport Accident Commission" (TAC) personal injury (not vehicle) insurance, but even so, with 3 (about to be 4) registered bikes and 4 registered cars currently, I'm paying my state government around 3 thousand bucks a year for the privilege of owning a few motor vehicles! Suck it up mate, you've got it easy!

Wait, weren't you Aussies telling us you had free national health care?    How is that funded?  (Oh never mind, probably off-topic, anyway.)

Here in California, they doubled the registration and "use tax" fees on all vehicles last year... And that was after a fee/tax "adjustment". 
No real reason other than they can, and want more money to give away.  But, they still could not bring themselves to cut any pet programs supported by lobby group campaign contributors.  So, to help "balance" the state budget (with a still increasing deficit btw), they closed all the DMV offices an extra day/per week, cutting DMV personnel income by 14%, to spare the populace the normal anguish and frustration of a DMV encounter on those days.  Hey, it's a win-win for politicians!
Seems like NJ politicians learned well from California's example.  Can other states be far behind?

I won't be having 11 bikes for much longer, me thinks, (even if only eight of them are registered at a time).

[Retro Rocket]

Do you have to buy insurance in addition to what you pay to register your bikes?

No, that includes insurance....

Mick

[chrislib]

Corzine is putz and Patterson is only where he is because of "client #9". Yup I can`t WAIT to pay my UNELECTED Governor more of my hard earned $$$ ... chompin at the bit I tell ya.

[BobbyR]

Corzine is putz and Patterson is only where he is because of "client #9". Yup I can`t WAIT to pay my UNELECTED Governor more of my hard earned $$$ ... chompin at the bit I tell ya.

+1 on that. Blinky has to go ASAP. A fella New Yawker.

[Pinhead]

Wow, I'm glad I live in the middle of the US... We're usually close to the last to adopt the retarded coastal states' policies.

[edbikerii]

I contacted the AMA about this situation, and they sent the following reply (enter A3850 or S2722 as the bill numbers):

Dr. Mr. xxxxxxxxxx,

Unfortunately, the NJ DMV already has the authority to do this.  My supervisor informs me that legislation was introduced on March 9 to strip the MVC of its power to raise certain fees related to motor vehicles.  Assembly Bill 3850, authored by Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington) and Assemblywoman Denise Coyle (R-Somerville), would remove the power from the MVC and place it in the legislature (implemented in statute).  AB-3850 has been assigned to the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.

The companion bill in the Senate (SB-2722) was authored by Senators Steven V. Oroho (R-Flanders) and Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Wayne); it was introduced on March 10 and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

These bills give vehicle owners, especially motorcyclists, an opportunity to fight back against the MVC's fee hikes.

You can follow the progress and read the text of AB-3850 and SB-2722 at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByNumber.asp <http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByNumber.asp> ; enter each bill number in the "Search by Bill Number" box and click the Find button.

You might consider contacting your assembly member and senator to encourage their support for these bills.

If you want to contact your NJ legislator to indicate your support for these bills, go here:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp

[MJL]

Well, not in NJ, mate.  In NJ you pay for your own MSF course AND you pay $65 to register your bike.  Totally ridiculous!

Besides, the real training should go to the non-motorcyclists, since they, typically, are driving with their heads up their asses.

This is nothing but a vote-buying scheme where the incumbents force motorcyclists (the minority) to subsidize lower registration fees for automobile drivers (lots more voters).  Damned corrupt NJ politicians -- the whole lot of them.  Every one of the incumbents should be thrown out on their asses.

In Indiana, our fee is higher as it contains portions that go to the Dept of Education for the MSF course training, and some to the Dept of Nat Resources (ICBW) for some off-road expenses.

Though in both cases I think the funds are hijacked and misused, but at least those are the reasons.

I live in IN and I paid for my MSF course, I think it was $20-$25 way back in '95.  Couldn't tell ya what it costs now.

[edbikerii]

I just wanted to set the record straight on something.  I'm NOT paying $85/year for insurance on my CB550 like I thought.  I checked my records, and I'm actually paying $287/year with very high property damage liability and personal injury liability coverage.  I'm sorry for the error.

[GoatBaSS]

C'mon folks it is simple. More motorcycles on the roads in the USA than ever before. But since the Insurance and Bank industries see the Motorcycle as a recreational vehicle instead of transportation we are treated as the whipping post. We are all riders of expensive cruisers in the eyes of professional career politicians that get their pay back and pay offs from lobby efforts and mis-directed/diverted tax funds. They all scream about budget problems but in reality they just want theirs before you get yours. Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over.
The simple economics of riding show that the lower fuel consumption, less wear and tear on the roads, and space considerations of a bike v.s. a car are a no brainer when it comes to cost, but obvious is hard to see with a fist full of greed.