Topic: Motorcycles banned in subdivision

[KraigG]

Just moved into a new house, and had to sign an agreement that I would not bring a motorcycle into the complex. Signs at the entrance state this fact also.
My 72 CB750 just started running again after 27 years of being dormant. I snuck it out this past weekend, but worry about future rides.
What are my legal options? My bike is fully street legal, licensed and insured. Exhaust is stock, and not obnoxious.
Sounds like discrimination to me. What's next, no Japanese cars? How can they make this ruling? Wouldn't the proper restriction be: No LOUD motorcycles? or no off road motorcycles?

[mrbreeze]

WTF would you move there for in the first place I NEVER would have signed that paper.

[KraigG]

House was almost brand new, garage was huge, and 2 1/2 car, lot was immaculate, and it only cost $57,500. Also, I needed to move back to the Chicago area for a future organ transplant.

Now, any constructive ideas?

[DammitDan]

Seems like you signed a contract.

What are the penalties for breaking the contract?  And are there any rules against riding motorcycles around the neighborhood?  How about people visiting on motorcycles?  etc. etc.

[KraigG]

Penalties include removal from the premises. I signed the lease thinking that it was an illegal clause. Motorcycles are not banned in the State, nor in the town. Online searches show that many similar laws have been thrown out.
Anyone on here ever have a similar experience? What was your outcome? I'd like to have all my ducks in a row before the inevitable.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Hope they don't try to kick you out, this will cost you $$$$$ to fight, they are depending on that.

Good luck.

[Retro Rocket]

Thats pretty funny, i doubt it would stand up in court....

Mick

[BeSeeingYou]

My brother lives in a development that has covenants forbidding certain things.  Not motorcycles but things like colors you can paint, no boats or campers parked in driveways, no freestanding basketball hoops beside the driveway.  Yes, that's right, he had to take his down after someone complained.  While you could easily sneak your bike home to work on it in the garage if you ride it eventually someone will complain, count on it.  Now you have a lease and you are stuck there and do you have the $$$ to fight this in court? I suppose you could store the bike at a friends close by and if the roads in the complex are public, ride your bike all around the complex till you get everyone so pissed off that management lets you out of the lease so you can move to a more open minded neighborhood.  Invite your bike owning friends along for the fun too.

[KeithTurk]

I'd honestly suspect it's like most covenants....  Over looked until someone makes an asshat of them self...   

In other words... the intent of the rule was to limit the Loud Pipe crowd from interrupting everyone's sleep at 5am every morning as he takes off on his way to work at the local " Pup&Taco ".....  But if your respectable and keep it to a very reasonable level.... the majority of folks wouldn't call you on it...

Keep in mind the enforcement of these types of things are generally out of the hands of local law enforcement as they are civil matters... so the Police aren't going to come and impound your bike or anything....

( I think this is right... but your mileage may significantly vary )

[TwoTired]

Who maintains the road where you live?  Is it public or private?
Better keep the bike in the garage, or the HOA can have it towed away... at your expense.

I never would have signed the agreement.  Most of the HOAs are run by asshats, IMO.  You can only hope they stay dormant.

Seems like you just proved that HOAs reduce the property values.

Cheers,

[hotpocket]

beat them at their own game and convert to a trike.
http://www.cyclexchange.net/Honda%20Trike%20Page.htm

[winnipeg550guy]

 In some ways I can understand this point much like a "No Dogs" ban because of barking etc. but to paint all motorcycles with the same brush is a little much.
 Maybe something that needs to be clarified with the contract regarding the "No motorcycles", what exactly does that mean, does that ban you from even having one in garage as a hobby to restore. Could you walk it off the complex before firing it up?
 As long as it's not running it's just an inanimate object in your garage.
 You couldn't ban people from owning stereos in their vehicles because some people feel the need to crank up the volume when other people are near.

[The_Crippler]

HOAs are strong and there's almost no fighting them.  You shouldn't have signed that lease.


Your price on the house sounded too good to be true...well...you know what they say about things like that, don't you?




And, TT - I think you hit it on the head with the property values.

[Stev-o]

If you signed the contract, you're done. Sounds like it must be a condo/townhouse?

Rent a cheap storage unit close to home and store it there.

[switchum]

  When do they hold book burning meeting? 

  I am guessing that they are trying to exclude so called biker gangs. They would not know the difference. That is the easiest way.  Or no tattooed people? 

[Gordon]

Now, any constructive ideas?

Yes.  Abide by the contract that you willingly signed, and don't try to play the victim. 

[the technological J]

do u have a friend that you could keep the bike some where near by? you might be able to keep the bike if you could find some kind of collectors clause but it would prob be under the stipulation that u only ride it once a month or something........ dont ask any of your neighbors about if they mind because it just draws attn.... dont leave the bike anywhere visible either


or if the house is worth way more put it up for sale and make some money find a place  that takes bikes..... but u signed a contract...... prob no pitbulls either!

[FunJimmy]

House was almost brand new, garage was huge, and 2 1/2 car, lot was immaculate, and it only cost $57,500.

With a deal like that, you should have wheel barrels of cash lest over to rent a public storage unit for the rest of your life.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Thats pretty funny, i doubt it would stand up in court....

Mick

That's not their point Mick, the point is to make it difficult ($$$money$$$) to fight a clause he agreed to as a stipulation to moving in.

[754]

You said you bought ther house. What is the lease you speak of?
 Are you saying you did not buy the land?

[spot45]

Now this is going to be hard to fight.  Especially since you signed the contract.  You could contact your local AMA chapter or local motorcycle advocancy group.  They would love the chance to fight something like this.  Similiar things have been happening in Massuchetts, and the state and several towns have been taken to court and the AMA and the Massuchetts Motorcycle Association has won.  But either way if it is a Condo owners association,etc. going to say it is private so best to find a place to garage the thing.

[seaweb11]

You said you bought ther house. What is the lease you speak of?
 Are you saying you did not buy the land?

I had that question as well.  The US house financing system will never surprise me anymore.

[dave500]

make a big sign to put out front,"nutbush city limits"motorcycles not allowed in it.

[Retro Rocket]

Thats pretty funny, i doubt it would stand up in court....

Mick

That's not their point Mick, the point is to make it difficult ($$$money$$$) to fight a clause he agreed to as a stipulation to moving in.

I know Dukie, but it is so friggin ridiculous....

Mick

[Stev-o]

You said you bought ther house. What is the lease you speak of?
 Are you saying you did not buy the land?

I had that question as well.  The US house financing system will never surprise me anymore.

Must be a condo/townhown type of housing where he is not the sole owner of the land.