| Motorcycle Laws In Wisconsin |
| Safety
Helmet |
Required
by law under age 18, required for instructional permit holders |
| State
Funded Rider Ed |
Available
for all eligible applicants-required under age 18 |
| Eye
Protection |
(2)
(a) No person may operate a motorcycle on any highway
without wearing any of the following eye protection:
1. A protective face shield attached to the headgear.
2. Glasses.
3. Goggles.
(b) Except for photosensitive corrective glasses prescribed by
an ophthalmologist, physician, oculist or optometrist, eye protection
worn during hours of darkness may not be tinted or darkened.
(c) Notwithstanding par. (a), if the motorcycle is a Type 2
motorcycle equipped with a windshield or a Type 1 motorcycle
equipped with a windshield that rises a minimum of 15 inches
above the handlebar, the use of other eye protective devices is not
mandatory. |
| Daytime Use
of Headlight |
Required
by law-modulating headlight permitted |
| Passenger
Seat |
Required
if carrying a passenger |
| Passenger
Footrest |
Required
if carrying a passenger |
| Passenger
Age Restriction |
None |
| Helmet
Speakers |
No
Restrictions |
| Periodic
Safety Inspection |
Required
by law-random |
| Mirror
Left(L) Right(R) |
One
required by law |
| Radar
Detector |
No
Restriction |
| Turn Signals |
Required
by law |
| Muffler |
The
following state law
(347.39) does not exempt motorcycles and does not require a sound meter
or the engine running.
If you search the following in the Wisconsin Legislature
http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/ Wisconsin Statues:
347.39 Mufflers. (1) No person shall operate on a highway any motor
vehicle subject to registration unless such motor vehicle is equipped
with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained
to prevent any excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke. This
subsection also applies to motor bicycles.
(2) No muffler or exhaust system on any vehicle mentioned in sub. (1)
shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device nor shall
there be installed in the exhaust system of any such vehicle any device
to ignite exhaust gases so as to produce flame within or without the
exhaust system. No person shall modify the exhaust system of any such
motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise
emitted by the motor of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler
originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall
comply with all the requirements of this section.
(3) In this section, “muffler” means a device
consisting of
a series of chambers of baffle plates or other mechanical design for
receiving exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and which is
effective in reducing noise.
History: 1983 a. 243.
Cross Reference: See also ss. Trans 305.20 and 305.39, Wis. adm. code. |
| Maximum
Sound Level |
The
following state law
(347.39) does not exempt motorcycles and does not require a sound meter
or the engine running.
If you search the following in the Wisconsin Legislature
http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/ Wisconsin Statues:
347.39 Mufflers. (1) No person shall operate on a highway any motor
vehicle subject to registration unless such motor vehicle is equipped
with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained
to prevent any excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke. This
subsection also applies to motor bicycles.
(2) No muffler or exhaust system on any vehicle mentioned in sub. (1)
shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device nor shall
there be installed in the exhaust system of any such vehicle any device
to ignite exhaust gases so as to produce flame within or without the
exhaust system. No person shall modify the exhaust system of any such
motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise
emitted by the motor of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler
originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall
comply with all the requirements of this section.
(3) In this section, “muffler” means a device
consisting of
a series of chambers of baffle plates or other mechanical design for
receiving exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and which is
effective in reducing noise.
History: 1983 a. 243.
Cross Reference: See also ss. Trans 305.20 and 305.39, Wis. adm. code. |
| State
Insurance Requirements |
Compulsory
Liability (Minimum Limits)(25/50/10) - Financial responsibility
required. |
| Handlebar
Height |
Maximum
of 30" above seat |
| Rider-Education
Waiver |
Skill
Test |
| Accept
Motorcycle Endorsement From
Other States |
Yes |
| Motorcycles
operating two abreast in
same lane |
Yes. 346.595(1)(1)
All motor vehicles including motorcycles and mopeds are entitled to the
full use of a traffic lane and no vehicle may be driven or operated in
such a manner so as to deprive any other vehicle of the full use of a
traffic lane. With the consent of both drivers, Type 1 motorcycles may
be operated not more than 2 abreast in a single lane, but mopeds may be
so operated only where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. |
| Lane
Splitting |
Not
referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes |
| Lemon Law
Coverage |
Yes
(not mopeds);
Wisconsin (WI) Legislature - Chapter 218.0171 |
