The Handlebar height across the US is a mishmash of laws, rules, and regulations that are exceedingly hard to determine and then enforce.
Remember, when crossing state lines, some states do not enforce their restriction on out-of-state registered motorcycles. Some states do enforce their limits on visitors. So do some research on the internet before trusting your drinking buddy that you will not get ticketed.
The 15-inch handlebar height limit is the most common limitation currently in effect in those states that have established a limit. As of June 2006 (I did not find a more recent listing, but I’m sure they are out there…), according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), 35 states and the District of Columbia have some type of handlebar height limit.
Of these 35 jurisdictions, 20, including Connecticut, have set a maximum handlebar height at not more than 15 inches above the seat. The second most common restriction requires a motorcycle’s handgrips to be below shoulder height (10 states).
Two states allow handlebars to be no more than 30 inches above seat level; one state allows them to be no higher than 15 inches measured from their fastening point on the motorcycle; one state prohibits them from being higher than the operator’s eye level; and one state allows motorcycle handgrips to be no more than six inches above shoulder height.
Sixteen states do not have height limitations for motorcycle handlebars.
These states have a maximum of 15-inches above the seat…
Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia
These states require handgrips to be below shoulder height…
Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, South Dakota, Wyoming
Nebraska allows a maximum of 15-inches above handlebar fastening point…
Washington and Wisconsin say it’s a maximum of 30-inches above seat…
Oklahoma allows handlebars to be no higher than the operator’s eye level…
California allows handlebars to be positioned so that operator’s hands on grips are not more than 6 inches above the shoulder height when seated…
Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have no restrictions on handlebar height…
WARNING: This is all old information and may have changed, do not take my posting as gospel…
