If asked to choose between heaven without a motorbike and the alternative with one, most enthusiasts would become instant sinners. The love runs that deep. It is not a weekend hobby for most of these two-wheeled fanatics, it is a way of life, especially when it comes to the Harley crowd.

But you do not have to change your wardrobe to all leather and bleed motor oil to enjoy the splendid freedom that a motorcycle offers. But you will need a bike and the skills to operate it properly.

Plus, once you get outside the traffic madness bogging down the Baltimore and Washington DC areas, you will find roads that lead to awesome scenic gateways―whether you are wandering down to Point Lookout, checking out the beaches along the Maryland shore, or exploring the historic sites of the western hills.

Before you strap on the chaps and hop in the saddle, though, you'd best make sure you have all your ducks in a row when it comes to getting the bike street legal. That is, ensuring it has the proper equipment necessary to even be on the roads of Maryland. You can check the Motorcycle Operator Manual to double-check this, but if you bought the bike from a dealer (and it was not a dirt bike) then it should be raring to go.

The last bit of business is registering the bike. Lumped in with what the state terms the "common vehicle," a motorcycle undergoes a relatively similar registration process to that of a car, truck, or SUV. The biannual fee (usually $97) is somewhat less but not by much, and the plates are, of course, smaller. But that is about the only difference.

Find more motorcycle-related information at Motorcycle Manual and
Motorcycle License on this site.

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