It is tradition that Moto Club MAPFRE Collect the most common questions your members have asked during the year. Here we show you the top 10 most frequently asked questions and answers from the motoConsultorio section.
Top 10 questions Moto Club MAPFRE
Can you ride a motorcycle on the shoulder?
Not at the moment, but the DGT announced at the beginning of 2024 that by 2025 there were going to be important modifications to the General Driver Regulations and that one of the measures that would be modified would be this. According to the draft of this reform of the rule, motorcycles may circulate on the right shoulder in traffic jam situations, as long as they do not exceed 30 km/h and respect the passage of emergency vehicles.
How can you convert a motorcycle to historic?
In October 2024, the New Historic Vehicle Regulations came into force, which greatly simplifies the transition from a motorcycle to historic. Motorcycles must be at least 30 years old from their registration date. The simplest and most economical way is if the motorcycle has the documentation and ITV in force, and it can be done by paying a small fee (20 euros) at the DGT electronic headquarters, sending four photos and with a responsible declaration. If you do not have the documentation in force, you will have to go through an entity that certifies the characteristics of the motorcycle and the process becomes quite complicated.
Can I use LED bulbs?
If the motorcycle has halogen headlights, it is not permitted to use LED bulbs, even if they exist on the market with equivalent sockets. In this case, the law allows it in cars, with bulbs approved for it, but at the moment not for motorcycles.
Can motorcycles without a label circulate in low emission zones?
In 2025, the moratorium that some municipalities had and that allowed motorcycles without a label to circulate in low-emission zones will end. As these are rules dictated by the town councils, it will depend on them, so we advise asking or consulting the rule for low emulsion zones of the municipality where you are going to circulate. For example, in Madrid they have announced that during 2025 they will only send warnings, not fines, to anyone who does so.
Can I drive my motorcycle with an expired MOT if I have a prior appointment?
In no case can you drive with an expired MOT, for this reason it is allowed to make an appointment one month in advance without this meaning that the corresponding days between the inspection periods are consumed. You would be allowed to circulate, if you show that you have an appointment made, and you are on your way to the ITV center.
For the A2 license, is a limited motorcycle better or one that gives 48 hp as standard?
A motorcycle designed to provide standard power is better than a limited motorcycle. They are lighter, the engine is more docile and they have a good buying and selling market in the case of obtaining the A license and buying one with greater power. But there are many “limited” models that are also light and manageable and are a good purchase option when obtaining the A license and being able to delimit it. It must be taken into account that delimiting the motorcycle has a cost, mechanical and management.
How often are the motorcycle serviced?
The inspection periods of a motorcycle are established by the manufacturer, can be consulted in the vehicle’s instruction book and must be respected. As a general rule, it must be reviewed once a year, which is when the oil loses its qualities and must be replaced.
A small displacement scooter or motorcycle, with little oil in its crankcase, undergoes inspections every 4,000 kilometers. A motorcycle with a larger displacement and with a large crankcase, every 10,000. It must also be taken into account that the tire pressure must be checked every 15 days, the lubrication and tension of the chain, the oil level and levels must be checked every 1,000 kilometers and that the coolant and fluid must be replaced every 4 years. of brakes. Frequently check the condition of the tires and the thickness of the brake pads.
Is it necessary to pass a test to drive 125 motorcycles with a car license?
At the moment it is not necessary to take any exam to drive a 125 motorcycle with a car license, you just need to have more than three years of experience. But it is one of the measures that the General Directorate of Traffic is evaluating, so we will have to be attentive to it.
Are Chinese motorcycles good?
This year’s sales figures show that Chinese motorcycles are becoming a market trend. There is an increasingly larger catalog of motorcycles, of all categories and displacements and with an exceptional level of equipment. It is still a market with few years to evaluate the longevity of its components, but it is true that at the moment there have been no complaints from its users.
Can a motorcycle be saved after a flood?
The Valencia floods of October 2024 left us images of vehicles completely covered in mud and unusable. Unlike a car, motorcycles are designed to better resist water conditions, since all their components are exposed to the air and do not have interior elements that could not be “touched by water” as in cars.
If the bike was only flooded, but not washed away, it may be able to come back to life after a good cleaning and drying. Attention should be paid to the (useless) fuel and the cleanliness of the inside of the tank, filters and feeding system. It is important not to try to start it until we are clear that no water will reach the inside of the engine. At the same time, it will also be necessary to check that water does not enter the crankcase. A good mechanic will give us an expert opinion.
In addition to the motoConsultorio service, Moto Club MAPFRE members have video courses, which are updated monthly, where you can learn in an easy and dynamic way about different topics related to the world of two wheels. Likewise, they are up to date with any technical or legislative developments.
