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Annual MA state inspection site

  1. #1
    Lifer SprintPoser's Avatar
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    Annual MA state inspection site

    Took mine out Friday to get the annual MA inspection sticker. Barnstorm Cycle in Spencer is less than a 1/2 mile from my house, so I've gone there the past couple years. They were picky with me, telling me the accessory fog lights had to work because they were a factory bit and had the button on the handlebar together with button for heated grips. Almost failed me on tires one time, but they were just off the wear bar in center of rear. They also check very closely each time that the VIN on my registration matches the OE sticker on the frame of the bike.

    I mention this because they're also a used bike dealer, custom bike builder and "Jeep focused" auto dealer. I've seen some of the Harley's they inspect that have no turn signals, straight pipes, even no mirrors in some cases. Definitely two classes of "pass" there!

    When I pulled up the bay they use for inspections was chuck full of bikes. "No stickers today" I was told be a guy outside, he suggested I "check at the front counter." I went inside and was told "We didn't get the stickers yet", that there'd been "some problem with paperwork with the state." They took my name and number, said they'd call when stickers were in. I commented that I was good until 5/31/17 on my Tiger, but had a new-to-me used bike coming that would need a sticker within 7 days of registering it. He replied that "We've sold 4 bikes this week and couldn't inspect them, it's not an issue yet because it's still winter and no one's riding." Yet I was standing there with my bike outside that I rode in.

    I asked if this was a statewide problem, or are they the only ones who don't have stickers yet. He was ambiguous with an "I don't know." So I called Motorsports International in Auburn MA, about 8 miles away. They were doing stickers, and today (Friday) would be fine. "Come on over." And so I did.

    Barnstorm Cycle is seemingly getting a lot of business. The shop was packed. I don't know if it was service or storage or both, but there were more people working in the shop than ever before, and I didn't see the guys who started the business a few years ago. The fact that they don't have inspection stickers is suspect, to say the least.

    Be careful with this place. Go in with eyes wide open.

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    2021 Triumph Street Triple R, Sapphire Black

  2. #2
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Annual MA state inspection site

    I think some motorcycle shops are willfully getting out of the inspection business.

    My favorite story is my dad buying a brand new FJR at Cycle Design. Completely 100% stock.

    Goes to renew the inspection after owning it a year, they try to convince him that it's not legal and he needs to buy some conveniently available for sale reflectors from them right then to get it to pass. After reminding them that he purchased this very motorcycle, in this exact condition, from them last year, which passed inspection from them at the time, suddenly they realized he was legal and gave him the sticker.

    SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DEALER, RIGHT?

    My local non-dealer guy is solid. He'll call you out if something is wrong, but he's not a dickshit about it. Safety is the #1 issue.

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    2021 KTM Duke 890 R
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  3. #3
    Lifer
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    Re: Annual MA state inspection site

    I go to barnstorm for most of my inspections. my sport bikes are always scrutinised while my very illegal 72 harvey with no blinkers, no mirrors, no reflectors, loud as hell exhaust and what I could only term as a questionably stamped frame vin is barely looked at and passed. granted they have done some of the work to that bike themselves.

    You could try knight motors in southbridge. They never have a line for inspections and get you in and out pretty quickly.

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  4. #4
    go faster cdovego's Avatar
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    Re: Annual MA state inspection site

    CMP waited on stickers last year, it happens. Barnstorm are good guys in my experience.

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    Central Mass Powersports #123

    1000rr, zx10r, rmz450, RE classic, r6, S4Rs, xr123, sv650(2), cr250 and a box truck that leaks power steering fluid.

  5. #5
    Lifer SprintPoser's Avatar
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    Re: Annual MA state inspection site

    They've been good guys in the past, it just seems there's a whole new crew there now and I'm concerned that they're two different classes of inspection might have caught up with them. And that would be what I expect from the governing body. I'm OK with it because I don't like my 100% stock bike being microscopically scrutinized while the guy with the out-of-compliance "customized" bike gets a drive-by pass.

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    2021 Triumph Street Triple R, Sapphire Black

  6. #6
    go faster cdovego's Avatar
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    Re: Annual MA state inspection site

    I understand. Looks like you have two options;

    1. Stand in front of their shop with a sign that says, "not my inspection place."
    2. Go somewhere else.

    Good luck making the best decision for you.

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    Central Mass Powersports #123

    1000rr, zx10r, rmz450, RE classic, r6, S4Rs, xr123, sv650(2), cr250 and a box truck that leaks power steering fluid.

  7. #7
    Back marker... jwm2k3's Avatar
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    Re: Annual MA state inspection site

    Cycle Design is still in business?

    How Doug has not nose dived that motherfucker is beyond me....

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