Motorcycles
•Registering and insuring your motorcycle
•Rules for operating your motorcycle
• Motorcycle safety
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Registering your motorcycle 2
Insurance protection 3
Rules for operating your motorcycle 7
Motorcycle safety 8
Introduction
This brochure answers key questions
about registering, insuring and safely
operating a motorcycle.
A motorcycle is defined as a vehicle
designed to travel on no more than three
wheels, that has a seat or saddle for the
rider sitting astride and that can reach
a speed of 50 kilometres/hour or more.
For insurance purposes, motorcycles are divided
into five categories:
• motorscooter
• sport
• sport touring
• touring
• other
The rules for registering and operating your
motorcycle are governed by The Drivers and
Vehicles Act and are meant to help lower your
risk of a collision. However, if you are in a collision,
you need to have enough insurance to minimize
the financial risks you and your family may face.
1
Registering your motorcycle
Q: How is registering a motorcycle different than
a vehicle?
• Motorcycle premiums for compulsory coverage are based on body style, engine size and the
owner’s self-assessed value. It’s important
to make sure you accurately assess your
motorcycle’s value, because in the event of total
loss, we pay the actual cash value or
the self-assessed value—whichever is lower.
• Motorcycle coverage is year-round, but
motorcycle premiums are charged during the
typical riding season. This means you don’t need
to pay your premiums until you start
riding and you only pay during your riding
season, even though your coverage stays
active all year unless it expires. The typical
riding season is May 1 to Sept. 30, but you
may start riding when weather permits.
• There is no all-perils coverage on motorcycles.
• Basic Autopac coverage is limited to collision and
upset up to the self-assessed value, to
a maximum of $50,000 including taxes.
• Coverage for perils like fire, theft and
windstorm can be purchased separately.
Q: How is registering a motorcycle similar to
a vehicle?
• You register your motorcycle at any Autopac
agent or Manitoba Public Insurance
Service Centre.
• You automatically get $200,000 third party
liability (TPL) coverage, just as you do when you
register an automobile. In a collision,
this covers you against other people’s claims for
property damage, injury or death. You
can buy more TPL coverage separately.
• The deductible on Basic Autopac is $500,
but you can buy a lower deductible if you
want to.
2
• You renew your motorcycle registration and
insurance at the same time as any other vehicle(s)
you own.
• Anyone operating your motorcycle must carry your
motorcycle’s registration/insurance certificate.
Insurance protection
Protection for you
As a motorcycle rider, your risk of bodily injury
is increased, as you only have clothing to protect
you in a collision. The premiums you pay provide
you with coverage through the Personal Injury
Protection Plan (PIPP), which is based on
four principles:
• Coverage extends to all Manitoba residents
injured in automobile collisions anywhere in
Canada or the United States.
• Compensation focuses on specific economic
losses from an auto injury or death.
• Compensation is guaranteed for all injured
Manitoba residents regardless of who was at fault.
• Most benefits are indexed to the Consumer Price
Index to reflect changing economic conditions.
Motorcycle extension products
Optional third party liability coverage
If your motorcycle is in a collision, you can be legally
responsible for damage or injuries others claim
against you—even if you weren’t driving it at the
time. Basic third party liability insures you against
claims others make against you for up to $200,000
if your motorcycle:
• damages another vehicle or other property
in Manitoba
• injures a person or damages another vehicle or
other property outside Manitoba but within
Canada and the United States (motorcycle
liability coverage provides protection against
passenger injury claims outside Manitoba)
3
Manitoba Public Insurance would also provide you
with a defence if you are sued for anything other
than your deductible in one of the above situations.
The $200,000 limit is the minimum required by law
in Manitoba and other provinces. For more protection,
you may want to increase your coverage—especially
if you travel outside Manitoba. You can buy optional
coverage to increase your third party liability
protection to $1 million, $2 million, $5 million,
$7 million, or $10 million.
Collision protection
You can keep the basic $500 deductible or choose
an optional $300, $200 or $100 deductible.
The optional amounts offer benefits such as not
having to pay the deductible if you are in a collision
with an animal and having your protective
clothing covered against loss or damage due to
a direct or indirect collision or accidental upset.
Coverage for protective clothing is provided to a
maximum of $1,500 per occupant of the insured
motorcycle and is defined as leather, Kevlar or other
safety material for jackets, chaps, boots or gloves
worn while riding. Motorcycle helmets are covered
under Basic Autopac.
Comprehensive protection
This extension product protects you from accidental
losses including fire, theft or windstorm. You can
choose a $200 or $500 deductible. The optional
amounts offer benefits such as not having to pay
the deductible if your motorcycle is stolen and,
if you carry the $200 Comprehensive deductible,
your deductible reduces to nil if your motorcycle
is vandalized.
Comprehensive coverage automatically transfers
to a temporary substitute motorcycle if the
policyholder’s original motorcycle is unusable
(certain restrictions apply). The substitute
motorcycle cannot belong to the policyholder
or anyone living in the same home.
4
Harley Davidson motorcycles must be inspected
by a Manitoba Public Insurance employee prior
to comprehensive insurance being purchased
for the first time or after a break in coverage.
You can buy comprehensive and collision
protection together or separately. Most customers
can purchase comprehensive insurance without
requiring a separate policy. Special situations may
require application through our Special Risk
Extension (SRE) department.
Extension Loss of Use coverage
Choose from three levels of Extension Loss of Use
to cover the cost of replacement transportation
if your motorcycle is stolen or damaged, up to
$135/day or a maximum of $4,050 per claim.
Excess Value Coverage
The maximum any vehicle can be insured for under
Basic Autopac is $50,000. Excess Value Coverage
can insure the excess value on motorcycles worth
more than $50,000.
New Vehicle Protection
New Vehicle Protection covers the depreciation on
your new or newer vehicle if it’s written off. You’re
covered for the price you paid, plus an allowance
for inflation, but not for any outstanding debt
against a trade-in, service contracts, warranties
or insurance. Depending on how old your
motorcycle is, New Vehicle Protection covers
you for up to two years.
There are some time limits on buying New Vehicle
Protection. For brand-new vehicles, you have
60 days from when you first insure your new
vehicle. For newer used vehicles, you have
60 days from when you bought the vehicle.
5
Leased Vehicle Protection
Leased Vehicle Protection covers your down
payment and any trade-in allowance on the vehicle
you’ve leased for up to two years if it’s written off.
It does not cover your lease payments, even if you
pay them all at once. Leased Vehicle Protection is
available for new and late-model leases.
There are some time limits on buying Leased
Vehicle Protection. For brand-new leases, you have
60 days from when you first register and insure the
leased vehicle. For used-vehicle leases, you have
60 days from when your lease starts.
Ask your Autopac agent for more information
on these extension products.
The difference between pleasure
and all purpose
Pleasure
Registering your motorcycle for pleasure means
it can only be driven to or from—or part way to or
from—work or school up to four days a month and
not more than 1,609 km (1,000 mi.) each year.
All purpose
Registering your motorcycle as all purpose means
you don’t have restrictions on its use.
When and how to report a collision
A collision should be reported to Manitoba Public
Insurance the same way it would be if it involved
your vehicle. For more information, check the
“When you have a claim” section in your Guide to
Autopac or call us at 204-985-7000 (in Winnipeg)
or 1-800-665-2410 (toll-free outside Winnipeg).
We can assist you in determining if you need to
make a police report when you call to make
a claim.
6
Rules for operating a motorcycle
Requirements
To drive a motorcycle you must:
• hold a valid licence of any class and stage
• pass a written or oral knowledge test
• obtain a Class 6M (Motorcycle Training
Course Stage) licence in order to complete the
Motorcycle Safety Course offered through Safety
Services Manitoba [completion of this course is
required before a 6L (Learner Stage) licence
is issued]
• hold a 6L (Learner Stage) licence for a
minimum of nine months
• pass a road test to advance to the 6I
(Intermediate Stage) licence, which you
must hold for a minimum of 15 months
Carrying passengers
Only the holder of a Class 6I (Intermediate Stage)
or 6F (Full Stage) licence may carry a passenger.
Night driving
No nighttime driving is allowed
with a Class 6L (Learner Stage)
licence—driving
is only permitted
during daylight
hours, a half-hour
after sunrise to
a half-hour
before sunset.
7
Motorcycle safety
Unless exempted under legislation, it’s mandatory
to wear an approved helmet such as Snell, DOT
or ECE 22 when riding or when a passenger on a
motorcycle.
Wearing the following additional safety gear can
reduce injuries if you are involved in a collision:
• goggles or clear face
shields designed
for your helmet
• leather clothing
with denim
or heavy
(ballistic) nylon
• leather boots
that cover
your ankle for
protection and
have low heels to
prevent slippage
from the footpegs
How to choose the
right motorcycle for you
Selecting a motorcycle that is the right size and
weight for you helps you to operate it safely.
There are a few factors to consider when
purchasing a motorcycle:
• Size: Both of your feet should reach the ground
when you stand straddling the saddle and you
should be comfortable with the position of the
footpegs and handlebars.
• Weight: You should be able to push the
motorcycle through a figure-eight and place it on
both the side and main stand without straining.
You should also be able to lift your motorcycle
upright if it falls over.
8
• Riding ability: Make sure the motorcycle is
appropriate for your riding abilities.
Before you ride
Follow this four-point safety procedure:
• Conduct a motorcycle safety check.
• Put on all your safety equipment.
• Mount the motorcycle from the left side
holding both handle grips firmly, and keep
the motorcycle upright with both feet on
the ground for support.
• Move the motorcycle off its stand, and be
sure that the stand is secure and in an
upright position.
Riding position
Sit in a position that allows your elbows to be
slightly bent when your hands are on the handle
bars. Keep your back straight and lean slightly
forward to reduce wind resistance.
9
Starting
You must be able to start, upshift and downshift
without jerking the motorcycle or lugging the
engine. A controlled start requires smooth
coordination of the clutch and throttle.
Starting on hills
Use the front brake to hold the motorcycle
from rolling back, start the engine and shift
into first gear.
Stopping
A controlled stop requires that both front and
rear brakes be applied at the same time without
locking them.
Passing
Always signal well in advance.
Lane position
Ride in a position where you can see other traffic
and where they can see you. Stay near the centre
of your lane without riding on the centre strip
between the tire tracks, as it may be slippery from
oil leaked from vehicles.
10
Following
Ride where the motorist ahead can see you in their
rearview mirror and, in ideal driving conditions,
use a four-second following distance when riding
behind another vehicle.
Lane changing
Signal and shoulder check before changing from
one traffic lane to another. When changing
from one tire track to the next within the same
lane, you must shoulder check prior to moving.
In traffic
Never pass vehicles by cutting between lanes
of traffic. There is no room to manoeuvre if a
door opens in front of you or if a vehicle changes
positions within the lane.
Group riding
If there are more than four riders on the road
together, it’s best to split into groups and ride
in a staggered formation, not beside each other.
Parking
When parking near a curb, position your
motorcycle at a 45-degree angle. It will be more
visible to motorists looking for a place to park.
Alcohol and drugs
It is illegal to be impaired and drive. Manitoba’s
impaired driving laws apply to the operation of all
motorized vehicles, including motorcycles.
Alcohol can slow down your reaction time and
make you less alert on the road. Illegal drugs may
cause hallucinations, hostility and aggressiveness
in addition to dulling normal thought processes
and slowing down eye-hand coordination.
Prescription or over-the-counter drugs can also
have an adverse effect on your driving skills. Read
all warning labels and understand the effects these
drugs have on your ability to operate your
motorcycle safely.
11
If you operate a motorcycle with a blood alcohol
concentration between .05 and .08 or fail a
physical coordination test or drug recognition
evaluation, you are subject to an immediate
Tiered Administrative Licence Suspension
ranging from 72 hours to 60 days. You will also
move five levels down the Driver Safety Rating
scale and be required to pay a driver’s licence
reinstatement charge.
If your blood alcohol concentration is over .08,
you refuse to provide a breath or blood sample
to police, you refuse to perform a physical
coordination test or drug recognition evaluation,
or you refuse to follow a police officer’s
instructions regarding either test, you will receive
an immediate three-month Administrative Licence
Suspension. You will also move five levels down
the Driver Safety Rating scale and be required to
pay a driver’s licence reinstatement charge and
complete an impaired driver assessment. You can
also be charged with an impaired driving-related
offence under the Criminal Code.
If you are convicted of an impaired driving-related
Criminal Code offence, you will face sanctions
such as:
• a minimum fine of $1,000
• possible imprisonment
• a minimum one year court imposed
driving prohibition
• mandatory driver’s licence suspension under The
Highway Traffic Act from one year to life
• mandatory participation in Manitoba’s
Ignition Interlock Program
• possible vehicle forfeiture
12
Pre–ride inspection ✔
Controls
✔ Make sure they are within easy reach of
your hands and feet.
Lights
✔ Check that there is one red running lamp, one
red stop lamp at the rear and one white light
that illuminates the rear licence plate.
Brakes
✔ Test the brakes on the front and
rear wheels.
Mirrors
✔ There must be one rearview mirror on the
left side. Two mirrors are recommended.
Tires
✔ Check that the tires have at least .8 mm
of tread.
Horn
✔ Make sure the horn is audible, under normal
conditions, from a distance of 60 metres.
Additional information
Riders are encouraged to take lessons to stay
safe on the road. Training is available for both
novice and experienced riders. Contact Safety
Services Manitoba at 204-949-1085 or visit
safetyservicesmanitoba.ca for more information
about classes offered.
Review the Motorcycle Handbook for more detailed
information on the topics covered in this brochure.
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