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School me on SXS rules

6K views 48 replies 18 participants last post by  Trail Junkie 
#1 ·
Thinking that I might pull the trigger on a Polaris General in the next month or two. I want to do some trail riding with my daughter and it will get some use around the house. No plans on racing.

I understand that I can't get it plated in Michigan any longer, but what does this mean?

I know I can take it to Silver Lake to the scramble, and some offroad parks allow them, although potentially with restrictions.

For up north, what can I do? Trails around St Helen? Running around Drummond? Anything else?
 
#2 ·
can you ride on the shoulder of ORV friendly counties? Is the shoulder considered a "route" or a "trail" in terms of any width requirements?
 
#4 ·
You have it pretty close. Bottom line for anywhere in the state you treat it just like an ATV (quad). If you can't ride a quad, you can't ride a SXS. The problem with a large SXS like the General is that it is too wide to ride on 50" ORV "trails". The small RZR is the only one I know of that is less than 50". You are correct that you can no longer plate it for SOS street legal. So, you can only drive on the shoulder of county roads, where allowed. You cannot drive it on the shoulder of state roads.

You are NOT allowed on forest roads up north like you are with your SOS plated Jeep. So, using your example of St Helen, you are allowed on the county road shoulders, and any full size ORV "routes" and the scramble area. NO trails unless it is a "route" which are limited.

So, to simplify where I think you will use it;
private property
scramble areas including the dunes (but you have to trailer it or tow bar into the dunes)
Private parks like Bundy, R&V and the Badlands
Can you drive it into town @ St Helen for food or gas? I think so because the scramble area is accessible by a county road.
 
#5 ·
So, you can only drive on the shoulder of county roads, where allowed.
so there is no width restriction for the shoulder? So I technically could have driven my old buggy on the shoulder legally?
 
#13 ·
Lake county has a bunch of trails that are mixed traffic trails. Meaning truck width is fine. Lake county also allows origin on the shoulders or pavement as long as you follow the rules. I have also rode them in a lot of place in the U.P. with out issues. I really think they are fun and can do many things my Jeep can not. However, I find I can go a lot more places with my jeep.
 
#17 ·
Still waiting for the fix on mine. Got a letter yesterday wanting me to buy an extended warranty. The first line says"Nothing should stop you from enjoying your RZR." Lol! Idiots. The dealer says we should have something by the end of August, that is next week, come on Polaris, get it together.
 
#20 ·
The repair has been relased and parts are able to be ordered. Special tools are also on order. I am supposed to be the first one to have the repair done at my dealer. Hopefully next week. Also saw a press release that says owners that are still under warranty will get a 12 month extension on their warranty.
 
#26 ·
From http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(vm...g.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2016-HB-5275

1/28/2016 HJ 8 Pg. 101 introduced by Representative Triston Cole
1/28/2016 HJ 8 Pg. 101 read a first time
1/28/2016 HJ 8 Pg. 101 referred to Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
2/10/2016 HJ 13 Pg. 175 reported with recommendation without amendment
2/10/2016 HJ 13 Pg. 175 referred to second reading
3/15/2016 HJ 26 Pg. 380 read a second time
3/15/2016 HJ 26 Pg. 380 placed on third reading
3/16/2016 HJ 27 Pg. 396 read a third time
3/16/2016 HJ 27 Pg. 396 passed; given immediate effect Roll Call # 108 Yeas 68 Nays 41
3/16/2016 HJ 27 Pg. 396 transmitted
3/17/2016 SJ 29 Pg. 376 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM
5/19/2016 SJ 50 Pg. 795 REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1
5/19/2016 SJ 50 Pg. 795 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE EFFECT
5/19/2016 SJ 50 Pg. 795 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1518 REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE S-2
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1518 SUBSTITUTE S-2 CONCURRED IN
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1518 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-2
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1533 RULES SUSPENDED
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1533 PLACED ON IMMEDIATE PASSAGE
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1542 PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 511 YEAS 28 NAYS 9 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0
9/8/2016 SJ 63 Pg. 1542 INSERTED FULL TITLE
9/8/2016 HJ 62 Pg. 1789 returned from Senate with substitute S-2 with immediate effect and title amendment
9/8/2016 HJ 62 Pg. 1789 laid over one day under the rules
9/20/2016 HJ 66 Pg. 1835 Senate substitute S-2 concurred in
9/20/2016 HJ 66 Pg. 1835 Roll Call # 454 Yeas 68 Nays 38
9/20/2016 HJ 66 Pg. 1835 title amendment agreed to
9/20/2016 HJ 66 Pg. 1835 bill ordered enrolled
10/19/2016 Expected in
HJ 69 presented to the Governor 9/26/2016 @ 2:40 PM
10/19/2016 Expected in
HJ 69 approved by the Governor 9/28/2016 @ 8:38 AM
10/19/2016 Expected in
HJ 69 filed with Secretary of State 9/28/2016 @ 3:48 PM
10/19/2016 Expected in
HJ 69 assigned PA 288'16 with immediate effect
 
#30 ·
Valid concern Jim, but I hope this works out for the best. I just picked up an older RZR and aside from the work around the house I'll do with it, I'd love to take it out for some family trail riding too. More options are always better for trail choices.
 
#32 ·
That's not how I read it. I read it as that they have a year to map what they can to provide a map service to the public. After they are done, or a year has passed, the "open unless posted closed" goes into effect. I don't see "closed unless mapped open" anywhere. That's what we have now.
 
#36 ·
That's not how I read it.I don't see "closed unless mapped open" anywhere.
I believe you need to read a bit more of the legislation:

(a) The forest roads within that region shall be open to motorized use by the public unless designated otherwise by the department
(3) The department shall annually post to its website the total miles of forest roads open to motorized use in all inventoried regions and a map or maps of those forest roads.

So, if not on the map, not a forest road. Like the USFS MVUM, if not on the map, not open.
If on the map, Open unless otherwise determined by the DNR.

The upside is if you are not plated, then you will have more riding opportunities. If you are plated, you will lose some access.
 
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