Yet Another Reason To Hate New Jersey

[KC-10 FE]

I know, I know...

EVERYONE is just shocked to see me write something like this. Imagine my surprise when I checked the mail & saw two envelopes from the NJ Motor Vehicle Commision. This is a bit strange since none of my vehicle are in their window so to speak. Both bikes expire at the end of July but I received their renewal notice at the end of March. I open the envelope & find NJ has more than doubled the registration fee for bikes. It's going from $31.50 to $65. Accompanying the form was a ticket with the following direct quote:

"NOTICE TO ALL MOTORCYCLE REGISTRANTS

Effective July 6, 2009, the annual registration fee for a motorcycle will change to $65.00. Please mail the enclosed MVC registration form, along with the correct payment amount, to ensure proper processing. Use of the old registration form may delay processing and be cause for rejection. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to safely share the road with other."

Hmmm...

My cooperation? Not hardly, it's not like I have any choice. Anywho, there are plenty of things I can say to this, none of which are family friendly or mature. I do know this, I am 10000000% certain I WILL NOT get double the service from the MVC.

Is it any wonder I hate this communist piece of garbage of a state?

KC-10 FE out...

[Fred.Rodgers]

Dont forget, for your pleasure, property taxes in NJ are retarded. My grandfather pays 7 times more than what my dad pays in NC for a house half as big. crazy.

but you all do have the best pizza in the world, so it kind of evens out.

[two4one]

Ours went up in PA also but nowhere near $65.00. I'll have to look again tonight. The SV is due...

[Coyote3]

A MC in Maryland is $97 for two years. MD MVA jacked all the fees up about two years ago

[Joey_Dude]

I had the displeasure of visiting Atlantic city one vacation. I couldn't help but laugh at the state slogan on the license plates, "The Garden State" or "Beautiful New Jersey". Yeah it would be if you call abandoned buildings, potholes, and smelly boardwalks beautiful.

[KC-10 FE]

Dont forget, for your pleasure, property taxes in NJ are retarded. My grandfather pays 7 times more than what my dad pays in NC for a house half as big. crazy.

but you all do have the best pizza in the world, so it kind of evens out.

I'm glad you reminded me, since it's true. My property taxes are going to increase over $400 starting 1st QTR FY10.

I've been going to the same pizza joint for over 30 years. I know the owners & we're on a first name basis. That is the single only real compliment I can give NJ. We have some of the best food in this great nation.

KC-10 FE out...

[jasonsmith]

You know our government is in the middle of building new bridges and upgrading roads cause they failed to plan in the first place... All these fixes are being funded by wealthy folks outside of North America and everything that's getting upgraded is getting tolled so those that are paying can make money from us. Our government has been so kind as to signing a 32 year contract with them as well so it's not going to go away either. Our taxes are through the roof and everything is WAY expensive. Soon I'm going to have to pay an extra $100 a month to get to work on a bike that I paid a chunk more than you would have had too.
Don't get me started.... I think we all have issues with where we live.

[dino71]

I feel for you KC, I am a life long resident and I know its expensive to live here and I wish I could move to Philly but since all my family members live here I am stuck. Its the price we pay for not voting for our political officials. The motorcyclists need to organize and start voting out politicians that screw us and vote in the ones that will work in the favor of a motorcyclist and not just use them to collect money like an mobile ATM machine. I have proof from NJDOT offcials that I work with that tolls will be added to 78, 80 and possibly 195. Who's ready to join the revolution!

[Pliskin]

Much like KC, I have my share of complaints about NJ. But truth be told, there are some things I do enjoy about the state, and try to put the others on the back burner. But that being said....

Property taxes - Mine have gone up over 92% in the 6 years that I've owned my current now. Ahh, nothing like 5 digit taxes on an annual basis!

MV Registrations - I'll be curious what happens with my motorcycle. It expired on June 30th, and I paid the renewal back in early June. $30, as KC mentioned. Pick up truck at $84. Honda Accord at $44. Another Accord at $44. A Civic at $44. I think my boat registration went up, but that was back in March and can't remember.

Now by the way, Joey - there is no doubt that places like Atlantic City, Trenton, Camden, Elizabeth and various others are the armpits of the nation, there are some very nice places that you would never expect were Jersey. Yes, we get a bad rap, but there a few bright spots.

How To Drive In Jersey. .

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is Nork - rhymes with Fork, not New-ark.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5 AM to NOON. The evening rush hour is from NOON to 7 PM.
Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on the turnpike is 85 mph. On the parkway it's 105 or 110. Anything less is considered "Sissy." (Just ask Jon Corzine, the Governor of NJ)

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Jersey has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second; However, in Monmouth county, SUV-driving, cellphone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. EVER! Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of Jersey. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, cats, barrels, cones, celebs, rubber-neckers, shredded tires, cell-phoners, deer and other road kill, and the Homeless feeding on any of these items.

9. MapQuest does NOT work here -- none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they do and all the Turnpike EZ Pass lanes are moved each night once again to make your ride more exciting.

10. If someone actually has their Turn Signal ON, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off" accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. Do not try to estimate travel time -- just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday appointments, and right after church on Sunday for anything on Monday morning.

[deepdish]

I'm glad you reminded me, since it's true. My property taxes are going to increase over $400 starting 1st QTR FY10.

I've been going to the same pizza joint for over 30 years. I know the owners & we're on a first name basis. That is the single only real compliment I can give NJ. We have some of the best food in this great nation.

KC-10 FE out...

I blame Obama and its just going to get worse, as the government tries and will succeed in class warfare there will be the rich and the poor no more middle class.. Thanks Obama for change....Look at california broke just went bankrupt the rest of america will follow 1.5 trillion in 6 months unbielievable now they(obama) is goimg to tell you what lightbulb to use in your home awsome.................

[crustyrider]

I blame Obama and its just going to get worse, as the government tries and will succeed in class warfare there will be the rich and the poor no more middle class.. Thanks Obama for change....Look at california broke just went bankrupt the rest of america will follow 1.5 trillion in 6 months unbielievable now they(obama) is goimg to tell you what lightbulb to use in your home awsome.................

yeah cause he is responsible for spending all tha tmoney in the eight years........


and bush really did "help the country out.....WTF


oh yeah. I paid 65 bucks to register a 20 plus year old bike..

[STEVE MANKIN]

at least you jersey folk have a sense of humor....and you are right ..we get the government we deserve...people need to wake up and vote these big spenders out...think i read somewhere that nj has the highest tax rates in the country.

[Richard Thompson]

I am due to register my bike, for 12 months, and it is $257.00 (NZ).

more expensive than my car..

[02 VFR Rider]

N.J. has gone downhill since Fat Mikes Closed.
the only plus is the pizza and a side of mussels.
Glad I made my escape when I did.

Free your arse and your mind will follow

[CrazyInNYC]

Now by the way, Joey - there is no doubt that places like Atlantic City, Trenton, Camden, Elizabeth and various others are the armpits of the nation, there are some very nice places that you would never expect were Jersey. Yes, we get a bad rap, but there a few bright spots.

Yeah, like the housewives of Franklin Lakes. Haven't you seen the classy folks who reside in those multi-million dollar homes.

"If you're not familiar with the table flip, you're probably not from New Jersey."

[great white]

You know our government is in the middle of building new bridges and upgrading roads cause they failed to plan in the first place... All these fixes are being funded by wealthy folks outside of North America and everything that's getting upgraded is getting tolled so those that are paying can make money from us. Our government has been so kind as to signing a 32 year contract with them as well so it's not going to go away either. Our taxes are through the roof and everything is WAY expensive. Soon I'm going to have to pay an extra $100 a month to get to work on a bike that I paid a chunk more than you would have had too.
Don't get me started.... I think we all have issues with where we live.

Yup, just moved to BC from NS and I can't believe the costs out here!

Crazy stupid....

But, my VF is and 85 and qualifies for classic plates so I'm only paying around 250 are year for plates and insurance.

Sometimes riding a reliable old friend pays. I was considering getting a 'wing or Venture, I'll be looking for nothing newer than an 85 it seems.

Be careful down there in Gangcouver" brother....

[bbwong]

Both bikes expire at the end of July but I received their renewal notice at the end of March. I open the envelope & find NJ has more than doubled the registration fee for bikes. It's going from $31.50 to $65.

WTF? I just put my shiny new 7/10 registration sticker on my bike last night. Renewal fee was 31.50, though I did pay the $2.00 convenience fee to pay online. I wasn't about to wait at the MVC. I didn't get any notification about the registration fee going up with my initial letter March/April. Though not a NJ thing, my insurance premium even went down!

I too am not a fan of this state. I pay over $1,000 a month (yes, that's right, a MONTH) in property taxes. My home is nice but by no means extraordinary. We have crap government services in town and the school system is average at best. KC, sounds like Big Brother's out to get you.

Maybe you need to renew before the 6th?

[great white]

... I pay over $1,000 a month (yes, that's right, a MONTH) in property taxes. My home is nice but by no means extraordinary...

Jeebus, and I thought the 2000 I pay a year (after a 500 rebate) was expensive....

[Fred.Rodgers]

How To Drive In Jersey. .

2. The morning rush hour is from 5 AM to NOON. The evening rush hour is from NOON to 7 PM.
Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.
Unless you are going to the City, (NYC of course) then you'd better start 2 days ahead of time

3. The minimum acceptable speed on the turnpike is 85 mph. On the parkway it's 105 or 110. Anything less is considered "Sissy." (Just ask Jon Corzine, the Governor of NJ)
Hell yes. 85 is so you dont get run over.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Jersey has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second; However, in Monmouth county, SUV-driving, cellphone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.
And forget about merging. Just gun it and pray a space opens in the 64 feet where the roads come together.


5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.
not necessarally in that order though

6. Never honk at anyone. EVER! Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.
OR honk at everyone. It depends on the city. some people get offended if you dont honk. Then they might shoot you.


7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of Jersey. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.
My dad was born and raised there, and he mentions every time we pass by the same construction area on the turnpike that it has been 'under construction' since he was a kid. That's 58 years or so of construction on the same segment of road.

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off" accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.
And sometimes, it'll be the cops doing the shooting. GTFO of the way or be in the wrong lane at your own risk.

Another one i think you missed:

Plan ahead to make sure you are in the right lane. It's not so much that other people won't let you into another lane, but that they will not realize you are anything other than broken down and drive on past you. Especally if you have your turn signals on.

[Pliskin]

Jeebus, and I thought the 2000 I pay a year (after a 500 rebate) was expensive....

Hahahah - $2000 a year makes me chuckle. After all, what else can I do?

I'm in the same boat as Bbwong - definitely over $1,000 per month in taxes.

[Keager]

holy crap you people pay a lot. My motorcycle insurance for a year is about $400. My plates are about $48. The property tax for my minisucle lot is about $2500. The house I am moving to is considerably more, and still in town, but the next town over. It belonged to family, and it was homesteaded (property taxes freeze at a certian age here) for $14000 - but that was for over 5 acres in town....

Things are crazy expensive out east. Welcome to the midwest, the home & HQ of John Deere.

[bbwong]

Hahahah - $2000 a year makes me chuckle. After all, what else can I do?

You got that right. If you don't have a sense of humor about these things, well....I don't know what else. I'm grateful I have a place to hang my hat and park the viffer at night (and during the days too) and at least I don't have to commute to the City for work, so that's a plus.

We did a 5 year stint in Florida but came back north because the rest of the clan was here. Plus we didn't like it that much - way too hot. We'd like to try somewhere else but know we can't until somethings come to (read the elders) pass. Until then, we grab ankles and take it like a $5 hoe.

[CrazyInNYC]

holy crap you people pay a lot. My motorcycle insurance for a year is about $400. My plates are about $48. The property tax for my minisucle lot is about $2500. The house I am moving to is considerably more, and still in town, but the next town over. It belonged to family, and it was homesteaded (property taxes freeze at a certian age here) for $14000 - but that was for over 5 acres in town....

Things are crazy expensive out east. Welcome to the midwest, the home & HQ of John Deere.

Salaries generally reflect a cost of living allowance, so it really isn't that different. Except of course, those who manage to save while enduring a higher cost of living will have increased purchasing power should they choose to retire to an area with a lower cost of living...

[Lgn001]

The important thing to remember is that we sacrifice so that politicians (and the bureaucracies that support them) can be happy and live extravagant lifestyles. Makes it all worth it.

Yeah.

[IrrerD]

$65 to register a bike for a year??? Holy shit! I just tagged my second bike here in Montana, same price as the VFR two years ago. $120.25, for vanity plate, and permanent. As long as I don't move out of state, I never have to pay to register either bike ever again! Thinking of doing the same for my truck as well...

[FJ12rydertoo]

My gosh, I just licensed my bike for two years and it was $25.89, my full coverage insurance is $250 for the year, and our property taxes are around $1000 for the year and that includes the in ground pool. I believe I'll stay in the boondocks here in Missouri.

[reg71]

I've been going to the same pizza joint for over 30 years. I know the owners & we're on a first name basis. That is the single only real compliment I can give NJ. We have some of the best food in this great nation.

I miss that kind of place. When I was a kid my dad used to take us to a place like that called Papa Vanelli's in Tupelo, MS where you could watch them tossing the dough for your pizza and the owner usually would stop by and chat with you for a bit. I can't remember what the pizza tasted like, but I remember the atmosphere and it was good.

[monk69]

I don't have any problems with my Country/State/City. Everything is fair, we need to be taxed to pay for all that our government gives us to keep us happy, and not in need for anything.
Also, if you believe this, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sell....... Monk

[Lgn001]

I don't have any problems with my Country/State/City. Everything is fair, we need to be taxed to pay for all that our government gives us to keep us happy, and not in need for anything.
Also, if you believe this, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sell....... Monk

How much are you asking for the bridge? California can use one that doesn't have to be built from scratch...

[JHKolb]

Well I grew up just outside Atlantic City (small town called Absecon). I lived in Ventnor (on island, next to A.C.) and worked in A.C. for a few years then moved up to just west of Philly. All of my family still lives down there.

Now, I like the area I live in, and it is a bit cheaper than living in Jersey, BUT, If I had a choice I would move back to the shore in a heart beat, higher costs and all.

Not all of Jersey is inner ghetto, and most of South Jersey is not really all that bad (and if anyone remembers, back in the '70's I believe there was a movement to split North/South Jersey in half) and except for the areas up close to the Oranges, NYC, Newark, etc. North Jersey has some very nice areas.

I think everyplace has its pros and cons, it is just what you make out of what you got to be happy.