KANSAS

State-issued motorcycle plates began in 1913 at the same time as passenger plates.  There were 7,430 registrations in fiscal year 1913/14.  The highest 1913/14 plates known are #7493, and #L93 for Lost (duplicate or replacement) plates.

Prior to 1913, a number of cities which passed automobile ordinances also required motorcycles to register in the same manner, the earliest known instance being that passed in Atchison on September 3, 1906.  The ratio of motorcycles to automobiles was quite small, if Marysville (Pop. 2,260) is any indication:  As of September 25, 1911, (after 2 1/2 months of being in effect) 52 automobiles and 1 motorcycle were registered.

In most cases, it appears that motorcycles were required to carry the same size and style plate as automobiles.  (McPerson's large 8 1/4" x 14" plate would have been nearly impossible to fit on any 2-wheeled machine!)  There are a few notable exceptions:  El Dorado motorcycles were not issued plates at all, though automobiles were.  Lawrence motorcycle plates were to have numbers just 2 1/2" tall rather than 4" tall.  Wichita in 1912 stipulated a city-issued white plate with a red "W" for motorcycle or a green "W" for motorcycle dealer.  However, the only plate known is an undated white-on-blue porcelain #249, with "MOTORCYCLE LICENSE" at top and "WICHITA KANSAS" at bottom.  This probably dates from the 1908-11 era.

Cities known to have specifically included motorcycles in their ordinances are as follows:  Atchison, El Dorado, Emporia (1910), Humboldt, Kingman, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Marysville, McPherson, Ottawa (1909), Salina (1912), Tonganoxie, Topeka (1909), Wellington, and Wichita (1908).  In addition, Sedgwick County ordered 50 motorcycle plates in 1912 to issue to motorcycle owners.  More details about ordinances from these localities can be found on the Kansas Pre-state Local page.