http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm The key is: "NOTE: California law prohibits importing and/or registering a new vehicle with less than 7,500 miles at the time of purchase unless it meets or is exempt from California Emission standards. If you acquire a 49-State vehicle (manufactured for all states except California) from another state or country, you may not be able to register your vehicle in this state." As I understand it, this is where the problem lies, the 09 bikes have yet to be approved by California Air Resources Board (CARB) certifying they meet California emission standards. You should be able to register it for off-road use only, pay the fees, along with use/sales tax and ride OHV parks only. Find a left over 08 in state, save yourself the nightmare.
The real question is - if you buy an 09 from out of state now, register it (say, with your brother who lives in Wisconsin), wait until CARB gets their sheet together and approves the 09s, then register it here - will that work?
I bought my 08 610 new in a crate from out of state in November and had it shipped to my work in so.cal..There are no issues with the dmv if the vehicle has never been registered before.All they need to see is the emissions sticker under the seat and verify the vin #'s on the frame and motor.BTW,I took mine to my local AAA office and they looked it over without a problem.Just buy it!
FYI: California Senate Bill 435 introduced to begin biennial SMOG CHECK (just like your car) for "on road" (plated) motorcycles built 2000 and newer. Let's hope this one does not pass... Another revenue producing nightmare. Pay $150 to get your bike smogged and the state gets $15 and thinks that will help the state budget. Converted/imported bikes are really going to have a hard time... Bill: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0401-0450/sb_435_bill_20090226_introduced.html
I just called my state senator's office to check on SB435. They said that it was just introduced and will be tabled for 30 days before going to committee. I think we all know that one day motorcycles will be smogged. Frankly I'm surprised it has taken them this long to get around to it. But, its not fair to grandfather in bikes all the way back to the year 2000. That is what I told Sen. Huff's office. I hope they listen, but based on the California governments past, I'll bet they do what ever they please regardless of what the people tell them.
If that bill passes, none of the bikes I have plates on will pass smog, not even the "street only" one.
Anyone ever consider running alcohol to pass the smog test? Actually I'm suprised there hasn't been a write-up somewhere in a mag about running a bike on alcohol. The octane rating is higher (up to 105 I've read somewhere) than pump gas. The drawback is fuel efficiency which would drop at least 20% and it easily mixes with water. I think that may be the next step for dirt bikes to be smog legal and still have some performance. I have no interest in riding an electric dirt bike. I'll hang it up before that.
How could they come up with a smog standard for all bikes since '00? I mean, would they just have one standard for each displacement? Would they go back year and model and come up with a reference point? It just seems impossible. Maybe all bikes after '11 or '12 to give manufacturers a target, but to retroactively try to do this, its just impossible. What about Orange County Choppers from '02? '04 Cannondales?
The whole thing is just crazy. Whoever wrote this bill didnt really put much thought into it. But, Hey. thats our government for ya. After reading the entire bill there is one silver lining. Diesel motorcycles will be exempt from smog testing. Oh, boy. Now all I have to do is join the Marines to get one.
That's some bad news. I'm not worried about my dirt only TC450, but my street legal 02 Cannondale might not be a piece of cake. Sure hope it doesn't go through. Things are already stupid here in CA...
CA is nuts for sure when it comes to dmv - I'm from midwest and these yahoos drive me crazy with all the rules and the fees double or quadruple what they were back East. Then again, in Japan don't they basically take all the cars off the road after 3 years? or did I hear that wrong?
Yeah that is a myth, there are plenty of old cars running around in Japan. There are a couple reasons we get the low mileage Japanese engines over here. First body work is really expensive so lots of cars get totaled. Second they are superstitious about taking parts from wrecked cars especially if someone was killed in the accident. Also while the mileage is low on those engines the hours are usually really high because of traffic congestion and lack of fun open roads like we have over here. A friend of mine lived in Japan in the 90's for 5 years, he drove an early 80's skyline. Later,
I bought my 06' TE610 from a guy in Reno, Nv. He kept his Nv. plate, I guess that how they do it there. All the smog/emissions crap he had removed although he did give it to me in a box along with stock muffler, jets and various other parts as he had installed a Leo Vince muffler,Jd Jetts etc. Anyway, I was concerned about whether I'd be able to get a Ca. plate and reg. for it. I rode it down to the local Husky dealer here in Sac which is like five minutes from my house and asked them about the whole dmv trip with out of state aquired bikes and if I should put all the emissions stuff and stock pipe back on before I take it down there and they were feeding all doom and gloom saying definitely put smog and pipe back on and even then I might not be able to get a Ca. plate for it. So before going through all the hassle of putting all the smog stuff back on I decided to call Dan at MotoXotica for a second opinion. Smartest thing I've ever done. He said just take it down there just like it is. These guys don't know what the hell these parts are meant for or what the smog stuff looks like. He was 100% correct. I rode down there, went to first window and said I just bought a m/c from a guy in Nevada, presented the title, bill of sale and insurance proof and said I need a Ca. plate and reg. She had me pull around back where two guys came out and checked the VIN and Engine #'s to make sure they matched the paperwork, then I removed seat and showed them the emissions sticker that says this bike meets the emissions reqmnts for 49 states. They signed it off, I went back in and got my new lic. plate with reg. sticker and was on my way. It was absolutely that easy. My bike at that time had only 3000 miles and that was another concern of mine because I had heard the same thing that someone had meantioned about 7500 miles but it wasn't an issue. Maybe I got lucky, who knows, but I'm glad I didn't listen to the boneheads at Goodtimes who had me thinking the worst and am thankful I called Dan for a second opinion. Smart Guy, and a great guy. Jerry in Sac
So this thread makes sense to people years from now: --------------------------------------------------- This thread started while the 2009 bikes were unavailable for sale in California, as of yesterday as per someone in Husky NA they can now be sold in California. The 2006 TE's were all 50 state legal and can be bought across state lines just like a car without restrictions, is it possible your sticker said the bike was legal in CA? My 2006 TE250 is buried under many things in the garage at the moment and cannot get to it at the moment.
You're absolutely correct on that, Dean. I must've been having a brainfart when I typed in 49 states. They are 50 state legal. Jerry
