Transferring Plates to CA

[mjslim]

My 03 WR450 has been plated out of state since new - the VIN has never been in the CA system. I'm wondering what would happen if I tried to transfer the registration to CA at this point ?. I'm always a bit nervous when riding on the street since my drivers license says CA but my plates do not - would be nice to have peace of mind if I ever get pulled over.

Would the computer automatically flag the 3 or C in the 8th character, or would my fate rely on the intelligence of the DMV clerk? Anybody out there tried this before?

[ncampion]

Try bypassing the DMV altogether. If you are a AAA member, take your out of state papers to them and have them register the bike in CA. I bet it would go right through. I recently bought a restored vintage Vespa scooter from Taiwan and took the papers to AAA and they handed me a CA plate. Might be worth a try. (of course you have to belong to AAA)

[HarveyMushman]

If there is any reference to "off road" or "non Hwy" then AAA won't touch it.

[lomitamike]

AAA wouldn't touch mine. Tried to switch Vermont to Cal. AAA database will refer you to your local DMV. Good Luck.

[JSanfilippo]

Thats a no go on the plate in CA, why?? Because the bike is a red sticker bike and all red sticker bikes are inelligible for plates. Its a bummer, that just shows how gay the Ca DMV is

[ncampion]

Here's another thing to try. Some guy was offering to do this to any dirt bike for $1000. I think you could do it yourself for next to nothing.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcnsreg.htm

[vorra65]

Get member KCT to help you out-he has a pretty damn good sucess rate. I think he's up around Santa Cruz. He can get you by without them looking for the EPA sticker.

[mjslim]

Thanks guys for all the help-

Called up AAA today and asked about the process, and this is what the gal told me:

If the emissions sticker on the bike says "50 states" (i.e. meets CA emissions) they will issue the plates after doing a VIN verification on the bike.

If the sticker on the bike is "49 states" (i.e. a non-CA model) than they have to refer me to the DMV unless the bike has over 7500 miles on it, in which case they waive the requirement.

Hmmmmmmmmm ?. The 7500 miles is not a problem, but as far as I know my bike does not have any emissions sticker - I believe those probably exist only on street models (those who know feel free to chime in). If I remember correctly, my bike had some BS "This vehicle is for off-road use only blah,blah,blah" sticker on the rear fender which was promptly peeled off before seeking registration out of state.

Guess I'll give it a try despite the missing emissions sticker - maybe they'll be satisified that it meets the mileage requirement. All they can say is "sorry, you have to go to the DMV :eek:", ..........right?

[ncampion]

Hmmmmm.... any good digital photo or scan of a street bike sticker could be reporduced on Avery labels clear sticker and nicely placed on a new WR. What's the worse that could happen????

[vorra65]

Hmmmmm.... any good digital photo or scan of a street bike sticker could be reporduced on Avery labels clear sticker and nicely placed on a new WR. What's the worse that could happen????

Ok, I had thought of this earlier-but hey.

Go to any of the number of online Yamaha cataloging sites. Look for a bike the same year as your's. Then find the label's that are listed for EPA and CARB. The are usually listed at the end of the frame parts list. And yes they can be purchased from an authorized Yammi dealer.

Do you think most DMV folk's are swift enough to look to make sure the model designation matche's? I know they are usually a clear or white sticker with a large numeric figure that show the year of the bike. And the small print is just yada yada about emissions compliance. You'd just have to have a good comeback if the DMV clerk was in the know.

?

[mjslim]

You'd just have to have a good comeback if the DMV clerk was in the know.

?

"What do you mean this ain't no Virago 250?........I can't believe that sales guy lied to me..........."

[ncampion]

I like it... ??

[GCannon]

Yes The DMV and CHP are trained to look for the federal emission sticker they wrote a big fat note on my vin verification ( no federal emission sticker) my 02 426 is Canadian. you are going to have trouble in California on this.

One option worth exploring is to use on your out of state registration a lien holder this person can be your name with or without your middle initial. You tell the police that the owner of the bike is out of state and he lets you ride it. I believe there is detailed explanation of this on the Trick Dual sport website.

[mjslim]

Yes The DMV and CHP are trained to look for the federal emission sticker they wrote a big fat note on my vin verification ( no federal emission sticker)

Thanks for the input GCannon.

Here's the next obvious question:

On bikes that come with emissions stickers, where are the stickers typically located? Since I've never owned a street bike, I've never really paid attention. Is there a standard location - I thought I remember the gal at AAA saying something about the sticker being located under the seat. ?

[vorra65]

The yammi's are located on the frame head, and the hondas I believe are on the rear fender-I've heard.