Triumphrat

ezride

I'm thinking about moving to the left coast, and have a couple of questions about California's bike/emissions regulations:

1. I seem to recall reading on this forum that there are specific rules about bringing non-California bikes into the state -- like maybe a minimum mileage? How does that work?

2. Does the state require smog checks on bikes? Any other inspections?

Thanks ------

drno5150

Well from what I can say from experience, I had 12000 miles on my old Suzuki GS 500 when my wife and I moved out this way. Bought brand new back home in Texas in 2000, had it for 2 years b4 making the trip and had no hassles in getting it in the state. However, I have seen documentation on the offical California website that m/c need to be 3yrs old or have 7k on the odo. As for emissions testing i don't know. Didn't need one for my Suzuki, and didn't get one either for my RS or my wife's Daytona6 when we bought them here in Cali. Try this http://www.ca.gov and look under transportation. Hope this helps

__________________
Don't Panic
-Douglas Adams

TproJL

If you have owned the bike for more then 90 days (I think), you can bring the bike into california and register it with out any problems. The mileage/age stipulation is only for a current california resident that is purchasing a bike from outside the state and bringing it back (7500 miles). And to the 2nd question - California currently does not require smog checks or inspections for motorcycles. But of course check www.dmv.ca.gov. Good Luck. And welcome if you end up moving here to Cali.

BoFax

California's DMV came up with that rule because people were buying bikes in Oregon where they don't have sales tax and the bikes aren't leaned out as badly for Ca. emissions standards.
For these emission standards Triumph had to add a secondary air injection system which adds weight and robs power. You can remove the system but will need a modified fuel map. When my Tuneboy arrives I plan to do this :hammer: :hammer:

skypilot

California has no bike inspections of any kind; if it did there wouldn't be anything on the road but Gold Wings. There are minimum miles for registering an out of state bike (see address previous sender gave you for specifics) but once registered — and I've seen some pretty off-the-wall homebuilts with tags — you're clear. If you run into a law enforcement officer and fail the "attitude test" they all give, they can give you a fixit ticket if they don't like your pipes, missing turn signals, weird (or no) mirrors, slicks, etc. and then you've got to get the bike signed off by a local officer or the CHP (don't throw away your stock pipe). However, our cops are pretty cool about it all; probably because many of them are bike riders, too. In fact, the only test of any vehicle required in California is a smog check for cars every couple of years (and when you sell one). Lane splitting is legal and so is moving to the front of the line at a light and blasting away from the pack of cars as well as riding in the diamond (car pool) lanes. Helmets are required but man, they are really lenient about that one. When the law first went into effect, I wore a plastic baseball cap painted like an old CHP helmet and never got stopped (now I'm smarter and wear an Arai full face; saved me four times). Bad news, the CHP now has radar and isn't afraid to use it.