Rule #1. Get a right of return if you can't register and title the bike in Ca. Mae it short, say 5 days and offer a return payment enough to make it worthwhile.
Failing that, get your ducks in a row, take all the docs and stuff to the DMV and ask for an opinion (in writing) that if all the info is correct that you can register and title it. Yes, they will do it if you ask the right way.
Yeah, it can depend on the DMW office you visit but just as important who there you talk to but you can be successful if you do things right.
The people at the DMW don't want to give you a hard time, deny your registration, licensing or title process, they don't get a bonus for the number of motorcycle riders denied registration or title. They are people just like you and a lot of them ride too. You'd be surprised at how many of the women working there have husbands or boyfriends that ride. They get it.
The people there spend all day listening to asshats who have every excuse under the sun for not complying with the laws and trying to get around the process. The laws and regulations are published, read them before you buy a out of state bike or grey market bike and understand the risks. Remember, what people say on the telephone doesn't matter. If you know the bike you're going to buy, have the buyer send you the VIN and Engine# and pictures of any stickers related to emissions and sound. If the seller doesn't want to play ball, pass, they made more and another will always show up, always.
When you're at the DMV, walk in with a smile on your face. Dig deep and be courteous and gracious to the people working there including the security guard, they know everyone working there and can help get through to the right person. It works. If you go in like a human being instead of a walking complaint whining about how the government screws everyone, your rights, the taxes you pay and squawking about civil servants you'll often get great service.
Many of the people working at the DMV ride or have spouses or partners who ride, they get it. Insist on getting drawn into conversations with morons who think the DMV is the place to rant and make political statements then you are screwed before you get to the counter.
Start out with something like "Good morning, how is it going for you so far?" The smile on your face should be genuine and then you explain exactly what you are trying to do.
Don't shove a wad of forms and papers at them. Have any paperwork in order and the forms all filled out. Have your DR LIC out and ready. Do Not play with dates. If you think you are cute and try to evade fees and penalties by listing dates that are not correct you are breaking the law and your world can get complicated when your registration happens to be the one to get audited. Don't do it.
Make an appointment. Complaining about a 4 hour wait is dumb when you can make an appointment.
If you get to the counter and are told you have to get some other paperwork or an inspection from the CHP, have the person helping you date and time stamp the forms so that if you exceed the time constraints that you don't end up paying penalties and extra fees They will do it and even offer if you don't ask provided you aren't #102 of 500 complaining that day. If you are denied or told you have to do something else, it isn't their fault-IT IS YOUR FAULT so smile, thank them for the info and go do what you should have done before walking in.
At the CHP:. Get a clue, the person inspecting your bike is a sworn peace officer. They took an oath to uphold the laws, not let you break the law because you know, you ride. Don't get into small talk with the other people waiting and start the complaining grind. You are probably on video so acting and talking like a fool is foolish.
Don't ask the inspector how you can break the law either. Think about what you're trying to do. That said, there is nothing wrong with asking for some advice and oftentimes you will get it. Don't be the one to cry about your last ticket, you probably deserved twice as much, you just got caught this time.
The inspector at the CHP (remember, a sworn peace officer) has probably heard it all just like those at the DMV. Do not complain about the DMV to the CHP, lots of them have wives or family working at the DMV, got it? The inspector isn't a noob either. Often, they do this as just one of their many items listed in their duty statements and often they have as many years in service as you've been alive or riding. Like the DMV, they don't get bonuses for not letting you pass inspection. Their job is to uphold the laws of the state, it's not an option. Yeah, you can get a break on certain minor things but demanding it and then complaining when you don't get it means purgatory for your bike. While at the CHP is not the time to brag either. Telling the inspector you "had it up to 145 on Old Redwood Highway" is not going to go over well.
Make sure your speedo works. Current mileage will be checked. There is always someone who gets caught.
Before you buy an out of state or grey market bike:
1. Have the seller send you the VIN and Engine #s.
2. Have the seller take pics of any stickers on the bike no matter how inconsequential you think it is. Sometimes the emissions sticker is in an oddball place, make sure they look. Often the stickers are hidden behind plastics, make sure they look.
3. Research the EXACT model and brand of bike and gather up all the info you can.
4. Manufacturers are very lacking when it comes to record keeping. They might even have the wrong engine# listed for your VIN or your engine might be a different number than what was supposed to be in the bike. It happens more than you think.
5. Run your own stolen VIN and Engine# checks, there are plenty of places to get this done.
6. Send a letter to the DMV or Transportation Agency where you are buying the bike and ask them for a vehicle history IN WRITING. They will do it. In your letter ask them if the bike was ever reported to be in an accident, stolen, or if it had a registration gap. They will tell you.
7. CarFax and the other services are junk, waste of your money, do #6 above instead.
8. Ask the manufacturer if all recalls have been done. They will tell you. Many recalls were emissions related or affected them.
9. Do Not think you are smart and print your own emission sticker because if you get caught and most likely will, you are in deep doo-doo.
and #10. Don't buy the out of state bike or grey market bike and then think you are smart and saving a hassle or money by riding around on the old registration and plates. All that does is postpone the pain and if you meet up with the one that had a bad day, you become the example. You will sit there calling for a ride while your bike gets loaded on a flatbed.
Registering an out of state or grey market bike is possible and it can be painless if you do it right.
Last thing. Before you go down the road, don't sit on forums telling the whole world you are going to break some laws to finagle a title and registration. That just makes you out to be a clown and the laughs only get louder when you tell the story of having to sell that fantastic bike you bought because you thought you are exempt from the laws and regulations. We might not like laws and regs that we think negatively impact our riding but they exist so until they are changed, do the right thing.
The DMV and CHP are there to help you and they will. Go at it badly and you'll be the one selling that $5000 bike for $1000 because everyone will know you have no choice.
OP: If you got a letter demanding you remove the bike from the state you should consider it in your best interests to:
1. Appeal the decision formally, not by a phone call. Get an acknowledgement of the appeal and make sure you ask that you not be required to remove the bike from CA until the appeal is heard.
2. Remove the bike from the state.
3. Do not ride it on the street.
Yeah, you can get an out of state registration, title and plates. Then all you do is ride around wondering if this is the day you get popped. Then read up on your insurance. You will probably have to lie to get insurance because they ask where the bike will be titled, stored and registered and then when you need it, the day of reckoning might come around. There is a disclaimer that if you provide false information to obtain insurance any claims you make can be denied.
