I am looking at buying a bike from back East and having it shipped out, but some of my "expert" co workers are telling me that registering an out of state bike in California is a big hassle.
Does any one have any real life experience with doing this kinda thing?

Cant seem to find what I want in state for some reason.

 

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/det...out/2011mc_reg


http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1d.../vr/newvehicle

 

Never had an issue. Bike needs to have 7500 miles, no smog inspection required. You will need the title. I also have a bill of sale.

The DMV inspector will check the title aginst the numbers on the frame and motor. They will also inspect the metal foil tabs on the frame. Need to make an appointment at your local DMV office. Never taken me more than 1 hour from the time I walked through the door.

 

Get a current registration from that state as well as a letter from the states dmv stating the title status of the bike.

Just recently bought a car that spent most of its life in Nevada even though it was originally sold in CA. I had to contact NV dmv to get the registration status and a letter indicating the car was never titled in Nevada. This even though I had a valid CA title with the owners signature on it.

 

The 7500 mile requirement is the biggest hassle registering out of state vehicles in Ca. Otherwise it's easy, no smog check. A VIN verification is needed, a local PD/DMV or CHP can do that. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/con...df?MOD=AJPERES

 

If the bike has less than 7500 miles and is not CA compliant, you won't be able to bring it into CA.

Other than that, it's the same as any other state. You'll have to have the bike inspected and pay the fees.

 

Also, if it has less than 7500 miles, they are going to look for the California emissions sticker. If you don't have it you will have a problem.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1d...t_facts/ffvr29

 

Commifornia is like nanny state New York...if you own a vehicle, you are basically a criminal!

 

If buying an out of state bike, it wouldn't have the emissions sticker on it.
What I did when I bought mine with 3800 on it from out of state, the seller agreed to wait until I racked up those miles and then we did official paperwork. I took a chance I wouldn't wreck the bike in that month it took me to get to 7500. Once I did, registered it in Ca, and sent him his Nevada plate

 

I think the 7500 mile rule dictates whether the fees to register will be charged as a new vehicle or used. Under 7500 the state of CA considers it new and charges accordingly. You can certainly bring the vehicle into the state.


"If you decide to buy a vehicle from out-of-state, keep in mind that it will be considered new if it has less than 7,500 miles, and will be subject to the pertinent registration requirements for a new vehicle. "

Italics quoted from the following website:

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/buy...lling-faqs.php