buying out of state bike?

I'm thinking about buying a 98 Ducati from outside of California. The bike
has around 2k miles.

Am I wasting my time? Anyone else have useful experience they would like to
share?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

The only warning I can think of is whether the bike was made to comply
with CA regulations; some manufacturers make 49 state bikes and CA bikes
to comply with some fairly easy emissions rules that CA has; others simply
make sure all their US bikes comply with CA regs. You can "import" a 49
state bike into CA if it's "used," which according to the DMV means it has
at least 7500 miles on the odometer.

I don't know specifically about Ducati's, but I'd verify that first, or
see if you can put at least 5500 miles on it before you try to register it
in CA ;-)

 

A letter from the manufacturer, if they are only 50 state models, or
with the VIN, might be useful if it is. I'd be paranoid, the DMV are
SOBs.

 

The procedure is that you will bring the bike to a DMV office and they
will inspect it. The inspection consists of examining the odometer
and checking the frame for the various EPA stickers that it's supposed
to have. Those should indicate to the DMV whether the bike meets CA
standards. If it doesn't, they will record the VIN and blacklist the
bike from future registration.

Caveat emptor.

Rich, Urban Biker

 

they probably get that way from dealing with jack asses like you all day.

 

No. I believe only truly miserable bitter souls could survive that job
for any length of time. No self respecting human being could long
endure the bureaucratic clusterfuck that is the DMV.

nb

 

The DMV is a victim of management by exception. All of the nice jobs
-- giving plates to new car owners, renewing drivers licenses for
good drivers, routine renewals of registrations -- have been diverted
to the back room. The folks out front have to deal with a high
concentration of problems -- it's likely to make anyone a bit surly.

R, UB

 

I guess that explains Patty and Selma. "Some days, we don't let the line
move ALL DAY!" lol...
barbz

 

"We call those WEEKDAYS."

 

All Ducati's motocycles officially imported into the USA from 1998 model
year onwards are 50 state emissions compliant; in other words they are
California legal. Look for the decal under the seat or tail section
depending on model that says it meets California requirements. I bought a
new 1998 748 out of state and had no problems registereing it and titling it
with the DMV.