Street Legal 250 in Cali?

[knappyfeet]

I'm sure there street legal ones everywhere but I'm thinking it's a rare occurrence in cali cal.....pero no se.

Was at the El Cajon....aka little Bagdad............Wednesday night cruise night. In between a sea of cool rods and straight piped HDs.........there came the sound of a single pinger.

There it was. I gave him the black power fist in the air and my wife tried to get a couple pics shot. It was plated and tagged and I think read........."legal atc".

Is this anyone here? Love to know how you did it.

233974

233975

233976

[fabiodriven]

It's wicked wicked hard.


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[DohcBikes]

..................233979

[BOB MARLIN]

Technicaly no, you can't have a street legal one here in California. But there is some that have gotten through. If a cop stops them on the road they can call it in, weather it has plates or not and DMV will revoke the registration. Even just having a plastic tank makes it illegal as a road bike. Non DOT tires and lights that work with the engine off are other things that will do it. Some states (i'm not sure California is one of them) also require a differential in the rear- no solid axle. Having a plate and registration that says its road legal doesn't mean it actually IS road legal and it will be up to a cop to decide. Even some of the dirt bikes that got "Dually Licensed" 15-20 years ago are in danger of losing their "Road" registration if they let their reg expire and have to be re "verified".
Now days it goes off VIN. If the VIN does not come up as a bike that was manufactured for the street, no matter what you do the dmv computer will not let it be entered as anything else.
Like I said, some of them did "slip" through, but now days its all but impossible to do it - LEGALY.

My wife has been a DMV expert for over 35 years and is licensed and bonded by the state of California to do so as a private business and she has to deal with this al the time. There is exceptions though. Utility companies in rural areas can have ATV-UTV's plated for official use rural roads.

[manbearpig]

His name is Ric. He's a really nice guy. He's had that bike street legal since he bought it new in 1985. Something "happened" with the paperwork its street legal. He's brought the bike out to race a couple times. he has a blast and places well with it, turn signals and all.

[fabiodriven]

Technicaly no, you can't have a street legal one here in California. But there is some that have gotten through. If a cop stops them on the road they can call it in, weather it has plates or not and DMV will revoke the registration. Even just having a plastic tank makes it illegal as a road bike. Non DOT tires and lights that work with the engine off are other things that will do it. Some states (i'm not sure California is one of them) also require a differential in the rear- no solid axle. Having a plate and registration that says its road legal doesn't mean it actually IS road legal and it will be up to a cop to decide. Even some of the dirt bikes that got "Dually Licensed" 15-20 years ago are in danger of losing their "Road" registration if they let their reg expire and have to be re "verified".
Now days it goes off VIN. If the VIN does not come up as a bike that was manufactured for the street, no matter what you do the dmv computer will not let it be entered as anything else.
Like I said, some of them did "slip" through, but now days its all but impossible to do it - LEGALY.

My wife has been a DMV expert for over 35 years and is licensed and bonded by the state of California to do so as a private business and she has to deal with this al the time. There is exceptions though. Utility companies in rural areas can have ATV-UTV's plated for official use rural roads.

What you don't realize is how many of your laws are self implied and your very attitude would at least cause the officer suspicion, thereby leading them to contemplate taking action.

I've never heard anything about plastic tanks not being legal for road use. Just because I've never heard of it doesn't mean you're wrong, however I assuming you may be wrong for other reasons.

His bike could very well have a battery, you don't know.

The good 'ol differential argument! I get it every time! Every time I challenge anyone to cite the law and show it in black and white, they fail. People love to tell me I have to have a differential. Why? Because everyone thinks I do? If it's a requirement, show me where it says that anywhere? These are what are called self-imposed laws, limits, or rules, and this can translate into many aspects of life. Never, ever impose limits on yourself where they might not already exist. At that point you are tamed, you're doing the man's will without him even telling you.

With you and your wife's "expertise", you might be better suited as an asset as opposed to a speculator into to why it is we should aspire not to achieve. Read the laws and follow them, but take advantage where you can. There is nothing illegal about that.

When you know you're right and you can prove it even the most insistent officer has their hands tied. I've been pulled over plenty. If I had the approach you have I could easily be bullied off the road or let them "revoke my registration". When you stand before them completely confident they are powerless it's amusing to watch their reaction.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160813/09730cded5061ec7911db6258a5be66d.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160813/b4ca316b60ce15a6f022af9ddfbf9182.jpg


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[DohcBikes]

What you don't realize is how many of your laws are self implied and your very attitude would at least cause the officer suspicion, thereby leading them to contemplate taking action.
I agree.

The differential argument: Consider the fact that manufacturers now commonly include locking differentials on many new models.

There are several ways to get your 3 wheeler title transfered to say "MC" instead of "ATV". I have two.

[BOB MARLIN]

Look. I was just stating the facts. And this is California. Our laws are ALOT different than other states, and since this trike in in California, California rules apply-not the rules from other states. And I was not saying for a second that that trike wasn't plated, I know of two more in Palm springs California that are also.
Back in the 80's it wasn't that hard to do. Brake light, head light and turn signals was about it. When I read the post I thought he was inquireing if you could do a street legal one NOW. That's why I jumped in, as someone with the actual knowledge of what it would take to do it now. My brother in law lives in Montana, and you can register just about anything there. They don't care about any of that stuff, I saw side by sides in mall parking lots there. California is a whole different story.Plastic bags are illegal at grocery stores here-REALY. Not if that has anything to do with this other than it shows you how jacked up this state is.
The differential this IS a fact in some states. Its very likely that yours does not require it. And as I stated ,I'm not sure California does either. As far as the plastic tank is concerned, It IS in the code for California, but out of all the "Duel registered" dirt bike we did there was no question asked about weather the bike had a plastic tank or not so they all were able to keep the tank they had.
If the 8th digit in the VIN is a C or a 3 - here in California the computer at dmv will not even let it be keyed in as a plated vehicle. This started in the last 8-10 years or so. These vin number sequences did not exist in the 80's so it is likely that some were done back then, and might pass now, but you still have the rest of the guidelines to deal with.

I never stated that it couldn't be done in different states. It is just very unlikely It can be done in Califonia, where this post originated and the actual question was referring to on the original post.
We have transferred many vehicles and atv's for people on this site. They all know I'm not talking out my butt here.
California is a state like no other and is getting worse day by day. They tried to outlaw black cars 2 years ago, and it almost went through- because it use to much energy to cool them down in the summer. That should show you how bad this state is on regulation.
So while I can see that you may not agree with my answer to the post, you really have to understand that this is California we are talking about here.

[DohcBikes]

Sorry Bob but I'm going to assure you that if I wanted to make a trike street legal in California it'd be done.

[FastZ28]

Bob you need to quit before you make yourself look like more of a wet blanket. Instead of saying it can't be done you should be helping find ways it can be done. Your posts are not being helpful in any way, this forum is to help, not discourage people from doing what they want.

[BOB MARLIN]

You know what , your right.
I am just an a hole, I don't even live in California. Never even been there. I know nothing about dmv, I just made it all up. All my trikes are rolling junk. And I just wanted to discourage someone from doing something that is real easy.
I'm sorry.

[fabiodriven]

I understand your point of view and appreciate the angle from "in the trenches". That's something I can't say I can comment on California-specific.

However I will say that everyone I talked to before I got mine had 100 reasons why I couldn't register it but nobody told me why I could. I found out why I could even though everyone said I couldn't. That's the sentiment I'm trying to get across.

Also I'm waiting on the differential law. [emoji3]


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[DohcBikes]

I've searched and searched and searched and never been able to find any law prohibiting a locked diff. Lots of time and research went into making my 200x 50 state legal. Next is a 225dx. Maybe I'll take a trip to Cali.

[Mr. Clean]

Yeah it's not like bob's wife has 35 years of experience working at the mvd.

[fabiodriven]

Or a street legal trike.


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[DohcBikes]

Yeah it's not like bob's wife has 35 years of experience working at the mvd.

Plenty of DMV employees told me I couldn't get my title converted to MC in order to get MC plates. They were wrong.

[fabiodriven]

Yeah I don't aim to turn this into a disagreement or anything. I totally get Bob's point and as I said, I appreciate the California specific angle. I was told by everyone I couldn't do it either. I put it off for years because of doubt that was instilled.

That's all I'm trying to get across.


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[knappyfeet]

Hey Knappy .....would you really ride your trike on the streets of Dago ? ........jackwagons to the left of me .....jokers to right ....here i am stuck in ape sh!t city with you !!!

I know huh. Imagine trying to navigate your 350X down the 8 or 805 with all the distracted jabronis and illegals with their selfi-sticks? Or just in town?

I agree with Bob though.........this state is bonkers. Who better to know than him who is in the know? I look at the California dmv as the terminator model 101. It can't be reasoned with...it doesn't feel pity or remorse.......and it absolutely positively will not bend the rules......ever. If the computer says "no go"......then there is no discussion....no "let's try this". It's just no.

Hey glamy....you should have seen this cool cat cruising down the street. Everyone was yelling and thumbs up. It was like he was J-LO cruising hard in the double R ....flashing them rings....with the top down yelling out "tags arnt a thang".

It would be cool for the local things and slurpee runs.

[DohcBikes]

Who better to know than him who is in the know? You already posted a picture of a street legal atc in california. If you wanted it bad enough you could have it. I really don't know what else to say.

[DohcBikes]

Technicaly no, you can't have a street legal one here in California. But there is some that have gotten through. I'm confused.

[Mr. Clean]

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26294

I have an Arizona MC plate on my OHV. May I ride it on a California highway?
No. There are a variety of motor vehicles specifically manufactured for operation off of the highways. Off-highway motorcycles, dune buggies, sand rails, and ATVs are common names as well as the vehicles with side-by-side seating for two occupants, commonly called RUV, ROHV, MUV, and UTV. A vehicle designed and manufactured for off-highway use may not be operated on a California highway even though it may be highway legal in its home state because it does not meet the federal highway safety standards for highway vehicles. The California Highway Patrol is responsible for administering the highways in the state.

[Mr. Clean]

My full suspension PK70 is registered as street legal here in AZ. :w00t::beer:BounceHoosier Daddy

[fabiodriven]

However if street legal trikes, such as those ridden by fat guys on Harleys, are allowed in California then a three wheeled Honda which is already street legal from the factory and has a street title is legal as well. My XR650L conversion meets all the criteria listed thus far.


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[DohcBikes]

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26294

I have an Arizona MC plate on my OHV. May I ride it on a California highway?
No. There are a variety of motor vehicles specifically manufactured for operation off of the highways. Off-highway motorcycles, dune buggies, sand rails, and ATVs are common names as well as the vehicles with side-by-side seating for two occupants, commonly called RUV, ROHV, MUV, and UTV. A vehicle designed and manufactured for off-highway use may not be operated on a California highway even though it may be highway legal in its home state because it does not meet the federal highway safety standards for highway vehicles. The California Highway Patrol is responsible for administering the highways in the state.Does your title say MC? I can almost guarantee it doesn't. I only know of 1 person that has crossed multiple state lines legally, on the highway, on his ATC. NOT a bike conversion. That guy did a lot of research and made a lot of changes to his paperwork and his bike to make that possible. That guy was told he couldn't do it by so many people he couldn't even count them.

[Mr. Clean]

Stay on topic, this discussion is about what you can do in California. Have either of you ridden in California?

[DohcBikes]

My full suspension PK70 is registered as street legal here in AZ. :w00t::beer:BounceHoosier DaddyWhile that is awesome, Mike, your pk70 doesn't have the cc required to run the highways in most states. I know this because I did enough research to make my eyes bleed. I called DMV's, highway patrol, talked to citizens, then just decided to go for it.

[knappyfeet]

However if street legal trikes, such as those ridden by fat guys on Harleys, are allowed in California then a three wheeled Honda which is already street legal from the factory and has a street title is legal as well. My XR650L conversion meets all the criteria listed thus far.


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And some of the earlier conversions of Wings and HDs were solid axle as well.

[DohcBikes]

Stay on topic, this discussion is about what you can do in California. Have either of you ridden in California?The California discussion was ended with pictures of an ATC riding in Cali with plates on it. The answer is obviously yes, you can get an ATC registered to ride on the streets in California.

[Mr. Clean]

Here is the title to my PK. "MC".

[knappyfeet]

If you wanted it bad enough you could have it.

True dat.

I'm only going to pay so much.....and get violated at the DMV so much though..........especially for a slurpee or beer run machine......just saying

[knappyfeet]

Here is the title to my PK. "MC".

Nooice!

233990

[DohcBikes]

Here is the title to my PK. "MC".Ok, I stand corrected on that, and I will say that when you first posted I assumed you were refering to a quad, since you said "My ohv". In any event, again, you'd have trouble on any highway with that bike due to the engine size.

I see absolutely no reason at all, other than any possible equipment violations, that you wouldn't be able to ride the pk on surface streets in Cali. Including Bob's 8th digit rule.

[Mr. Clean]

The guy with the street legal 250r has been to a few of the races, as Manbearpig stated it was a one off situation that happened in the mid 80's. Bring your street legal trikes to California and report back your experience.

[DohcBikes]

The guy with the street legal 250r has been to a few of the races, as Manbearpig stated it was a one off situation that happened in the mid 80's. Bring your street legal trikes to California and report back your experience.Been known to do a lot of ridiculous things just because somebody told me I couldn't. Pretty sure this is going to have to be one of them.

[fabiodriven]

I'm very much on topic Mr Clean and all of my posts, including my last, reflect that.


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[manbearpig]

Picture of a guy cruising his RZR (w/AZ plates) through Pacific Beach showed up on Facebook the other day in one of the local groups. Dont know how his day ended up, but i cant imagine he made it far without at least a visit from the fuzz. Hard to claim you're 'just passing through' if theres no western or southern bordering states...or even towns haha

...ok maybe you live in Yuma and are plated there and are driving through to Oregon... you'd better hope the officer(s) that stop you are in good moods

[sweetip2000]

In NY if you have DOT approved tires and front and rear turn signals and a dual filament bulb for runner brake light your all set.
DMV just wants your money. Doesnt matter to me. Riding such a short wheel base on pavement with an ATC is a death wish.
The rear end because of the solid axle makes it way to easy to flip over on its side. The rear ends on the ATC were meant to break
loose on accel and ya just cant do that on pavement. You can do a donut burn out on a 350X on dry pavement. Whoop dee do.
Now go out and buy new rubber, Tires are expensive. If you can rake out the front end and stretch the rear with a anti slip diffy
then that would be best but hey $$ too much money in mods. I can just buy a trike for the road. Leahman is awsome.

[RamsesRibb]

All of the above is why I could not take living in California. ;)

[AK47KID]

Screw em all if I wanna ride my trike over santiam pass then by God I shall

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[oscarmayer]

you guys know, if do some frame mods, install different triples, and swinger, it is not a "custom" build and you can remove the vin and get CA to issue a new Road Legal Vin as it is custom build. custom builds are treated differently...
just a thought..

[fabiodriven]

I could see that working as well Oscar.

You'd already have a street VIN with an on/off road bike and just converted it the same way Harleys and Goldwings get converted which is perfectly legal in CA. I'm not sure why I was accused of being off topic for suggesting that.

You guys may have tough cops but they still must abide by the law and they cannot revoke your registration just because "they're that bad" or "they're in a bad mood".


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[fabiodriven]

I'm actually talking XR650L's on the street and if there's a law on differentials anywhere I challenge anyone to produce it.

I don't appreciate the attacks from Mr Clean and Glamy so it's your thread boys, keep it.


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[Mr. Clean]

I'm actually talking XR650L's on the street and if there's a law on differentials anywhere I challenge anyone to produce it.

I don't appreciate the attacks from Mr Clean and Glamy so it's your thread boys, keep it.


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LOL!! Attacks. You are delusional and if you think I attacked you then report me to the moderators or put me on ignore.

Since you are into facts here are a couple.
Fact: The street legal trike you have was made from a machine that was manufactured to be licensed and plated to be on the street.
Fact: All Honda "ATC's" were never manufactured to be licensed and plated for street use.
Fact: Arizona will allow any off road machine to be made street legal, including ATC's two stroke four stroke or whatever.

Opinion: You would have a much better chance being able to ride you trike in California and is the exact reason I posted from the California DMV, and aligns with the first fact I posted.
Opinion: A 200x that was made street legal would have a much lower chance of being able to ride in California, and aligns with my second fact.

Good for you having a street legal trike, I could have everyone in my collection as street legal due to Arizona law, it is not like some special club or group. If and whenever you get a chance to ride in California on the streets I would like to know the outcome, that would be cool.



I'm not sure why I was accused of being off topic for suggesting that.


You think I accused you of being off topic, sensitive much? I am actually more in favor of your trike being able to be able to legit ride in California, the topic of the thread is street legal in ATC in California, simple as that.

[fabiodriven]

Clean I agree with every friggin thing you just said. You told me to stay on topic. Your replies directed towards me were as if you hadn't even read my posts or as if you were aligning me with what Damon said. I can speak for myself and I don't understand how I was off topic one bit.

And you're a doody head.

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[fabiodriven]

Alright who gives a flying frig! I love you all, enjoy the thread. I know nothing. Keep sitting on your hands west coast!


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[Mr. Clean]

Clean I agree with every friggin thing you just said. You told me to stay on topic. Your replies directed towards me were as if you hadn't even read my posts or as if you were aligning me with what Damon said. I can speak for myself and I don't understand how I was off topic one bit.

And you're a doody head.

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doody head was replying to dohc's post about riding to China and back on his 200x.....perception and reality can be altered with words and reading comprehension, it happens to all of us.

[fabiodriven]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160815/d802656dfa6de0c49a00b5b46ab00bc0.jpg


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[83ATC185]

This is an ironic thread to read for someone who, just saturday, was busted for riding on a small dirt road near my house by cops that were out looking for a missing person.

Was threatened with $1700 worth of tickets and impounding my ride. Found out i lived a mile away and let me ride home, after threatening to come to my house and impound all of my wheelers and related items automatically if anybody ever reported someone riding a 3 wheeler on any road in the county.:lol:

Good luck with that guys...

But its definitely food for thought in my case. Would be nice to just be able to get to the trails without being harassed.

[BOB MARLIN]

234093


Food for thought from the "wet blanket"

[BOB MARLIN]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/vr/ohvdualreg


More, direct from California DMV. The " Note" line spells it out.

Compliments of the "wet blanket"

[fabiodriven]

Wet blanket, while this does indeed doom DOHC and it also adds to the amazement of the first post, it still doesn't make my particular conversion illegal. Nice info though! Nothing on differentials I gather?


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[BOB MARLIN]

Found nothing yet on the difs.
The plastic tanks have to be "CARB" approved. You guys have to realize that we can't even transport gas in normal gas cans. They have to be California approved also, and they all suck.

The thing that would stop your 650 from being registered HERE would most likely be the VIN.
The 8th digit can not be a "C" or a "3".

[DohcBikes]

I'm here to learn.

[DohcBikes]

What's happened here is that some people are starting to back peddle because of the conversion route.

Knappy's original post says nothing about it being a stock ATC originally. Knapster, would it bother you to go the conversion route?

[fabiodriven]

My eighth digit is neither of those.


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[Mr. Clean]

I'm here to learn.

What about swim? Headed to California yet?


What's happened here is that some people are starting to back peddle because of the conversion route.

Who is the some people?

[DohcBikes]

What about swim? Headed to California yet?You make an excellent point.


Who is the some people?Another excellent point.

Let's try to stay on the subject.

[BOB MARLIN]

http://www.personalinjury-attorney.com/legal-potholes-for-dual-sport-enthusiasts/

This is from a law office here in California.

[El Camexican]

Besides all the DMV gibberish you'd need a "Three Wheelers are known to the State of California to cause cancer in lab rats" decal in order to get it plated.

[DohcBikes]

How bout it Knappy? Conversion?

[knappyfeet]

Do you really want to hurt me ?........do you really want make me cry ? Hoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier DaddyHoosier Daddy

Hahaha....I wish I could like that twice.

One of my wife's favorite songs........so Hillcrest.

[knappyfeet]

How bout it Knappy? Conversion?



Actually in all fairness I have contemplated a conversion only because it seems to be the most plausible route to a street legal trike.........and may I add "safer". But it's simply not the same as an original.

Although unsafe and in this state a pipe dream......... It would be pretty awesome to run down to the local store for a sixer of Blue Moon and a pack of schmedleys on your balloon tire 110. For limited use of course. But having a street legal.."tagged" dual sport makes the transformation from 2 wheeled motorcycle to 3 wheeled motorcycle (trike) plausible......even in this state(I think).

I've been contemplating picking up a new dual sport machine for some time. My 93 DR650 and I have many a fun time together but might make a good candidate. With a little help from parts off a LTZ400 and some reference from allballsracing.com for swaps and just some customizing, tiging, etc......I can see it. A street legal atc? No. A three wheeled motorcycle? Yes. That's the approach.

http://www.caferacer.net/forum/general/25623-1993-suzuki-dr650.html?highlight=1993+dr650+suzuki

My dr650



234112

[DohcBikes]

Didn't know you were on caferacer.net knappy. Some things are starting to make sense now, such as your high level of tolerance for tomfoolery in the forums.

[DohcBikes]

Knappy knows how to push your buttons !........whats surprising is he knows how to trigger your tool mentality .......and thats funny as hell .......he owns you !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tja6_h4lT6A

[knappyfeet]

Nearly 8 years later there it was again....the street legal 250R... at the same cruise night.

I didn't get an up close look at its street legal features last time...very cool.

It would have been nice to meet it's owner.

https://i.postimg.cc/WbX14khj/20240508-182815.jpg (https://postimg.cc/4mHgLn6F)

https://i.postimg.cc/J41hmq7P/20240508-182754.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7bW4nS22)