Ducati Monster Forum

So, I went to the Calif DMV to change ownership of the 2000 Monster this morning.  It had been on "non op" status for several years.  Lady tells me the prior owner did not re-register as "non op" for 2010--now so my fees are $810!!!!!!

When I returned to my office I went on the DMV website and it says that once the bike is registered "non op" it is on non op status until the registered owner tells DMV he wants to activate registration.  I made an appointment to go back and discuss this with the DMV next Thursday but they may have me as it was not the "registered owner" re-activating the registration but a new owner.  I think that the lady should have advised me as I would have had the prior owner--an old friend--re-register the bike at my cost and probably have saved $600.

Typical government BS! 

Well, at least I can ride the Monster now. 

A bike will stay on non op until they tell DMV otherwise but I think you still have to pay a non op fee every year.

Did your friend give it to you as a gift or did you buy it from them? If you bought it from them and told DMV that then DMV will collect sales tax on the sale. This is based on what you tell DMV you bought the bike for.

It's called PNO or Planned Non Operation. They have to pay the PNO registration fee on time ever year (like $25 or so) and the bike cannot be on any public roads as a PNO. Your old friend should discount the bike accordingly (assuming you bought it) as those were his late and penalty fees that you just paid. And no, he wouldn't have had less fees. He would owe the same amount you paid less any title change fee.

I have a vehicle on PNO and I get a statement every year from the DMV - it tells me if I haven't changed the staus then I need to do (and pay) nothing

I've got two bikes registered in California as 'planned non operation'.
There's no yearly fee until you want to register it for the street again.

That's what the DMV's own site says.  So, I'll go back and argue with them.  May not do any good but I'll get some BS explanation at least.

I probably should have had the "old friend" go and register it at my cost and get it off PNO status.  Then sell it to me.  Probably would have saved $500 or $600.  He sold me the bike for $3000.  Had I known I'd have to pay $800 to register I'd have negotiated a bit more. 

I would not have paid the 800 no matter what. Should have walked out there and done more research on workarounds. Now that you've paid them there's no chance in hell you're going to get it back. Well not without lawyer intervention which might as well be money down the toilet.

That's cool. And makes sense.

I can't tell you from 1st hand experience what happens when a bike on PNO
Is sold.  It sounds like that's the source of the problem. 

Methinks the PO had the bike on UPNO.

The beauty of that is that I am a lawyer!  We'll see if it helps.  I should have researched the non op issue before I went the first time as prying money out of the DMV will not be easy. 

you may want to read this...for just an alternate experience with the DMV....

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2013/02/the-klr-is-finally-mine-the-old-man-made-me-earn-it/ (http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2013/02/the-klr-is-finally-mine-the-old-man-made-me-earn-it/)

This is a hoot... a lawyer who thinks the DMV is a ripoff [laugh]

He should have just went to AAA.

AAA is the best! At least here in CA

I haven't been to the DMV for many years - in fact it was over 10 years ago, when I rode the circle of death to get my MC classification

I hope I never have to darken their door again ;)

The Circle of death [laugh]

They say you're not supposed to practice on that but there was one in Corte Madera right by my house that I practiced on anyway. The VFR was barely able to keep the front tire inside the line and still keep the rear tire inside the other line.

Can't tell ya how many new HD owners show up on scooters and dirt bikes, but it's a lot.  Perhaps enough to make money just renting scooters for the test.  Hmm new business! Now to find locations next to every DMV!

This guy runs ads all the time. Must make out ok.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3664846888.html (http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3664846888.html)

The pot calling the kettle black, eh?   ;D

But I work for Farmers Ins Co.  Paid a salary. 

So, I went back to DMV last Thursday.  Explained the situation and the guy gives me a form to submit for a refund.  Worth a try.  We'll see.

A lawyer working for an insurance company. A double negative that resolves to a positive?

every day i learn something new about California that furthers my confusion about whether it's part of the U.S. or not...