Ducati Monster Forum

So while waiting for the 2008 1098 to show up, I started planning for taking it to the DMV to register it in CA (was WA before).
I see one potential source of trouble, given the usual DMV process and typical wait times and rush.
The emissions sticker is under the friggen tank, and I would like to avoid to take that apart in the DMV parking lot, with DMV agent rushing for it.
The bike's official user manual has a section in it, stating that all Ducati after a long while ago, are CA emissions legal.
Do you think they might accept that as proof, or should I pack tools?  ;D

There are "DMV Verifier" companies/people that will come out to you, look at the stickers, and fill out and sign the appropriate form so you don't have to take stuff apart at DMV.

Thanks!
So you think that me showing them the statement on the official Ducati 1098 User Manual is not going to fly?

IME, the DMV personnel follow a very literal interpretation of the documentation requirements.
I don't think you'd get anywhere with it.

<true story>
Friend of my dad's went to DMV to get his moto license ~ 40 years ago.
He had a glass eye.
Part of the test is reading the eye chart.
DMV person told him to cover his left (good) eye and read the chart with his right (glass) eye.
He explained that it was a glass eye, and wouldn't be able to read it.
DMV person insisted.
He complied, and stated he couldn't read it.
DMV person check-marked that box, and moved on to the next part of the test.
</true story>

If you're not a member of AAA, it's totally worth the cost just to be able to do most DMV stuff there.

Bringing street licensed vehicles to California have some rules & steps to be followed.
» Right now, there's no emissions test for bikes. Yay. OK, excitement over.
» Your bike has a federal emissions statement sticker on it somewhere. They need to see it. Even if it is on the inside of the tank cover, like on a MH900e.
» Your bike has an engine number stamped to the engine (bottom left on all the ones I've seen). They need to see it. Even if it is underneath the metal covers which the mh900e's sidestand is bolted to.
» Your bike has a VIN number stamped into the frame at the steering stem. They need to see it. Period.
» Your bike has an odometer. They need to read its number. Period.

The above steps are performed on all vehicles' first registration in the state to help verify ownership and validity for road use.

Last time I researched it, ALL Ducatis sold in the United States (save for the carbureted monster 600) are California Emissions legal. This will be reflected on the emissions sticker. And it can help prevent issues with registration. While you're moving from another state and it seems easy enough to prove, there's a "gotchya" about vehicles not being "used" until they have 7500 miles on the odometer. YOU should be able to "import" a Ducati with less than 7500 miles purely because it is CA emissions legal. You should be able to import all of your road-legal vehicles since you're moving into the state.

As an established citizen of this state, I however, cannot buy a new or used 49-state vehicle and bring to CA with less than 7500 miles on the odometer. The DMV flags that VIN and tells you to get it out of the state.

The bike is a 2008 with 2750 miles on it, bought and imported from WA.
I might have to look into having DMV folks come to my place, instead of taking it apart on the parking lot.

Just take it to the dmv without the fairings.

Yeah, aforementioned MH900e was in the van. I asked the DMV lady if she wanted me to unload it but she volunteered to climb around to the wrong side to read the engine number. :)

Yes..do this ^^

Registering cars took about 20 min.  I'm sure bike is comparable.

wow ... your're lucky.  the fat POS at DMV who 'inspected' my 1990 851 couldn't get
down on the ground to look at the case number, and her scrawlings made by clutching
the pen with nasty curved 5 inch nails looked like a 1st grader did it.  that incident colored
my opinion of DMV forever.  best of luck to the OP.

The biggest thing I've learned is that DMV employees hate the rules as much as or more than we do. So I play as dumb as possible and give them every chance to "help me", which lets them feel like they made a difference. And I smile and thank them when I'm done. You'd be amazed at how bendable some rules are.

^^^ +2  If you can make a DMV employee laugh you can have your way with them.  I actually had one reach into their wallet and pay five dollars of my plate registration once.  Back when I was not such a nice guy I spend several months trying to not get a license p[late.....  She helped out after the third time I did not quite have enough cash.   Despite having the cash in my pocket I came back the next day and gave her the five bucks back ;)

Is AAA in CA handling registration and transfers of ownership for out of state vehicles?

Last I checked, no. DMV only.

Yeah, just checked. Look at the bottom:

http://calstate.aaa.com/help/what-dmv-services-does-aaa-offer (http://calstate.aaa.com/help/what-dmv-services-does-aaa-offer)

Any trusted name?

DMV inspection is free. It's not that big a deal.

To add to all the good advice here make an appointment and have your forms filled out ahead of time. I always do this and DMV is always a smooth trip for me. Be sure when you check in you say you need the VIN verified that will make it go faster as well. That needs to be done before they start the other paperwork.
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm (http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm)

When I brought my S4Rt into the state the only flack they gave me was for no VIN sticker and the Engine number didn't match the VIN. Not sure on other bikes but both of my Monsters are like that with the engine number. As for the VIN sticker I played dumb and said the previous owner must of removed it. Then pointed back to the fact it was stamped on the head tube (which the lady had already looked at)
Do not expect them to climb into a truck/van to look at the bike. One guy there had a moped that he had to pull out of his truck so she could look at it. I think her exact words were "If you think I am climbing up there you are going to be waiting a long time."

agree about AAA.  Buddy of mine had at trouble at DMV with a plated KTM he brought in from colorado (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=63417.0).  took it to AAA and he was out in 10 minutes without a problem.

AAA, at least in CA, does not handle out of state vehicle registrations, according to their web site (I posted a link, look at the bottom).
Would be great if someone would tell me, with 1st hand knowledge, that I am wrong  [roll]

-----
Please contact DMV for these services:

•   CA Drivers License Transactions and Printouts
•   Vehicles/Vessels Origination from a Dealer
•   Out of State Registration Renewals/Transfers
•   Vehicles/Vessels with Unavailable Records
•   Off Highway Registration Renewals/Transfers
•   Disabled Parking Placards

OMG I forgot about that! Yes, I always have the forms pre-printed from the PDF with all the info typed. They love it when they only need to double check the typing is correct and matches the vehicles.

Ducati engine numbers are not matched to the VIN. Any similarity is coincidence or something voodoo like a race bike (but I haven't critiqued a Corse's engine #, so who knows)

maybe I'm misinterpreting but to me that means "You're in State X and you want to register a bike in State Y."

I know for a fact they register imported bikes as long as they meet the DMV rules.

She's is in state x, bought a bike from state y, and wants to make the state y bike a state x bike. Last I checked aaa won't do that.

Less than 6 months ago, my buddy bought a bike in colorado and 2 weeks later (after an appointment at the DMV where they rejected him) he registered it at AAA.  /shrug YMMV

I ended up having a DMV verifier coming to my place.
I cannot even being to imagine what would have been to do what I did in my garage to pull the tank, in the DMV parking lot.
You have to remove 68 screws to get out fairings, and pull the tank (and disconnect fuel lines as well).

It's special, isn't it. So easy to work on.  [roll]

Oh well, I would have had to do the belts anyway ... See? Positive thinking!  :)

BTW, verification alone was $90, and for another $70 they dropped off my back going at the DMV.
Not cheap, but from my sanity and waste of time POV, worth it.