Update!!!!!

I said fuck it and bought a titled met frame

dang.. my buddy just bought a 2011 ruck from michigan. It only has 120 mi... I dont even think he should bother. The guy who sold it to him is willing to refund. what do you think?

I wouldn't take the chance man, it'll be nothing but headaches

Do some more research. I personally know someone who registered a out of state in Cali. under 50cc is exempt from mileage requirement. I'll get that person to post the details of the whole process here...

I did a bunch of research. I posted some of it here in this thread. I even printed it out and showed them at my local DMV.

The issue is certain DMV offices have no knowledge of the laws. I suggest you pick your DMV wisely. I'm not saying it can't be done. I have a buddy that just registered a jdm bike and got his plate.

It can be done.

I know what you mean. The situation varies from person to person. Talking to a supervisor would be your best bet. They can make one call to sacramento to lift the red flag on ur bike.

I read through the thread on the issue your having about registering. I'm also in the same situation. Currently the bike is being transported to me so it's already to late to back out of the purchase. I didn't even think that CA had strict laws for out of state purchases.

I noticed on the official CA DMV Site it states:

Exemptions

There are a few exemptions included in the law. As a California resident you may be able to register a 49-State vehicle if it was:

Obtained as part of a divorce, inheritance, or a legal separation settlement

Purchased it to replace your California registered vehicle stolen while you were using it out of state.

Purchased it to replace your California registered vehicle that was destroyed or made inoperative beyond reasonable repair while you were using it out of state.

An emergency vehicle, pursuant to California Vehicle Code § 27156.2 and 27156.3.

Registered by you in the state of your last active military service outside California.

A street motorcycle or motor-driven cycle year model 2005 and older with an engine less than 50 cubic centimeters (cc) displacement. Beginning January 1, 2006, street motorcycles and motor-driven cycles year model 2006 and newer, with engines less than 50 cc displacement, require an emission label certifying them to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission regulations, and may be registered regardless of mileage.


The ruckus I just bought is a 2003. According to the site it should be exempt correct? Since it is a 03 model it won't need the emissions label? Also reading that it would need to have more than 7500 miles. I asked the seller not to put in the mileage on the pink slip / title, can I write this in myself at a higher mileage and they'd let me register it? or would they need to actually visibly verify it on the bike? (I figure if they ask to see that I would tell them it's non running currently and that I'm restoring it)

I should have done more reading into this before the purchase, it just never crossed my mind that it would have been this strict. Worst case scenario would be rolling my speedo forward to show or maybe borrowing a forum members? either way I hope it all works out.


Any advice would definitely be appreciated.

wow, never thought it was going to be such a big deal to register my ruckus here in cali. anyone every try going through AAA for their vehicle registrations?

They inspect the bike at the DMV, at least they did to me. Make sure your mileage is over 7500 miles to be on the safe side.

Tried that myself If its not in the DMV's system they can't register it.

Anyone have a speedo with mileage over 7500 I can rent? gladly pay for shipping there and back and rental.

Would definitely help a ton with getting my ruck registered and letting me at least ride it legally haha.

got my speedo thanks to ARunto. Heading to the DMV Wednesday to try and get it registered.

Wish me luck !

Haven't updated since my last post.

Well I got it registered. I tried going with the exemption first stating anything prior to 2005 with an engine below 50cc was exempt. I showed the lady the print out taken from the CA DMV website and she read it and double checked with her co-worker. It was shot down....she said the ruck would need to have above 7500 miles since I didn't have any carb/epa stickers which showed 50 state legal.

After that I went back to the parking lot and swapped the speedo with one I purchased from ARunto with 11k miles. Refilled out the DMV registration form with the new updated mileage and went back and got another number. This time it worked. I had to have a VIN verification check which went smoothly. Just a couple of questions about engine size and I was sent back to the counter to grab my plates. Swapped back to the original speedo and now have this spare speedo for anyone that need's help registering the ruck in CA.

If no one minds the mileage on the spare speedo (it gets recorded on the title) then I'd be glad to help anyone by letting them use it. Just pay the shipping cost is all.

anyways PM me if you have any questions.

I'm in the same boat....sigh. I need a speedo!