I have a dual sport XR600R registered/plated/titled in WA. I know Oregon used to do the same thing and allow dirt bikes to be titled, but now they don't. I am trying to figure out if someone in Oregon could transfer the title to their name and keep it as street legal in Oregon. Now, I know you can't title a dirt bike in Oregon, but curious about transferring a title that is already titled as street legal. Can anyone shed some light on this?
I believe it's all based on luck in this state. I know some that have transferred their bikes from different states and not had a problem. Others that have. You can go to DMV here and walk out with a plate thinking your all good, only to receive a letter from the state months later demanding it back. I've seen it happen. Before someone says different bikes and years will make a difference, I've seen the same year and model get plated with one friend and taken away from another.
Thanks for the info. I'm surprised there isn't a definitive yes or no regarding the transferring of a title in a different state. I live in Vancouver, WA so it doesn't make a difference to me besides when it comes to if I choose to sell it. I imagine the question would to come up. Thx.
Living in Oregon and shopping the CL I see lots of Dual Sports in WA that I'm sure won't get transferred over. The only thing I know, base on the limited research I did previously, is the Title (and officially the VIN) can't state "off road only". So if you can find the right digit on your bike and it checks out, it might work. But for me to purchase one on the other side of the river and have my DMV say "no way" is too big of a risk.
I'm sure the VIN is going to say it's off road, however, the new title does say '3598-1989, Modified for Road Use' under the Comments section of the title. To me that helps challenge the "off road only" vin, but who knows if that's enough.
There is no challenging with the state of Oregon. They either give you a plate or they don't. Or they give you one then decide to take it back! I forget the wording exactly, but the letter wanting the plate back says to the effect they need a letter from the manufacturer(meaning Honda, not a dealer) that the bike meets federal emission stardards for street legal vehicles. No letter = no plate. But like I said its a crapshoot down here. You could get a plate and have no problems.
To be clear the special digit in the VIN number states wether it meets emissions criteria. Not if it's on or off road. When they don't meet the emissions criteria it states the bike is for " off highway use only". That could be a race track or any other non highway or public road.
Does anyone know what that special number/letter needs to be in order for it to meet the EPA's Street Use Emissions criteria? Or will I need to call Honda?
Just as an FYI, ALL of Honda's bikes meet emissions standards (at least they did a few years ago), including the off road only bikes; however, Honda chooses not to put them through EPA testing for titling/registration purposes (I believe due to cost, but that's just a guess). I was looking through some Honda corporate documents a few years ago and they listed the EPA requirements and their powersports emissions. There wasn't a bike that didn't meet the US standards (even the MX bikes), but Honda still listed them as off road only. As an example: Carbon Dioxide needs to be less than 12 g/km XR650L CO2 is 9.2 CRF450X CO2 is 10.0 HC + NOX must be .8 g/km XR650L is .7 g/km CRF450X is .8 g/km So, why can't we plate a 450x in Oregon (or any other state that doesn't allow them to be dual sported)? The reason is because Honda writes for off road use on a sticker and slaps it on the bike (and it doesn't have the requisite lights and stuff). You also can't get a letter from Honda stating it meets emissions standards (which is a requirement of licensing in Oregon if it's not a normal street legal bike).
Thanks for your thorough response. I know Honda made the XL600R that was street legal from the factory and that bike shares a lot of similarities with the XR600R. Also, KTM puts out their street legal bikes, so it seems like there's no rhyme or reason.
Concerning the manufacturer's declaration of roadworthiness, compliance with 49CFR571 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) and the massive related expense is typically more of an issue than EPA compliance. http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
But the limiting factor in the consumer dual sporting those bikes is the fact the manufacturer claims it to be off road only related to emissions, not the lights and horns and such. If Honda (or any other manufacturer) put an emissions sticker on the bike, or provided a letter stating the emissions, we could then add the lights ourselves (buy a kit) and the DMV would allow us to register them (at least in Oregon).
You can find a great local DMV, get plates issued from them then, bam, Salem takes them back. Too much risk in my book. Waited until I found a plated XRR in Oregon, paid a bit of a premium, but no drama with Salem. Bike is now registered in my name like any other with an MC on the title.
There was sarcasm in my last post. It's not the local DMV that's the problem. Salem headquarters is who takes back the plates. Like I stated before, from what I've seen with multiple friends bikes, it's been totally random.
The funny thing is I have a 1999 two stroke (Beta Alp) that is plated here in Orygun, but they might balk when I get around to trying to transfer my 2009 Husbarg fe570.
Yup, Mr Dual Sport ended up buying a Honda from me that should have been able to be plated here in OR. It's not worth the fight, I tried! Luckily he needed a parts bike, with some parts turning out better than others!