I am looking for a Kawasaki Z1000 and found a Wisconsin dealer auctioning a brand new 2010 model on eBay. I am interested in it but there is one problem.
The seller made it clear that this bike "cannot be sold to California, Canada or for export". And I am from California.
Two questions:
What would be the reason for not selling to California buyers?
As a California buyer, what can I do to buy that bike? Any loop-holes, work arounds etc.?
Thanks in advance for your input guys...
Looks like you can get a bike out of state if it isn't a new bike...Looks like you need to have over 7500 miles on the vehicle to register a "49 State" Vehicle in CA. Here's what it says on the CA DMV web-site:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29.htm
Before Buying a Vehicle From Out of State - Be Sure You Can Register It in California FFVR 29
Be Sure You Can Register it in California
The Bottom Line
If you are a California resident and acquire a new car, truck or motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws in order to be registered here. This includes certain diesel powered vehicles. DMV cannot accept an application to register a vehicle in California that does not qualify for registration (Health and Safety Codes [H&SC] §§43150 – 43156.)
What Is Considered a new Vehicle?
California considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase or trade by a California resident or business to be a new vehicle. This holds true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state.
Aren't all Vehicles California Certified?
Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold in California residents or businesses. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49-State) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emission standards, but not California standards. California certified (50-State) vehicles are made to be sold to California residents.
Check the Label
To find out whether a car, truck or motorcycle is California certified, check the emission label under the hood. For a motorcycle check the frame or refer to your owner's manual. The label should read that the vehicle conforms to California regulations, or that it is legal for sale in California.
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.
