961 California Import

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k100_sc1000

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Dec 1, 2021
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Looking to either buy an out-of-state Commando OR import a Dominator from Europe?

Anyone know if the US Commandos are 50-state emissions equipment? There’s a CA DMV rule that requires any bike newer than 2006 to have more than 7500 miles on the odometer IF it’s a 49-state emissions bike. Easy enough to get VIN numbers of prospective bikes but no one at new Norton is willing to (or can) provide info on the numbers!

Anyone know of a success story importing a Domi 961 from Europe into California?

Thanks
 
You can bring one from out of state under 7500 miles as long as it complies with CA emission standards --regardless of model year. Emission sticker gets check. We have a private dmv inspector that comes to the shop for vehicle verifications all the time.
 
City Garage said:
And all bikes in the US have emissions. That’s been a law for some time. The days of 49 state bikes are really over as the emission standards have changed.
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Do you know of a way to prove that via VIN number, model year of motorcycle, or other means? The DMV docs certainly read like 49 vs 50 is still a thing and there is an expectation of explicit claim of California emissions on the label. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/...an-you-register-it-in-california-ffvr-29-pdf/

There are plenty of examples of folks having trouble with an out of state motorcycle in CA if the label isn’t clear, from a quick google search.

I’d obviously love to be wrong about this, and that any label that says good for Federal EPA is good for CA.
 
I have a photo of the emissions label from a 2014 model year Commando I’m looking at but it seems like I can’t post photos yet. (note that the label only mentions U.S. EPA Regulations)


Maybe an owner of a Commando originally sold in CA could post a photo of their emissions label?
 
City Garage said:
Adrian at Canyon was selling one
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Yep, and just sold. Obviously way more options in Europe, and in many cases at less than half the asking price (standard grey model w/ plastic tank, SS, Naked, Black Line), which is why I’m interested in getting input from someone who has gotten far down the research path of importing or someone who has successfully imported.
 
City Garage said:
Google is your friend. https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.motorcycle.com/2013/02/05/motorcycle-news/2013-norton-commando-961-lineup-gets-carb-approval/?amp
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Yeah, I also came across that. But how well you think it’s gonna go over if I get hassled by the DMV about the label not explicitly stating CA and I pull up an 8-year-old article from a blog site as proof that everything’s on the up-and-up with emissions equipment? If there’s a chance the CA DMV will make your life difficult, my experience is it’s a definite outcome.

I can argue til I’m blue in the face, but if there’s no irrefutable mapping of VIN or model/year to CA emissions compliance, I’m the one stuck with a large investment that the DMV won’t provide registration for. That may be an acceptable risk to some people.

I think a photo of the emissions label on a bike that came from a CA dealer would go a long way towards alleviating my concerns.
 
We have imported many bikes for our customers and it’s not fun. Get a quote for shipping right now. It’s double what it was

I’ve seen the prices in the UK. Do a dollar conversion and you’ll find 26k and up bikes. Bank fees, conversion fees all add up along with customs fees

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k100_sc1000 said:
Yeah, I also came across that. But how well you think it’s gonna go over if I get hassled by the DMV about the label not explicitly stating CA and I pull up an 8-year-old article from a blog site as proof that everything’s on the up-and-up with emissions equipment? If there’s a chance the CA DMV will make your life difficult, my experience is it’s a definite outcome.

I can argue til I’m blue in the face, but if there’s no irrefutable mapping of VIN or model/year to CA emissions compliance, I’m the one stuck with a large investment that the DMV won’t provide registration for. That may be an acceptable risk to some people.

I think a photo of the emissions label on a bike that came from a CA dealer would go a long way towards alleviating my concerns.
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I am aware of some out of states bikes that didn’t have the CARB approved canisters that couldn’t be shipped to CA but I’ve seen some other out of state bikes that have them as well so you’ll need to do your own research. I think I recall there is something about Norton adding of Carb approved parts for bikes sold to California at some point.

I forget how many states in the last 10’years or more that have adopted California emissions standards


Here is some reading for you

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/defaul.../cert/hmc/2013/norton_m2020001_961_1d4_hn.pdf

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/defaul.../cert/hmc/2015/norton_m2020003_961_1d4_hn.pdf
 
I own a 2014 961 Commndo Sport that was originally sold by a dealer here in California. I'd post a picture of the VIN tag and emissions certification, but they are on the headstock, covered by the headlight and wiring assembly, and I would only be able to get photos of small parts of the labels. I can, however read the significant portions by looking from different angles with a flashlight. The two labels are located side-by-side, and the emissions label specifically states that the bike complies with all California emissions requirements.

Also, I have recently gone through the process of registering a 49 state bike, a 1997 MZ Skorpion, in California. It shows just over 7500 miles on the odometer, and could be registered here if I had a title from any other state, but I didn't get a title with it. California will accept a 49 state bike with over 7500 miles on it, but the DMV insisted that I had to have a title, not just a bill of sale, statement of facts, or any other sort of document. I did get a bill of sale for it, and with that was able to get it titled in Vermont by mail. I'm riding it with the Vermont plate until it gets close to expiriation, and then I'll be transferring it to a California registration.

Ken
 
That’s incredibly helpful information, Ken. Thank you! It confirms my suspicion that, for this era bike at least, CA emissions compliance would be explicitly stated on the label. Now, if the DMV is aware of this nuance or not is a different question, but very likely not worth the risk for a bike well under 7500 miles…

The label on the 2014 I’m looking at states:

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO U.S. EPA REGULATIONS
APPLICABLE TO 2013 MODEL YEAR NEW MOTORCYCLES.
ENGINE EXHAUST CONTROL SYSTEM:
SFI, 2TWC, 2HO2S
 
We have a 2015 in the shop apart right now and the sticker says it complies with both standards. I think this is because there are multiple states that have as stated above adopted the same CARB standards.. 2twc(catalytic converter) 2HO2S (heated oxy sensors)
961 California Import
 
lcrken said:
I own a 2014 961 Commndo Sport that was originally sold by a dealer here in California. I'd post a picture of the VIN tag and emissions certification, but they are on the headstock, covered by the headlight and wiring assembly, and I would only be able to get photos of small parts of the labels. I can, however read the significant portions by looking from different angles with a flashlight. The two labels are located side-by-side, and the emissions label specifically states that the bike complies with all California emissions requirements.

Also, I have recently gone through the process of registering a 49 state bike, a 1997 MZ Skorpion, in California. It shows just over 7500 miles on the odometer, and could be registered here if I had a title from any other state, but I didn't get a title with it. California will accept a 49 state bike with over 7500 miles on it, but the DMV insisted that I had to have a title, not just a bill of sale, statement of facts, or any other sort of document. I did get a bill of sale for it, and with that was able to get it titled in Vermont by mail. I'm riding it with the Vermont plate until it gets close to expiriation, and then I'll be transferring it to a California registration.

Ken
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California has cracked down on out of state purchases without titles. The Skorpion was CARB approved so unless the label got lost it could be registered here with less than 7500 miles
 
k100_sc1000 said:
That’s incredibly helpful information, Ken. Thank you! It confirms my suspicion that, for this era bike at least, CA emissions compliance would be explicitly stated on the label. Now, if the DMV is aware of this nuance or not is a different question, but very likely not worth the risk for a bike well under 7500 miles…

The label on the 2014 I’m looking at states:

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO U.S. EPA REGULATIONS
APPLICABLE TO 2013 MODEL YEAR NEW MOTORCYCLES.
ENGINE EXHAUST CONTROL SYSTEM:
SFI, 2TWC, 2HO2S
Click to expand...
We also have a 2014 in the shop and it has the same label only the year is different
 
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