Twister HH 250cc Acquisition

Posts: 98

Anyone hear of East Coast Cycles in Florida? Seems like a good group; very responsive and knowledgeable. They indicate that they can sell me (a CA resident) a Twister 250cc and ship it to SoCal, but they would have to claim it as being "used" in order to sell it to a California buyer. As such, they would have to ship it fully assembled (I stand ready with my capsules of Loctite!).

Yes, Yes, I know of all the headaches that I may have to incur to get this machine registered and "green-stickered". May only qualify for a "red-sticker" here in CA (after multiple trips to the DMV and CHP inspection station). But even that would be OK. There is no guarantee that the Twister 250cc will ever pass C.A.R.B. emission requirements here in California. And I do want this specific buggy REAL BAD.

Any of you experienced mini-buggy maniacs or dealers have any advice or warnings about this little scheme of mine? Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.....FnkyPhantom

Posts: 99

poor eds motorcycles in white city oregon can get tj's hh's 250. if you know somebody out of state, register in thier name for 1 year, purchase the off-road sticker from that state and after a year show that you purchased from it from that person and you should be able to get it registered CA. if you are in an enhanced area it may be a liitle togher but should work. there ia green sticker which allows you just about anywhere and also a red sticker which will limit you however it may be worth a try. i will let you know how it works in about 10 months. i live in n.ca. and this is how i am doing it. there is also others in oregon.

Posts: 98

Thanks JMC,
That seems like a better path to take. I have family in Quartzsite, AZ - right across the border from Blythe, CA where I have in-laws and will do most of my riding. If I can get the kart registered in my aunt's name from Arizona and then get the OHV sticker from there, I can easily wait a year before trying to register it in CA. Sounds like a plan. And I'll check out Poor Ed's out of Oregon for their HH 250's.

WAIT! I forgot that I have a sister in Oregon (Stayton). Why not just register it in her name? Duh!

Thanks Again for the help....FnkyPhantom (San Diego)

Posts: 415

Guys,

Have I missed something here in CA.? As far as I am aware, there is no restriction on registering OHVs purchased in state or out, new or used.

The c.a.r.b stuff and registration restrictions apply to any vehicle to be operated on the highway. You can register any Off Highway Vehicle (OHV)whether it meets C.A.R.B. or not. If it does not, you MAY be issued a red sticker, limiting your operation on PUBLIC lands to seasonal use. Usually around Oct. - May.

I just recently (Dec -Jan) purchased a SunL 150C from a dealer in Texas. Instead of shipping it, I picked it up in L.A. When I got the MCO/MSO for the kart, it clearly showed the origin to be from Texas. I just registered it about two weeks ago. The process is not a big deal and it was issued a green sticker.

You need to fill out form 343 (available online)
Have the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin with the VIN# for the vehicle
Have a bill of sale proving ownership
Have the kart verified by a qualified inspector (usually a DMV employee and done right at the DMV location) You must have the kart with you for this to happen.
The numbers on the paperwork must match the kart Vin.

Inspection by the CHP should only be neccessary for Special Construction Vehicles that DO NOT have any VIN numbers and/or MCO, or some other problem that prevents the inspector from matching up the vehicle with your paperwork.

From the DMV site:
If you purchased an OHV that has never been registered in California from anyone other than a California dealer, you will need:
An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343).
A vehicle verification by an authorized DMV employee or law enforcement.
One of the following titling documents:
A Manufacture’s Certificate of Origin endorsed to the nonlicensed dealer and any bills of sale needed to establish a complete chain of ownership to the applicant.
An original or certified copy of the factory invoice to the nonlicensed dealer and any bills of sale needed to establish a complete chain of ownership to the applicant.
Out-of-state titling documents and any bills of sale needed to establish a complete chain of title to the applicant.
OHV fees and use tax, if due.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr19.htm

Green stickers are issued for all California OHVs year model 2002 and older, including those that were previously issued a red sticker, and to 2003 and newer complying vehicles. Green stickers are issued to OHVs for year round use at all California OHV riding areas.

Red stickers are issued to 2003 year model and newer OHVs that are not certified to California OHV emission standards. If your OHV has a "3" or "C" in the eighth position of the vehicle identification number (VIN) then your vehicle will be issued a red sticker. Red stickers are issued to OHVs that can use California OHV riding areas for seasonal use only.

I may be mistaken, but I have done this twice now without any problems.

HTH....
Mick

Posts: 99

Excellent info... when I went searching for this buggie I new it would'nt be available in Cali for a while so I contacted CARB and they informed me that a NEW ohv could not be registered for off road use unless it is already available (carb certified) in the state. This could be carb trying to intimidate so it wont happen. Another thing on your 150's is if the engine is not considered a "motor vehicle engine" such as the Manco/Subaru engine it does not have to meet carb specs because its considered a generator engine or work engine. (may not be the correct terms but it is what i have gathered). As far as I know you have to register with DMV for a green sticker and if it does not meet carb specs you will not get the green.

Pictures: 0 · Guest Pictures: 0

What if I live in Texas, Kart is registered in texas, Can I still ride in California parks eetc and do i need to registeer as a visitor??? or just show up unload and ride.Thanks David

Posts: 98

Mick,
Great info and news. And by the way....we are neighbors as I live in San Marcos! Like JCM, I contacted a CARB official and they informed me that I would not be able to register a kart (in my case, the Twister 250cc) in California as it had not yet passed CARB emission requirements. What you are saying is contrary to their answers. However, it appears that you have purchased non-CARB compliant buggies in the past from out-of-state vendors and were able to get them registered and green-stickered in CA (with the proper paperwork of course).

You provide a great deal of info and insight on this subject. I think that I'll give it a whirl and purchase a Twister 250cc from one of the out-of-state vendors and have it shipped to CA (will likely have to pick up from a port). Thanks again for your due diligence.....FnkyPhantom

Posts: 415

Posts: 98

You got it Mick,
I'm actually going to go to the DMV in Blythe, CA (no lines, CHP is next door if needed, quick/efficient staff) to get the buggy registered. I do almost all my DMV work out there since they are starving for business. My in-laws live in Blythe, so we spend a lot of time out there.

I'm probably going to purchase the Twister 250cc from Poor Ed's out of Oregon or East Coast Cycles in Florida (need to call them today). I'll let you know how things go. Thanks again for all your help and looking forward to pictures of your new 600c buggy.....FnkyPhantom

Posts: 290

excuse my ingnorance on this matter...live in mesquite tx{dfw} area. din't know we needed any kind of "sticker/registration" on the buggies???also understood that any 250cc or bigger has to of met new 06 epa standards BEFORE they could be imported??? what gives??