On Sept. 28, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill 435, sponsored by Sen. Fran Pavey (D-Agoura Hills). While motorcycle manufacturers have been complying with the federal law since it was effective in 1983, the new law now makes it a state crime to operate any motorcycle registered in the state that was built on or after Jan. 1, 2013, that doesn't have a federal Environmental Protection Agency exhaust system sound emissions label. (located on the exhaust system)
In addition, the law requires aftermarket exhaust systems made on or after Jan. 1, 2013, to display the EPA sound emissions label, and therefore applies to individuals who seek to replace the exhaust system on affected street bikes.
If the police pull you over for something else and you have loud pipes without a DOT-approved sound level label, you will get a fix-it ticket for $50 or $100, and you will be required to put DOT approved pipes on the motorcycle and have it inspected.
I would have the dealership get it registered in California via the DMV or have them take care of the registration paperwork so you don't have to go to CHP for VIN and exhaust verification. Due to being < 7500 miles, you cannot go through AAA. Ask them if the full exhaust has the EPA sound emissions label.
If you are a California resident and acquire a motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws in order to be registered here.
Since you are buying the bike inside California, this may not apply.
Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold to 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. 50-State or California certified vehicles are made to be sold to California residents.
California law considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer when acquired 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. If you acquire a new vehicle from another state, you may not subsequently drive it to accumulate over 7,500 miles to circumvent the law. DMV cannot accept an application to register the vehicle, and you cannot register or operate the vehicle in California.
To find out whether a car or truck is California Certified, check the emission label under the hood. For a motorcycle check the headset or frame. The label should read that the vehicle conforms to California regulations, or that it is legal for sale in California.
