Question on buying a out of state trike

[Brentwood Bob]

I live in California and would like to know if there any issues when buying a out of state trike and bring it back to California. I know when buying a 2 wheeler the state has some requirements but I'm not sure about a trike. Anyone in California have any input?

 

[Geezzer Glide]

Well your best bet to get the answers to your questions would be to contact your local DMV and ask them. I'm sure they can tell you all the requirements needed.
You state, "when buying a 2 wheeler the state has some requirements", Just a guess on my part but if there are requirements for 2 wheeled bike I'd bet those same requirements apply to trikes also.
Can't say how other states work but here in Nebraska when one buys any vehicle out of state, car, truck, 2 wheeled motorcycle, or a trike, before they can get a Nebraska title and register it they have to take the vehicle in for what Nebraska calls a title inspection. At that point they verify that the VIN number on the title matches the VIN number on the vehicle and run a check on the VIN to be sure it's legal and not stolen or has any other issues.
I do know there are some people that do a trike conversion and do not do what is required to change the wording on the title for the vehicle to read that it is a 3 wheeled trike and not a 2 wheeled motorcycle anymore.
If they take it in for the title inspection and the title reads 2 wheeled motorcycle and it is a trike in the eyes of the DMV the wording on the title does not match what the vehicle actually is and the vehicle does not pass the title inspection so it can not be registered.
At that point it is up to the person that owns the vehicle do go through what ever process needed to change the wording on the title to match what the vehicle is which can be a real PITA as the title is an out of state title and one needs to go back to that state and do what ever is needed to change the wording on the title to match what the vehicle is.
In Nebraska when one does a trike conversion and said vehicle has a Nebraska title in order to change the title to actually read that said vehicle is a trike it needs to be taken in to the state and inspected and certified that the vehicle is safe and road worthy and meets all requirements of the state to be registered and driven on public roads. Once that is done a new title will be issued to match what the vehicle actually is.
From what I've been told the can be a real headache to accomplish.
Do all your home work and checking before you buy to be sure you don't end up with a vehicle you can't register.
Dan

 

[Mick]

One of the other things you need to check out with the manufacturer is not all trike kits are licensed to be sold in California. Some of the manufacturers have not gone through CAs hoops to be california mandated for sales. So I would check with the DMV and also give the manufacturer a call.

 

[Brentwood Bob]

I will be buying a factory Harley trike not a conversion. I have called DMV 2 times and got 2 different answers but that's nothing new here.

 

[Geezzer Glide]

What year ? New or used ? If used is it actually a California model ?
If I recall right the 09 and 10's that were not made for California do not have a catalytic converter. The ones made for California do. The 11's and up do too. Not sure about any other differences.
I know California does have some different regulations than many other states. Do as much checking as you can to be sure once you buy it will not cost you big bucks to meet California's regulations.
Dan

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Not sure of the year but it might be used. I was told 2010 and newer all have catalytic converters. I will do more checking.Thanks