People avoid going to the Department of Motor Vehicles because of the wait. In all honesty, the DMV isn't all about the wait. It is about the 2 hour wait that gets you to the window and then a staff turning you down for the reason that your vehicle does not meet California legal laws. By this time you are aggravated, tired and annoyed by the machine screaming a monotone "B 84, G 12, etc." You just purchased your vehicle from a private party and all you want to do is make the transaction quick and legitimate as possible. So what does the buyer have to do to be prepared and not get ripped off by the seller?
The first thing is to ask the seller if the "title is clean." This explanation will let the buyer know if the vehicle has ever been in a major accident, if it was previously purchased broken and re-repaired, if it was stolen and so forth. If the vehicle holds a clean title, then the buyer has the 'right' to ask about the history of the bike from the previous owner. When you release your money to the seller, the seller in return will exchange you the pink slip to the vehicle which may look like a certificate or slip from the DMV. This is a legal transaction in which both parties exchange their personal information to release the vehicles liabilities. Within 5 days of signing the pink slip, the seller must send [his/her] portion of the certifcate to the DMV and the buyer must register the vehicle [in person] at any DMV location.
The DMV may have the right to ask to see the vehicle. If an inspection is asked to be completed, the staff looks for several things. The first criteria noted for an inspection check is the vehicle vin number. Certain models will have identifying letters that differentiate the year and make of the model regardless of the representing brand associated with it. New state laws implementing the regulations of off road vehicle use depend on the date such that if the vehicle is dated prior to 2002, a "green sticker" would be issued and if dated after 2002, a "red sticker" would then be issued. The difference between green sticker and red sticker simply determines what time of the year a rider can use their vehicle. This will be announced in more detail on the next updated post.
The next criterion undergoes a check for an EPA approval mark to be identified. The Environmental Protection Angency (EPA) labels such off road vehicles to have emissions tested to verify no excess pollutants are being released into the atmosphere. This is similar to getting a smog check on your car. A final note on the DMV inpsection list is that fees are applied to this registration process and dues must be paid by the client at the time of the passed inspection for clearance. A percentage of the collected amount goes towards the land bureau management for the claims of using off highway vehicles on state property. In this way, maintenance and proper resources would be allocated appropriately where needed.
All of these on the inspection checklist excludes the dues paid to the DMV for registration of the sole vehicle itself. This summary implies that owning a dirt bike is not synonymous to owning a bicycle. The overall inconveniences to the new rider becomes very costly and time consuming. So why do riders put up with this ordeal? The answer to this is for the greater purpose of enjoying the outdoors and achieving that adrenaline rush money can't buy.
All of these measures must be taken into account before you can "officially" be legal within the California state system of riding off-road vehicles. Fortunately, a license is not needed as long as the rider obeys all rules of desert riding and does not wind up going on 'on-highway' territory. Dirt bikes are not allowed on street surfaces or any other public roads shared with cars unless a separate motorcycle license is obtained by the rider.
Upon waiting patiently for a couple of months, a transfer of ownership certificate will be delivered in the mail and should be kept in a safe location. This will be needed when a ranger or public official asks for registration on the vehicle. The next direction to take is to research on particularly interesting places to ride near your area; making sure off road vehicles are allowed in designated riding areas. Many places charge by a flat rate entrance fee or by the number of vehicles brought into the location. The public land management requires this as a way of keeping the riding areas clear and available for riders only. The longevity of these rare riding locations keep enthusiasts happy and willing to participate more on this sport. Now that an understanding of preparation being the key to success in safety and law, there is nothing more than to start that engine and ride into the open road clear ahead of you. Make sure to wear safety equipment, always riding with a buddy, and let the good times roll!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Is it like walking into a huge car sales lot?
Blue, Red, Orange, Green, Yellow...Well what's it going to be? I guess to the common eye, the look and the color is what pleases the buyer through attractiveness.
If you are looking for your first off road vehicle to purchase, take into account the methods you use in purchasing a car. A lot of money is being invested into this vehicle, so the vehicle must meet the standard requirements. Standard requirements may include the vehicle starting up, moving and capable to do basic functional things. Researching is a must to ensure the right qualifications in a good ride; height requirements, engine size, power with torque, and the aggressive components "shocks and a-arm absorbers" that relates to the rider's needs.
The competitive nature of all businesses is the same. Companies will trademark their product to identify the alpha dog in the industry. Some of these differences does not make one bike less important than another. It just depends on the consumer and what color they identify themselves with. Here is a list of vehicle colors in relation to their prospective company. Please note popularity of these vehicles results in the legacy of sponsers that support racers who win in professional competitions time and time again:
Yamaha is the leading vehicle out on the market. Their stock vehicle fits most universal riders in height requirments as well as engine power. They provide fuel injected 4 stroke (straight gas) models as well as pre-mixed (oil and gas) 2 stroke models. California state laws are pushing environmental laws to outlaw all 2 stroke engines because of the pollution emission and sparks that causes desert fires. The engine size begins at 50cc, moving up to the race ready 450 series.
The obvious increase in engine size relates to how much dirt you are going to make the people behind you eat. Reliablity and ease of finding spare parts is what makes Yamaha stand out amongst the rest.
Honda is the next close competitor closing in on the gap of winning the next motorcross title. The height requirements are less universal to riders as lets say, 'yamaha'. For example; yamaha yz 85 model is the same as the Honda 110 series by height standards, but the yz 85 has a smaller engine than the Honda. Why does this make Yamaha still stand out loud and clear above the rest even if the bike seems slower? The torque on a yz 85 2 stroke is set to a higher rpm [race bike style] which will take off faster and give more thrust than the Honda 110 same in its class. Small differences such as this gives consumers the option to choose which bike best fits them best.
KTM is the "Lexus" of all dirt bikes. Very costly and limited in parts, KTM is known in the dirt biking world as the luxury off road vehicle in its class. If you are a high roller than this is for you! Options are very similar and not similar to all other make and models.
Kawasaki and Suzuki are the least popular from the rest. A lot of riders purchase them which means that they are getting their moneys worth out of them, but popularity maybe isn't their highlight in the business industry because professional riders are not winning titles for their team. Once again, there is no disrespect to these makes, they are just considered 'less' popular compared to Yamaha and Honda.
Going to a local dealership to try them out is the best option for a consumer. Even if you don't purchase them, getting a feel for the differences is the best way to go. There is definitely an "insurance/warranty" that they may give you upon purchasing a vehicle, but be aware the sticker price on the tags in the show room do not account for the hidden taxes and fees that come along with the bike. The best bet is to see what color, make, model you are interested in and go to a public forum to buy a "used" bike in your local area. That way you can test ride your vehicle up and down the street and ask questions to the seller about the options they will throw in with it. Do Not forget to bargain with them. Everyone is willing to lower their price if they really want to get rid of them. Good Luck!
If you are looking for your first off road vehicle to purchase, take into account the methods you use in purchasing a car. A lot of money is being invested into this vehicle, so the vehicle must meet the standard requirements. Standard requirements may include the vehicle starting up, moving and capable to do basic functional things. Researching is a must to ensure the right qualifications in a good ride; height requirements, engine size, power with torque, and the aggressive components "shocks and a-arm absorbers" that relates to the rider's needs.
The competitive nature of all businesses is the same. Companies will trademark their product to identify the alpha dog in the industry. Some of these differences does not make one bike less important than another. It just depends on the consumer and what color they identify themselves with. Here is a list of vehicle colors in relation to their prospective company. Please note popularity of these vehicles results in the legacy of sponsers that support racers who win in professional competitions time and time again:
Yamaha is the leading vehicle out on the market. Their stock vehicle fits most universal riders in height requirments as well as engine power. They provide fuel injected 4 stroke (straight gas) models as well as pre-mixed (oil and gas) 2 stroke models. California state laws are pushing environmental laws to outlaw all 2 stroke engines because of the pollution emission and sparks that causes desert fires. The engine size begins at 50cc, moving up to the race ready 450 series.
The obvious increase in engine size relates to how much dirt you are going to make the people behind you eat. Reliablity and ease of finding spare parts is what makes Yamaha stand out amongst the rest.
Honda is the next close competitor closing in on the gap of winning the next motorcross title. The height requirements are less universal to riders as lets say, 'yamaha'. For example; yamaha yz 85 model is the same as the Honda 110 series by height standards, but the yz 85 has a smaller engine than the Honda. Why does this make Yamaha still stand out loud and clear above the rest even if the bike seems slower? The torque on a yz 85 2 stroke is set to a higher rpm [race bike style] which will take off faster and give more thrust than the Honda 110 same in its class. Small differences such as this gives consumers the option to choose which bike best fits them best.
KTM is the "Lexus" of all dirt bikes. Very costly and limited in parts, KTM is known in the dirt biking world as the luxury off road vehicle in its class. If you are a high roller than this is for you! Options are very similar and not similar to all other make and models.
Kawasaki and Suzuki are the least popular from the rest. A lot of riders purchase them which means that they are getting their moneys worth out of them, but popularity maybe isn't their highlight in the business industry because professional riders are not winning titles for their team. Once again, there is no disrespect to these makes, they are just considered 'less' popular compared to Yamaha and Honda.
Going to a local dealership to try them out is the best option for a consumer. Even if you don't purchase them, getting a feel for the differences is the best way to go. There is definitely an "insurance/warranty" that they may give you upon purchasing a vehicle, but be aware the sticker price on the tags in the show room do not account for the hidden taxes and fees that come along with the bike. The best bet is to see what color, make, model you are interested in and go to a public forum to buy a "used" bike in your local area. That way you can test ride your vehicle up and down the street and ask questions to the seller about the options they will throw in with it. Do Not forget to bargain with them. Everyone is willing to lower their price if they really want to get rid of them. Good Luck!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The aroma of 2 stroke oil
Girls are associated with having class and looking fabulous for any occasion...Within my occasions, I tend to be walking around with a boulder wedged in between my helmet and my face. The dirt that happens to be showered all over my body happens to be the very essence of my true soul. What may seem like a day at Glen Ivy Spa smoldering in a bath of mud, is far from what I was really doing. The exotic facade rendering my inhibitions only brings out the truth; riding the high desert with the boys on my Yamaha YZ 125 2-Stroke.
Life is but a number. Like counting jellybeans in a jar, for every black jellybean you pick up (very few might I add), you have to associate it with the number of risks you take in your life. I started my chain of physical risks on my first visit to the swap meet in Cypress, California.
On a hot summer morning, my boyfriend suggested on going to a swap meet to look for a workable project. With nothing particular in mind, we thought it was a way to build our relationship through working on something together. We started walking up and down the aisles until we saw two green mini dirtbikes standing side by side on their kickstands. Having not being impressed at all, my boyfriend urged me to get them because he subliminally saw magic within them. He stated that we were never going to find another deal as good as that and the pressures of the other curious bystanders got me going. After bargaining with the seller who unfortunately kept talking the price up, I ended up getting suckered into purchasing them and later found out that was one of the best investments I've ever made. We had started an everlasting relationship with the desert, several dirt toys and the confidence that gave me the desire to enjoy the outdoors more than ever.Life is but a number. Like counting jellybeans in a jar, for every black jellybean you pick up (very few might I add), you have to associate it with the number of risks you take in your life. I started my chain of physical risks on my first visit to the swap meet in Cypress, California.
Of course, you always promise yourself that this was only a one time deal that is never going to happen again. Leaving satisfied with the purchased good is the end all of all other transactions. I guess, only for a time being, this uncontrollable power to spend took over and the next month, we upgraded...BIG!
My initial adventures forced me to scour online forums, research blogs about legal destinations, and fine tune search engines regarding recommended dirt bikes that best fit my need. Unlike buying a pair of shoes, hoping one day your foot would grow into a bigger size, the bike's power maintains itself. This was one of the important riding philosophy's I have ever lived by. The internet was a gateway to finding my favorite hobby and fortunately, I would never give up this sport as long as my back/spine can take it. My research efforts and inquisitions re-routed me to a public domain website called "craigslist.com." This forum allows public access to sell, buy and barter personal goods without the cost of internet transactions. Buying and selling is usually done locally and facilitated me need to buy bigger, upgraded powerful dirtbike. I knew the smartest way to go was to purchase a used one, before I knew what I was getting myself into. I fidgeted in my purse, took a couple hundred dollar bills out of my bank account and paid $1800 for my first "adult-size dirtbike."
Who would have known this smooth sailing transaction would lead to a problem. Sooner than I thought, I had run into a dilemma: 2-stroke engines vs. 4-stroke engines? What does that mean? The ability to access information through the internet and viewing online blogs saved my questioning to a severe measure of getting the run around at the Department of Motor Vehicles office. Who knew so many laws had to be abided by purchasing a dirt bike?
Here is a cumulative list of things to know about clearing a vehicle and transferring ownership:
1) Obtaining a pink slip
2) Knowing the difference between "bill of sale" and "vehicle ownership certificate title"
3) E.P.A approved
4) Registration upon "green sticker" or "red sticker" validations
5) Validity and time frame of registration
6) Legal places to ride
7) Understanding "on-highway use" or "off-highway use"
Now, to the unexpected newcomer to this sport, a lot of these terms and phrases may seem very strange. As I begin my adventures to blogging about the nature of dirt biking, updated posts will implement the definitions and terminology to understanding the off road lingo. My experiences that unfold through the lessons of beginning riding is only a measure to my commitment of educating all types of other enthusiasts. Through the years of trial and error, gaining knowledge of which make and model to purchase and officially understanding California state law of riding, I am happy to announce this blog to be a forum of lessons to be learned about off roading and providing incentive riding tips for the many leveled enthusiasts. As I anticipate the start of this year's riding season, I cannot wait to go out to the high desert, kickstart my bike and ride the open trails through the mojave desert. My drug of choice, if I was ever an addict, would be the aroma of 2 stroke oil running through the veins of my bike. All you can hear in the desolate desert are the whizzing, high pitch puttering of off highway vehicles, all with a common purpose; adrenaline rush! Stay tuned for various topics abroad...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
