I'm looking to buy a quad soon. I would prefer an older 2 stroke, so I can buy used, save money, and still get a high performance quad. I've done research on the green/red sticker program but still have questions. Here are a few of the articles/posts I've read:
http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...hreadid=302312
http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/new...caohvstickers/
Thanks again to CaliforniaCannibal for the info. I asked this at the first post but never got an answer. CaliforniaCannibal states that 2 stroke vehicles manufactured AFTER 1997 require a red sticker, and thus are limited to specific riding times of the year. My question is are 2 strokes manufactured BEFORE 1997 "exempt" to this? In other words, if I get a 1990 LT500, can I legally ride year round? I tried to call the numbers at the bottom of the off-road.com article but was asked to call back later. Apparently they didn't have someone on-hand that knew the answer to my question either.
Ben
http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...hreadid=302312
http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/new...caohvstickers/
Thanks again to CaliforniaCannibal for the info. I asked this at the first post but never got an answer. CaliforniaCannibal states that 2 stroke vehicles manufactured AFTER 1997 require a red sticker, and thus are limited to specific riding times of the year. My question is are 2 strokes manufactured BEFORE 1997 "exempt" to this? In other words, if I get a 1990 LT500, can I legally ride year round? I tried to call the numbers at the bottom of the off-road.com article but was asked to call back later. Apparently they didn't have someone on-hand that knew the answer to my question either.
Ben
Pro Rider
I just got off the phone with one of the ****'s...er...I mean, nice ladies at DMV who said '97 & older machines are exemp IF they have a 3 or C in the 8th posision of the vin#.
What does the 3 or the C in the 8th position of the VIN number mean? From CaliforniaCannibal's post I got that it means that your ride is an automatic red sticker unit if it was manufactured in 1997 or more recently. Would an LT500 have a 3 or C for the 8th position of the VIN number? And if not, then what? What is the law on vehicles older than 1997 with something besides a 3 or C?
I'm assuming that the LT500 does have a 3 or C in the 8th VIN position. That means I can get a LT500 and ride year round, correct? Here's my next question, if they are exempt from the 2-stoke enviro restrictions, do you still have to purchase a green sticker, or do you not need a sticker at all? I've seen many used LT500s for sale stating they have current green stickers, or green stickers good until 2003, etc. Is it mandatory? Thanks for the reply, and thanks for calling the DMV TRXter.
Ben
I'm assuming that the LT500 does have a 3 or C in the 8th VIN position. That means I can get a LT500 and ride year round, correct? Here's my next question, if they are exempt from the 2-stoke enviro restrictions, do you still have to purchase a green sticker, or do you not need a sticker at all? I've seen many used LT500s for sale stating they have current green stickers, or green stickers good until 2003, etc. Is it mandatory? Thanks for the reply, and thanks for calling the DMV TRXter.
Ben
OK, I did some more digging and found what I think should be the ultimate authority on this subject, since it came directly from the california OHV website. From my understanding of the below-referenced web page, all pre-1997 quads are eligible for green stickers. I'm not sure what the lady at the DMV meant when she said pre 1997 quads are exempt "IF they have a C or 3 in the 8th position." From what I can tell, the C or 3 is only important in deciding if 1997 and newer quads should receive a red sticker instead of a green sticker. Here is the specific paragraph describing this:
"The Green Sticker Or Red Sticker: If you are going to operate a motorized vehicle off-road only, you must have either a Green Sticker or a Red Sticker that has been issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Green Sticker allows vehicles to operate on public land all year. The Red Sticker is for motorcycles and ATVs manufactured after January 1, 1997 that do not meet the emission standards established by the California Air Resources Board. If the vehicle has a 3 or a C in the eighth position of the Vehicle Identification Number, then it does not meet the emission standards and should be issued a Red Sticker. The Red Sticker is exactly the same as the Green Sticker except that these vehicles can only be operated during certain times of the year. To find out when you can operate your vehicle, call the specific riding area that you want to visit or you can look it up on our web site at http://www.calohv.ca.gov."
In case you would like to see the rest of the page, it is:
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1235
WoooooHooooo!!! I'm off to search for my exempt LT500! Oh, and I printed out a copy of this page to keep with me on my quad when I get it!
Ben
"The Green Sticker Or Red Sticker: If you are going to operate a motorized vehicle off-road only, you must have either a Green Sticker or a Red Sticker that has been issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Green Sticker allows vehicles to operate on public land all year. The Red Sticker is for motorcycles and ATVs manufactured after January 1, 1997 that do not meet the emission standards established by the California Air Resources Board. If the vehicle has a 3 or a C in the eighth position of the Vehicle Identification Number, then it does not meet the emission standards and should be issued a Red Sticker. The Red Sticker is exactly the same as the Green Sticker except that these vehicles can only be operated during certain times of the year. To find out when you can operate your vehicle, call the specific riding area that you want to visit or you can look it up on our web site at http://www.calohv.ca.gov."
In case you would like to see the rest of the page, it is:
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1235
WoooooHooooo!!! I'm off to search for my exempt LT500! Oh, and I printed out a copy of this page to keep with me on my quad when I get it!
Ben
Pro Rider
The word exempt causes a lot of confusion. Does it mean exempt form the red sticker law, or exempt from getting a green sticker? Or, exempt form the green sticker law....you see what I mean. It's probably best to just not use that word.
For the newer bikes, if there is a C or 3 in the 8th position, they will get a red sticker. Pre 97 bikes are grandfathered in, and will continue to get a green no matter what. They make lots of mistakes though. We had a Blaster that they green stickered by mistake. It even got renewed and they didn't catch it even then.
For the newer bikes, if there is a C or 3 in the 8th position, they will get a red sticker. Pre 97 bikes are grandfathered in, and will continue to get a green no matter what. They make lots of mistakes though. We had a Blaster that they green stickered by mistake. It even got renewed and they didn't catch it even then.
Good point YZGuy. I used "exempt" because it was how I understood the situation for the pre 97 vehicles. It could definitely cause some confusion. Thanks,
Ben
Ben
Pro Rider
Dang, I'm glad I don't live up there in CA, you guys got it rough! Zero hassles down here in the Sunshine State. We don't even have auto inspections of any kind anymore! Remember your hassles when you vote, wake up your friends and get them out to vote too. It did'nt used to be that stupid years ago. It can be reversed! Remember, if they have a {D} by their name, VOTE THEM OUT !!!! They are just hippies with haircuts and better clothes. Good Luck boys.
