Hello
This question is always coming up in other threads and I was hoping to start a thread that is easy to find and answers the most often repeated questions.

I do not know the answers and need help from people who actually have plated dirt bikes.

Let me start off with I have to have a plated bike. I really like the KTM530 but the price has given me real heart burn . I really like the Honda CFR450 due to lower cost on the used market and parts availablity.

So please correct me if I am wrong but my understanding of the following rules is as follows.

1. You can not buy a unplated dirtbike in Washington State and make it Plated. PERIOD

2. You can buy a Plated dirtbike that was plated in another State I.E. Idaho, Montanna ect.. (has to be plated for 1 year in that State) and Washington will issue you a Plate.

3. You can by a Washington Plated dirtbike (done previously by another owner in Washington) and keep the plate.

I have heard but am unable to confirm that Washington State is now Revoking Plated dirtbikes when they are sold to new owners and they try to change the title! Does anyone have any facts about this?

Thanks for any help and not beating a.....[url=http://www.pnwds.com/javascript:emoticonp('')][/url]

Well I guess a 530EXC-R is it.

1. Not exactly, you can not plate a dirt bike that has ever been registered in WA as an ORV. If you bought a bike in WA that was never registered in WA, it could be done by plating in another state first.

2. Yes, but does not need to be plated for a year.

3. Yes.

Hope fully they don't start pulling plates , that would screw me!. I've had mine plated in Wa for 1 1/2 years. bought it from a guy in oregon who bought it brand new in oregon were the titles say Cyl . the title for this bike never said off road use only in Or or Wa so hopefully they wont mess with me.

Well it never fails you can never get a straight answer out of anyone. I e-mailed Washington State DOL and Snohomish County DOL so I could have a hard copy response (I have found phone conversations are worthless when something goes wrong).

First is the e-mail chain to Washington State DOL and the response.

.................................................................

Good afternoon Joseph,



You can tell if a bike is street legal by looking at the VIN number. If the eighth character from the left is a zero, then it can be registered as street legal. If it is not a zero, then it can only be registered as a dirt bike.



Thank you,



Mike

Customer Service Center

Department of Licensing

(360)902-3770 Option 5



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From: Joseph
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:51 PM
To: DOL INT Titles
Subject: Question about purchasing licensed dirt bike.



Hello I have not had a response yet.



Second Request.



----- Original Message -----

From: Joseph

To: titles@dol.wa.gov

Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 7:04 AM

Subject: Question about purchasing licensed dirt bike.



Hello



I am interested in purchasing a Dirt Bike that has been converted to street legal configuration and has a Washington State license plate. The bike is a Honda CRF450X. I have been told by other people that Washington State is revoking the license plate when these converted dirt bikes are sold to new owners.



I have to have a street legal bike to drive on the Forest Service roads to get to the trails that I ride. I want to make sure that there will not be any problems changing the Title and continuing to get tabs down the road ; ) .



Thanks for any help you can provide.

Joseph

.....................................................................................

I sent the same e-mail to Snohomish County DOL and here is there response


Mr. Joseph


Good morning,



Do you have the VIN for this bike? Or the Washington plate number? I would like to be able to look up the record so I can answer your question.



Thanks

Renee

Licensing Examiner II

............................................................................................


So this is what I have learned so far. NOTHING

It took two weeks for a reply from Washington State which does not answer any of my questions. I already told him it was Plated.

Snohomish County only took two days to reply but requires a VIN number to discuss the issue. (The CRF450X I was looking at has already sold).

When I find another bike I wll e-mail the VIN and see what they have to say.

Bummer. I've had good luck so far... just got another XR250R a 2001, no problem with the title and getting new tabs. (Shrug)

Well I have not actually seen the letter but when I was in Bellingham today at the KTM dealer he told me that the DOL sent him a letter that the plate was going to be revoked. The best way to see if there is going to be a problem is the VIN on the bike. If the 8th spot is a 0 it can be plated. If any thing else you are out of luck.

Does any one have a copy of the letter they can post?

Am interesting note is the 530 xc-w does have the 8th spot the 0. Even though it is a dirt bike you can put the required equipment on and plate it hmmmmmm.

I would just buy one thats already plated in oregon or idaho., theres usually quit a few out thereI wouldn't bother with WA DOL .Of course they're going to say no to plating a nonplated bike that says offroad use only. THis is Wa were talking about.

did you get that letter in the mail Inspector?

No, posted by a friend. Not sure if he got it from ADV or where.

i'm screwed!

Thanks Inspector for posting the letter.

I almost bought a plated CRF450R the other day. Glad I took my time.

Of all the things the State should be fixing this is the one issue that they have a problem with Its unreal. When I was over in Idaho guys were driving down the street on ATV's with no mirrors or turn signals. Everyone was using common sense and it was no big deal.

anyway

Anyone have a low milage KTM 530 or 525 EXC 2007 or newer for sale? Drop me a PM.