OMGosh. I feel for your loss. I also feel for your state of existance as California is a beautiful place. Stationed and Live there for years. Infantry. I know your woods better than that Hairy beast Pelosi tries to emulate.
You got to move to a Human friendly state. I get it.
Move.
anyway, I really do feel for your loss. My brothers died years ago. One is a cheat, the other is a drunk.
So, the only one that knows anything about the laws in 1989 is the dealer paperwork. Without that, you are stuck with a 49 code. I would Say 49, as Cali has always been it's own Country.
Yeah. I had a car once, purchased in CA, Registered in Texas, and came back to CA in 1996. They RAPED ME for registration. I immediately stripped off the smog and DROVE for three years until they wouldn't register it. I left in 04 because family with medical issues back home.
With the current "state" of affairs, you are LUCKY if they do not fine you for trying to kill a spotted owl.
For real, good luck with that bike. If it was a battery bicycle maybe.
Maybe transfer the bike through a dealership, but still, registration will be stupid. Like, registration is the least of the worries out there.
Personal opinion.
Personal experience.
Arnold was not the governator anyone needed with 300 percent registration.
I hope you let it go to someone that will appreciate it, in a free state. That much emotion involved with a government blockade will make you bitter when something goes bad.
Good Luck. Again, sorry for your loss.

 

Yo Ops-Sig Ops!!
Thank you kindly for the replies. I really feel your words and advice. Its a shame that you were forced out. Me? I would rather deal with libs than freeze my balls or have my bearings blown off living anywhere else in this country where the weather is less than perfect. Life, I am learning, is just too damn short. Besides, i dont understand how libs have taken control of the best places to live and forced the conservatives to live in nowheres-villes like Grlizzley Adams-zes. **** that. I aint runnin and i aint hiding. And I am sure as f*cK not moving to Canada. I aint no senator's son, but i aint no draft dodger either. This State NEEDS to be occupied by the most deserving-- those that work hard to fuel this country, this economy, this way of life and THOSE SAME people need to work hard to protect it. I will get that bike over here and it will be legal, and it will be driven. Once I do, I will post a photo. No one is gonna leave a tread on me.

I appreciate that shipping link too. You're a good man Ops--straight up--to the point. Thanks again.

 

You need to put in an address

Motorcycle Shipping Company with 40+ locations

Want to go on a road trip? Maybe you moved, Maybe you purchased a motorcycle online. Either way, you need a motorcycle shipping quote. Get an instant quote now.

www.aamotorcycleshipping.com

 

Can't you keep it registered in NY until you get to 7.5K (if this truly applies to a KLR) and then register it in CA?

There seems to be a lot of exhaust deposit on that nice rear fender. The carb may need some work to make the bike run properly. And check the tank, hopefully its still clean and not corroded. Good luck!

 

Its taken 35 years to get to 2100 miles in NY. I wont be there to put the additional 5400. Thanks Blaustrom. I hadnt considered the tank and carb issues......

 

Hmmm ... darned CA rules. If only there was a workaround.

 

There is. Stop voting democrat 😆

 

Hello to Everyone from Los Angeles. I want to introduce myself as a new owner of a great bike for all the wrong reasons. I am trying to make a few good reasons happen. In that regard, I might be able to meet some of you.

I lost an older brother last year (11/22) to pancreatic cancer. His estate has designated me as the recipient of this 1989 KLR650. In order to help myself through the loss and to maintain his memory, I am about to embark on a bit of a journey to get this bike relocated and registered in the State of CA. I never knew much about this bike or what its going to take to get it registered here.

The bike has 2,100 miles on the odometer. Its all original. I am aware of the 7500 mile rule (if it doesnt have at least that many miles its considered new and cannot come to CA) BUT there are some exemptions that I will try to use to make its arrival to CA happen.

First things first, I need to know if this bike (when originally sold in New York) was a 49 or 50 state emissions certified vehicle. 49 = not CA certified, 50 = CA certified. Can anyone assist? How?? Well, a photo of a sticker on the frame under the seat (where I was told the sticker was locate) would help immensely. The bike is in NY now (not anywhere near me physically), so I am trying to do all the legwork before I arrive there in early October---have all the prelims done and then worry about shipping.

Also, if anyone can talk to me about what shipping companies to use (to get it from Central Upstate NY to CA) i would really appreciate it.

Yeah yeah, i see the roasted plastic at the SuperTrapp. Yeah yeah, driving it 2k miles (in the time span i need to cover) WILL NOT help with the CA registration requirement (or my ass bone). Let's discuss something substantial.
View attachment 46018

Hey cool first post and actually hit me hard about your brother man I got 4 and could only imagine About the bike I would suggest seeing if it has emissions on it that could suffice CA standards or just sell and get one out here… I know ther may be sentimental value involved here but Cali is pretty strict on emissions and it may be more frustrating and may make you have bad feelings for the state. Lord knows CA don’t need more people hatin!

 

Jake, FWIW, I purchased a chinese motorcycle in 2018. at that time, my state (NC) would not allow me to register it. I got it titled and registered in South Dakota and was able to put my NC address on it. Perhaps it would be an option to take that approach, at least until you get additional miles on the bike to allow transfer to CA.

Good luck with it and enjoy riding it!

 

Appreciate that comment Dave. Sadly I dont have any tight connects in the central USA. My spots are NorthEast and SouthWest--with emphasis on the latter because of my need for sunshine on my shoulders....but I will remember your comment in case something opens up.

 

Not to threadjack too hard (too late) but a good wholesome debate on an off-topic discussion about poly-ticks would suffice and there should be a thread dedicated to that. My reviewed thoughts on the emission issues the OP has would be to get it, keep the NY plates and just get insurance… the cops don’t pull over people and once insurance is shown they usually continue on without further hassle.

 

Yo BKCaliKLR---thats a substantial suggestion. I do appreciate that immensely. Interestingly, I wonder where the insurance would be less--California or New York. Can you suggest a few good insurance companies for motorcylists? I havent had motorcycle insurance before but i have my license and have ridden my fair share off and on-road.
As far as a separate wholesome debate on the politico side of all this would probably bust the forum up pretty good. In that thread, I hope people can keep their hats and boots on and keep things civil. We're all going to have to hang on to our handlebars in the upcoming 2024 election.

 

First things first, I need to know if this bike (when originally sold in New York) was a 49 or 50 state emissions certified vehicle. 49 = not CA certified, 50 = CA certified. Can anyone assist? How?? Well, a photo of a sticker on the frame under the seat (where I was told the sticker was locate) would help immensely.

If you have the VIN from the bike, run it thru here,

Free VIN Decoder For Cars, Motorcycle, Bike - VinFreeCheck

FREE Vehicle History Report, Vehicle Specification and Market Pricing Report with our VIN decoder. Learn all the important details about your vehicle

www.vinfreecheck.com

If it comes up as KL650-A3L it is a California emissions approved model. 49 state model would be KL650-A3.

The sticker you would be looking for should be on the RH front side of the steering head gusset, ahead of the fuel tank.

Sorry to read of your brothers passing.