The MSO is an issue for me also. I'm planing on buying a 2011 EC300 estart model, but the purchase will depend on how the MSO works here. I need to be able to run some pavement to connect trails.
Canadian Title Issues.
- Thread starter Neil E.
- Start date
The MSO is an issue for me also. I'm planing on buying a 2011 EC300 estart model, but the purchase will depend on how the MSO works here. I need to be able to run some pavement to connect trails.
Won't you be buying from a Canadian dealer?
Yes, but we face the same problem getting a plate. Local laws (provincial) have not changed in decades. They state that the requirements are headlight, tail light and horn as minimum equipment. Thus we can street plate an enduro machine. I have no intention of doing any pavement except to connect trails, so minimum equipment is OK for my needs (pavement is a waste of good tires).
As new government computer systems are adopted, new restrictions show up. If a serial number is different than the 17 digit North American standard, there is no way to enter it in the vehicle registration system.
In Canada we have the NVIS (new vehicle information statement) similar to the MSO. So if it states "off road use only", we have problems. Government agencies are (or soon will be) requesting (from manufacturers) lists of serial numbers for their machines that meet federal standards. These standards necessitate full road compliance. That means only DOT homologated machines can be road plated.
So when I go to buy my next bike and can't plate a GasGas, then I have to purchase a TE310 instead. Like many others, I don't want a 4T for trail riding. If I was doing dual sport riding, the 4T would be adequate.
I was hoping manufacturers would bring DI 2T bikes to market sooner. The reality is that by the time this happens, the bikes will HAVE to be DOT approved to get a plate. Only the larger manufacturers would go through this process, so we'd still be out of luck if we want to purchase a bike from the smaller (more creative) manufacturers.
We CAN get an offroad plate, but that doesn't allow us to ride down the shoulder of the road, so connecting trails is impossible.
It will be interesting to see if we can slide a GG past the MTO in Ontario. They are definitely getting tougher to slip a plate past. The old Euro spec bikes were impossible to plate after 07 because of the wonky VIN. Hopefully the NA spec VINs will not get kicked out of the computer system.
HuskyDude
Super Moderator
Yes I'm also waiting on this. What I've heard as of last year anyway. If you have a plated bike as of 2010 then it will be "Grandfathered". Like my 08/TE510
no troubles keeping a plate on her. I did have it certified by a DOT rep. back in 08 and got the proper decals. Now the TE come road worthy but not in 08. When it comes time to trade her in. (which is soon) the next person might have troubles getting a plate on her. When the registry changes hands sort of speak. What I have heard is there is a certain letter in the serial number which designates on or off road.
It would be great to see the EC's being license-able.
no troubles keeping a plate on her. I did have it certified by a DOT rep. back in 08 and got the proper decals. Now the TE come road worthy but not in 08. When it comes time to trade her in. (which is soon) the next person might have troubles getting a plate on her. When the registry changes hands sort of speak. What I have heard is there is a certain letter in the serial number which designates on or off road.
It would be great to see the EC's being license-able.
Yes split the Canadian discussion off into it's own thread.
For myself it is no problem getting a plate for my Nambotin. My bike came in the crate with signal lights, switch gear, horn, DOT tires, a 40 tooth rear sprocket, and an alternate pipe with a pollution pump.
We do not have emissions testing out here, and insurance is based purely on engine size. Everything under 400cc cost $270 for 12 months. Anything over 400cc cost $960 for 12 months. Whether it's a dirt bike or a Harley.
We do not have emissions testing out here, and insurance is based purely on engine size. Everything under 400cc cost $270 for 12 months. Anything over 400cc cost $960 for 12 months. Whether it's a dirt bike or a Harley.
snoopjonnyjon
New member
Where in Saskatchewan are you? I didn't think there were other GG enduro riders out here. I know of a few GG trials riders. I'd love to hit the trails with you some time. I do most of my riding in the forest south of Prince Albert.
I've heard a mixed bag with people getting dirtbikes plated here. Some people have no problems, other people can't. Even with the same model bike, same model year.
There is a difference in price between plates for a cruiser and a sportbike in Saskatchewan. My two sportbikes are each $1441 per year, and that is with my 8% safe driver discount. I wish they were only $960...
NVIS isn't the only issue
Neil, as much as I'd love to see you on a GG, another thing to consider is insurance. Last time I got a sticker I purposely bought a 2 yr tag. (ending nov this year) Hopefully I'll be able to renew its blue plate, but I've since found another snag with insurance. I've been insured with various companies since I got my bike in 2006. You know that bike insurers have been folding like cheap lawn chairs here, the latest being Kingsway which I was with last year. Their policies moved to Jevco and my renewal came in at about 50% higher. So I started shopping around ... again. I've contacted a couple now but have got the same treatment. They list the bikes and models in their books, but .... when it comes time to giving them all the details, like VIN, they say the VIN is invalid and cannot insure it, even if it is currently insured and plated. (don't know about offroad only insurance as I don't want to change to an offroad only plate). I've tried to contact our infamous offroading/insurer here and left voice and emails but haven't heard a peep, leading me to believe there is more to this and is just another nail in the coffin for 'conversion' bikes. If theres anyone out there in Ontario that recently got theirs insured, I'd love to hear from you, and the company you are with. I've tried State Farm, Primmum and our car/house insurer so far without any luck. I was paying $400 a yr for basic coverage, but $600 is out of the question for something that sees minimal cottage road use at most.
Neil, as much as I'd love to see you on a GG, another thing to consider is insurance. Last time I got a sticker I purposely bought a 2 yr tag. (ending nov this year) Hopefully I'll be able to renew its blue plate, but I've since found another snag with insurance. I've been insured with various companies since I got my bike in 2006. You know that bike insurers have been folding like cheap lawn chairs here, the latest being Kingsway which I was with last year. Their policies moved to Jevco and my renewal came in at about 50% higher. So I started shopping around ... again. I've contacted a couple now but have got the same treatment. They list the bikes and models in their books, but .... when it comes time to giving them all the details, like VIN, they say the VIN is invalid and cannot insure it, even if it is currently insured and plated. (don't know about offroad only insurance as I don't want to change to an offroad only plate). I've tried to contact our infamous offroading/insurer here and left voice and emails but haven't heard a peep, leading me to believe there is more to this and is just another nail in the coffin for 'conversion' bikes. If theres anyone out there in Ontario that recently got theirs insured, I'd love to hear from you, and the company you are with. I've tried State Farm, Primmum and our car/house insurer so far without any luck. I was paying $400 a yr for basic coverage, but $600 is out of the question for something that sees minimal cottage road use at most.
The noose is tightening all the time for us. Before I buy the bike, I will check with State Farm to see what possibilities exist. Thanks for the heads up.
Hi Claude. Is that offroad insurance only or are you plated for the street too ?
And does all your correspondance come from Quebec, or do they have an office out west ?
I bet you didn't know that Saskatchewan also has a GasGas dealer? I live in Rocanville.
I don't have my Nambotin plated, but I do have a plate on my XR650R. I had no problems at all.
snoopjonnyjon
New member
No, I didn't know Sask had a dealer. I thought the nearest was Okotoks. After some googling I see Universe Satellite Sales in Rocanville is a dealer now. Very cool.
WTEC
New member
I got denied a year or so ago when I tried to re-insure my 75 XL250, which had been registered and insured for street use by the same company before???!!! Because the VIN is the old style, his computer wouldn't accept it. I'd like to know if this is just lazy agents that won't get off their butts to do it manually, or if there really is no way around the "all knowing" computers?
Wes.
Wes.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) updated their computer system a few years ago and ever since they have had issues with GasGas and their "non-conforming" EU VINs. This is the reason I quit selling them a few years ago. Now that Dave Fair is going to import NA Spec bikes with proper VINs, I have agreed to take the brand on again. I made it quite clear to Dave I would not/could not take the brand on again unless he brought in bikes with US VINs.
Ontario is not the only province updating their computers. BC doesnt like the EU vins any longer either.
Ontario is not the only province updating their computers. BC doesnt like the EU vins any longer either.
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