How to register Luna Sur-Ron as OHV (offroad registration)

[nimeni]

It seems there is some misconception about how to do a Sur-Ron registration.

Many bike shops are unwilling to take on the obvious liability that comes with assisting in making something like this street legal, which includes providing the certificate of origin and/or providing other forms of assistance outside of operational support for normal usage of the bike itself.

However, origin cert is not required for Sur-Ron OHV registration, all you need is the receipt from Lunacycle. A PDF copy of any order invoice is provided by Lunacycle upon request, which can be printed and used instead of origin cert.

As with anything you read on the internet it is a good idea to verify with a professional such as a local specialist concerning things like titling and registrations, but generally this is what you need.

Hope you guys find this info useful :)

[OceanDragon]

Thanks for bringing up this topic. I too was interested in another aspect of this. In Calfornia we have available a one time registration 230 for a motorized bicycle(moped). To meet this criteria, the moped must have a top speed of under 30 mph, engine of under 4 gross horsepower, and optional pedals. I say optional because this feature is waived if the motor is electric.

My thoughts are this; if I were to either keep the bike in economy mode or disconnect the higher power, sport mode settings switch, put on the pedal kit (just for show), put on lights and turn signals...could I get away with using this as a moped here in a beach community.

The registration form requires an origin certificate, which I see that above could be the Lunacycle invoice. But that example is for off-road registration. Will Lunacycle provide a certificate of origin? It also requires a VIN number. Does the bike have this? Or a distinctive serial number? I would plan to do the same for a class 3 electric bike, which i know does not have a VIN. Any thoughts out there?

[paxtana]

Origin cert not available nor needed, use the invoice.
Yes some folks get moped license in cali. We had a video on this but apparently success is mixed using the steps outlined so we took it down.
Yes it has a serial. No it has no VIN.

[commuter ebikes]

Thanks for bringing up this topic. I too was interested in another aspect of this. In Calfornia we have available a one time registration 230 for a motorized bicycle(moped). To meet this criteria, the moped must have a top speed of under 30 mph, engine of under 4 gross horsepower, and optional pedals. I say optional because this feature is waived if the motor is electric.

My thoughts are this; if I were to either keep the bike in economy mode or disconnect the higher power, sport mode settings switch, put on the pedal kit (just for show), put on lights and turn signals...could I get away with using this as a moped here in a beach community.

The registration form requires an origin certificate, which I see that above could be the Lunacycle invoice. But that example is for off-road registration. Will Lunacycle provide a certificate of origin? It also requires a VIN number. Does the bike have this? Or a distinctive serial number? I would plan to do the same for a class 3 electric bike, which i know does not have a VIN. Any thoughts out there?

I live in CA and I went the path of no paperwork. My ebike is not legal because it has too high of a top speed and too many Watts.

Having said that, I have been riding it at least six days a week all over my crowded city. I always pedal to make it look good. I am in the bike lane 90+% of the time going about 30mph. I take a lane or ride on the sidewalk only when necessary. I have had zero problems with LE--not even a second look.

It might help that I wear a safety vest, helmet with helmetcam. I also always have my headlights and flashing rear tail lights going.

[Markk]

I have written how I registered my bike as a moped in California:

https://sur-ron.markkitaoka.com/ca-moped-plate/

[paxtana]

We have recently spoken with Dirt Legal : https://www.dirtlegal.com/

They say that they can do registration for street use as a motorcycle.

While Luna can not make promises regarding fitment for this use and assumes no liability, it does appear possible to accomplish it through their service. They say they can do it in all states.

[Cdalexcracer]

I installed a switch to re-enable the throttle limit, and got a Class 2 decal (Throttle allowed) so keep it more legit on the bike path. I don't ride the paths much, but it cuts a lot of time for 1 specific route. I always try to keep speed reasonable to not raise any suspicions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/eBike-Class-2-II-Sticker-Decal-for-Electric-Bike-Sur-Ron-Class-3-III-2-pack/164376333987

[Stephon121]

Cdalexcraser bro. Can you please tell me how you did this. What you used as a switch exactly. I just got popped by law enforcement being really cool. Picked up my sur ron x rear tire and hit the throttle and boom. 40+ mph on speedometer.

I have class 2 stickers in the mail. But he told me they are plugged in when it comes to these bikes. Now I do live across the street from Chicago and its open playing field there and a block away from forest preserve but still I dont want any tickets or moving violations on top of impound.

Here in IL I can classify my sur ron x as a class 2 ebike with stickers and if it doesn't go over 20mph But the local suburb cops ain't got much to do I suppose.

[Vince M]

In AZ a OHV sticker is required to use off road, which requires a title and registration (and plate). Dirt Legal cannot help with that. I am proceeding down the slippery slope of fair use tax, inspection and titling possibly as a home built vehicle. Dealing with any motor vehicle department these days is a challenge. Wish me luck!

[paxtana]

As far as Dirt Legal they helped us set up the provided documents to look a bit more official regarding the invoice and signed serial verification form. We can provide both of these upon request now, which may help with the whole OHV thing regardless of their involvement.

[andrewkay]

In AZ a OHV sticker is required to use off road, which requires a title and registration (and plate). Dirt Legal cannot help with that. I am proceeding down the slippery slope of fair use tax, inspection and titling possibly as a home built vehicle. Dealing with any motor vehicle department these days is a challenge. Wish me luck!

I have the same problem and am actually going through a similar process out here in Utah. If I want to ride the bike off-road here "legally", I need to get an OHV sticker.

The road-block for me was not having a MSO/Title. The signed serial/bill of sale helped from Luna. The DMV employee was nice and walked me through what I had to do to get a Title issued. He actually gave me a temporary permit because I had the signed S/N from Luna, so I could operate it for 30 days while I wait to see if they will issue me a new title.

In order to do that, I completed all the forms for Insufficient evidences of ownership which were: "Vehicle Application For Utah Title", "Certificate Of Inspection" (They verify the S/N at the DMV), "Ownership Statement" (A paragraph and pictures of how I got the eBike). You basically mail those to the miscellaneous department of the DMV and then it becomes a waiting game, supposedly around 45 days.

This eBike is in a really grey area right now, the chances of getting a ticket are probably very slim, you would have to run into a ranger that is having a bad day, and not be able to explain that its a bicycle not a motorcycle :D.


Update (02/01/2021):
I received a letter and return instructions from the DMV to pay the title application fee and our state tax. Which was the next step. Will keep you updated, the next piece of mail should be the title and then a trip to the DMV for the stickers. Fingers crossed.

Update (02/15/2021):
Received the title in the mail.

Update (02/16/2021):
Scheduled an in person appointment at the DMV and picked up my stickers and they are now on the bike.

[Springsute]

Did you end up getting your title and OHV sticker? Have you tried to get it licensed for street? I live in Utah as well and just got my SurRon and would love some info. I was going to go with dirtlegal to try and make it street legal

[Pancakes]

Springsute, I just submitted an application to the Misc. Services Unit of the DMV (msudmv@utah.gov) and was told in a follow-up email that it was all they needed to issue a title (but the application will should take 60-90 days to process....). Should be able to register and get OHV stickers after that.

The application included a TC-656 (App for title), a TC-569A (Ownership statement), TC-661 (Cert. of Inspection), receipts from Lunacycle (where I got my Sur Ron X), and pictures of the bike. For the VIN, we used the frame number that is engraved on the front of the frame. The Officer said that should work, and the folks at the DMV seem to agree.

We'll see....

[paxtana]

So glad to hear those documents came in handy! As the guy that fills them out it's nice to hear how it worked out!

[andrewkay]

Yep, sorry for not replying so long. I got my OHV stickers from the Utah DMV. Been riding it around off road no problem. I have a street legal motorcycle so I didn't bother with trying to make it street legal here but I am pretty positive if you are eager enough you could.

Also have out off state Arizona and California OHV stickers on it, took it traveling :).

[jmatero]

Thought I’d share my personal experience getting a Green OHV sticker for my Sur-Ron X. I hope this is helpful to folks out there!

My goal was for my son to be able to ride at Metcalf and Hollister Hills. I searched high and low and got conflicting advice on how to make it legal to ride. Some said to attempt get a green OHV sticker or register it as a Moped. Based on numerous owner reports, DMV is aware of the actual power/speed capability of the Sur-Ron and has been denying moped registrations to many. That said, I drove up to Metcalf and spoke directly with the rangers there and they gave me detailed instructions… which I followed EXACTLY… and sure enough, I walked away with a green sticker. They even recommended particular CHP and DMV locations which I will share here. Here’s what I did:

1. Made an appointment for an “Electric Dirt Bike OHV Inspection” at the CHP office, 2020 Junction Ave, San Jose. The receptionist there knew all about the Sur-Ron and owners wanting to have it signed-off for OHV use. They had a 2-week backlog of requests for just this so I had to wait a bit.
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2. While I waited for the appointment date, I ordered the Clipped Wire Name Plate from Luna Cycle for $6.00. It arrived in 2 days and I affixed it to the side of the battery cover.
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3. On the CHP appointment date, I brought copies of the Luna Cycle Invoice and DMV form Verification of Vehicle (REG 31). A friendly CHP officer walked right over to inspect the bike. He used the serial number on the frame for the VIN (ok that it’s only 15 digits), the electric motor serial number for the ENGINE NUMBER, established the MODEL from the Clipped Wire Name Plate, and established the MODEL YEAR from a sticker on the right-back side of the center frame that had a build date. He also needed the odometer milage. The only issue he had was with the Luna invoice. There is nothing there to indicate this particular bike was the one purchased. He said he was ok signing off but that in order to register it at the DMV without a proper 17 digit VIN, they would need a full paper trail from manufacturer to me. He went inside to “run the numbers” (whatever that means) and emerged with the completed form. NOTE: I provided this feedback to Luna Cycle. I encourage others to do the same. At the least, they should include the serial number and motor number.
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4. I drove directly to the DMV office in San Jose at 180 Martinvale Ln with the Luna Invoice, completed REG 31 form from the CHP, and a completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form. I used all the info from the REG 31 form. For MAKE I entered “SUR-RON”, for MODEL I entered “YQ2A” (from the Luna name plate), and left GROSS WEIGHT blank. I presented everything to the DMV employee and said exactly this: “I’m here to register my electric dirt bike for off-highway use. I spoke to the ranger at Metcalf Motorcycle Park who instructed me to have a CHP officer inspect the bike and sign off on form REG 31 which I did.” The employee looked everything over and politely told me the Luna Invoice was insufficient and that I should go back and ask them for a Certificate of Origin as the VIN is not on the invoice and DMV requires documentation on how the vehicle originally entered the State of California. I responded “I contacted Luna Cycle and they are unable to provide a Certificate of origin”. He did some digging on his computer and then handed me a blank DMV form Statement of Facts (REG 256) on which I hand wrote “I, <MY NAME>, purchased a 2020 Sur-Ron YQ2A electric dirt bike from Luna Cycle at 1330 E Franklin Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245 for <$ AMOUNT> on <INVOICE DATE>. Luna Cycle did not provide a Certificate of Origin with the bike.” I signed the affidavit, paid the $160 DMV fee, and was handed a green OHV sticker. OHV stickers are usually good for 2 years IF YOU REGISTER WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF TAKING DELIVERY. Otherwise, you pay the same fee and only get 1 year from the date of registration.

Again, I hope this is helpful to folks out there. Remember, your experience may be different depending on where you go and who you speak to. Good luck!

[paxtana]

Very helpful. Incidentally if we are contacted ahead of time with a picture of the serial we can generate a copy of the invoice with the serial printed right on it, along with the serial verification document typically used with dirtlegal. Might make things a little easier with the inspecting officer.