KTM In Washington State?????
#1
09-02-2010, 02:55 PM
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Washington
Posts: 21,060
KTM In Washington State?????
It looks like KTM is causing some problems for owners in Washington State. Some models are now not street legal. That means some owners can't renew tier street license. THAT BLOWS!!! What next, the KLX? 
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585919
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585919
#2
09-02-2010, 02:56 PM
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Washington
Posts: 21,060
And by the way, if our state's budget is so out of whack, you would think they would be licensing everything from a riding lawn mower to golf carts. GRRRR
#3
09-04-2010, 05:52 PM
Sounds like your state is requesting information from all manufacturers, not just KTM, KTM just happened to be the first. So it doesn't sound like KTM "volunteered" the information. They would likely get into big legal trouble if they didn't provide what was being requested.
At any rate, the bikes affected in the KTM lineup really are off-road only competition bikes. They have just been able to get a plate in WA and many other states through a loophole in the MSO that doesn't list their bikes as off-road only like Japanese bikes do.
The KTM EXC's which are essentially just like the the XCF-W's, but are "factory" street legal will not be subject to have the plate pulled. The difference being factory street legal, they are delivered with jetting that meets EPA emissions, DOT tires, mirrors, lights, turn signals, and have all the "smog" equipment, etc, to meet even CA street legal requirements. They have be pre-approved as 50-state street legal in the USA. Just like any other street bike.
Same with the KLX. The KLX will be safe.
So it sounds like they are really just closing the "loophole" on the off-road-only models. I hear it's happening more and more, not only in WA but in other states as well. I still think it's ridiculous, though. The amount of emissions these things have vs some other vehicles on the road is miniscule. And like you said, the revenue the state could get from allowing people to plate dirt bikes, not to mention create jobs from small businesses providing after-market lights, and equipment so the bikes can pass inspection could help with the state budget by generating DMV revenue not to mention sales tax revenue, as well as income tax revenue from people working in the aftermarket parts industry. But instead, they'll likely put many businesses out of business due to the lost demand for said products, further cutting revenue, eliminate any revenue they are getting from plates, losing sales tax on the sale of aftermarket items, and to counter that loss, they'll actually *raise* your taxes to cover the lost income not to mention to create additional beauracracies to take away the plates and make sure they don't get them back when they could be creating jobs and generating revenue from it instead. But that's government for you.
So think carefully when it's time to vote in new representatives. And don't just believe what they tell you, they are slimy bastards that will lie straight to your face to get your vote. Check their voting record instead, if they have already held office and vote based on that.
At any rate, the bikes affected in the KTM lineup really are off-road only competition bikes. They have just been able to get a plate in WA and many other states through a loophole in the MSO that doesn't list their bikes as off-road only like Japanese bikes do.
The KTM EXC's which are essentially just like the the XCF-W's, but are "factory" street legal will not be subject to have the plate pulled. The difference being factory street legal, they are delivered with jetting that meets EPA emissions, DOT tires, mirrors, lights, turn signals, and have all the "smog" equipment, etc, to meet even CA street legal requirements. They have be pre-approved as 50-state street legal in the USA. Just like any other street bike.
Same with the KLX. The KLX will be safe.
So it sounds like they are really just closing the "loophole" on the off-road-only models. I hear it's happening more and more, not only in WA but in other states as well. I still think it's ridiculous, though. The amount of emissions these things have vs some other vehicles on the road is miniscule. And like you said, the revenue the state could get from allowing people to plate dirt bikes, not to mention create jobs from small businesses providing after-market lights, and equipment so the bikes can pass inspection could help with the state budget by generating DMV revenue not to mention sales tax revenue, as well as income tax revenue from people working in the aftermarket parts industry. But instead, they'll likely put many businesses out of business due to the lost demand for said products, further cutting revenue, eliminate any revenue they are getting from plates, losing sales tax on the sale of aftermarket items, and to counter that loss, they'll actually *raise* your taxes to cover the lost income not to mention to create additional beauracracies to take away the plates and make sure they don't get them back when they could be creating jobs and generating revenue from it instead. But that's government for you.
So think carefully when it's time to vote in new representatives. And don't just believe what they tell you, they are slimy bastards that will lie straight to your face to get your vote. Check their voting record instead, if they have already held office and vote based on that.
#4
09-04-2010, 07:24 PM
...what Nobrakes said.
This is a political issue. Big government spawns agencies that have to justify their jobs. Nobody on the street cares about these bikes being street legal yet the state has made an issue about it. Why? because government bureaucrats need a paycheck and there's nothing else for them to do but find solutions searching for a problems. I mean, what else is there for them to do after the trash has been collected, the roads are being built and the riff raff is being kept off of the street? There has to be another bogeyman to go after and dirt bikes fit the bill nicely because they threaten Bambi. The bigger government gets, the more regulation and loss of freedom you will experience at all levels.
M
This is a political issue. Big government spawns agencies that have to justify their jobs. Nobody on the street cares about these bikes being street legal yet the state has made an issue about it. Why? because government bureaucrats need a paycheck and there's nothing else for them to do but find solutions searching for a problems. I mean, what else is there for them to do after the trash has been collected, the roads are being built and the riff raff is being kept off of the street? There has to be another bogeyman to go after and dirt bikes fit the bill nicely because they threaten Bambi. The bigger government gets, the more regulation and loss of freedom you will experience at all levels.
M
#5
09-04-2010, 07:36 PM
...one mre thing. Have you ever had anyone tell you to "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS"? Regulators are paid to mind YOUR bussiness. The less of them the better. Please think of these things when you vote in November. Especially in your local districts. It really matters.
M
M
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