Red Sticker Questions and AnswersBy: Bill Dart Posted: 4/27/2000 Red Stickers and Green Stickers - what does it all mean? In 1994, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted new emission standards for off-road motorcycles and ATV's, effective for vehicles produced after 1-1-97 that are used on public lands. This is commonly referred to as the "2 Stroke Ban", but doesn't actually ban just 2-strokes. Rather, it is simply an emission standard applicable to all vehicles. Vehicles that didn't comply with the standard would not be eligible for Green Sticker registration, which is required to ride on public lands in California Then, District 36 led a three year effort to either overturn the ban, or come up with a compromise short of a total ban. This effort was ultimately successful, in that CARB adopted a concept that District 36 proposed, that non-complying bikes at least be able to operate in areas that were meeting the overall air quality standards set by CARB. In December of 1998, CARB formally adopted what we call the "Red Sticker" program, which does allow non-complying bikes and ATV's to operate where and when air quality standards are being met. There has been a tremendous amount of confusion on this topic. This has been exacerbated by inconsistencies at various DMV offices in which bikes get which stickers. We have heard of Green-Sticker eligible bikes getting Red Stickers, and Red Sticker bikes getting Green Stickers. How can you tell which bikes are which? And then, what does a Red Sticker mean when you go riding. I will try to answer these questions, and also provide a list of the various riding areas, and what seasonal restrictions, if any, apply to the Red Sticker Bikes. What bikes qualify for a Green Sticker? All bikes and ATV's built prior to 1-1-97 are Green Sticker Legal, and will always be able to be re-newed, regardless of motor type or emissions levels. Any bike over 90cc built after 1-1-97 or under 90cc built after 1-1-99 that has either a "C" or a "3" in the eighth digit of the VIN number is not legally eligible for a Green Sticker. No 2-stroke models built after the time listed qualify, and many 4-strokes fail to make the cut also. According to CARB, these are the only 2000 model year bikes that are currently Green Sticker legal: All Honda XR models Kawasaki KLX 300 Suzuki DR 350 Yamaha 90, 124, 225, and 250 TT 4 strokes ATK 605 490, 350 What bikes only qualify for a Red Sticker? All new 2-strokes Yamaha 400/426 All KTM's All Husabergs All Huskies I used to have a Green Sticker for my pre-97 bike, but now I got a Red Sticker What gives? Some owners were inappropriately issued Red Sticker for older bikes. This is not right, and you should go back to DMV and demand a Green Sticker. I have a non-complying bike, but I got a Green Sticker. What does this mean? If DMV issued you a Green Sticker, you should be allowed to ride anywhere anytime. Some enforcement folks want to ticket these bikes, but you have a legitimate registration, unless DMV recalls it. Will my non-complying bike with a Green Sticker always be legal? DMV MAY someday issue a Red Sticker upon renewal if they ever get their computer program updated to catch the non-complying bikes. There is nothing you can do if this happens, except understand you were lucky to get a Green Sticker at all in the first place. You probably knew you were getting away with something, so don't whine about it. Are the seasonal restrictions being enforced? Most agencies are just now starting to enforce the program. The regulation was finalized just this January to allow enforcement, and most agencies are doing "education", not enforcement at this time. So where and when can I legally ride my Red Sticker Bike? These areas are open all year with no restrictions on Red Sticker Bikes: The entire Mendocino, Six Rivers, Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Lake Tahoe Basin, Inyo, and Shasta Trinity National Forests. Barret Lake and the Rubicon Trail on the Eldorado NF, the Downieville and Truckee Ranger Districts, on the Tahoe NF, Kennedy Meadows on the Sequoia NF The entire Bishop, Susanville, Arcata and Ukiah BLM districts. Olancha Dunes, Rice Valley Dunes, and the Parker Strip are open year round. These areas have seasonal restrictions on Red Sticker bikes. Open from October 1 through May 31 Hollister Hills, Mammoth Bar, Frank Raines Park, Clear Creek, Chappie- Shasta, Date Flat, Deer Creek, Corral Hollow, Foresthill, and the Fordyce Jeep Trail, Spangler Hills, Jawbone Canyon, Superstition Mountains,and Plaster City Open from October 15 through May 31 Rock Creek Open from October 15 through April 15 Prairie City Open from October 15 through May 15 Ocotillo Wells Open from September 15 to May 15 Oceano Dunes Open from October 1 through April 30 Hungry Valley, Pozo-Lapanza, Stoddard Valley, Johnson Valley, Imperial Dunes, and Rasor Open from October 15 through April 30 Alamo Mountain Open from November 15 to March 15 Santa Barbara Ranger District, Ortega Trail Open from November 1 through May 31 Sierra National Forest The following are open from November 1 through April 30 Carnegie, Metcalf, Dumont Dunes, Tule River Ranger District and Frog Meadows on the Sequoia NF Open from November 1 through June 30 Clay Pit Open from November 1 through March 31 Rowher Flat, Littlerock, La Grange OHV park Open from November 1 through March 15 El Mirage, Ballinger Canyon Open from November 1 through February 28 San Bernardino national Forest Open from December 1 through January 31 Mt Baldy and Tujunga Ranger District's, Angeles NF What about sanctioned races? Are Red Stickered bikes legal? Yes, you will be able to ride events with a red sticker on your bike. This is true for ANY District 36 event, including those held in areas that are normally closed to Red Sticker bikes. Copyright © 1997-2008 District 36 Motorcycle Sports Committee (Admin:Upload,Editor) Questions regarding Results or Standings? Please contact your Steward Hosting and Web Site by Matheson Online Marketing |