Are California bikes still mechanically different?

TwistedKestrel

TwistedKestrel

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While thinking important thoughts during Thinking Time, mostly about how much better life would probably be if I could live in California*, I got to thinking about CARB and stuff like that. I haven't seen a moto journal mention California HP or weight numbers for years. Are they still different? I know probably in later years once manufacturers got the hang of EFI, there wasn't much reason for them to make 2 market systems (unless they're cheaping out with an open-loop system, I'm looking at you Kawasaki) so I guess the only thing that might be left was the complicated EVAP hardware. However, I have yet to lift the tank off of anything made since 2005.

*Yeah, I know
 
California bikes (and bikes for other states that follow California rules) need the evap system. Most manufacturers omit it everywhere else. This usually means the gas tank is a different part number because it has the internal connections to make the evap system work.

Engines and ECU calibrations are usually the same between California and the rest of North America nowadays.

The most stringent emission regulations for motorcycles are no longer California (where the rules have not changed for many years). It's now Europe - with the exception of the evap requirements. Some manufacturers (Kawasaki has done this but I don't think they are alone) have used open-loop calibration in North America and closed-loop elsewhere.
 
My 09 bike had EVAP set up because the manufacturer sells only small enough numbers in NA ... so all bikes coming to NA have it. But the only difference really is a few rubber hoses and nipples, small canister loaded with charcoal and cheap plastic fuel valve which would prevent gas to flow out of a tank if you cartwheel crash. The reason I removed the whole thing was ... a) absolutely ugly piece the canister was and since my bike has no lower fairing it, literally retarded .... b) there was a reported high number of the fuel valve failures, ultimately leading to fuel delivery problems, due to false pressures created in the tank.

I never believed these EVAP related parts make really any difference to the environment ...
 
I know the 09-11 650Rs and ER6Ns were different in Cali. The rest of North America did not have the evap systems but I think some other countries did. I recall seeing a write up from a guy in Thailand explaining how to remove it so I guess they have it there as well.

Not that it was hard to remove them.
 
It depends how old they are and who manufactured them.

My 2013 R1200GS was already 50 state legal although it was bought in Canada. When I registered it in CA I just had to get the paper from BMW stating that, show up at the DMV with that and my inspection, pay and walk out with plates. It was really easy. You will need that paper though.

I also registered a 1982 RD350 that was even easier. I just needed an inspection as it was more than 25 years old :)

PM me if you have any questions
 
Delboy said:
It depends how old they are and who manufactured them.

My 2013 R1200GS was already 50 state legal although it was bought in Canada. When I registered it in CA I just had to get the paper from BMW stating that, show up at the DMV with that and my inspection, pay and walk out with plates. It was really easy. You will need that paper though.

I also registered a 1982 RD350 that was even easier. I just needed an inspection as it was more than 25 years old :)

PM me if you have any questions
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The best bike ive ever owned...I miss my elsie.
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