Amy Granat, Managing Director

For a few years the California Air Resources Board

(CARB) has been investigating potential changes to the redsticker/greensticker program for motorcycle

registrations. Many off-road organizations were involved with staff from CARB during this time, alongside manufacturers and motorcycle dealers. Although some of the meetings became heated, for the most part staff listened attentively and made changes as deemed appropriate to the program/proposal that was submitted to CARB for review and a vote. On April 25th CARB passed new regulations for motorcycle registrations.

The number one stated purpose for change to the redsticker program, was that manufacturers have been slow to develop and offer cleaner technology on new model 2 and 4 stroke bikes. The redsticker program was instituted to allow manufacturers to slowly improve emissions for 2 stroke bikes, with the anticipation that fewer and fewer redsticker bikes would be sold to consumers. Much to the concern of CARB, for model year 2017/8 almost 50% of all non-street legal (OHV) bikes sold in California were redsticker models. Instead of decreasing, purchases of 2-stroke bikes were increasing, necessitating these new regulations.

These are the key components of the new rules:

1. New rules were developed to allow manufacturers time to improve technology

2. Redsticker sales (other than verified competition bikes) will cease in 2022

3. All redsticker bikes including model year 2021 will be grandfathered into the greensticker program. They will still receive redsticker registrations until the Department of Motor Vehicles runs through their stockpile of redstickers.

4. Although redsticker sales will end in 2022, redsticker riding restrictions will continue until 2025. After 2025, redsticker riding restrictions will cease.

5. Starting in 2027, more stringent emission standards will go into effect.

6. Cost of redsticker models are predicted to increase for consumers an average of $300 starting with the 2022 model year.

Manufacturers will be subject to fleet averaging to achieve CARB emission standards, encouraging the development of lower emission models. CARB is predicting that manufacturers will add more greensticker models to satisfy consumer preferences.

For enthusiasts, the most important components of the new regulations are the following:

• These regulations will not affect existing redsticker bikes.
• These regulations will not affect competition bikes.
• These regulations will not affect youth models.
• Competition bikes WILL ONLY be authorized for competition use, along with a minimum of practice sessions. Competition bikes will not be sold for general recreational use, or be legal for general recreational use.