Connecticut - GREY BIKE REG ISSUE RESOLVED

[GY_Racing]

I should have seen this coming... The bike was too good to be true for the price... I know a couple other guys in the area that had reg issues but my bike was already on the way when I found out. Looks like "American Lifan" or " Lifan" is non registrable in CT. It is not "on their approved list" of name brands. I went today and trailered it into the inspection station, they told me its a no go. They told me the bike passed but that was irrelevant to reg. They told me they checked both my vin and then the American Lifan name brand and neither came back approved. They said my Certificate of Origin was not worth the paper it was printed on because its not in their list. They said if it were a Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki or KTM it would be fine. I am very irate and I have no idea what to do. It's a GY5 so I thought it would be EPA and DOT approved in all states except CA.

If anyone could help it would mean a lot, I really don't want to get rid of my baby, its not even broken in yet!! :cry: From what I understand other riders in my area where told the same thing even after going to other DMV branches. I am very let down to say the least...
:x

[AZ200cc]

I would contact American Lifan and see if it is dot approved where You are...They might be able to get it handled.

[katoranger]

Where did you buy from?

Allen

[GY_Racing]

Here is the paper that the head DMV Inspector gave me.. He also put his phone number because I asked for it so I could call him if I found proof that they are legal in CT.

I called Brian and motoxtreme and he also told me to contact AL as I am trying to do now.

http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/5/8/f_SCANm_4e89744.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/8/f_SCANm_4e89744.jpg&srv=img33)

[kczukiman]

I found this thread.It seems that some have registerd Lifans in Conn.

http://www.chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1563

[GY_Racing]

I have been trying to contact Frontier Imports (where I ordered the bike from) to see if they will help me but I haven't been able to get in touch with them since the sale as I had a few other issues that needed to be addressed re the bike. I think their voice mail may not be working in the service department as they never return any of my calls even from last week. I did get a chance to speak with AL and they told me that they can not help because it looks like F.I is not an authorized dealer for AL and this happens all the time. They were nice but rude at the same time. They told me that I can only use the bike to "ride down to my mailbox and back" and he was laughing hysterically about it. He then said he is sorry that its not funny but it's the truth as its not from an authorized dealer so it will never see a plate even though the dealer said it was road legal in all states except CA. He also suggested I hook a mower on the back of it to make use of the bike since I would not be able to leave my house with it. I did not really like his humor at my expense 8O I then spoke with "Chaunl motorcycle USA" They are also listed on my MSO. They were really nice and sent me this email followed by a fax with their letterhead and signature in hope this might help at the DMV but that was all they could do.

Here is the email:


State of Connecticut

Department of Motor Vehicles

May 8, 2008


To whom it may concern:

Chuanl Motorcycle USA Co Ltd, located in Garland, TX, is a U.S. distributor for Chuanl Motorcycle Manufacturing Co Ltd which has manufacturing facilities in Taizhou, Huangyan District, Zhejiang Province, China. Chuanl Motorcycle Manufacturing Co Ltd manufactures motorcycles and scooters for us as well as for other distributors worldwide. One of the distributors of Chuanl Motorcycles in the U.S. is American Lifan. Chuanl products distributed by Chuanl Motorcycle USA Co Ltd are sold under the product name “Longbo”. Chuanl products distributed by American Lifan are sold under their name, “Lifan”.

Steve Coter's motorcycle was purchased through one of American Lifan’s licensed dealers in Texas. Both Chuanl and American Lifan are licensed distributors in the state of Texas, as well as many other states in the U.S.

[kczukiman]

Did you get a name of the person you talked to at American Lifan?That is totaly not right.

[GY_Racing]

I did not get his name but I spoke with 2 guys there. They both said more of less the same thing that with it not being an authorized dealer that I was out of luck the first guy told me that I should contact the district attorney so that they could go after Frontier Imports so they could not sell any more bikes and the other guy had more of a southern voice and he was the one cracking all the jokes about using it as a mower or to get my mail. The second guy also told me to "sell it for parts" to a authorized dealer "if they would even take it" in exchange for a few hundred off of my new GY5 that I would have to buy from them if I wanted to have a bike to ride other then in my yard.

He said I had 3 choices

#1 Ride my bike around my yard and be happy with it
#2 Sell my bike for parts to a dealer in exchange for a discount on a legit MSO Lifan.
#3. Sue F.I for selling a bike without a license and try to get some money back.

I really don't like any of my choices very much. Seeing that there is no difference between the bike I have now and a new one except the person selling it and the price. How does this make my bike "worthless"?

[IronFist]

Do you have a friend that you could sell it to in another state. It might be easier to plate, if it was already plated somewhere else.

Try another office?

Sell it here in the wanted section.

I'm sorry brother, I'm canadian and can't help much. N2r.

[SpeedSouth]

I did not get his name but I spoke with 2 guys there. They both said more of less the same thing that with it not being an authorized dealer that I was out of luck the first guy told me that I should contact the district attorney so that they could go after Frontier Imports so they could not sell any more bikes and the other guy had more of a southern voice and he was the one cracking all the jokes about using it as a mower or to get my mail. The second guy also told me to "sell it for parts" to a authorized dealer "if they would even take it" in exchange for a few hundred off of my new GY5 that I would have to buy from them if I wanted to have a bike to ride other then in my yard.

He said I had 3 choices

#1 Ride my bike around my yard and be happy with it
#2 Sell my bike for parts to a dealer in exchange for a discount on a legit MSO Lifan.
#3. Sue F.I for selling a bike without a license and try to get some money back.

I really don't like any of my choices very much. Seeing that there is no difference between the bike I have now and a new one except the person selling it and the price. How does this make my bike "worthless"?



Re: #2 -

Did you ask him exactly how that would help? If A.L. or even Lifan isn't listed as approved for the state, it wouldn't matter if it was grey, black, blue or purple.

The agent at the DMV told you, according to the note, that Lifan is not a licensed manu. in your state, so buying a new bike is NOT an acceptable solution.


My advice is to call back and try to get that same guy on the phone (sounds like you'd recognize the voice) and get his name. I don't expect they'll help or say anything different, but they need to be aware of employees who treat customers so rudely.

I could venture my own guess as to who it was, but I won't.




As for getting plates, I wish I could help. The idea to have it plated in another state first might work.

Best of luck.
(and tell the rude fork on the phone that he has two choices: Either give up his efforts at customer service, or learn some damn manners. :evil: )

[theENIGMATIC]

Can you not modify a dirt bike for the street over there....Im pretty sure they made that illegal here in Ontario CANADA awhile back, but it used to be legal to do that I think!
Cant you register as an off-road and then change the vehicle class after by saying its been modified or something?

[theENIGMATIC]

let me know if you ever get hold of Frontier imports......I did an on line search and cant find anything on them, do they have a website, its strange they dont answer the phone.is it possible the bike is illegal and that is why the dmv cant recognize it...I imported a China bike into CANADA, as soon as that bike became legal for me to have or sell, the bikes VIN# became recognized to the Canadian vehicle registry, I can see it being similar in the States?

[kczukiman]

I will say this.I would never buy a AL if it was the only mortorized vehical left on the face of this earth.I have read enough to see the arrogance of that company. :evil:

[GY_Racing]

Do you have a friend that you could sell it to in another state. It might be easier to plate, if it was already plated somewhere else.

Try another office?

Sell it here in the wanted section.

I'm sorry brother, I'm canadian and can't help much. N2r.

good info. I can't really think of anyone I know in a different state. I will keep trying new offices; that looks like my only slim possibility. I don't think I can sell a bike to someone on here because they may have the same problem reg it. AL said its illegal for me to sell it other then for parts and if I knowingly try and find an office to reg it I will be doing so knowing it is illegal and I can be held responsible somehow. I guess because its "not authorized" according to them the bike has 0 value except as a parts bike. I just think that if they wanted to they could do more for me but it really seems like they want me to just "buy another bike". Good for them very bad for me.

When searching on the net for more contact numbers for Frontier Imports I dug something interesting up. From the looks of it the company has other aliases and stores all in the same area. It looks like they are all run by the same people using different store fronts perhaps to confuse customers to thinking they are dealing with different competitors almost like a secret monopoly?

PLEASE LOOK AT THIS AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.. IT GIVES 2 OTHER STORES THAT SEEM TO BE CONNECTED WITH FRONTIER IMPORTS. If that link don't work google Frontier Imports and it should be the 5th link down.

http://images.atvdiscounter.net/ATVDiscounter-ShippingRates.pdf

I think I will call them on monday and see if they know anything.

[theENIGMATIC]

I dont see why you cant sell the bike except for parts, why is that???

[CRidin]

let me know if you ever get hold of Frontier imports......I did an on line search and cant find anything on them, do they have a website, its strange they dont answer the phone.is it possible the bike is illegal and that is why the dmv cant recognize it...I imported a China bike into CANADA, as soon as that bike became legal for me to have or sell, the bikes VIN# became recognized to the Canadian vehicle registry, I can see it being similar in the States?

Frontier Imports is ATV Discounters. See anything simular here? Its the same Mso I got with a Four wheeler from there. I never saw the one for my A Lifan, they handled it. Call them and ask if they are the same company. Or better yet look at the Weatherford location on this link.
http://www.atvdiscounter.com/5555/Info.aspx

Its the parent company. Its also listed on the MSO Porterz posted in his screwed thread.

[CRidin]

Here is the MCO Porterz Posted.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll169/matt_leissa/f_titlem_7521c63.jpg

[SpeedSouth]

Frontier Imports is ATV Discounters.


8O Say it ain't so, Joe...say it ain't so...


That's not good news, IMO....but maybe there's hope...

Good luck!

[TeamCheap]

First off forget about A.L. and what they told you.
This comes to mind "RUN FOREST, RUN" when A.L. comes onto the scene.

Dont even bother calling A.L. if you didnt buy it thru their dealer network they cant/wont help and as you have seen its all a joke to them.

EDIT:
Actually looking at it a little and seeing Frontier Imports Inc (Atvdiscounter Com) tells me your out of luck.
ATVDISCOUNTERS (AKA-ATVdeceivers) is involved and that to me means trouble for you as I think they are just plain old run of the mill DISHONEST.

I'd start thinking lawsuit but actually parting it out would be the best, fastest and easiest solution and should give you more than enough money to go buy a real A.L.<:lol: just kidding go buy another bike any other bike as long as its not an A.L. bike and laugh at them and the mess that they are apart of and helped to create.

[GY_Racing]

Well since Frontier Imports won't return my calls; today I will try the other 2 stores listed "ATV Discounter" and "Speedways Powersports" and ask them if they are related to F.I

Do you really think parting the bike out will get me back 1,400? If so I wounder how long it would take. Our summers are rather short, I have a feeling by the time im done selling everything it will be winter already :x I would just throw another plate on and drive it but idk. What kind of story do I tell the cop, Well I have this bike thats really road legal and it has ins on it and I went to the DMV to get plates but since they don't like the brand or something along the lines they won't hand me a plate but I swear its road worthy and there are other ones on the road!! I just don't get it, there is nothing that makes the bike any different then if a AL dealer had sold it. I will goto the DMV with the same bike as last time, just slightly different vin.. Anyone have a real AL title for sale? :D

I just read the AL crackdown and I finally realize what they are really doing. They are cracking down not to help us but because they loose money and they want to be the only one selling them in the US. Just like they wanted me to buy another bike, an AL bike. Even though my title says American Lifan on it, I will get a new one that says the same thing with the same bike as I had; difference is THEY pocket the money.

Most internet dealers make a back room deal with Lifan in China and AL looses money on the import thats why they don't want to help.

[Universal_Diver]

I dont know your financial status, but if it were me I would first try any and all relatives out of state and try to get the bike tagged there, if that fails I would part the bike out ( I have heard they are worth more that way anyways) I would tell A Lifan to sit on it and spin, and I would buy a 250 Hi-Bird from Tim at Vbike.us for just over a grand to your door, and spend the rest of my days bad mouthing Lifan.

[GY_Racing]

U.D I started a new post RE Hybird questions as a reply to your message in Enduro. I did not want to get off track with this one. It's mostly for you and other Hybird users. I want to keep this post just for ideas on how to get my Lifan plated :D

Good news and bad news..

Bad news, I called ATV Discounters at the number given on that page I found. They connected me with Sheri and she told me that F.I and S.P are both owned and managed by ATVD. She also told me that they no longer sell Lifan bikes because there was too many problems and even had other dealers buying bikes from them and making false claims about the transactions trying to shut them down because they are the leader in sales and had prices that were putting other dealers out of business. She told me that if she could help me she would but they cannot because they no longer sell the bikes as of last week. She told me it was probably sold as a dirt bike meaning that it cannot be ridden on the road even with all the lights and blinkers as they were clearing out their stock that's why they sent me the light green one instead of the blue as that's all that they had left. She apologized and told me to try a different DMV branch or waiting for the F.I location to call me back as they are very busy and do hundreds of transactions a day.

The GOOD news
My grandfather has a connection with the commissioner of the CT DMV. He called the man today and I just got off the phone with him. He said the Lifan does appear to be on the "federal list" so that's a good sign. He took my vin number and is going to call me back when he finds out if it can be plated in CT. I explained the bike had all the necessary equipment on it and that there are other Lifans that have been plated in CT. I also sent him the letter from Chuani. I am waiting for him to call back to tell me if it can be done or not.

Let's all pray and learn our lesson's on this one :(
If it's gray you must run away!! Call AL before you buy to confirm.

[culcune]

Hybird .

Haven't we seen you here before?

[TeamCheap]

Well it would be nice if your connection could help you out and at least get it registered.
It seems even here in michigan that you could get a dirt bike steet legal as long as it has ALL the equipment needed and it passes an inspection first.
Actually a guy at work just bought a new honda 650 dirt bike and the dealer added all the stuff needed and got it street legal but it cost him.

Hybird .

Haven't we seen you here before?Maybe, maybe not but only time will tell. :lol:

[dr1445]

i was in the ct dmv a few weeks back getting a tag for my dr650. the guy in front of me was going around with dmv attempting to tag one of those construction site trailers to transport to some upper ny state property. he had the bill of sale and no mso, so it was a no go. the dmv person said something about getting a bonded title. there was no mention of the amount that must be posted for the bond or a procedure that i heard. you might want to check that angle with the dmv people. good luck.
rgds

[NewEnglandTrails]

I posted this with regards to CT over a year ago. Sorry you folks are having problems.. NET


http://chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=851

[GY_Racing]

I posted this with regards to CT over a year ago. Sorry you folks are having problems.. NET


http://chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=851


wow, this should be like stickied somewhere or something.. I don't like seeing my fellow ct riders wasting money and loosing faith in china riding. :roll:

[NewEnglandTrails]

Well there is a sticky on this thread..

Bruce has the first post in it and he did say he would edit as needed. He gives some good advice but as in CT you dont get the advice you need from the BMV DMV or RMV until after the fact. If Bruce can just edit his post in the sticky to warn everyone to go through all the pages in the Registry issues before buying maybe we can prevent some folks from making future mistakes.

NET

[GY_Racing]

No news is good news??

I am still waiting on the DMV official to call me back. I spoke with him Friday and he was going to get right back to me. He said the bike is on the federal list so that is a good start. In my case no news has meant bad news because there must be something holding up his decision or call back.. :cry:

Still no word back from F.I, safe to say they are ducking me. I don't have the resources or the time to start a drawn out legal battle especially for just a grand. The legal process would cost more in time and money then it would be worth. Perhaps the grey dealers know that?


Sitting..Waiting..Wishing..

[culcune]

the dmv person said something about getting a bonded title. there was no mention of the amount that must be posted for the bond or a procedure that i heard. you might want to check that angle with the dmv people. good luck.
rgds

That is what I was told, in Arizona of all places, when I went to register my Jetmoto. I ended up going around the bond to a private MVD off-site place in Phoenix which solved my problem.

I think bonds are something like 10% of something (I think they will determine the value rather than what you paid :? )

The bonds, at least in AZ's case, guarantee to the state that no one else can claim they own your bike after they issued a title in your name. Keep in mind that anything with a minimum of street equipment can be registered in AZ for the street, so CT might not be so much concerned with title than being picky about a vehicle itself, hence the Lifan issues.

[maf119l]

Still no word back from F.I, safe to say they are ducking me. I don't have the resources or the time to start a drawn out legal battle especially for just a grand. The legal process would cost more in time and money then it would be worth. Perhaps the grey dealers know that?
Sitting..Waiting..Wishing..
I think that's what a lot of these (including the 3 you have named) questionable sellers count on.

[theENIGMATIC]

That MCO Porterz does look fake......Im not sure but should it not say Chongqing Lifan Industry Group or something like that and not American Lifan???
I dont know it looks pretty close to the same as mine did with a few differences....crazy stuff man!!!

[elroyjetsn]

Sorry GY,

Didn't know you were in the same boat..

Hope all works out for you!

[GY_Racing]

I just spoke with the commissioner of the CT DMV. He checked into everything and since the bike was technically within safety guidelines he will manually put it in the computer. He also told me that Lifan is not a approved CT manufacturer but since it is federally and it was bought from a out of state dealer where it was approved in that state it would somehow get by some loophole in the system. I am going down to the DMV now and will let you know how I made out. He gave me the name of a supervisor that I need to ask for to put it in. I will also give out his name and number via PM if another member has the same problem (I am sure they will) as a Lifan vin number starting in LF3 that goes to be inspected or a MSO that lists "dirtbike" will be denied in CT. I am very excited
8O 8O :D

[elroyjetsn]

Excellent!!! :D

[theENIGMATIC]

Good for you, congrats!!! :P

[GY_Racing]

I got the plates!! I am now a full time china rider!! It feels so good after waiting all this time and going threw all the with DMV and AL. Apparently there was 2 different problems as stated in the note I posted. #1 AL is not an approved man. for CT and #2 The importer never sent in the vin to the DMV so the "vin did not conform" when they looked it up. The DMV guy thought it was not in the system because its still so new that they never got around to putting it in. I am pretty sure it's not in the computer for a reason... AL. Well now I just have to worry about parts if I need any. Apparently not only is AL making it near impossible to reg grey bikes but they also are refusing to sell parts to grey owners. When I talked to them they confirmed my bike was infact grey. They even threatened me not to try and register it.

If anyone needs the contact info for the CT DMV commissioner just PM me. The number is not published but I had a friend that knew one of his assistants.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions on here. I know there was not much you guys could do but just responding and having somewhere to post what was going on helped out. I would have probably just given up when the inspector said there was no way no how it could ever be plated if it was not for the forums.

[ambassador]

Your welcome,
Port.... oh, that other guy in Conn... Please let your friend know that we are alway's here to help.. Glad to hear your on the road...

[culcune]

When I talked to them they confirmed my bike was infact grey.

This doesn't make sense for them to claim that. These were unsold GY-2's that they sold off to ATVD; Shawn confirmed this, so don't let them try to pull the grey over your eyes--these were officially imported by them, unless they deal in "grey" bikes on the side??!! :?

[GY_Racing]

When I talked to them they confirmed my bike was infact grey.

This doesn't make sense for them to claim that. These were unsold GY-2's that they sold off to ATVD; Shawn confirmed this, so don't let them try to pull the grey over your eyes--these were officially imported by them, unless they deal in "grey" bikes on the side??!! :?

I don't know, all I know is that was what they said when they looked up my vin. They told me I had to sell it as a parts bike to a dealer and then buy an official bike if I wanted to be able to reg or buy parts. You can even call them up and ask them if my dealer F.I is an official AL dealer or not and if the first 3 digits of my vin are AL compliant. I am or was stuck in the middle; at least now I have plates im not as worried. For parts.. that may be another story.. but so far nothing has broke thank god.

[culcune]

When I talked to them they confirmed my bike was infact grey.

This doesn't make sense for them to claim that. These were unsold GY-2's that they sold off to ATVD; Shawn confirmed this, so don't let them try to pull the grey over your eyes--these were officially imported by them, unless they deal in "grey" bikes on the side??!! :?

I don't know, all I know is that was what they said when they looked up my vin. They told me I had to sell it as a parts bike to a dealer and then buy an official bike if I wanted to be able to reg or buy parts. You can even call them up and ask them if my dealer F.I is an official AL dealer or not and if the first 3 digits of my vin are AL compliant.

My point isn't if they are official AL dealers or not--Shawn from AL told us here on these hallowed pages that ATV Discounters bought their stock of unsold GY-2's. These were bikes that were officially imported by AL, left unsold, and sold off in a lot or however they sold them off.

You bought one, and they are trying to pull the old "grey" excuse with you?!

[GY_Racing]

here is what I think is happening. They don't even know what they are talking about. They even said that motox was not an AL dealer after I talked to Brian he told me he was so I called back they said he was not and then after awhile of arguing they said oh wait a minute I guess he is. I think they have at least a few morons that pick up the phone im not sure who to believe because they give me conflicting information. Is Shawn authorized to speak for them? If so I would like to contact him directly to get this taken care of once in for all and find out if my vin is grey or not. AL is starting to sound a lot like the DMV, it all depends on who you talk to there or who you get.. One thing is for sure the guys that pick up the phone over there were rather rude joking around about me having to just use my bike to check the mail. They also seem to have bad business ethic as a whole for many other confirmed things they have said like how they refuse to sell parts for gray bikes and how they do not help out customers that buy them as its not the customers fault. I told them if my bike was gray why not go after the dealer? They told me it was my problem not theirs. The whole ethic there leaves a really bad taste in your mouth. I really think I will try my luck with the bird company for my next bike. It may take awhile but the truth will come out about how company's like them operate and how they treat their customers.

Let's put it this way.. When I called them I expected them to tell me not to worry that they were going to go after F.I and get to the bottom of it. Instead they told me it was my fault for buying a gray bike unknowingly and I was on my own. Their threat about going after the dealers was not to better serve the customer but to make sure to make the most money and create a monopoly.

We really need to start a live chat for issues like this, the forums are not effective for this kind of debait thats why we keep getting OT.

[maf119l]

When I talked to them they confirmed my bike was infact grey.

This doesn't make sense for them to claim that. These were unsold GY-2's that they sold off to ATVD; Shawn confirmed this, so don't let them try to pull the grey over your eyes--these were officially imported by them, unless they deal in "grey" bikes on the side??!! :?

I don't know, all I know is that was what they said when they looked up my vin. They told me I had to sell it as a parts bike to a dealer and then buy an official bike if I wanted to be able to reg or buy parts. You can even call them up and ask them if my dealer F.I is an official AL dealer or not and if the first 3 digits of my vin are AL compliant.

My point isn't if they are official AL dealers or not--Shawn from AL told us here on these hallowed pages that ATV Discounters bought their stock of unsold GY-2's. These were bikes that were officially imported by AL, left unsold, and sold off in a lot or however they sold them off.

You bought one, and they are trying to pull the old "grey" excuse with you?!
Could still be a gray bike.They were already selling them before they bought the one's from AL.