South state motorcycle dealers pay $180,000 in penalties

Illegal sales put public health and safety at risk

 

SACRAMENTO --  The California Air Resources Board last month
fined two San Diego-area motorcycle dealers $180,000 for illegal
sales.

In 2006, ARB enforcement officers got an anonymous tip that San
Diego-based GP Motorcycles and Moto Forza of Escondido, Calif.,
were illegally selling Husqvarna off-road motorcycles as on-road
models.  ARB investigators confirmed the allegations and took
action.

“Companies that deliberately flout the law are often assessed
higher penalties,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols.  “Playing
by the rules from the start is the most cost-effective, smart
business plan any company can follow.”
GP Motorcycles and Moto Forza sold several dozen off-road
motorcycles to customers who thought they were purchasing on-road
models.  Many of the bikes were outfitted with so-called
“street-legal” kits and licensed for on-road use, both illegal in
California.

ARB revoked all the on-road licenses and registrations for the
illegal bikes sold by GP Motorcycles and Moto Forza.  The
motorcycle owners were permitted to return their license plates
to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the appropriate off-road
riding stickers and plates.

Off-highway vehicles do not meet federal motor vehicle safety
standards -- or ARB’s emission standards -- required of on-road
motorcycles. There are no street-legal kits or conversions that
make an off-road motorcycle legal for on-road use or
registration. A motorcycle is either certified by ARB for on-road
use or off-road use.

California's air pollution control efforts include regulating
emissions from cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. Smog can
damage lungs, cause coughing and chest tightness, and worsen
asthma symptoms while also affecting crop yields.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency.  ARB’s mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.