Canadian safety standards compliance


Geci

Active member
Likes
33
Location
Ontario, Canada
Hi all, I am having a bit of an issue with registering the bike in my name in Canada. The bike is not on the admissible list probably due to the fact that Alta has never got around to trying to import these bikes here. There is hope though as long as there is a safety standards compliance sticker and then they might be able to use that to see if it meets the Canadian standards as well. So is there such sticker somewhere on our bikes? Sadly I couldn't find one.
 

Silent But Dirty

Alta North
Likes
391
Location
Canada
Hi all, I am having a bit of an issue with registering the bike in my name in Canada. The bike is not on the admissible list probably due to the fact that Alta has never got around to trying to import these bikes here. There is hope though as long as there is a safety standards compliance sticker and then they might be able to use that to see if it meets the Canadian standards as well. So is there such sticker somewhere on our bikes? Sadly I couldn't find one.
What model? When I imported mine, I looked down every road imaginable to try and get it registered. Maybe now that Alta is no more, maybe it's worth trying to go about registering it as a "custom" built motorcycle
 

Geci

Active member
Likes
33
Location
Ontario, Canada
What model? When I imported mine, I looked down every road imaginable to try and get it registered. Maybe now that Alta is no more, maybe it's worth trying to go about registering it as a "custom" built motorcycle
It's an 18 mxr. What province are you in? I am from Ontario. I could give the custom built idea a go. So I am assuming that there is no safety standard anywhere that we could use?
 

Matt

E-Rider
Likes
600
Location
Rochester, New York
I have no idea if this would work and also it is convoluted but, could you sell your bike to a forum member in the states have them register it in the states then sell it back and use the fact it was street legal or registered in the US to verify it's safety compliance? It would likely cost a decent amount to do this but if you are dead set on making it street legal it may work. Just an out there idea.
 

Geci

Active member
Likes
33
Location
Ontario, Canada
if you are dead set on making it street legal it may work. Just an out there idea.
I am not looking to make it street legal, I'd like to cross the border with it to ride in the US and come back without any problems.
I could just try to have it registered to a US citizen but I do not have connections like that :)

Did you already go through the RIV process? I know that here I can't register it without stamped paperwork from the RIV
I didn't have to go through any RIV process, they let me bring it in as an off road vehicle and only had to pay taxes on it. But I do now need the "FORM 1/RIV" the stamped paperwork to be able to register it... I did talk to RIV over the phone and the bike is in Canada illegally as it stands. He suggested I call transport canada and see if they could help. So I called em and they said if I can get the US safety standard and if it meets the Canadian ones, they maybe able to help me. Otherwise I should just give up trying to register the bike. The bikes must have gone through some sort of certification to be sold to the public in the US.
 

Silent But Dirty

Alta North
Likes
391
Location
Canada
Mine is not registered, meaning it can't be insured for off road use in BC. I still have a competed form 1 that is stamped in the exempt box as being for closed course use only.
 

Bloak

Well-known member
Likes
133
Location
Ontario, Canada
Did you export it from USA to Canada ( i.e. 72hr notice to US customs, have stamped paperwork)? You would also have to use an export company for ITN (Internal Transit Number).
If you followed export/import you would have US customs stamped papers along with your receipt showing you paid taxes in Canada. With that paperwork, you would have no issues crossing border either way. (Proof bike was exported and proof taxes were paid)
You still have to fill out form and pay RIV fee, just to be told it's for off-road use only.

If you bought bike, crossed border, paid CAN taxes and went on your way without stopping at US customs, you will now have a huge headache.
 

Geci

Active member
Likes
33
Location
Ontario, Canada
Did you export it from USA to Canada ( i.e. 72hr notice to US customs, have stamped paperwork)? You would also have to use an export company for ITN (Internal Transit Number).
If you followed export/import you would have US customs stamped papers along with your receipt showing you paid taxes in Canada. With that paperwork, you would have no issues crossing border either way. (Proof bike was exported and proof taxes were paid)
You still have to fill out form and pay RIV fee, just to be told it's for off-road use only.

If you bought bike, crossed border, paid CAN taxes and went on your way without stopping at US customs, you will now have a huge headache.

According to the RIV list this bike is not importable. Have you gotten yours across using the methods above? Are you able to register the bike in your name and get it green plated? Over the phone they told me that I am lucky that I got the bike across the border because if the Canadian border agency would have checked the RIV list, they would have realized that Alta isn't on it.
I think that's the issue @Silent But Dirty ran into.
Where in Ontario are you located? I heard of an other alta riding at gopher Dunes last summer. Was that you?
 

Bloak

Well-known member
Likes
133
Location
Ontario, Canada
It's an RIV issue...thought it was border/import issue (I've had border issues before and theyre a headache to correct)
There must be something that can be done or I lucked out buying my bike with an ON ownership.

I haven't taken the Alta to gopher dunes, usually go once every couple years to remind me whooped out sand tracks beat me down
 

Geci

Active member
Likes
33
Location
Ontario, Canada
It's an RIV issue...thought it was border/import issue (I've had border issues before and theyre a headache to correct)
There must be something that can be done or I lucked out buying my bike with an ON ownership.

I haven't taken the Alta to gopher dunes, usually go once every couple years to remind me whooped out sand tracks beat me down
Can you walk us through on how you got the bike across? Maybe I can backtrack with mine.
 

Judaslefourbe

Well-known member
Likes
876
Location
Brisbane, CA
Ping. I am moving to Canada (Mississauga, ON) at the end of the year and I want to bring my 2 Altas.
From reading the posts, it looks like the trick is to register/declare them as competition bikes, is that correct? I don't plan on riding on the road so I don't mind it not being street legal.
Anything else I should pay attention to?
 

Silent But Dirty

Alta North
Likes
391
Location
Canada
If you declare them as competitive vehicles you will be a-OK. I'm sure there is something else involved so you avoid paying GST. I will see if I can find anything for you.

What's bringing you to Canada?
 

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