I plan to help a friend with a non-operational GS-Twin in Arizona, but he first wants to get it titled and plated before working on it.  Does anyone here know if you have to bring the bike to the DMV or some kind of inspection station for a VIN check or can you just bring the title to the DMV?  I'd hate to either wait in line for nothing or bother with a flat bed to haul it down there, if I don't need to.  Google searches haven't found anything specific.

Thanks for any insight.

I recall we had a similar discussion... maybe it was bringing a bike from AZ into CA and it could't be registered. Check with your DMV about where the bike was previously registered/titled first.

Michael

Call your DMV. Here in WA, I called and found that bikes before 2004 do not need inspection or emissions testing. So I got a 1993 frame with a clean title from Florida. Walked in with the title and bill of sale. 10 minutes later walked out with a WA title and license plate.   
No place to mount the plate yet.  If it was a salvage title, inspection would be required.

You could move to Seattle. 

I am aware that California is a beaitch. We all know GS500's are special makes for California. All that emissions crap. There might be a cut off date so older bikes are OK. You'd have to call them or check their web site.

I think Arizona is one of the "next to impossible" states if you don't have a title. If there is a clean title for the bike, couldn't you just take it to a notary agent?

This link might help.
BTW, I'm a GS rider in the Phoenix area. Hope to see another GS out on the crazy freeways! 

http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/faqs/scripts/FAQsResponse.asp?Category=2&Keyword=

Thanks for everyone's help.  For the record they do not need to see the bike if you have a clean title.  They only thing you need is your title and unfortunately an emissions report if you're in Maricopa or Pima Counties.  Otherwise, all you need is the title -- none of the other stuff on their website, e.g. proof of AZ insurance, etc.