Do you mean a custom plate? If so, in NY, it took me a few weeks. However, I registered the bike first using a standard plate so that I could ride it. If you transferred plates, why can't you use the plate that was already on the Nighthawk? Did you have to surrender it?
It depends on each state. I know that in IN, as long as you have the registration you can drive it if you are waiting on plates. Any yes, it is perfectly legal to take your plates from the previous vehicle and put them on the new one. No need to wait for the plate so long as you transferred and have done everything properly.
