anyone ever been pulled over while transporting a bike without a title? I ask because I had a police officer (cousin) run the VIN of a bike I'm looking at. It has NOT been reported stolen, was last registered in 2003, and clearly has a listed owner on the 'title' that doesn't exist. So my concern is, say I buy this bike - then get pulled over for speeding with it in the bed of my truck. The cops run the VIN, it comes back to the guy who owned it in 2003. They impound the bike and I can't get it out. not to mention that, but 2003 owner can now come get the bike for free as long as he pays the impound fees...
Of all the bikes I own, only two are titled, those are street bikes. All the Race/Track bikes are not. While I do have paperwork for all of them, except one... One has a Canadian Title, One has a MCO (Manufactures certificate of Orgin) One is titled in the last owners name... And the Wifes, race bike has no title at all. On paper, I technically don't own them. How is what I do, not to worry about it. I do NOT give the Po-Po a reason to pull me over. I drive well within the law. Secondly, I took off the sticker that said all Joilet cops are corrupt. Third, in the event the ownership of the bikes was questioned... I would simply explain the ownership. Like dirt bikes, these are off-road ONLY motorcycles (not for public highway use). While most trackday bikes are titled... Most race bikes are not. Lastly, keep copies of all paperwork for the bikes with you. XIII
Notice that he said he took it off, but didn't say that he threw it away. Saving it for special occassions I'm guessing. :wink:
Yeah, it's title is -overweightunderpowereditalianbucketoboltsimus. :lol: Both of my bikes have titles, I have not transferred the title to my 'priller though.
WERA "22. The V.I.N. of racing machines will be spot-checked during the season. Any rider participating on a stolen machine will be subject to full prosecution under law and may also suffer a permanent loss of his/her WERA Competition License." Having a title says I never experience this nor any problems with the police since I can prove ownership without doubt on ALL of my bikes. The best problems are the ones I don't have :twisted:
There is a difference between titled and registered. To title your new purchase is very wise (always). This also makes transfers/sales easier in the future too. The bike has a vin, put the title in your name. Now there is no question. This is done exactly once per vehicle per purchase. You won't need to have the title with you everywhere you go. This keeps a previous owner from claiming theft of the motorcycle and removing it from your possesion, which can happen. Protect yourself. Also, if you obtain the title legally you know its not stolen. Now you have no worries. Registration (registered for street use) is done every year for a street driven vehicle. The registration is what gets you the licence plate and/or current year sticker and owners card. This doesn't need to be done for an off road vehicle. The primary reason for registration (from the state's point of view) is a revenue source i.e. tax. Some states are now requiring registration of off road vehicles too, such as quads. I believe PA requires tags on quads now so police can track down the 'trouble makers'.
I don't think that the guy I bought mine from would want it back now. If the owner has no title you can always have them sign a bill of sale to show that you bought it from them.
yeeeaaah, your gonna meet mr tow truck the next time you visit Autobahn...oh, and I'll be willing to bet your stuff is gonna be "accidentally" lost in the system for a week or so... ps. don't forget your bond card or cash because your license will probably be suspended by the end of the week for missing your emisions test you have a nice day and drive safely :wink:
All have titles salvage, or regular . Pulled over for a taillight ,truck was searched , they ran all the numbers they could . 2AM by now I have about had it . I ask the Dounut Committee WTF !!! Dont come to Cary without paperwork ...cops are bored
so what i'm hearing is that there's a 90% chance everything would be totally fine, but the 10% chance is a PITA when it happens. If I do buy the bike i'm looking at, I'm only going to do it if the current owner has a bill-of-sale from the previous owner... That should show the full vehicle history. and yeah, i guess i'll be keeping it under 70mph to and from the track from then on.
Why would you ever buy a bike without the proper title? That is the only way you can ensure there are no leans against the bike. I would always title the machine in my name as thats the only way you can prove ownership, with proper vin of course. I have had my R1 and 929 stolen and I think the rather lax rules on titleing and VIN inspections (required to title) are contributing to the fact that people get away with this so easily. Also kills me that since my road bike was stolen and now I ride my track bike, 2nd yellow and black 929 "according to the reg (but is covered in BLUE Shark Skinz) never attracts any attention when I have been pulled over. They see the reg says yellow and black but dont even notice it is a blue bike and with the shark skinz really does not look anythng like a honda.. And while im bantering.. I wish I could visit these people selling parts on ebay.. Not normal people that sell a few parts here or there.. but the ones that are selling complete parted out bikes constantly.. im guessing 50% are probably stolen.. Ok.. Think im done
Which is only because it's 20 years old, I know most of the history of the bike, and its previous owners, and it's barely worth $2K. I'm 0% worried about it being a stolen bike or former owners coming after me.
Since I am a man of the law which patrols the State of Ohio I can confirm this, if you are stopped by me and your bike has no license plate I will run the vin #. If that vin# comes back registered to another individual and you can not show rock solid proof of ownership or why you legally have this vehicle I can tow it and you will have to show proof of ownership via title to get it out of the tow yard ( I will attempt to locate the last registered owner to verify your story). If you buy a bike it should come with a title or you can apply for a salvage title. Furthermore, every bike comes with a Federal ID sticker and that sticker had better be there or your bike can be confiscated. Needless to say if the vin # stamped into the bike has been removed or altered your bike will be confiscated! Bottom line if you are going to be transporting your bike on public roadways you had better show proof of ownership (title is best) or some proof you legally possess this bike. Remember, a good officer will run the vin # and that will reveal who the bike was last registered to and if we have any doubt in your story and we can not verify your right to possess this bike it will be towed or should be.
I guess the debate then becomes "what constitutes 'rock-solid proof of ownership?'" If a bill-of-sale counts, then no big deal. Anyway, for me, it won't be a problem. I picked up a bike this weekend, WITH a clean title. it ain't much, but I ain't much of a rider CBR 600 F2 with a penske shock. front needs to be sprung for my weight so it doesn't get so much brake-dive, but i'm making that 'upgrade' and then calling it quits with spending money on bikes for a while! This bike should accelerate the learning curve, and carry me well into (if not through) the intermediate group. That's a lofty enough goal for now
"Rock solid proof" varies from police officer to police officer. What my be "rock solid" to one officer might not be to another. Proof of purchase (bill of sale) is a good start and would probably satisfy most police officers. However, I have arrested car thieves who have generated false bill of sale to try to conseal their crime. This by far is the exception and not the rule. Most people I run into are not up to criminal activity and produce sufficent information that can be collaborated in short order. Having said this my professional opinion is to have the title transferred into your name ASAP so when the Vin # is run through LEADS it will show you own the vehicle in question. Until then just keep as much paper work with you as possible and the phone number of the person you purchased the vehicle from so they can be contacted by th Po-Po to verify you purchased the vehicle (just in case). :lol:
Crazy cops... they are always so demanding of information! :roll: Seriously though, Steven has good information that one should pay attention to. There is a fine line between a plausible story and a shady story and at the end of the day, I would rather go home with my stuff than have to deal with impounds and proving what is truely mine.