I am looking at purchasing an off road bike listed on Ebay and the owner says he will issue a State Bill of Sale but he doesnt have a title. What should I look out for and how can I tell if the bike is stolen? Any help is appreciated. I am asking here because I notice a lot of you have bikes along with your Lightning and I am trying to do get the bike to go with my 02L. Thanks,

 

My advice is just plain ol' DON'T buy a bike without a title. Even if it is legit and the bike is great, if you ever want to sell it later you're going to have a heck of a time convincing the buyers that it's legit. I almost bought one like that until that same thought occurred to me.

I imagine it might present some difficulties with registration too.

-Ollie

 

listen to me very carefully

RUN AWAY

 

Unless it is an old dirt bike (off-road) it would have been issued a title. I think prior to 1975 off-road only units were not required to have a title.

 

It's a dirt bike but its not old. Its a 2001 w/ 80 hours on it. I think I have to agree with you on the "RUN AWAY" statement. I would rather keep everything above the table.

 

Do they have a Manufactures Statement of Origin (MSO)? If it was never registered there may not be a title.

 

If they have the MSO then is it cool to buy it?

 

If it is a 2001 it SHOULD have a title. Take the VIN to a local police station and ask if they will "run" it. Some may some may not. Just cause it doesn't have a "hit" does not mean that it isn't stolen.

I would find another bike.

 

Yes, go run that VIN to make sure. I have an MSO on my race bike now. The bike was never titles as it went straight to the track and never been on the street.

 

What you need is a 'Busa, and mine may be up for sale!
Sweet ride!

 

I owned a Honda dealer for 15 years so here is the scoop. The issues vary a bit state by state, but generally this is the deal.
If it is a true offroad bike (i.e. Not street legal or liscensable, typically the lack of factory installed turn signnals is the deciding factor among other things relating the the epa, etc) most states do not require that it is titled. If the bike is titled and registered the state applies the tax to registration tax and if it is not titled you paid sales tax. Usually the deciding factor from a dealers stand point is whether or not it was financed or paid for in cash. Finance companies typically require a lien on the title to protect themselves. If they paid cash the purchaser should have an MSO or CO (Manufactures Statement of Origion or Certificate of Origion). In some cases they may not have got one and the dealer will keep it filed away. Even if they did not title it, or get an MSO they would have a Bill of Sale. With the bill of salke you could call the dealer to get the MSO except that most dealers will not release the MSO to anyone other than the origional dealer. If they are not the origional purchaser then it is all but impossible to trace the route back to the origional owner and dealer. Even if you did trace the purchase path it is a hassle to get anything positive accomplished.
If it is a strictly off road bike and you verify it is not stolen (see next paragraph to check this out) I would not be afraid of it as long as you get legitimate ID from the owner.

** There is no national theft database on non registered vehicles. If it never had a titlle and was stolen a local or state police ID check may not turn it up as stolen if it was not stolen in that state or county.