Total Motorcycle Community Forums

so, to me this sounds like a dumb question, but do you need the title to the bike that you will buy? it seems like in the ads to used bikes some have em, some dont, it's almost optional. but it seems common sense that you need the title. what's the deal?

Best check with your DMV('s web site) on that... the laws vary from state to state with some states saying that bikes under a certain size don't need them at all. What is scam-alert in Ohio may be standard procedure in your state....

Having the title is good because you know it isn't stolen or anything like that, and once you transfer the title into your name, it is the best proof to have that shows you own the bike.

im suprised that it could be optional. thanks-

stevep wrote:im suprised that it could be optional. thanks-

You will certainly need proof that you own the bike. I registered my bike without a title, because I bought it in New Hampshire and that state doesn't require titles on vehicles as old as the bike I bought. However, if I bought it in New York without a title, I would have been pretty screwed.

You need to check with the DMV to see what they will accept as proof of ownership. If you're looking a buying a bike where the owner doesn't have a title, you may be totally out of luck and can't register it.. and it's probably stolen.

jonnythan wrote:

stevep wrote:im suprised that it could be optional. thanks-

You will certainly need proof that you own the bike. I registered my bike without a title, because I bought it in New Hampshire and that state doesn't require titles on vehicles as old as the bike I bought. However, if I bought it in New York without a title, I would have been pretty screwed.

You need to check with the DMV to see what they will accept as proof of ownership. If you're looking a buying a bike where the owner doesn't have a title, you may be totally out of luck and can't register it.. and it's probably stolen.

I don't think that you can jump to the conclusion that a bike is stolen just because it had no title - although it is definitely possible. For examp-le, I know of several people, my brother included, who have bought bikes and then only ridden it for a short time without ever bothering to transfer the title from the previous owner. Then years later when they decide to sell the bike, it's too much hassle to tranfer the title.

That said, unless it's a parts bike, I probably wouldn't buy a bike without a title as it makes it very hard to prove ownership. In most states, if the owner has merely lost the ttile, they can pay a fee to get the title replaced.

Flting Duck wrote:

jonnythan wrote:

stevep wrote:im suprised that it could be optional. thanks-

You will certainly need proof that you own the bike. I registered my bike without a title, because I bought it in New Hampshire and that state doesn't require titles on vehicles as old as the bike I bought. However, if I bought it in New York without a title, I would have been pretty screwed.

You need to check with the DMV to see what they will accept as proof of ownership. If you're looking a buying a bike where the owner doesn't have a title, you may be totally out of luck and can't register it.. and it's probably stolen.

I don't think that you can jump to the conclusion that a bike is stolen just because it had no title - although it is definitely possible. For examp-le, I know of several people, my brother included, who have bought bikes and then only ridden it for a short time without ever bothering to transfer the title from the previous owner. Then years later when they decide to sell the bike, it's too much hassle to tranfer the title.

That said, unless it's a parts bike, I probably wouldn't buy a bike without a title as it makes it very hard to prove ownership. In most states, if the owner has merely lost the ttile, they can pay a fee to get the title replaced.

that is plain idiotic and stupid of your brother to do. no one in their right mind will buy an untitled bike (meaning if the bike of that size /year has to be title in the state you are in).

in some places and depending on the age/size of the bike you don't need the title.

but you definitely want the title.

ofblong wrote:

Flting Duck wrote:

jonnythan wrote:

stevep wrote:im suprised that it could be optional. thanks-

You will certainly need proof that you own the bike. I registered my bike without a title, because I bought it in New Hampshire and that state doesn't require titles on vehicles as old as the bike I bought. However, if I bought it in New York without a title, I would have been pretty screwed.

You need to check with the DMV to see what they will accept as proof of ownership. If you're looking a buying a bike where the owner doesn't have a title, you may be totally out of luck and can't register it.. and it's probably stolen.

I don't think that you can jump to the conclusion that a bike is stolen just because it had no title - although it is definitely possible. For examp-le, I know of several people, my brother included, who have bought bikes and then only ridden it for a short time without ever bothering to transfer the title from the previous owner. Then years later when they decide to sell the bike, it's too much hassle to tranfer the title.

That said, unless it's a parts bike, I probably wouldn't buy a bike without a title as it makes it very hard to prove ownership. In most states, if the owner has merely lost the ttile, they can pay a fee to get the title replaced.

that is plain idiotic and stupid of your brother to do. no one in their right mind will buy an untitled bike (meaning if the bike of that size /year has to be title in the state you are in).

He bought the bike and found the head gasket was blown before transferring the title - didnt' want to mess with it and let the bike sit for 1o years. I did find someone to buy it though - I sold it without title for $50 as a parts bike. Buyer siad he knew how to get it titled. I don't care - I got rid of the damn thing and made $50.

Flting Duck wrote:

ofblong wrote:

Flting Duck wrote:

jonnythan wrote:

stevep wrote:im suprised that it could be optional. thanks-

You will certainly need proof that you own the bike. I registered my bike without a title, because I bought it in New Hampshire and that state doesn't require titles on vehicles as old as the bike I bought. However, if I bought it in New York without a title, I would have been pretty screwed.

You need to check with the DMV to see what they will accept as proof of ownership. If you're looking a buying a bike where the owner doesn't have a title, you may be totally out of luck and can't register it.. and it's probably stolen.

I don't think that you can jump to the conclusion that a bike is stolen just because it had no title - although it is definitely possible. For examp-le, I know of several people, my brother included, who have bought bikes and then only ridden it for a short time without ever bothering to transfer the title from the previous owner. Then years later when they decide to sell the bike, it's too much hassle to tranfer the title.

That said, unless it's a parts bike, I probably wouldn't buy a bike without a title as it makes it very hard to prove ownership. In most states, if the owner has merely lost the ttile, they can pay a fee to get the title replaced.

that is plain idiotic and stupid of your brother to do. no one in their right mind will buy an untitled bike (meaning if the bike of that size /year has to be title in the state you are in).

He bought the bike and found the head gasket was blown before transferring the title - didnt' want to mess with it and let the bike sit for 1o years. I did find someone to buy it though - I sold it without title for $50 as a parts bike. Buyer siad he knew how to get it titled. I don't care - I got rid of the damn thing and made $50.

lol well then things worked out then .