Buying motorcycle advice needed: owner doesn't have title

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BoomerE30

Well-known member
Hello everyone!

Very excited about buying a motorcycle this week (California), however, the owner just contacted me stating that he can't find the title anywhere. Also the registration has expired a few months back.

He offered to go with me to a local DMV and do a title transfer before I pay and pay them back any overdue reg fees. Is this ok? I trust that if that works there shouldn't be any issues, I'd hate to deal with a missing title later.

What should I do?

Do I also need get a bill of sale?

Appreciate any advice!
 
thepretender

thepretender

Well-known member
You can do a title transfer and request a duplicate pink at the same time and save $20. I did this with the last bike I sold and all paperwork was done at AAA. If the reg = the seller you can handle this without the seller present if your not sure of the seller take him with to DMV or AAA you have to fill out 1 extra piece of paper not a big deal.
 
orbframe

orbframe

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
If the owner is willing to do the work with you then go for it, just don’t exchange cash until it’s square.
 
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BoomerE30

Well-known member
Thank you for all the advice guys! Really helpful!

The owner is willing to go to the DMV with me before purchase and pay back the fees for registration and do any kind of steps involved in title transfer.

Question: how do I know if the motorcycle is financed? Will dmv have some sort of info on not being able to issue the title?
 
Kurosaki

Kurosaki

Akai Suisei - 赤い彗星
The current owner didn't tell you?

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer, honestly. These are just things most people avoid when buying private party.

There's a lot of bikes out there with a lot of owners who have their titles and registration in order.

You should be able to just meet with the owner, look over the bike in person, say I like, I'll take it, here's the money, sign the title, chit chat for a bit, shake hands, and ride off.

But to answer the question, just ask the owner. He knows.
 
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BoomerE30

Well-known member
Oh, sorry I wasn't clear. The owner told me that the motorcycle is owned outright.

I am making sure to do my own due diligence though.
 
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Bumpits

Well-known member
I wouldn't buy a bike from a guy who's too lazy to get his own damn title before selling it. You can tell him the cash is waiting for him but he needs to get off his ass and do the bare min. legwork. It just makes me wonder what else he was too lazy to do.
 
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thepretender

thepretender

Well-known member
When they run the paperwork it should reflect if there is or is not a lean on the bike. If either one of you has AAA use them it's much easier. I knew the buyer a little not well but gave him the proper paper work and was willing to work with him. He did it by himself not convinced what I had told him. The next day he called having done the transfer and title at the same time and let me know how easy the whole thing went.

It is a small thing to resolve and for the right bike worth the tiny little effort.
 
SCC Ryder

SCC Ryder

Well-known member
Buy another bike! Like others have mentioned, if the owner of this bike is too relaxed on having important documents ( such as the title ), imagine what the service history is on it. Unless the owner has the title in hand, walk away until he does. There are lots of motorcycles out there that don’t have bs stories / circumstances behind them. Good luck !
 
mototireguy

mototireguy

Moto Tire Veteran
Bumpits said:
I wouldn't buy a bike from a guy who's too lazy to get his own damn title before selling it. You can tell him the cash is waiting for him but he needs to get off his ass and do the bare min. legwork. It just makes me wonder what else he was too lazy to do.
Click to expand...

:thumbup
 
KooLaid

KooLaid

Hippocritapotamus
Completely agree with everyone regardless of if you choose to buy or walk away. I'm curious to know if there is a lien holder also and if the DMV can tell you right away. He should of had the title squared away beforehand, it only takes like a week or two for him to get sent a new title. Surprisingly quick for me.
 
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BoomerE30

Well-known member
Bumpits said:
I wouldn't buy a bike from a guy who's too lazy to get his own damn title before selling it. You can tell him the cash is waiting for him but he needs to get off his ass and do the bare min. legwork. It just makes me wonder what else he was too lazy to do.
Click to expand...

Completely see this point of you. In fairness to him (if story actually checks out), he said he recently moved and was sure that the title was in place but when he went to look for it, it was nowhere to be found. So ill give him the benefit of the doubt, stuff like that happens.

He is willing to go to DMV, pay back reg fees. Even paid for a service, pre-purchase inspection and tire change at a local KTM dealer.
 
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BoomerE30

Well-known member
KooLaid said:
Completely agree with everyone regardless of if you choose to buy or walk away. I'm curious to know if there is a lien holder also and if the DMV can tell you right away. He should of had the title squared away beforehand, it only takes like a week or two for him to get sent a new title. Surprisingly quick for me.
Click to expand...

From the feedback im getting on other forums, it seems that DMV has a database to verify any liens when the owner applies for a duplicate title. I need to double check on that though
 
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BoomerE30

Well-known member
Kurosaki said:
Buy a different bike, dude.

Seriously.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, is it that big of a deal? I hope im not missing anything but from what I hear, it seems like a simple process to get a replacement title and verify any liens and pay back reg.
 
RickM

RickM

Well-known member
If seller is willing to go to the dmv with you and you are not paying him until transfer is done, I don't see a downside other than time spent waiting in line at dmv if you don't have an appointment

I have made similar buys before. Dmv will have a record of any registered leins and won't allow transfer without documentation releasing the Lein. So you'll find out at the transfer if there is an issue
 
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BoomerE30

Well-known member
RickM said:
If seller is willing to go to the dmv with you and you are not paying him until transfer is done, I don't see a downside other than time spent waiting in line at dmv if you don't have an appointment

I have made similar buys before. Dmv will have a record of any registered leins and won't allow transfer without documentation releasing the Lein. So you'll find out at the transfer if there is an issue
Click to expand...

Ok, this is exactly the case. Thanks!

We are filling out all the forms in advance, getting the bike inspected and serviced by local dealer (the day before), then heading to the DMV to transfer the title. And as you said, they will verify any liens and do the title transfer on the spot.

These are the forms im having him fill out:

REG 227 - Application for duplicate or transfer of title
- http://bit.ly/30EGVa6

REG 135 - Bill of sale
- http://bit.ly/30Gg9ht
 
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