Rape at the BMV!

[GreggSells]

I registered my Jeep a few months back for like 70 bucks, and have therefore been walking around thinking, "sweet, I can probably register my bike for less than 50 bucks"... WRONG!  $118!  I have jumped through every hoop trying to play by the rules, but I'm starting to realize why a lot of people I know forego insurance, license, and registration...  After insurance, tax, title-transfer, license, and registration, I can hardly put gas in the thing. Whatever, at least I can rest assured I'm legal. Won't have to be paranoid every time I see a cop . Plus, it's all worth it when I'm on the road!

[Vova]

My bike was several hundred dollars because the state makes you pay taxes on it at that point (sales tax)... funny, I seem to think it was already taxed when the PO bought it?

However, in Washington insurance is not required on bikes, this drives insurance costs down significantly I believe. I have full coverage for $220 a year .

[GreggSells]

I bought my bike in Ohio, but live in Indiana, so I had to pay the difference in sales tax... (OH = 6%, IN = 7%) plus the title transfer.  You think, "hey, I'm gonna go buy a motorcycle, then I'll just ride around with a big stupid smile on my face and live happily ever after".  Nope, Uncle Sam sucks all the fun out of everything...

[Big Rich]

Assuming you don't buy a bike new, you can ask the seller to "say" you are buying it for a ridiculously low price. That way you pay the sales tax on a $100 bike instead of a $2000 bike.

[GreggSells]

Yeah, I bought new. When I buy a barnyard-beauty project bike I'll keep that in mind.

[scratch]

Assuming you don't buy a bike new, you can ask the seller to "say" you are buying it for a ridiculously low price. That way you pay the sales tax on a $100 bike instead of a $2000 bike.

The listed and taxed values are what Blue Book values are based on.

I had a Vision that's BB value was at $950, even though it was worth twice that.

[Vova]

Assuming you don't buy a bike new, you can ask the seller to "say" you are buying it for a ridiculously low price. That way you pay the sales tax on a $100 bike instead of a $2000 bike.

The listed and taxed values are what Blue Book values are based on.

I had a Vision that's BB value was at $950, even though it was worth twice that.

I am sure that varies by state? I think mine was based off sales price, but I could be wrong (I do recall he did not need the bill of sale (my PO was very legit lol), but I think they used the price he had written on the title).

[ambiomoto]

Here in Ontario, they base the transfer tax off of the highest value of either blue book value or sale price...and we get to pay 13% tax! Yay!

[johnny ro]

Here in NH there is no transfer tax! And no income Tax! There is a road tax based on NADA guide times descending percentage till about 0.1% a year in about the tenth year. 

[GreggSells]

I'm just happy I'm finally finished jumping through hoops and can just get out and ride. Weather's supposed to get nice around here this week too.

[mike__R]

In MN there is just the sales tax & title transfer fees when you buy the bike, and after that it's just the registration tax each year, which is only $14.50 per year regardless of year/make/model.  It's pretty sweet I can register 5 motorcycles for less than the cost to register a car each year.

[BadgerBiker]

In WI, 5.5% sales tax, $70 title fee, $23 Bi annual license plate fees.  I'm pretty sure taxes are based on the price your write on the back of the title. And you don't need a bill of sale. The guy I bought my bike from wrote the sale price on the title before I got there to pick it up so I have to pay $82 on a $1500 bike. Not crazy high, I didn't plan on completely avoiding the taxes but I probably would have written like $1000 and saved myself like $30.  Oh well, I guess I did talk him down $50 on the price so I'm +$20.  It works that way doesn't it?

[weaselnoze]

In PA, you pay sales tax on transfer (seller can say he sold bike for $100 bucks and the people @ the fast tags will harass you but you tell them its a parts bike.  A POS.).  $36 annual registration fee, inspection fee, and of course insurance..

[vinny]

Gotta love the UK for this sorta thing - when i brought my GS500 (In a Used and Abused condition) All i had to pay to transfer the paperwork was.... wait for it... £0.00. Yup, Nothing. Zero. Zip.

Ok, so we have to pay a yearly 'Road Tax' of £50 (For a 500cc), and a yearly MoT to check its roadworthy (£30), and insurance... and fuel...

[reajcox]

Cost about $24.00, one time fee, for my title and tax. $28.50, yearly, for registration. $75.00 a year for insurance. That's my one hundred dollar GS in the State of Ohio!

[pave_spectre]

$717(AU) and change to register my bike for the year, and no doubt it will go up again this year.

[Twism86]

I told the DMV i paid $200 for mine. They didnt ask twice 

[jwt0480]

I bought my previous bike in Indiana (85' Nighthawk) I actually had this discussion with the BMV agent and he said In Ohio, they review these registrations and if it is significantly lower than bluebook or looks iffy, they will send a letter to the buyer and the seller and if the response is different, they will come back to you. I'm not sure of what penalties they will apply but, I didn't take any chances lowballing the state on titling a 2007 GS with 1400 miles.

[zirconx]

I bought my previous bike in Indiana (85' Nighthawk) I actually had this discussion with the BMV agent and he said In Ohio, they review these registrations and if it is significantly lower than bluebook or looks iffy, they will send a letter to the buyer and the seller and if the response is different, they will come back to you. I'm not sure of what penalties they will apply but, I didn't take any chances lowballing the state on titling a 2007 GS with 1400 miles.

I know a guy that got busted for this. It was a Harley and he told the DMV he paid less than what he actually did. They went back to the seller to double check, and actually the last 3 owners of this bike ended up all getting busted for doing this. He was looking at a felony if he got convicted, so plead down to a lesser charge.

[GreggSells]

$717(AU) and change to register my bike for the year, and no doubt it will go up again this year.

WHOA! What am I complaining about?