Hey guys I'm having some trouble getting plated. I guess the previous owner I bought my gs from never got the bike plated(or paid taxes) because the title never had the lien release from the first owner. So now I'm struggling to get the first owners lien release on the title so a new title can be sent to the second owner --who will then sign and mail it to me. The problem I'm running into is my temp. tag expired (you're only allowed to get one temp tag after a bill of sale is written in MO) and the first owner is being less than helpful.
Does anyone know the fine associated with riding w/o a plate (I have insured the bike/ have a license/ bill of sale) ... I only ask because my car is out of commission (tie rods out/ camber plates bent) and I was planning on travelling 200miles to Kansas city for the fourth of july.

I spent three days in jail for driving without a license in Ohio!?  So I personally wouldn't recommend it!

 I had a very similar problem. I could not get the original owner to send the title because they never registered it and paid tax. I called the company that held the lien (GE Money) They sent me a letter releasing the lien. Then I called the original dealer that sold the bike new and asked if they could issue a new MCO (Manufacture Certificate of Origin... I got lucky and they did, That made me the owner of a brand new 1995 GS500 in 2006 

If they still have a lien on the bike, you are fairly screwed...

Before I got that all taken care of I rode my bike (insured) and with a plate from another bike for 2 years!  Just depends on how lucky you feel. My concerns weren't so much getting pulled over, but how I would be treated if involved in an accident.

I would see if you can contact the lien holder, see if its satisfied. then contact the original dealer to see if they will get you a duplicate MSO.

Good luck! I know how you feel

I still don't have a plate on my Duc, but only because I can't figure out a good way to mount it until I fabricate an undertail.  Of course, I have the registration and the tag in my tank bag.

Quote from: utgunslinger13 on July 02, 2008, 10:06:11 AM
I spent three days in jail for driving without a license in Ohio!?  So I personally wouldn't recommend it!

Harsh...

I could help you out if you lived in Canada...generally a hefty fine plus impound.  Don't know how it works there.

I suppose it all depends on how badly you want to spend the 4th, 5th, and 6th at a minimum in the Kansas City cooler.

You have no title, no registration, no proof of ownership.  I suspect they'll impound the bike until you can prove you own it.  A handwritten bill of sale at that point won't cut it.

Quote from: GeeP on July 02, 2008, 12:05:06 PM
I suppose it all depends on how badly you want to spend the 4th, 5th, and 6th at a minimum in the Kansas City cooler.

You have no title, no registration, no proof of ownership.  I suspect they'll impound the bike until you can prove you own it.  A handwritten bill of sale at that point won't cut it.

I agree, you honestly know its not a good idea and you have to decide if spending some time in jail, court fines and fees, and and other random headache that comes from it is really worth spending the 4th in KC.  Dude, just find another way there or don't go, best advice I can give you!

I agree with the others -- I wouldn't do it, either. It's just not worth the aggravation.
And somehow, if it's illegal and I do it, I ALWAYS get in trouble. Somehow, there's always a cop where I don't want one.
This is another reason, as you know, never ever to buy something unless you actually get proof of ownership when you hadn over your money.
If it's a great deal, but doesn't have a title -- only the seller's wprd that they'll "help you" get it titled -- I'd walk away until they get all the paperwork in order.
It's too late for you in this case, but don't ever let a supposed "great deal" ever lure you again next time.
Good luck man, and let us know what happens.

So I purchased the motorcycle may 20th this year, I've been hassling with the getting the first owners lien release since that date. I've called the lady at the DMV once or twice a week since May in hope that Bank would send the previous owner's lien releases. Some how, maybe, just because i posted on this board, today I finally got a call back from the lady at the DMV telling me that the first and second owners lien releases were finally sent in by Household Bank--- By some twisted luck/fate, both of the previous owners had loans from the same bank, and so they were able to send both at once--It just took 6 weeks in order to do so  . So my temp tag's expired nonetheless, but I've worked with the same DMV lady for so long that we're practically brother/sister so she told me that she won't charge me the 25$/month fine associated with not registering your title/bike after the date on the bill of sale.
However, I still have to get the second owner to pony up the 438$ worth of fines ect. for not registering/ then get him to sign the new title over to me... He has been fairly responsible thus far and has agreed to pay and sign. So the future looks good.
Thus, today has been a relatively successful day, I spent an hour and 1/2 at the DMV then got a call from my Suzuki dealer telling me that the chain adjuster part I order arrived.  ...  which I'm told is a fairly easy install. I'll let you know how it all turns out.
Thanks for the advice
Charlie

Wow, It sounds very strict and complicated over there.    And I complain about our road laws.

I guess we get it wasy and I should stop complaining. 

I went through the same exact deal with a 1998 civic I bought in California. My luck was that I got a flat on the side of the road while driving the car home after the purchase. Then a cop pulls up and notices that I also dont have a tag and runs a vin check. Luckily not stolen but the guy that "sold" it to me was not the rightful owner (his ex-wife was). So the cop tows it because it has 4 years of registration fees due. Impound lot wants proof of ownership from me but DMV wont give me anything until they can do a VIN verification which they cant do because car is at impound lot. Well somehow some way I end up selling the car to the impound lot because it qualified for a "California Lien Sell". The junk yard/tow yard gave me 1900$ and I actually bought it for 1800$ that same day.

lesson learned is that if its too good to be true then you better have a good bail out plan but luckily you got most of it figured out.
I know you want to ride but dont take the risk that can put you in jail and/or your bike in impound.

Hey I just bought a 2004 gs500f and the previous owner had all of the paperwork he even gave me his plates, registration, and insurance so that i could ride the bike home.  I went to the DMV on saturday to change the title to my name and register the bike but it turned out that the title he gave me was his original title and their was a duplicate title that was made but he did not give me apparently.  I have tried to contact him and have left him messages but he has not responded.  I still have his plates and all of his information on the bike which i was supposed to send back to him but i have held since i am unable to register the bike for myself.  I have already talked to the DMV to see what i can do to get the bike title transferred to my name and they said it is a 6-8 week process i was wondering if anyone knew of another way to go about getting the title changed to me without going through a long drawn out process cause i have the original title with all of his information on it.

Thanks

Yo bassmechanicsz,
I think the DMV in your state can give you more info than anyone here, and you're going to have to follow their rules anyway.
Another example, of be careful out there when buying a used bike from someone.
Here in PA, you have to go with the seller to a license plate store and get the transfer done with the buyer and seller together.
I always think that's a pain in the neck, but now with stories like this one oand others here on the board in recent days, I'm thinking this is a good system here in PA.
Good luck and let us know what eventually happens.

I'd say pay your fines and take the guy to small claims court.