Buying a used bike out of state?

[Venture]

I'm curious if anybody has some experience with buying a USED (private seller) bike out of state. I live in PA, and am looking at a number of dual-sport bikes, some of which are out of state.

Typically, with an in-state purchase me and the seller would go to an auto tags place with the title and they would do the transfer and registration for the bike to me on the spot. I'm not sure how this would work in an out of state situation. Do we take the title to a notary in the seller's state to notarize the signing of the title? Is a signed/notarized title enough to then register the bike in PA?

 

[markjenn]

I'm just speaking generally, but the DMV in your home state will typically take the out-of-state title if it is properly signed over. Some states require a state police inspection or some VIN verification step for an out of state title. A signed BOS is always good to have. Not sure about notarization - it's not required for title transfers in my state.

- Mark

 

[colorider]

Chris,
Suggest you check out the PA DMV website. They should cover the requirements. My state requires I have the VIN checked by a CO dealer when I purchase ANY vehicle out of state - new, used, dealer or private.

Good Luck!!

Rod

 

[Venture]

I've been trying to find the info on the PA DMV website but it's not clear (no surprise, government). Somebody else suggested calling an auto tag place and asking them, which I'm going to do. Not sure if I want to call the local guy, he's a loon (been there before). You can buy ninja weapons at the same time you get your new title, all while enjoying some extremely awkward conversation. Value-add I guess.

 

[Koinz]

I'm curious if anybody has some experience with buying a USED (private seller) bike out of state. I live in PA, and am looking at a number of dual-sport bikes, some of which are out of state.

Typically, with an in-state purchase me and the seller would go to an auto tags place with the title and they would do the transfer and registration for the bike to me on the spot. I'm not sure how this would work in an out of state situation. Do we take the title to a notary in the seller's state to notarize the signing of the title? Is a signed/notarized title enough to then register the bike in PA?

Chris, I bought my Vstrom in west va and did the paperwork remotely. I don't remember if he notarized the title before sending it to me, but it wouldn't hurt. For the tenere, Romneys notarized the title and I took the paper work to a local place by me and they took care if, no problem.

 

[JonnyCinco]

In VA, you just need a bill of sale. And it does not even have to be an official bill of sale...can even be something written on napkin.

Actually, barely even need that. Registered one bike and they just asked for the title. (all information is already on there).

 

[Kidder]

I'm curious if anybody has some experience with buying a USED (private seller) bike out of state. I live in PA, and am looking at a number of dual-sport bikes, some of which are out of state.

Typically, with an in-state purchase me and the seller would go to an auto tags place with the title and they would do the transfer and registration for the bike to me on the spot. I'm not sure how this would work in an out of state situation. Do we take the title to a notary in the seller's state to notarize the signing of the title? Is a signed/notarized title enough to then register the bike in PA?

I sold my V-Srrom 650 to a guy from Pennsylvania. We met in Tennessee and took care of the paperwork. He required a bill of sale that was signed by both of us and notarized. That was it. I signed the title over just before he left. Hope this helps.

 

[JHKolb]

I've been trying to find the info on the PA DMV website but it's not clear (no surprise, government). Somebody else suggested calling an auto tag place and asking them, which I'm going to do. Not sure if I want to call the local guy, he's a loon (been there before). You can buy ninja weapons at the same time you get your new title, all while enjoying some extremely awkward conversation. Value-add I guess.

Any chance you have a AAA membership? You could just stop by the AAA in King of Prussia, they do title work and should know what process you need to do.

 

[elizilla]

I have bought several used bikes in other states via private party sales. For Michigan they just have to fill out the transfer section on the title, and sign it over to me. However some states don't title bikes beyond a certain age, and I once had the experience of buying one of these machines. It was a pain in the neck and I don't recommend it. So I would advise checking what the laws are for that, in the state you are shopping in.

 

[Venture]

Luckily I didn't need to deal with this, so I'm still clueless. It seemed only NJ and MD people had what I wanted, until one day something decent popped up in PA, practically in my back yard. As usual the in-state transfer was painless.