Okay guys, I don't own a bike yet but I joined to learn more about CBRs so I can get one and ride with my dad. I've been looking around Craigslist for a while and I found what appears to be a great deal. A guy is selling a 91 CBR600 that's been laid down and is missing the fairings but apparently still runs fine, he only wants $500 for it. I feel like this could be a perfect first bike for me to learn on until I can save up enough money for an F4i or RR.
But there's the catch.
The bike has no title. He said it hasn't been on the road since 1996 and he bought it from a friend who owns a shop in Virginia. I'm not exactly sure what to go about doing in this scenario so I have a few questions.

1. Can I get a title for a bike without one? If so, how hard is it and how much does it cost?
2. Do I have to prove it's not stolen? How can I go about doing that?
3. Is there some sort of Carfax-type thing for bikes?

Thanks everyone

 

I'm just thinking out load so don't quote me but you might be able to file for a lost title? I'm not sure how they do it with bike you might have to call your local dmv and ask some questions. Best I can say is call them first and if you do buy something like that make sure you get a receipt. Hope that helps ya bro.. but the dmv would have all the answers to your questions.

 

Yeah he said he had a bill of sale from the person he bought it from and of course I'd get one from him. Thanks man!

 

Got any pictures of the bike you could send me.. I was also looking on craigs list to find another project bike.

 

so u can buy it before he does lol

 

Hahaha yeah, seriously? I mean if you just want to know what an F1 looks like I'm sure you can find pictures somewhere else, why do you want pictures of the one I'm buying?

 

(1) Yes...its called a bonded title. Different in every state but in Texas it's a bit of a pain. Google it for IL and see what you get.

(2) Call the DMV and have them run the VIN

(3) Yes....its called Carfax LOL. Probably will not get info back from a bike that old so save your money.

I paid about the same for my first bike with no title.
Had to first get it inspected and a get a VIN Verification receipt from them. Take that to the DMV and get a title history (2 bucks) but had to fill out about 20 papers. Take the paperwork to a bond company for a surity bond (costs about 1.5% of the vehicles value...about 800 bucks), then go back to DMV and file for the title and registration. Thats all for Texas so again IL is prob way different.

None the less it cost me about 1,500 for my bike and ended up selling it for that much about a year later.

 

Awesome, thanks for all of the info man!

 

Personally.. I think that unless you are absolutely in love this this bike, you should pass on it.. ave some more coin and get something that isnt going to be such a headache... get something.. ride it... learn on it.. wrench it a little.. then sell it and move on.. you already said you are looking for something to start out on.. thats all..

 

I didn't ask where the bike was and who was selling it lol...look at the distance from the original poster and me lmao.. I don't think he is gonna drive all the way to illinois for a 500 dollar bike -.- . I was just curious to see how good of condition the bike was in to see if he got a deal not to steal the bike.