| Author | Message | ||
     Radioelasais |
Hi there, sorry for the very basic questions but I am moving to USA from Italy and I plan to buy a preowned bike. What are the documents and things I should check before the deal? Are there any restrictions for older bikes (environmental issues)?? Thanks Gianluca | ||
| Limitedx1 |
only legal thing you need is to make sure the bike has a "title" (piece of paper with vin number and owner information). make surte it is in the owners name as well. you will need insurance before you can sign the title into your name, at least in the state of Pennsylvania im not trying to be ignorant, but im not sure if you guys have titles over there. im sure you have something similar. (Message edited by limitedx1 on March 31, 2009) | ||
| Thumper74 |
You had a previous post about moving to Ohio, right? If you buy the vehicle in Ohio, it's really easy to title the bike. The Owner and you will need to find a notary, he will sign the vehicle over to you with the current mileage listed on the Title. The notary will need to witness this and will stamp the Title. Then you take it to a Title Office or BMV depending on your county and they will make a new title in your name showing ownership. Generally, if you're purchasing from a dealer, they handle all the footwork, except for buying a license plate. www.bmv.ohio.gov To get a plate you'll need the title (or memorandum title if you financed the bike) to go to the BMV and get your tags. In Ohio there are no enforced emissions for motorcycles, however, federal law says it's crime to modify a properly functioning emissions component. The only thing I can think of that would affect you, would be the exhaust. Depending on where you live, you may or not be able to get away with loud exhaust. (Message edited by Thumper74 on March 31, 2009) | ||
| Slaughter |
You will find slight differences in different states. Depending on where you plan to go, you can post the question in the Storm Fronts section for that State. You will get a lot of help. Where do you plan to stay? | ||
| Radioelasais |
Thanks for the reply. Cincinnati (OH). Actually I am looking for bikes in OH only to ease things with a preference to dealers. I have no USA driving license (I'll get one) and I am also wondering if I can buy a bike without. I have a valid EU license btw. Gianluca | ||
| Moxnix |
Gianluca, I still have my EU license with motorcycle endorsements, and a US state license where I live. It is my understanding that your EU license will be valid until you get a license from a state here in the USA. In Germany, I only had to take the written test (in English) for the EU license. I hope you will just have to take the written test here, but it will be in English. Many years ago I wrote a practice written test training program for driver licensing to accommodate people without English as the first language, with a mock test, and with which only one person, to my knowledge, failed to pass. Sorry, it is lost to history. Do not give up your EU license to the state examiners who issue you a US license, as you'll need it when you go home. Hopefully, nemo problemo, but some minor officials interpret their job very narrow. I've hosted foreign visitors who drove for months on the EU license. Bike registration, no problem as long as you have an address for the state to keep in their records. Some states require your bike to pass a safety inspection before issuing license plates, it depends on what state you are in. Remember not to drive 150 kph on your way to the grocery store. We drive in slow motion here compared to the Continent. | ||
| Thumper74 |
You'll need a valid ID, not sure if a passport would be eligible for that though. There's no difference to buying the vehicle out of state except: taxes and VIN inspection. They won't charge you taxes out of state, but you'll need to pay up when you transfer the title to an Ohio title. The VIN isn't a big deal but you'll need to trailer the bike to a car or motorcycle dealer to inspect the VIN to make sure it matches the title. Depending on the model, you can find some great deals in the nortern portion of the state where I live. What are you looking for specifically? When are you moving? | ||
| Reepicheep |
The driving license won't effect your ability to buy a bike, but a dealer probably won't give you a test ride without a valid US endorsement. I don't think you need a US drivers license to plate the bike either. You do need proof of insurance to ride in the states, so you will need to insure the bike. Riding without having proof (but when you do have insurance) is a little fine, riding without insurance at all is a big fine. I'm local, and will be happy to help where I can. | ||
| Cowboy |
Dont know how it is now but I drove all over the world on a International licenes never had a problem. | ||
| Radioelasais |
Ciao thanks for the replies and support. Pretty much encouraging. I am not sure I got perfectly that VIN thing. Do I need to have the bike VIN verified before I can ride it in OH? Same goes with insurances I assume. I'll inquire with BMV the very first days. OH! Yes, I am not that fast rider :-) I am in talks for a X1 (listed here on BADW) that looks gorgeous, but a 2007-2008 XB9 or XB12S would be great too. Anyway I'll take a used bike to save money as I'll sell it in 2 years. We gotta make the Cinci storm big :-) Ciao Gianluca | ||
| Thumper74 |
The vin only needs verified if it's purchased out of state. If it's purchased in state, you can just transfer the title. | ||
| Ducbsa |
VIN means Vehicle Identification Number and is the frame serial number. They may want to see the number on the frame to make sure it matches the number on the title. In Illinois, which is the only state where I've bought used bikes, no one checked. It isn't a testing agency like TUV in Germany. | ||
| Radioelasais |
Thanks again Is there any sort of warranty the seller is granting to the purchaser? Or are they just sold as seen and as is? Gianluca | ||
| Froggy |
You would have to discuss that with the seller. If the bike is a recent model there is a possibility the factory warranty still has some time on it. |
