| Author | Message | ||
     Jasonblue |
I met a guy recently at a watering hole I frequent, he works the door, names Carlos. He's a nice enough guy probably in his mid 20's. Anyway we got to talkin about bikes and he says he's been saving for one. Well I took the oportunity to tell him about Buell and the sling bag test ride thing. Well he tells me that he has never riden a bike before. So I tell him the first thing he needs to do is go take a motorcycle safety course at one of the community colledges around Houston. I tell him he needs to learn fist, for his own good, and he'll get a break on insurance. Well I see him again last Thursday and as soon as I walk into the bar he tells me he bought a bike. I guess he just went out to look and ended up purchasing an 04' Gixxer 600. He hadn't even riden the bike at that point cause the weather was bad that day so he was gonna pick it up as soon as it cleared up. He was happy so I was happy for him, but in the back of my mind I was goin "That may not have been your most wise descision". Nothing against the Gixxer, I was just thinking of his skill level, or the lack there of. I told him to give me a call when he gets it and I'll give him a few pointers, yada yada. To make a long story short, I got a call from my buddy who manages the bar, and he tells me Carlos wrecked his bike already! He bought it Thursday, picked it up Friday, and wrecked it that night! I don't know the details but he did break his leg and took a chunk out of his helmet. Good thing he was wearing one. What I was wondering was, Is it legal to sell a bike to some one without a liscense? He even financed it, so how would he have gotten insurance? I haven't actually talked to him so I wonder how he feels about motorcycles now? Jason | ||
| Darthane |
Jason, In Michigan, at least, you must have a learner's permit to purchase a motorcycle. I only had my permit when I bought both the Blast and the Firebolt (I took my road test to get my endorsement about two weeks after picking up the Firebolt). Now, there are other considerations that go into that, since on a permit in MI you're not allowed to ride by yourself, at night, with a passenger, or out of the state. Both bikes I trucked home. I've no idea if they would have told me no if I'd planned on riding the bikes home (with no licensed rider about to accompany me). All I can say is...fool, he was warned. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I ordered my Harley 2 months before I had a license. Took the MSF and got the Motorcycle endorsement a week before I got the bike. The dealership didn't check my license (either time I bought bikes there). There was no financing involved. My insurance company on the other hand wanted to see my motorcycle endorsement, MSF completion card, and the bike (after I picked it up.) Was Carlos insured at the time? My guess is "no". It would suck to be $8,000 in debt before you factor in medical bills, a tow, and years of higher insurance rates. The MSF course is a steal at around $120, and remains the best money I have ever spent on ANYTHING motorcycle related. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Depending on the state, its possible to purchase a bike, sign an "off road use only" waiver then take it home. They still give you a temp plate and such. In other places, you can purchase a bike if you sign up for a MSF course there at the dealer. Either way you are supposed to trailer/truck the bike from the dealer and not be able to ride it away. | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
Nothing but Insurance required in NC...I know of some knuckleheads who never even bothered getting one and have been riding for years... |
