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05-01-2014, 09:28 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
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DC/VA rider, no title on scooter
I bought a junked broken chinese 150 cc scooter for about 400 bucks on craigslist about three years ago. Spent lots time researching about scooters being a complete noob back then, spent lots of money on parts and mods. Fun times. I was able to get it to work beautifully and rode it for a summer with no license, no title no nothing, it was one of the best times I've had. I was completely ignorant back then and also didn't realize you needed titles. Never got caught or even had a cop look at me funny, so I didn't realize I did anything wrong. The guy who I bought it from just drove it to my house for free, no questions asked. I don't even have proof of purchase anymore, since the majority of the transaction took place over text messaging on a phone that I lost. I thought I made it off big time.
After the summer the scooter ran into a number of problems being a cheap chinese bike...rubber parts busting open, caps breaking, things getting loose, tires going flat, just everything ...there were no scooter mechanics around my area, I could only do so much being a beginner... life happened, and the scooter basically sat outside for three years in the most horrific weather, had a cover for a year and half but that was torn to shreds so it was basically naked outside for the rest. Decided earlier this year to either trash it or fix it up. I had already invested so much into it 3 years ago trying to fix it and mod it up and I decided to try to find someone to make it brand new again to ride. There was emotional investment in this bike too so I was attached to it. Finally was able to find some guy, and the scooter was in terrible shape...final bill was 500 bucks for parts and labor and now it works again. I was so happy Bad part is that now upon research I realized that a law passed last year where basically anything that goes over 35 mph is considered a motorcycle and requires insurance, motorcycle license, registration, the works. This will be virtually impossible for me since I have no way to contacting that guy I bought it from. I did remember messaging him about a few months after the purchase asking about a title and he said that he actually got this scooter from another guy without a title and rode it on the road for years without incident. This thing could have been passed along for who knows how far or long. I don't even know if a cheapo chinese scooter like this even comes with a title. Now I have no clue what to do. Take the risk and just ride and hope I don't get pulled over or ticketed while parked? It hasn't happened so far but cop activity in my area has ramped up 10 fold in the last two years and it feels scary riding now. Now I'm pissed because I feel like I just took all my hard earned money and threw it in the trash. I've read that the process of getting a new title could even cost more than what I bought my scooter for in the first place. I know I will get the whole "I told you so" line, and the whole "never buy a titleless vehicle" thing. It's already been three years. The deed has already been done. The money has been paid out. I have a scooter just begging to be rode in this beautiful weather. Does anyone have any advice or am I asking too much? |
05-01-2014, 09:55 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
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Okay so I found a VIN number behind the front part of the bike. You have to lift up some rectangle lid to find it on the steering shaft. Checked the vin on this site https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud...check/vincheck
and it came back negative for being stolen. I'm not sure how accurate that is though. I want to check the vin with the police but I'm scared to death that if there is a slight chance it does end up being stolen, I could lose 1500-2000 dollars worth of stuff. Might not seem like a big deal, but I struggle with money and it's the reason I bought this thing (which seems ironic considering I blew so much on fixing it). Say I go to the police and they run the vin and nothing shows up, is it possible to get it registered with the dmv with this vin number and get a brand new title? |
05-01-2014, 10:20 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Troy, Michigan
Posts: 58
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In Michigan you can apply for a new title if you don't have/lost the title. They call it a duplicate title. I'm sure your local DMV would be able to help you out. You can even check their website and see what you would need to bring to get the paper work rolling. Also you might have to pay tax. Other than that you would need to show proof of
Insurance to get the scoot registered. I wish you luck |
05-01-2014, 10:27 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: N Carolina
Posts: 453
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Look at this link from VA DMV for reconstructed vehicles and see if they can get the process going...
http://www.dmv.state.va.us/vehicles/#reconstructed.html |
05-01-2014, 11:23 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: West Haven CT
Posts: 1,165
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Hi
Welcome aboard Pleased to meet you though i wish the circumstances were better, so sorry to hear of your predicament The others have given you good advice and i shall add you should look into getting your motorcycle endorsment as any thing over 50 ccs is considered a motorcycle in every state in the usa An msf course is a great way to get one and the lessons learned will be of great help when riding http://www.msf-usa You have my best wishes that you get this settled swiftly easily and to your satisfaction Take care and ride safely Yours Hank
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"4wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul" Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. Douglas MacArthur |
05-02-2014, 12:22 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
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Thanks for the welcome! I've actually been a scootdawg member since early 2011 but for some reason the forums changed. You guys were the sole resource I had for fixing up my scooter.
The new scooter laws are kinda ridiculous now. Va went from being one of the most relaxed states in terms of scooter laws to really strict like its neighbors DC and MD. All scooters will now require registration and license, and since my scooter is a 150cc and therefore goes over 35 mph, it is considered a motorcycle (which is hilarious considering its top speed is 50), which means I have to get a motorcycle license and insurance. This and the money I've spent in repairs and parts is completely defeating the purpose of why I bought this scooter in the first place and frankly it is frustrating to no end. Just when I get my scooter repaired after three years, this BS law comes into play no sooner than two or three months from now. |
05-02-2014, 03:06 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: York PA
Posts: 339
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When I bought my scooter, from Maine, it came with no title. In Maine, anything under 300cc's is/was not required to be titled.
It did cost me $350.00 generate a title/tags and registration here in PA. I'd get it titled, and registared as getting caught could be way more expensive, IMHO. Good luck. |
05-03-2014, 11:33 AM | #8 |
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Hyde Park, NY
Posts: 1,126
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Two years ago I had a Yamaha with no title. In short, I paid $425 to get it titled. There are companies on the web that specialize in that.
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2008 Eagle Milano 150- 9,679 miles 2009 Honda Rebel 250- 10,434 miles 2009 CF Moto Fashion- 16,023 miles 2009 MC-114 50cc Cub Clone- 4,317 miles twowheeler.yolasite.com/ That's 30,049 China Scootin miles and Counting. |
05-03-2014, 01:21 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Houston area
Posts: 945
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In Texas, you can apply for a "Bonded title". I did that to register a 1969 Honda S90 here. You post a surety bond against the title and then the state allows you to register the bike. See if the commonwealth grants bonded titles.
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"Beer never broke my heart" - Luke Combs |
05-06-2014, 12:23 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: VA
Posts: 37
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ALL scooters in VA now require registration and licensing? Looks like I'm riding dirty on my 50cc. I've never had a cop bat an eye at me in VA. Last summer I had a cop pull up beside me at a red light and nod, before he sped away.
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05-06-2014, 01:09 AM | #11 | |
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: West Haven CT
Posts: 1,165
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Quote:
I wish you well but now that the laws have been changed wouldnt it be better to follow the laws of your state then to risk the repercussions of getting stopped and ticketed for riding an uninsured unregistered motor vehicle Take care and ride safely Yours Hank
__________________
"4wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul" Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. Douglas MacArthur |
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05-07-2014, 11:10 PM | #12 | |
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: VA
Posts: 37
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Quote:
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05-08-2014, 02:27 AM | #13 | |
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: West Haven CT
Posts: 1,165
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Quote:
I was only looking out for a fellow member Would hate to see any one run into any trouble Take care and ride safely Yours Hank
__________________
"4wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul" Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. Douglas MacArthur |
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05-08-2014, 07:39 PM | #14 | |
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Anything above 50 cc is considered a motorcycle, which I think is the biggest load of BS. How a vehicle that can barely ride on the freeways be considered a motorcycle is beyond me. Getting cheap scooters over 50cc will no longer be worth it anymore |
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