Im somwhat new to ATVs spending most of my mine of dirt Bikes. I am about to or thinking about buying a 2004 Banshee from a friend of a friend. According to the seller the title for the bike was never given to him since he purchased it from a relative. The relative lost the titel. Im in a pickle and not sure what I should do. The seller has agreed to give me a bill of sale for the bike. What will it take for me to get the title for the bike? And what kind of process is it for florida? Whats your opinion on this? Im afraid to get stuck with a bike if I cant title.

All opinions and help are much appreciated!

John

 

Can you still read the serial number on the frame???
If so you or he can still get a title for it...

 

John, here is the deal on this.... First... Was the banshee ever titled ? If it was your friend of a friends relative can get a duplicate title which they could sign off to you and then you can pay a title fee and get a title. This is the only way I would purchase it. Now lets say it wasnt titled (usually people will buy dirt bikes and atvs from another state so they dont pay sales tax) although common, because now they have no title.. they will sale it and give them a bill of sale. THIS IS NOT THE BEST WAY.

A bill of sale means nothing , because the person that is selling it might not really owned it in the first place! Lets take your example , Im your friends relative and I still have the title... however gave him a bill of sale and sold the banshee. Now he is going to sale the banshee to you.. giving you a bill of sale. Now later I find my title and want it back, I still legally own it. I can report it stolen.. in which case your found on it and now your in possession of stolen property. NOT GOOD!

I know there are alot of bikes and atvs out there with no titles. But you can not be sure they are not stolen unless the VIN is ran.

 

Thanks Lottery,

Lets say I run the VIN before I purchase it and it comes up as not stolen, is that to say everything is legit. Now the relative I mentioned is out of state according to the seller, does this change anything?

 

Is there a possibility that I can check the VIN# over the phone?????

 

If you run the vin (records check) and it comes back Ok.. your probably would be OK.. However, if the atv was titled at one time and it comes back to someone, either they sold it with a bill of sale or possibly it was stolen and has not been reported. Be Careful.... I know there are alot of atvs and bikes out there that fit this catergory.. Its always better to purchase any vehicle with a title. Check the vin number on the frame and see if it matches the vin on the title. Make sure there are no alterations on either. Your local DMV maybe willing to help you with this.

Also if you only have a bill of sale, and you want insurance for your atv no company will insure it with out a title. Just keep this in mind. I carry insurance on my atv just for piece of mind. If its stolen Im covered.

I just dont really understand why people will purchase a atv for thousands of dollars, yet want to skimp on the four to six hundred dollars on sales tax. I would rather pay it and get a title to my bike.

Anyway Good luck with your decision.. there are alot of banshees with titles out there.

 

I don't know about other states, but CA also lists the engine number, sometimes on the title. If it has the engine number make sure that's clear too. Make sure it matches, or go back and find out when the motor was swapped out.

A friend bought a Quadzilla. A guy who does a lot of buying and selling said something wasn't right. The motor had been painted flat black, over the original blue. He looked at the paperwork and the engine didn't match the title. In CA, if they run it and the motor comes back stolen they take the whole bike, not just the motor.

CA also uses a form called a Miscellaneous Statement of Facts for things that need explaining. For example, a motor change. You take that Statement along with a bill of sale for the motor and they change stuff.

If there's not Title of Certificate of Origin, I'd stay away. Or thouroghly investigate everything about the bike.

Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote