How to run a bike vin to check background

[ChWelch]

I have a guy wanting to trade me an 06 kawasaki 636 for a car I have for sale. The problem is he doesn't have a title to the bike (claims he bought the bike without a title). I wasn't really sure who i could call to check and make sure the bike isn't stolen or have a lein or hold on the title. I have the vin number. I know how to get a bonded title and I don't thi m if would be a bad deal as long as the Vin is clean and clear. Any and all advise is welcome! Thanks in advance!

[wbeck257]

Just call your local police.

[ChWelch]

Even if the current owner is in alabama?

[A&A Motorsports]

Yeah, call the police with the VIN or call the local DMV and they can see if the bike has any unpaid taxes on it.

A friend of mine bought a car not to long ago and a week later found out the car has about $900 of unpaid taxes......guess whoHAD to pay fo them..... he did.

[ChWelch]

Well that was a big FAIL! I Stopped by the city of Warner Robins police station and they told me the only way they were going to run the vin is if I brought the motorcycle up there so they could see it. What made it worse was the officer I talked to as well as the lady at the front desk acted like I was wasting their time. I guess to serve and protect doesn't go very far anymore... Anyone have any other ideas?

[BlueLghtning]

Is the bike a track bike? Have you seen the bike or pics of it? Does it have all the street lights and stuff still on it?

Not having a title for a modern bike is a pretty big red flag unless it was a salvaged track bike, but even then you have to becareful.

It definitely could be stolen.
There could be a lien on the bike and a bank technically owns it and this guy is just trying to dump it.

Maybe you goto your local DMV and have them run the VIN? You could tell them you want to see if there are any back taxes owed on the bike. I think they can at least tell you if the bike was registered in GA and if there is a lien against it?

Treat this decision with care. Not very many good reasons not to have a title and makes the bike pretty worthless except for a track bike.

[forlorn]

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck

enjoy

[ChWelch]

Well I gave that a try and it came back clean...