Fly, Buy and Ride, how to

[Gnirwin]

I am thinking of purchasing a motorcycle out of state which would require me to fly to the city and ride the bike back home. If anyone has done this how did you handle the licence plate? I know I would have to to the BMV and notarise the title but need advice on the rest.

[dxhall]

You might add up the real cost of fly-and-ride (hotel, airfare, meals, time off work, etc) and compare that to the cost of shipping.  It may not be as great a difference as you think.

I had a bike shipped to Colorado from Alabama last fall.  I think it was about $700.

[Daleroso]

Have done it several times. A bill of sale hand written or typed. Both keep a copy. Date, names, addresses, ph #'s, mileage & vin #.
Both signatures on each copy & have a local to seller notary stamp. Would/has been sufficient but didn't have a notary probably half the time.
Don't do anything to draw attention on the way home. I did get stopped for 13mph over 1 time. Paperwork was checked, a warning & on my way I went.
Good luck, ride safe & enjoy the new ride.🤙🏍

[Daleroso]

Oh yeah, dxhall's idea works it's just not as much fun if you have the time IMO.

[Gnirwin]

Not seen the bike in person. I can get a flight for 159 bucks and have a friend about an hour away I could stay at. Pictures look great but wouldn't buy without seeing in person.

[Kent in Upstate NY]

If you are buying from a dealer there will be no problem. They know the rules. Private sales can be iffy.

[Gnirwin]

Daleroso, what license plate did you use?

[alanp]

I have done this three times.  I use the sellers plate left on the bike and mail it back to them (or destroy) as they wish.  I have never had a seller refuse this approach.  I ride home on a bike with a legal plate.  I have the signed title in my possession.  Never got stopped, but can't imagine there is an issue.  No different than riding your buddy's bike. 

[rocker59]

Daleroso, what license plate did you use?

Get a temp tag from the local State Trooper Barracks.  Or, just ride the bike home with no license plate.  If all your paperwork is in order, then you'll have no problems.

[Bisbonian]

In some states you can just go down to the DMV and get a temporary plate.

I flew into Seattle, the seller picked me up, I gave him money, he drove me to the local DMV, I paid a token sum for a 3-day plate, and rode home.

Your state may even offer a temporary plate, normally you can just print them off from the DMV website.

[John Croucher]

Go for it.  I have had two people fly, buy and ride away with my bikes.  I tried to get them to have lunch on the way from the airport to my house.  They said no.  I want to see the bike and ride.  They both had a small bag with a change of clothes and some riding gear.  No tools.  I wrote them a bill of sales and gave them the signed title.  Insurance policy would be advisable.  A small price to pay.  If you don't buy, cancel.  Any reasonable LEO understands that proper documentation is a process and not an event.  Although the DMV can be quite an event sometimes. 

[Trialsman]

Shipping may be about as much as the real cost of a fly-n-ride..........but nowhere near the adventure!  I have flown from PA to NV, IL, NY, NC, and will have another to NC coming up when my V85TT gets in.  My Norge I purposefully bought in Charlotte when I could have bought it here in Pgh.  The reason was to visit and ride with a friend who moved there years ago.  We always would say "we should get together some time"......and we never did.  It forced me to go visit, ride the local area, and have a fantastic time on the way home.  I did a fly-n-ride to IL to pick up a 2005 ST1300 back then.  I got a temp plate from the dealer and headed East.  I wandered along back roads to try and stay off the interstate and ended up at the New River Gorge, WV that night to camp.  Another camper seeing my IL license plate asked where I was from to which I replied "Pittsburgh".  He paused a moment and said.........."You went the wrong way."  When I pick my V85 I intend to look up several people from ADVRider and to explore some of the great back roads in the Smokies.  It will take several days to get home, maybe even a week.  I also plan on stopping at Cadre, in Cincinnati to get my 1,000mi check done as I will have at least that many miles before I get home.  Yah, I could just ship it, but I wouldn't have nearly as much fun.

[usedtobefast]

The DMV trip would be the squeaky clean way of doing it.

How used is the bike?  Reason I ask, are you sure the tires are ready for the ride back?  And all sorts of other stuff.  Also any accessories/extras/original parts go along with it?  Like he has stock seat, exhaust, extra windshield(s), etc that you would like but a real pain to try to strap onto the bike and rather pricey to ship? 

I've done this a few times ... but each was from a dealership, and the bike was ~1 year old and very few miles, and no extra stuff with the bike ... so tires were great, bike ready to go, dealership took care of plate, etc. 

Also plan some time in to do all the paperwork and maybe even tweak the bike a bit ... like new tires from a nearby dealer? 

And have a plan for the situation where you still want to buy it, but riding it back just does not make sense.  Seems like you are in the US?  If so, Enterprise rental cars has pickup trucks, unlimited mileage, and you can do a one way rent and drop (with an extra fee). 

[wirespokes]

I've done a number of fly/ride purchases. One of them was from Virginia back to Portland OR. I will say that I always felt like I was in a bad bargaining position since I felt like I HAD to have the bike in order to get home. In a few of the situations, the bike was worse shape than advertised, but I got it anyway. The one in VA took a day or two of work getting it ready for the ride home. That was unexpected, but it was a good enough deal I absorbed it.

I feel the same way - the adventure is preferable. And I'd rather see the bike in person. On the other hand, it's a good idea going through the bike and ensuring all is copacetic before launching into a cross country ride. The VA bike had a slightly bent fork tube I didn't discover till I'd been home a while. I wondered why it rode so stiff.

Most times, I've gotten bikes with the license plates. If the tags were still good, all it took was transferring the Ins policy and away I went. The VA owner kept the plate, so I had to have Oregon send me one. Normally, out-of-state vehicles need to be presented to the DMV for inspection, but in this case, a Law Enforcement Officer in VA could inspect it and fill out the paperwork. Nothing to it, just takes money.

[malik]

Don't know about the plates & insurance - different jurisdiction down here, so different rules, but fly & ride is HIGHLY recommended. I've done it a few times - the V7 Special was notable - flew to Tassie to buy it, the rain moved in on the mainland, so just had to spend a few days tooling around Tassie roads in the sunshine first. Ended up doing 4,500 km & 2 weeks before getting home, then a service, add a few gewgaws, and off again. Great trip. Buying locally might be more convenient, but it's not nearly as much fun.

[n3303j]

Massachusetts will NOT allow temporary plates of any kind. But if you are getting rid of a bike you can put its plate on your new acquisition and be legal for 5 business days. I've also ridden home on PO's plate with a promise to notify him of my home arrival so he could cancel his insurance.

[Perazzimx14]

Get a temp tag from the local State Trooper Barracks.  Or, just ride the bike home with no license plate.  If all your paperwork is in order, then you'll have no problems.

This may work in some state but not all. Pennsylvania State Police do not issues registration or tags. Roll up to a State or local Police barricks on/in a vehicle with no tags and only a bill of sales and you'll soon be getting a citation for operating an unregistered vehicle. If you extra nice they'll put you up for a couple of nights at the local lockup. Meals are included.


In PA for the state to release a title the buyers information must be filled in and then the seller must sign the title in front of a notary who will then sign and notorize the sellers signature. At this point the buyer present or not or money has exchanged hands or not is the legal owner of the vehicle. A bill of sale in Pennsylvania is good for proving you pen is working.


When i sell to out of state folks I get the money 1st (its a trust thing on their part) and it must clear before moving to the title work. As soon as the payment clears I go to the notary and sign the title over to the buyer get my signatire it notorzied and then mail the title to the buyer. He then can get temp tags in his home state and bring them along or when he arrives I can take him to a PA vehicle notary who will issue a temporary tag (at a cost) to get them home.


Ohio and New York are similar to PA with titles. Maryland, Virginia, D.C. allow the seller to simply sign the title to release ownership.

[toolittletime]

I have done this three times.  I use the sellers plate left on the bike and mail it back to them (or destroy) as they wish.  I have never had a seller refuse this approach.  I ride home on a bike with a legal plate.  I have the signed title in my possession.  Never got stopped, but can't imagine there is an issue.  No different than riding your buddy's bike.

I have done the same thing buying and selling.

Tim

[Perazzimx14]

I have done this three times.  I use the sellers plate left on the bike and mail it back to them (or destroy) as they wish.  I have never had a seller refuse this approach.  I ride home on a bike with a legal plate.  I have the signed title in my possession.  Never got stopped, but can't imagine there is an issue.  No different than riding your buddy's bike.

If you ever bought from me I'd be the 1st to decline you using my tags to ride your bike home. It can get real sticky if something goes wrong like you get to an accident on a bike I no longer legally own but my plates are still on. That's a headache I don't need.  Also as soon as the title is signed over to the buyer its no longer my motorcycle so my insurance gets dropped. Its not my motorcycle I cannot insure it. 

Its also a lot different than riding your buddies bike. If you want to make it equal put your plates on your buddies bike then go out get stopped by to police and see what fun awaits.

[dxhall]

There’s some pretty bad advice here.  Motor vehicle registration laws vary by state.  What is acceptable in one state may not be acceptable in another.  In Colorado, for example, state troopers have nothing to do with license plates, titles, or registrations. 

If someone wants to ride cross country with no license plate, presumably no insurance, and a bill of sale in his pocket — good luck to you.  Get caught doing that here and you’ll be visiting your new bike in the police impound lot.

[Perazzimx14]

There’s some pretty bad advice here.  Motor vehicle registration laws vary by state.  What is acceptable in one state may not be acceptable in another.  In Colorado, for example, state troopers have nothing to do with license plates, titles, or registrations. 

If someone wants to ride cross country with no license plate, presumably no insurance, and a bill of sale in his pocket — good luck to you.  Get caught doing that here and you’d be visiting your new bike in the police impound lot.

Not only will you get to meet the the good folks at the impound lot you'll probably get to know an attourney or two a judge and where the local courthouse is located. All good times if you ask me.

[Chuck in Indiana]

A few years ago, I bought the Lario from a Florida seller who sent me the title, and Dan brought it to the Virginia Nationals for me to bring home. I called the license branch and the State Police in Virginia to see what would be required for me to ride it there before bringing it home. I *like* riding in Virginia.. 
No, they wouldn't issue a temporary plate, no, I couldn't ride it without one.
That said, when I sold to Norge to a guy from Florida, he did a fly and ride. He had the title and a bill of sale with him, no plate. He never got stopped, but if he did, he said he'd ask for forgiveness. <shrug> My guess is that wouldn't have worked out well.

[kballowe]

This worked for me on 3 occasions:

1.  Got VIN number and put insurance on it.  Put insurance card in pocket.  The Police really ARE interested in that "proof of insurance".  They may fine you for improper registration, but are likely to impound you without proof of insurance.   

2.  Called the DMV at the buyer's location and inquired about temp tag. 
In one case, I took a tag off of one of my other bikes and brought it with me.

3.   Had all of the paperwork in a ziplock bag.
 

[giusto]

I am thinking of purchasing a motorcycle out of state which would require me to fly to the city and ride the bike back home. If anyone has done this how did you handle the licence plate? I know I would have to to the BMV and notarise the title but need advice on the rest.

Good morning,

It depends on a few things....you buying new from a dealer....then it's a non conversation...just get it done as mentioned below...easy peasy...if you trust your dealer
.
Very different story otherwise....what I was fortunate enough to do was the following;


Know what you want

Find bike model and year at the price you are willing to pay and understand the condition

Use the resources of this board!! Ask one of the fine individuals on this board that you respect, and is known to others you know and lives nearby and see if they might have a look at the bike...you might even be buying from a member of this board/MGNOC member with ties to someone you know...you may even find someone that knows the bike....THANK YOU AGAIN JOHN ULRICH...he knew the owner and the bike!!(I met John at our Michigan Rally) There are lots of great folks n this board that are willing to have a ride and look at a bike for you...believe it or not :) and get the low down on the bike...of course ask to have them video the bike at start up and walk around it...

Complete your deal on the bike with all the information...via photos of the registration and title...bill of sale....and receive hard copies in mail

Title Bike and then insure it  and register it and tuck the plate in your travel bag with your helmet and riding gear and head to the airport.

I realize this may not work for all...or many....but it worked for me. There is a healthy element of trust and luck needed for this scenario....but as I hope we have realized that the MG world is rather small and an amazing group of great people!

[Zoom Zoom]

When I did the fly and ride thing, I sent my riding gear ahead using UPS to a nearby friend. I had already closed the deal and was satisfied the bike was okay to ride home. The cost of the plane ticket was less than what I would have spent in gas and what not, to arrange a second person to drive the car back, or just to get a truck and trailer. Before I left home, I bought a temp tag so I could be legal and made sure I had insurance. I may have needed the VIN for one or both of these, I don't recall.

All I carried on the plane was a small duffel bag with a change of clothes. Everything else was waiting for me when I arrived. Other than getting lost during a torrential rain storm on the way home, it worked out great. I flew in on a Saturday, came part way home and stopped for the night, and came the rest of the way on Sunday. It was the most cost effective way I could have done this purchase and would do it again if the circumstances were similar.

Every situation is different, so you have to decide what is best. I will say though, that mailing all my riding gear and helmet ahead was maybe the best idea that I had. It really simplified the airport piece of the puzzle.

John Henry 

[wittangamo]

One other possibility. U-haul rents bike trailers for less than a shipper will charge, either one way or round trip. Drive up, check out the bike, and load it up if you like what you see. Take care of registration and tags when you get home.

Not as much fun as riding it back, but a reasonable compromise on cost and risk.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Complete your deal on the bike with all the information...via photos of the registration and title...bill of sale....and receive hard copies in mail

Title Bike and then insure it  and register it and tuck the plate in your travel bag with your helmet and riding gear and head to the airport.

You can't do that in Indiana. It has to be physically inspected before they will issue plates or titles. That made quite a conundrum when I bought the Mighty Scura from Pete out in California. I took the VIN check paperwork from Indiana to the VIN office in California. They wouldn't fill it out. They did fill out the California VIN paperwork, but Indiana wouldn't take it. "All you have to do is bring it in so we can check the VIN. Any police officer can do it. Even a game warden can do it." I said, " You mean I have to ride the bike from California to Indiana without a plate so you can look at the VIN number, although the California VIN office has certified it is ok?" "Yes, that is correct."
 
I'm pleading the fifth on how I got it done. 

[Zoom Zoom]

I too had to get the bike I bought inspected before I could get a permanent tag, but they still would issue a temp tag to get the bike home.

John Henry

[giusto]

You can't do that in Indiana. It has to be physically inspected before they will issue plates or titles. That made quite a conundrum when I bought the Mighty Scura from Pete out in California. I took the VIN check paperwork from Indiana to the VIN office in California. They wouldn't fill it out. They did fill out the California VIN paperwork, but Indiana wouldn't take it. "All you have to do is bring it in so we can check the VIN. Any police officer can do it. Even a game warden can do it." I said, " You mean I have to ride the bike from California to Indiana without a plate so you can look at the VIN number, although the California VIN office has certified it is ok?" "Yes, that is correct."
 
I'm pleading the fifth on how I got it done. 

Chuck...I guess we won't ask then 
Like I said it was easy for me in Michigan....I just walk into Secretary of State with title and insurance and they give me the plate and tag.
I have titled many a bike with a bill of sale and a NADA value. Takes a few weeks via mail but pretty easy