Overhaulin'

how to get my new motorcycle home?

I just bought a used motorcycle from a private seller and need to get it home. I have a valid motorcycle permit, bill of sale, and the old owner's registration. I do not, however, have plates for it. I also have no access to a pickup or trailer. I am thinking of putting on the plates from my car (which is registered to me) on it in order to drive it home and carrying the other stuff to show to a cop if pulled over. I realize that this is not ideal, but it's the best that I can come up with. Opinions?

Public Comments

1. You'll need a temporary plate from the state in which it was sold for transport. Call the DMV of that state.
2. can you just drive it home without plates? do you plan on taking it to the dmv to get the plates or your car? if you are taking your car, just go to the dmv first and get plates? i have been pulled over for lack of proper registartion etc, and i received a ticket, but all i had to do was show that i had it resolved to the court clerk later that week
3. Car plates would be really obvious because they're a different size (where I live anyway). Any cop who saw you riding a bike with car plates would pull you over for sure. Call the DMV and see what you can do, what's customary where you live. Usually you get a temporary permit that you tape on the bike somewhere.
4. I'd do like Travis said get on and ride it home. I think the main thing though is having Insurance on the bike. That seems to be the main concern.. If you should get pulled and you have all the paper work and an insurance card, the ticket will be for improper registration or something like that. And as was said earlier getting it tagged and registered can be cleared up usually without having to spend a day in court. You can take the ticket and the proper paper work to the clerk of court and resolve it there.
5. rent a cargo van from enterprise... load it up and away you go...
6. I'd see if the seller would ride it over to my place, and give him a drive back home (by car) afterwards.
7. Don't put other plates on it that is a crime. In Colorado we get some time to get plates and can ride on a bill of sale. I think its 72 hours. Check to see if your state has a DMV website that you can get an answer about your state from.
8. Get on it and ride it home. If you should happen to get pulled over simply show your ins. and bill of sale to the cop. edit: @ Firecracker....I'm simply stating what happens in my state. I don't have any idea of where the poster is located. So your BS response is well.....BS.
9. Well since you didn't say where you live, all previous answers are guesses or BS. In THIS state, you would take the bill of sale or title to the DMV and get a 20 day temporary registration and plate. While insurance is a damn fine idea, it's not required by law and you may ride without it. Also, an unregistered vehicle MUST be removed from the road. The cop WILL do so. Your idea would result in the charges of operating an unregistered vehicle, mis-use of plates, fines, court costs (fees), towing, and storage fees (at up to $50 per day!) Hope you got a license. If not, costs even more.
10. Just because YOUR state requires one thing, doesn't mean everyone is wrong or BSing. MY state allows 21 days on a used vehicle to get a tag. You have to show a license for riding a motorcycle and proof of insurance. You need a BOS with TWO wittnesses and dated, If there is a barter (trade of services for a vehicle) the services value have to be declared on the BOS. You can ride without plates as long as you carry proof of insurance and the BOS with you. NO ticket will be issued for violation unless you are over the time limit. Then they give a ticket and a time frame to get it handled.