Imagine if fate smiled upon you, finding an abandoned motorbike for which you find no owner, or discovering a barn find with no title, or simply someone is selling theirs at a very cheap rate, but without title: what do you do? How do you register a bike with no title?

If you do think that that vehicle is not worth your time since it doesn’t have a title, then you are wrong, as there are procedures due to which, you can legally own this bike along with a title under your ownership. There are a few simple steps through which barn finds, abandoned vehicles, or a for-sale bike can be yours.

 

How to register a barn find or title-less bike

Firstly, you have to be sure (utterly sure) that the bike that you want to purchase or you found is not a stolen good, and if it is a barn find make sure that it is not an illegal find that you’ve come around. When you are 100% sure about it, then you can move towards the next step.

The second step is to make sure that the bike is not owned by anyone in particular, or that the owner does not wish to own the bike any more, or it is not in possession by any individual legally.

That will make the process hindrance free, for the application of the title for the bike.

Also, if it is owned by any individual- it is of utmost priority that that owner is not returning back or claiming that bike.

The laws and the rules relative to the bike or any kinds of vehicles are subjected to change from country to country.

That said- the next step is to make sure you’re not eligible for a bonded title. A bonded title, also known as a “Certificate of Title Surety”, is a document that proves a person’s ownership of a motor vehicle.

When you’re certain that you’re not eligible for the bonded title- the next step would be to get the VIN of the bike and run a detailed VIN check using a service like InstaVIN.

The VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is the identifying code for a specific automobile. The VIN basically, serves as a car’s fingerprints. It is composed of 17 characters. This is to make sure there are no liens on the bike.

Getting a title for an old motorcycle

As said earlier, every state has its different laws regarding the vehicles, so pick a friendly state to register a title for your vehicle. Although there are some states that do not issue title for motorcycles older than 15 years. They only issue registrations.

Vermont could be the best choice, since everything and every process is dealt via email and you do not even need be a resident.

Basically, if the motorcycle is more than 15 years old, the city of Vermont will accept a basic bill of sale (from anyone; doesn’t even have to be prior legal owner) to transfer ownership to your name.

Since everything can be done via mail- all you have to do is register your bike through mail in Vermont. Print out the proper forms from the Vermont DMV website, fill them and mail it to them, along with the bill of sale.

After submitting all of your required forms, Vermont will issue you a registration form of ownership along with Vermont plates and 1 year transferable registration.

Since that is their version of a title, you can obtain it with just a bill of sale (it will most likely take 10 days for you to receive it in your mail after you send your correct forms) and then present it to your state DMV who are then required to issue you a legal title in your name, in your state.

You will need a VIN inspection for a bike over 500cc, but this can be done by anyone authorized to do one in your home state. This, of course, includes a police officer, the DMV, but in many states like Florida, they also include a notary.  I suggest a mobile notary like Notarize.com.

For the notary, just make sure to also get a letter on the notary’s letterhead identifying them. A mobile notary is a notary public who is mobile and travels to clients.

Typically, a mobile notary goes to anywhere from one to eight places per day and notarize a single signature, or do a loan signing at any particular stop.

Again, getting a signed off title is always my first priority and would advise you to do the same.

I hope this research and steps are useful to you.

The bagger motorcycle is a name which you may not instantly recognize. Once you see a picture though, it is one which will be etched in your memory. For good and bad, these motorcycles have been around for a generation, and are most commonly associated in that sense with Harley Davidson and BMW.

In fact, a bagger can be any brand of touring bike which features a full set of saddlebags. While this may not make them the most appealing on the eye, they are certainly practical, and they are having their moment in the sun as a currently trending bike of choice for many.

Here we will take a look at some of the best and most popular baggers on the market, as well as a view into the world of custom baggers.

Best Bagger Motorcycles

For many years as we mentioned, the bagger name was most closely associated with Harley Davidson, although this may not be something which would please a Harley owner to hear. Ultimately, more and more in recent years, other major bike brands have really focused on releasing practical and stylish baggers into the growing touring bike market. These include the likes of BMW and Yamaha who are becoming very popular in this category also.

Here are a few of the best bagger motorcycles on the market currently:

BMW K1600 B

This bike represents something of a statement from the team at German giant BMW. They have pretty much been an ever-present in the bagger motorcycle market since its inception, although for so many years its creations would have been deemed perhaps overly practical. The company were not always credited with the most stylish designs in the market. This has all changed with the release of the K1600B.

This renewed focus on style has delivered a bike which is not only stylish, but packs a powerful punch. A six-cylinder engine and 160HP make sure of that. This means that for many, the image of the cumbersome, “dad bike” can and has been left in the dust. The speed of the BMW ensures this. It has greatly increased its appeal to a whole new demographic with the injection of speed and style to go alongside the practicality. It also means you will almost definitely win a straight-line speed test with any other bike, bagger or not.

Yamaha Star Eluder

It is safe to say that the focus of Yamaha lay elsewhere for many years. Touring and baggers were not really something which seemed to interest them. The market is evolving though and this is something which Yamaha certainly picked up on. They became involved in the cruiser market several years ago, and have since released their first true bagger motorcycle, the star eluder.

This bike tries to incorporate the sharp, sports style design for which Yamaha are known, while also features all the most important elements of a top quality bagger. This very functional bike not only looks good but also features an LCD screen which is touch and voice compatible. This is along with a heated seat, full storage capability, and many other top of the range features. Yamaha have entered the bagger market and they have done so in impressive style with the star eluder.

Harley Davidson Street Glide

Harley Davidson resisted the bagger market for many years, with some creative owners adapting previous cruisers to fit their needs. This changed in 2006 though with the final release of the street glide special which signaled the arrival of Harley in the modern day bagger market as we know it.

The latest version of the street glide has a striking shape and appearance which makes it quite reminiscent of a show bike or customized bagger motorcycle. This has of course been attractive to the loyal customer base of the US giant and these models continue to rise in popularity in similar fashion to those from other manufacturers. Bikers are beginning to realize that the modern twist on the bagger can be a logical choice but still retain a lot of style as with this Harley.

Motto Guzzi Flying Fortress MGX-21

Motto Guzzi have been another household name in the bagger category for decades. This bike though represents their own form of debut in the modern-era of more shaped baggers as opposed to the traditional style. The result is nothing short of spectacular. They have produced a beautifully stylish bike which features multiple riding modes for you to enjoy depending on how you are feeling, and also an anti-slip function to ensure that those wheels stay locked onto the road throughout your tour.

Power and of course style in abundance here from Motto Guzzi. I guess we should have expected no less from the Italian firm with literally generations of experience in crafting the finest bagger motorcycles.

Custom Bagger Motorcycles

Motorcycles are a special art form for many who ride and indulge in their love of the bikes. Baggers and cruisers in particular evoke a strong passion from the community which has established around them. This has led to a huge amount of customization of bikes.

Much as you often see custom or heavily personalized trucks, the same is true of custom bagger motorcycles. Typically, this customization can be heavily focused on the rear and what would have been the traditional saddle-bag set itself. Such customizations are often elaborate and focus on making the bike flow together very smoothly, and not forgetting the often vibrant colors which are featured in many custom bagger designs. You can see more awesome custom bagger motorcycles here to whet your appetite for something of your own.

Final Thoughts

Motorcycles will always be a thriving and ever-evolving industry. The re-emergence of bagger motorcycles and the high popularity of customer bagger motorcycles in particular is something that will come as no surprise to those who have watched the industry over the decades. For now, when it comes to cruisers and biking, this is absolutely the year, or era of the new bagger motorcycle, so why not enjoy it and ride in style during your next long road trip.

If you are big into riding your motorcycle, it may very well have crossed your mind as to how to start your own motorcycle club. This question could have arisen from your passion for riding down through the years, or maybe you have just become interested in the heritage and history surrounding many of the famous motorcycle clubs, and wondered how you can start your own, or if that is even possible.

With that thought in mind, we will try to cover every aspect of your potential motorcycle club, including the questions you will need to answer in order to get things on the road, literally.

This will include who you need to ask permission from in order to get your club officially started, some of the rules and regulations surrounding motorcycle clubs which you will surely want to incorporate, and even go as far as to look at the patch rules for you new club.

Do You Need Permission to Start Your New Motorcycle Club?

Taking this question back just a little, you first need to decide if you are starting simply a riding club, (several friends or those with similar interest getting together to enjoy their love of bikes), or a full on MC.

In the case that you are planning to start a full blown motorcycle club, then you sure will need some additional permission.

The reasons behind needing this permission is quite simple, motorcycle clubs have been around for a very long time, and as you may imagine, they are very particular about (and protective of) their territory.

It is likely that regardless of where you are considering opening your new motorcycle club, there is already a dominant club in existence, and possibly some other non-dominant clubs too. This is something which should factor heavily in your decision about opening your club, and these are the people you will need permission from.

If you cannot find your local dominant club in order to seek permission, then you should most likely contact the COC (confederation of clubs) They are the national organization which helps to build links and cooperation between clubs.

Whichever path you decide to go down, the people you are asking are at first likely to wonder and ask why you don’t just join the local dominant club. This is your chance to pitch your reasons for not wanting to do that and to establish firm and logical ground why you should start your own club.

Be warned though that even the most logical and best-seeming idea in the world may still not be enough to gain acceptance for a new motorcycle club.

Once either of these groups have rendered their decision, they will establish a specified path for you to follow in your establishment and it will be up to you on how you choose to proceed. If they do happen to disagree with your opening of a new MC though, it would be well worth heeding this advice.

Why is This Permission Required?

First and foremost, why the world of MCs may not always be like you see in the movies or TV shows, and the world is certainly changing for the better nowadays, there is still a strong territorial element attached to many major MCs.

This means that they often do not take kindly to other clubs establishing in that area. The very least of the reasons behind this is that it is also reducing the number of potential members for any club, with too many choosing between the same pool.

The other MCs will also want to be aware of your intentions for a number of reasons. One of these is to ensure that you are not going to give a bad name or reputation to Motorcycle clubs in the area who have likely worked hard over the years on developing and improving their image.

Another reason behind this will be to make sure you are not copying any of the materials or image of the actual MC itself which could leave people confused or mistaken on which club they are signing up with.

Finally, the area may simply be too small to serve an additional club. This is something which you will really only find out through communication with these related bodies as we have mentioned.

Motorcycle Club Rules and Regulations

This may well be the most daunting part of getting started with a Motorcycle Club. Looking around the globe at various 1% clubs and all of the famous (and infamous) clubs we all know of, you will see any number of basic, and more complicated rules depending on the club.

The basic rules may stretch through anything like owing a motorcycle and having a full license are mandatory, to the amounts which are due for memberships, patches, and other privileges.

Rules and regulations of the MC should also inform members on how exactly decisions can be reached at meetings. This includes quota numbers and other information.

Ultimately, the precise rules of the club will be completely up to you to decide as a founding member, though it is worth remembering that almost all MCs strictly follow the Roberts Rules for parliamentary procedure within their operation.

This is something which you should ensure you are completely familiar with prior to starting the club and it also ensures a level of fairness and transparency throughout the operation.

Depending on the nature of the club, you may go on to specify some more obscure rules such as penalty for disrespect of the club and mandatory attendance to meetings and other instances where patches can be presented and revoked.

This is up to you though and in the more modern age, some of the stricter rules even of outlaw MCs are starting to become more relaxed.

Once you have written these rules and regulations up to for the constitution of your new MC, then you are ready to start attracting new members and holding your first meetings.

Motorcycle Club Patches Rules

Another key aspect of any respected MC is the patches. Receiving these various patches are how club members can show their position and command respect within the club. These patches also have very specific designs which you need to be careful not to infringe upon with your new MC without the permission once again of the dominant 1% club in your area.

Riding Clubs should also not wear patches as these are something which most MCs consider to be earned and not bought. You will want to make sure that the patch of your new MC conforms to all of the etiquette surrounding club patches and is respectful enough and has the approval of the dominant club in your area before wearing it out and around.

Patchholders in any MC should be treated with a higher degree of respect as again, this is a position which they have earned. Typically, although not exclusively, patch holders in MCs have been male, and it would still be very rare and somewhat difficult for female members to become patch holders. This is again something which you will have to consider when developing your MC constitution.

Throwing or showing another form of disrespect to the club patch is also usually something which is treated as a major disrespect and often results in immediate expulsion from a Motorcycle Club.

How Motorcycle Clubs Have Changed

Naturally many people will associate Motor Cycle clubs with violence and notoriety. This is a perception which still persists even to this day. The truth of the matter is that although some outlaw MCs still do exist, and in great numbers, the level of infamy which they have achieved in previous generations is far beyond what they are currently involved in.

These clubs certainly still have very strict rules and regulations, particularly when it comes to respect and territory, but the severity of consequence one would imagine to breaches in these rules has greatly reduced. Nowadays, MCs are much more about passion for riding than any other factors.

As mentioned above though, they are still very much in operation and should be consulted is they are the dominant club in your area. You should also be aware that even though the landscape may have changed, peoples negative connotations of MCs and bikers in general are still likely to persist.

Conclusion

Overall, starting your own Motorcycle Club is no easy task. There are a variety of potentially volatile situations which you have to carefully overcome. With the help of the steps noted above though, you should be well on your way to starting your own MC.

The most important aspect to remember is that even though MCs have changed in their nature over time, the prevalent factor is still territory and respect. As long as you approach the situation with the latter of those two very much in mind, then you may have a clear road ahead in order to establish your own motorcycle club in your area.