shopping for my first track bike, I’m finding many salvage titled none registered bikes. I understand no reason to register a track bike. But being new to this ive never considered such a purchase till now. Anything i need to be concerned about buying a bike either with just bill of sale or salvage none registered title? Thanks for any insight. I’m just trying to get comfortable with something I’d previously not consider as a street bike. Jmack
I don't think there's anything to be worried about. You can always do a VIN check for peace of mind. I bought my 750 without a title and it's been fine. People buy wrecked bikes with salvage titles for track use quite often. I don't endorse buying anything stolen, of course, but there are many "clean" bikes without titles out there. I'd just be concerned if it looks too good to be true. Price whatever bike you find against other similar bikes. If the buyer is sketchy or doesn't want to give you a VIN, then I'd steer clear.
I think if you're patient you can find a track bike with a clean clear title. I'm not saying a bike with a salvaged title will be unsafe or unreliable but unless you're in a rush I'd keep looking.
As you've seen, unregistered is normal. I've rarely, as in maybe twice in 20 years, had a clean title in my name on a race/track bike and never (even when new from the dealer) bothered to register one that was being used on track. A salvage title is a title, so it can be reissued in your name as a salvage title with the proper paperwork (signoff by prior owner, proof of taxes paid, VIN check by police in Indiana, at least) and you're golden. Realistically you should only expect to be able to transfer a title into your name, salvage or otherwise, if it's in proper shape from the seller not some owner once or twice removed. I just went through this again six months ago on a salvage title bike purchased from an auction site and it was painless (well, as painless as it can be working with the BMV) because the auction site provided all the paperwork I needed to reissue a salvage title in my name. As annoying as it may be, if it's a track bike that has been through a couple owners any title is most likely a from a prior owner at least once removed, and it's very difficult to coordinate all the prior parties and BMV paperwork in order to issue a title in your name. Bill of sale purchases on track bikes are also common and I've never had an issue, although the resale market may be a bit less since any kind of title is preferred by some buyers. Best you can do in that circumstance is to do a VIN check and use common sense when assessing the circumstances and character of the seller. In general, the more expensive the purchase the more I would hope to see all the paperwork in order.
You can run the VIN for free at www.nicb.org to see if it's stolen or not. If the VIN's clean, then there's no worries if it's only ever going to be a track rat... I obviously wouldn't pay as much for a bike without a title though.
Also be weary of liens. I’ve seen a few bikes come up where upon asking the history it became apparent that someone sold a bike they owed money on and couldn’t get a title because the bank had a lien. Ask questions and if things don’t seem right, move on to the next bike.
I like to run the vins at least. if its a lost or old title I wouldn't worry. Just be cautious of hot bikes with sketchy / scratched off vins. Knowing my luck the day I got a bad vin is the day I get pulled over by a state trooper and he runs the vin and it comes back hot.