MSO to street title?

[He Man]

I bought a used dirtbike, it came with an MSO. Can i transfer the MSO into my name at the DMV? and then try to apply for plates? I just want to try and get it plated so i can ride Enduros legally.

[ducpainter]

I believe you can. Usually it's the dealer that transfers it to the owner, but unless there's some obscure rule in NY it's the document required to transfer ownership from the factory to the purchaser.

[Triple J]

+1 to DP. Seems to be common practice for dirtbikes, as they aren't always registered through the dealer like a street bike. MSO + Bill of Sale, and you should be good (at least here in WA).

[He Man]

I have an MSO from Kawasaki that is a generic piece of paper that comes with the bike. Im not sure if the PO filled the back out, or if the dealer filled it out for the original owner. I looked up everywhere on the NYSDMV website and it said that an MSO is not transferable, because it does not have an owner name on it, just states where it came from.

For other states it seems like its doable with proper equipment but id have to bring the bike over there (and i dont know anyone who is willing to sign off on a bike that has the proper equipment without actually looking at it).

This is washington state:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/offroadmotorcycles.html

This is Colorado State:
http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/motorcycle-registration.php

Was anyone here able to do a conversion that could help me out? I have what NJ considers my bike was legal, i.e. horn lights mirror. I am running non DOT tires at the moment, but thats a simple swap. Right now the kawi is fore hare scrambles, and my WR450F (which is street legal) is for enduros. but the Kawi is too fun not to ride enduros.

[ducpainter]

...but an MSO is not a transfer. It is the document required to issue the initial title.
Has the bike ever been titled?

[Triple J]

...but an MSO is not a transfer. It is the document required to issue the initial title.
Has the bike ever been titled?

Can't have ever been if he has the original MSO, can it?

[ducpainter]

Can't have ever been if he has the original MSO, can it?

You wouldn't think so.

[He Man]

The bikes never been title.  I'm pretty sure u have to turn the mso in for a title.  It was signed off to the previous owner.  So I would have to have the new title sent to him before he gave it to me.  Which I think they'll be cool with.  I did some more digging and found that Vermont will tag a 250cc bike (300 and under to be exact)  without inspection.  They will issue a transferable registration.  Which I can then use to trade it in for a nys title.  Or at least that's how I read it.

[ducpainter]

You're right about VT, but I think residency is required.

[Curmudgeon]

There are all kinds of pitfalls with this. An MSO is assigned to a dealer. Dealers can transfer MSO's dealer-to-dealer with nothing more than their dealer code/number. Between states the MSO sometimes needs to be notarized.

A dealer can assign an MSO to a buyer for the purpose of titling, in which case it must have a sales tax satisfaction stamp showing that tax was collected and how much. Then the buyer can do his own DMV.

The buyer cannot transfer an open MSO to another buyer. This is known as skipping/jumping title. NOT good.

Is this dirt bike street legal? There may be a code or some other designation on the front of the MSO which denotes this.

It would be best for you if the PO gets it titled. Depending on the state, it may or may not need to be plated. That title he CAN assign to you. When you go to the DMV, you'll need to state what YOU paid so that they can tax you. A bill of sale from the PO is useful and there will be a form which allows you to state what you paid.

It might be best to visit a DMV in the boonies once you get your paperwork straight. They might be more friendly..., but in NY State..., who knows!

Of course, for plates..., you will also need the state minimal insurance in place...

[stonemaster]

I build customs, if you buy a aftermarket frame it comes with an MSO, when you finish the build you have a DMV inspector check the bike and all paperwork out (any bill of sale,part purchase/orders, MSO etc), then a title is issued, all states recognize MSO's