Buying a motorcycle
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 7 million registered motorcycles in the United States in 2007. The number has increased since then as more and more people find a motorcycle ride more exhilarating than a car ride. Motorcycles are however less safe than cars and motorcycle accidents tend to be fatal in most of the cases. To operate a motorcycle, a motorcycle license is required.

To make driving a safe experience for all in general and motorcycle riding in particular, states have made their own laws regarding registration of both the new and used motorcycles. These laws may differ from state to state. Furthermore, motorcycle registration laws may be different for new motorcycles and used motorcycles in the same state.

In the state of California, where there were more than 800,000 registered motorcycles in 2011, rules for motorcycle registration are similar to the rules for car registration. Both new and used motorcycles can be bought and sold legally in the state. If a motorcycle (new or used) has been bought from a dealer then it is the dealer who does the paper work for the motorcycle registration. If a motorcycle has been bought from a seller, then the new owner, irrespective of the fact whether he/she has bought a new motorcycle or a used motorcycle, has to register the motorcycle himself/herself at the local DMV office. More detailed information is available both online and in the print form from various DMV offices on buying, selling and registering of new and used motorcycles in California.

Buying a motorcycle and getting it registered in the state of Connecticut will require the owner not to be delinquent on property tax and parking tickets. In short, his/her registration privileges must not be suspended. If a new motorcycle is bought from a licensed dealership in the state of Connecticut then the dealer does the paper work for registration. However, if the owner needs to register the motorcycle then he/she needs to be present in the DMV with the following set of documents:

• Completed Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13)
• Bill of Sale issued by dealership
• Federal Odometer Statement
• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
• A current Connecticut Insurance Identification Card
• A form of identification like valid Connecticut license, etc

Buying a used motorcycle in Connecticut will incur a different set of registration rules. The owner will need to submit the following set of documents with the DMV office:

• Completed Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13)
• A current Connecticut Insurance Identification Card
• If the motorcycle was registered outside of Connecticut then a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification is required
• Bill of Sale
• The Certificate of Title (not requited for those motorcycles built before 1981)
• A form of identification like valid Connecticut license, etc

Buying a motorcycle in Pennsylvania will require its owner to have his motorcycle registered at the local Pennsylvania Department of Transportation office. Pennsylvania laws require all motorcycles to be registered. According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation statistics there were more than 400,000 registered motorcycles in the state in 2011. For the same year, there were in excess of 800,000 registered motorcyclists in the state.
For the registration of a motorcycle, the owner must submit the following documents with the local Pennsylvania Department of Transportation office:

• Form MV-1
• Registration fee
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified by a dealership notary or an inspection mechanic
• A proper form of identification
• Proof of insurance
• A valid title

In conclusion, motorcycles whether new or used are liable to be registered like cars. Therefore you must check with your local DMV office for various motorcycle registration requirements before buying or selling a motorcycle.