Hi Guys. New ninjette owner in Boston

[sgates0]

Hi Guys, I'm Shawn from Boston and I just purchased my first bike Saturday, a 2008 Green 250! I've been cruising the site for a while waiting to introduce myself. I have my permit currently and I'll be taking the safety course in the next couple months.

On a side note I'm having some trouble registering the bike, so i figured you guys could help. I purchased the bike from a private seller in Maine ($2400 in case you're wondering).

The seller gave me the Certificate of Origin and a hand written bill of sale. Attached to the Certificate of Origin is a statement from the bank that says enclosed you will find the "Certificate of Title and/or Lien Release"... It later states "To complete the transfer of ownership to your name and removal of our lien from your vehicle, you will need to forward the title and any other documents required by your state to your local motor vehicle title and registration agency."

To register the bike in Massachusetts I need a RMV1 form from my insurance agency. Progressive has told me to process this form I need the title number for the vehicle... so..

I called the bank and they stated that if they included a Certificate of Origin it is because they didn't receive a title. I then called the dealership which the bike was purchased from and was told (by a "non salesman/non finance guy") that for a bike 250cc or lower it's not unusual for a title not to be issued...

So now...I'm stuck. Because it is after 5pm here I can't really make any more progress tonight. Progressive has told me to contact the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Hopefully they'll be able to help tomorrow. Has anyone faced a similar situation? I am hoping to get all of this done soon.. Friday off and 70+ degrees all weekend.

Thanks for any help!

[Alex]

sgates0! Glad to have you aboard...

[KJohnson21]

[sgates0]

Thanks guys... after reading on maine's dmv site I found that Maine doesn't require a title on bikes under 300cc's... so I guess I need to contact them and see if they can issue a title. Or contact the dealership again.

[Snake]

Hell and welcome.

[CC Cowboy]

Shawn, a good Boston Irish name. I lived in and around Boston for years. I love the place, except during the winter.

Contact the DMV in Maine and ask them if they can help you. If doesn't work tell the dealership it is up to them to sell you a bike you can title.

[BlueRaven]

good luck on getting everything sorted out for the weekend. Since you don't have you MSF course yet you can always go and practice out in a big vacant lot preferably one that has clean pavement to get the feel of your new toy before you hit the roads.

[sgates0]

Thanks for the welcome.. I have been riding around a little bit, luckily its gonna rain until Thursday so I'm not too tempted to get on the road just yet. I'll let you know how I get this sorted out, I was surprised there isn't more info about this situation available online.

[cnichols79us]

Good Luck and Welcome!

[OldGuy]

Welcome Shawn - glad to have you with us. Hope you get things sorted out before too long. What have you got for gear?

[sgates0]

Currently I only have a helmet, it is however about 10 years old so I've been advised to replace it. I will probably buy a new helmet, a jacket, and some gloves over the weeekend.
Posted via Mobile Device

[deezyellownutz]

Welcome Shawn, I am from Boston as well, specifically Brookline. I too just picked up a 2009 250R SE for my wife. Currently working and look forward to maybe riding with you in the near future.

Because I'm a stubborn *o8 - I decided try to investigate and call the DMV in ME I did verify that they DO NOT title motorcycles under 300cc. I was told that you can get a letter from ME stating that they do NOT title anything under 300cc. ME also mentioned that MA should be able to check NADA and see that ME does not title motorcycles under 300cc.

ME DMV
Unless otherwise provided, dial the Main Number (207) 624-9000; then enter 1;
then enter extension number for desired Section
Vehicle Services Division:
Dealer Licensing 52143
Titles 52138

MA DMV
To reach the Telephone Center, call 617-351-4500 or 800-858-3926. If you are in MA and are hearing impaired, call 1-877-RMV-TTDD (1-877-768-8833).
Title Department
Press Option 1 then Option 5 for Title Transactions

I spoke with a Title Person from MA
This is what they stated

ME Motorcycle - Exception under 300cc does not NEED TITLE.
What you DO NEED is the registration paperwork from the previous owner to prove that they paid TAXES on it and didn't just buy it from the dealer and RIDE it without paying TAXES.
Also Progressive is new to the game in MA and they suck when it comes to things like paperwork.

So all you need to get a RMV1 form from a KNOWLEDGEABLE insurance company is
A. Previous Registration showing previous owner paid taxes on the bike.
B. Certificate of Origin
C. Bill of Sale

I would recommend joining MMA (Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) $25 per year and getting insurance through Plymouth Rock Assurance from Lister Insurance in Medford, MA. The reason is if you are insured with Plymouth Rock and a MMA member, you get a 5% discount on your insurance cost which is well over $25 when you do the math so it pays for itself.

I hope this is enough information for you as I would hate to see you have issues due to red tape. If you need any additional help feel free to call me - 781-267-2040 or my work at 617-849-9382.

Good luck and hope to see you around Boston soon! =)

[drowe531]

I registered a bike I bought in Maine last summer in MA. What I provided them with was the statuate and laws stating that Maine doesn't need titles for bikes under 250. You may need to ask for a manager at the DMV but they can handle it fine.

[deezyellownutz]

I believe the issue at hand is that Progressive will not give him a RMV1 without the title information.

Also MA has stated that they will not TITLE the bike if previous taxes were not paid on it. Reason why they want the previous registration to show that there are no taxes due from the previous owner.

[drowe531]

Ah ok. I used triple A and only needed to provide them bill of sale, registration and the statuate. They did all the leg work for me

[sgates0]

Right I can't thayer without the rmv 1 form. Thanks for all the help guys. I'm gonna make a few calls this afternoon. Do you think it would be possible for the dealership to issue a title? I am trying to think ahead so if I ever decide to sell it thi isn't a problem. Again
Thanks a bunch, I'll keep you all posted.
Posted via Mobile Device

[deezyellownutz]

If you get the registration from the previous owner you should be all set.

All this information I got directly from the Title Representative at the DMV.

Basic registration and license renewal services will no longer be available for members of AAA Southern New England at their Worcester and Newton offices after 5pm Friday, March 26, 2010.

[drowe531]

Hooray good thing I live in Burlington.
Plus I just bought an 08 in MA so I don't have to worry about the maine thing anymore.

[sgates0]

Contacted the previous owner and he isnmailing out the registration tomorrow... Hopefully it gets here on Thursday so I can head in there Friday morning . Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it. After I get it registered in Ma will I be able to get a title just for future use?
Posted via Mobile Device

[drowe531]

Yep you should have no problem getting the DMV to draw up a title for the bike. Again after I got mine registered from Maine I had them draw up a title with my name and the milage.