Registration /License plate sticker question

[trojan_m50]

I recently purchased a used Suzuki M50 from a dealer. This was in april. he was supposed to send the title to the dmv so it can be registered in my name. My registration expired in July. I still haven't received the stickers from the dmv, on calling the dealer he informed me he has sent it out about 2 weeks ago as there was some problem getting the title from suzuki (this was a leased bike i think)

My question is can i ride, i will probably get pulled over, but if i show them the paperwork from the dealer showing when the bike was purchased and when the registration was renewed is that ok will the cop let me go or will he give me a ticket and make me go to court.
Oh, i live in california- bay area.

Thanks
Anand

[omegajim]

it depends on the cop.

They'll look funny at you, since the bike is two years old, but unless you drive for say, 2 - 3 months with expired plates I wouldn't think you'll get a lot of hassle.

[donny662]

From what I've heard, it's only legal to drive from where you purchased the bike to your home without plates. That's in Michigan, and my source is just what I've heard from other people.

Without looking at California's laws, I would say that, if it's illegal, there's a chance you'll have to pay up even if you in the process of applying for a title. Like omegajim said, it depends on the cop.

Didn't the dealer offer you a temporary permit since they applied for the title/plates?

[ranger04]

should be able to get temp plates again, should have a registration for your temp tags from the dealer, and should be able to get another temp tag

[sra4031]

In TN state laws requires a dealer to complete the registration in a certain time frame. Check with your local county clerks office regarding this. If registration has not been completed then the dealer either forgot, never had the title, or their is a lien on the bike.

To answer your question on riding it legally I would say NO. Do not worry as much as the ticket as much as the insurance, and liability if you hit someone.

Ride safe

[1badbaker]

How busy are your cops?? I spent 9 months driving around Chicago everyday with expired plates and never got pulled over.....

[omegajim]

wow, the better part of a year on expired plates.

In Milwaukee, I bet you could to the same thing.

[pitzz]

If in doubt...don't! Although it depends on the cop, remember, it is his/her job to write tickets not listen to stories or wade thru mounds of circumstancial evidence or paperwork in a traffic stop. You either have it or you don't.

Here in NY City and upstate we've had some high profile enforcement certain days this summer with the police setting up checkpoints where all motorcycles are pulled over and any bike and/or rider not in 100% compliance is impounded on the spot. Kinda sucks...don'tcha think?

Pitzz

[omegajim]

oh yes, checkpoints.

At the oddest places for the oddest things; how about in the bad part of town and find out who is driving w/out a license? Or if the car is stolen?

Oh wait, that's profiling.

[pitzz]

Originally Posted by omegajim

oh yes, checkpoints.

At the oddest places for the oddest things; how about in the bad part of town and find out who is driving w/out a license? Or if the car is stolen?

Oh wait, that's profiling.

From what I've read the use of motorcycle only checkpoints got the AMA and some factions of the ACLU a little hot and bothered this summer. It seems the problem has to do more with only stopping bikes and not cars and trucks for these thinly veiled 'Safety Checks', although when I drove a truck for a living I got pulled into 'Safety Checks' all the time. Nobody thought it was a constitutional issue then. Who can figure?

Anyway, the point is if you have your stuff in order it's only a minor inconvenience, and now that I'm not always drunk and stoned with a joint tucked behind my ear it's even easier. So far my high bars and sunglasses have been commented on but forgiven since my license, registration, insurance, inspection, and DOT approved helmet are all okay.

Perhaps the worst part of it is how it looks to John Q. Public and family as they drive by and see groups of bikes being gone over and bikers being grilled by a special motor carrier task force and state police. That's an image that can only be perceived as negative to the public eye.

Pitzz

[omegajim]

trucks are held to a higher standard because a semi can cover 3 k a week, and most people don't make those kinds of commutes.

[pitzz]

Originally Posted by omegajim

trucks are held to a higher standard because a semi can cover 3 k a week, and most people don't make those kinds of commutes.

This is very true...but it's the other issues that effect us as motorcyclists. After one weekend this summer there was literally a lot the size of a football field filled with impounded bikes from the checkpoints. That's huge! On the bright side, it also means there might be a lot of nice bikes available at the next Sheriff's auction.

Checkpoints aside, a bike parked on the street overnight here in NY City is not only likely to get ticketed for expired stickers (it's easy to check when they're not moving) there is also an actual statute that makes it illegal to put a cover over your bike. Something about obstructing the clear view of the license plate. It's rarely enforced, but it is on the books. Other times they may be too lazy to lift the cover and write you a ticket. You never know which way it's going to go and it drives me crazy just thinking about it. Sometimes that's a short drive...

BTW, my bike is ALWAYS covered and the cover is always locked. I'd rather take the ticket than have some %%%%weasel checking out my stuff.

Pitzz.

[sra4031]

Originally Posted by pitzz

This is very true...but it's the other issues that effect us as motorcyclists. After one weekend this summer there was literally a lot the size of a football field filled with impounded bikes from the checkpoints. That's huge! On the bright side, it also means there might be a lot of nice bikes available at the next Sheriff's auction.

Checkpoints aside, a bike parked on the street overnight here in NY City is not only likely to get ticketed for expired stickers (it's easy to check when they're not moving) there is also an actual statute that makes it illegal to put a cover over your bike. Something about obstructing the clear view of the license plate. It's rarely enforced, but it is on the books. Other times they may be too lazy to lift the cover and write you a ticket. You never know which way it's going to go and it drives me crazy just thinking about it. Sometimes that's a short drive...

BTW, my bike is ALWAYS covered and the cover is always locked. I'd rather take the ticket than have some %%%%weasel checking out my stuff.

Pitzz.

Never knew it was illegal to park a bike with expired tags

[pitzz]

Originally Posted by sra4031

Never knew it was illegal to park a bike with expired tags

The line they take with you down at Parking Violations is that you're not supposed to leave any vehicle on a public street with expired tags at any time, even if your vehicle is not in use, so by extension, I guess they equate parking your bike on the street with operating your bike on the street. There is no storage allowed. In a driveway, on private property, or in a garage is fine...but parked at the curbside is not. The city owns the street and they own the curb and they always remind us, with lots and lots of tickets, that parking on the street is a privledge they grant to us and not a right we can demand. Also enforcement varies wildly depending on the neighborhood with higher standards for more affluent parts of town. The upper crust doesn't like to be bothered by our riff-raff.

I've lived here in the city for many many years and in just a few more I can sell everything, pack up my bikes and my dogs and move to someplace with a less rules.

Pitzz