How to trade bikes in MA

[Crimedog]

Hey guys,
I found someone to trade bikes with me, assuming all goes well on Monday. What's the proper procedure in MA? Swap plates, sign titles, deregister, uninsure, insure new bike, register new bike with original plates?

Also, if the bike was a salvage I assume that the title would say so?

Thanks!

[keeena]

I'd think process is going to be pretty much the same as a sale (well, 2 sales). I doubt you'd swap plates - just 2 BoS & signed-over titles, then insurance call to change vehicle & stamped RMV1, go to RMV to get a title in your name and register w/ said RMV1. Being Massachusetts, I am gonna guess that you are both going to pay sales tax based on market value. There's a -chance- you might be able to gift the vehicles to each other...but I think they will interpret the trade as "payment". Read here.

As far as title: yes, the title should indicate salvage/rebuilt.

[MoXzilla]

I looked into gifting and per the RMV form says they use "There discretion" but dont say it was a trade, they will 100% tax the shit outta you. Here is the form you need. FORM Go for it if it works awesome.

[Crimedog]

Ha, I'm not trying to dodge sales tax I know I'm paying that shit. I guess the only thing I'm wondering is if I can keep the plate from my bike and use it once I register his?

[MoXzilla]

Ha, I'm not trying to dodge sales tax I know I'm paying that shit. I guess the only thing I'm wondering is if I can keep the plate from my bike and use it once I register his?

Well ohh pssh haha. Could always fill out form to save money worst comes to worse you pay it just like you thought. (guess I am a cheap bastard). I dont see why not you can transfer plates and get title like keeena said.

[Crimedog]

Well ohh pssh haha. Could always fill out form to save money worst comes to worse you pay it just like you thought. (guess I am a cheap bastard). I dont see why not you can transfer plates and get title like keeena said.

I think you can only do that with family and both parties have to go in and prove that they're family. My inlaws just did that in CT and it sounds similar here.

[MoXzilla]

I think you can only do that with family and both parties have to go in and prove that they're family. My inlaws just did that in CT and it sounds similar here.

Oh ok. Thanks. I thought you could do it for anyone. Everyone is step family right?

[Sheppo]

No you can gift to / from a friend. I've done it. The Form is on the Mass DOT website.

[Crimedog]

Well shit, that is awesome.

https://www.massrmv.com/rmv/regs/reg3.htm
http://www.mass.gov/dor/docs/dor/for...dfs/mvu-24.pdf

[Crimedog]

I guess that it comes down to this then:
https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/Polic...nts%2Fgift.htm

Gift
A transfer of a motor vehicle by a donor to a recipient without any consideration (money, goods, services, or assumption of debt) is eligible for an exemption from the sales/use tax.

It makes sense to me that we shouldn't have to pay sales tax since it's already been paid, however trading bikes isn't quite the same as gifting.

[Crimedog]

If it helps anyone I got off my ass and googled transferring registration:
https://www.massrmv.com/rmv/regs/reg2.htm
Seems like we can swap plates and then I have a seven day grace period to register it.

[Sheppo]

It all depends how you word the letter...

You could be gifting him yours and he gifting you his.. and the letter doesn't need to say anything about the other person just you gifted to him your ******

It's a grey area that's for sure.

[Crimedog]

It all depends how you word the letter...

You could be gifting him yours and he gifting you his.. and the letter doesn't need to say anything about the other person just you gifted to him your ******

It's a grey area that's for sure.

So when you've done this before you've had the giftee write a letter stating intent to supplement the MVU-25?

[boosten lebaron]

Get bike, call insurance company and transfer plates to new bike. You have 7 days to register it.
Call rmv with other bikes Vin before you buy. Also call your insurance company with the Vin pre trade as well. Salvage bikes aren't always insurable.

[Crimedog]

Get bike, call insurance company and transfer plates to new bike. You have 7 days to register it.
Call rmv with other bikes Vin before you buy. Also call your insurance company with the Vin pre trade as well. Salvage bikes aren't always insurable.

What does the RMV tell you? This bike isn't a salvage (I think), I've seen the MA title.

edit: is this what you're referring to with the rmv check?
https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/Title...tlelookup.aspx
title comes up clear there.

[keeena]

crimedog - when I read your post I thought you meant swap your plate with the other party. Oops.

[boosten lebaron]

What does the RMV tell you? This bike isn't a salvage (I think), I've seen the MA title.

edit: is this what you're referring to with the rmv check?
https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/Title...tlelookup.aspx
title comes up clear there.

That's the one. Salvage bikes don't always have a salvage title. My race bike is salvage but I never turned in the title for a new one. If I sell it the next owner will get the salvage title.

[Crimedog]

Thanks for the helps gents, I'm glad that I asked. I think I'm GTG and I'll try to use the mvu-24 to gift the bikes.

[Sheppo]

So when you've done this before you've had the giftee write a letter stating intent to supplement the MVU-25?

yes I was gifted a car. We used the form and a letter and I had no issue. FYI it was totally legit not a trade situation BUT I can't see where it would be any different.

[myzx6]

The main question here is- what kind of bike are you getting??

[Crimedog]

Great point. Drz400sm. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, hopefully get it monday.

[Crimedog]

An update in case anyone was following along, cared, or will find this useful. We signed over titles on Monday, wrote gift as the sales price, filled out the mvu-25 forms, and swapped plates. Then we had 7 calendar days to register. Next I called Progressive and got the rmv-1 forms. Went to the RMV today and despite the usual bullshit wait times it was super easy. I handed the lady my paperwork and moments later she asked for $125 ($75 for title and $50 for registration) and I was on my way. Now I'm supposed to get inspected again. Brap.