View Full Version : How can I check a bike for "stolen" status
I met this tool last night on an '06 Ninja 636, which I am 99% sure is stolen. How can I check this out? I hate to be a rat, but as a previous victim of auto theft, I think these people should be castrated. I have absolutely no sympathy for theives.
He told me he just got the bike yesterday, and he had already lost the key. The "key" he was using was this hacked up metal shred that he said a locksmith made for him :eek: The plate was mounted where no one could read it, facing the sky on the chain guard, and it expires in April of this year. I said, "Oh is that just the tag from your old bike?" (Since he just got the bike, but the tag's 9 months old) He said, "Naw...uhhhh, that's the guy's who sold it to me. Whateva, I don't stop for the PO-lice no ways." "Oh," I said. I asked who he bought it from, and he said, "Just this guy...he sold me my last bike too."
After talking to him, I realized I had met him before. He used to ride an '05 unmarked, poorly-repainted yellow CBR and he is known around town for running from the cops. I witnessed this myself, when he was on the yellow CBR a couple months ago...he got away, too.
Anyway, is there a way I can check the plate of this bike? I'll look for the VIN plate next time I see him, but I didn't see it right away last night. I think it's been removed. Aside from it probably being stolen, I just don't want this guy riding around town. Everytime he runs from the cops, I get pulled over nonstop for the next 2 or 3 weeks and questioned for no reason. In fact, after talking to him in a parking lot last night, I was tailed half way home by a Sheriff's deputy.
if you can get ahold of the vin number, carfax or the like should be able to tell you. or, if you have a friend in law enforcement, ask them to run the vin (they're not supposed to do that tho, so don't tell anyone :D )
Carfax does not work for motorcycles, unless they changed? I have yet to find a carfax for motorcycles.
Could you go to DMV and find out? Say you wanted to buy the bike?
Just tell the police you believe (and the reasons why) this guy has stolen bikes. Tell them where he lives, etc. Let the police figure it out. That's their job. Be a good witness and give the police the tips they need.
i wonder...i know law enforcement types aren't supposed to because of privacy laws...i assumed your only recourse would be a carfax type of service (there HAS to be something out there for motorcycles, right?)
hmmmmm, maybe try the DMV then.
TwistGrip
Wed 2/7/07, 11:15AM
Originally posted by supaPhatty J
Just tell the police you believe (and the reasons why) this guy has stolen bikes. Tell them where he lives, etc. Let the police figure it out. That's their job. Be a good witness and give the police the tips they need.
(theme song from COPS goes here)
Yeah, just tell them what you told us. If you see him often enough, and have had words with him, maybe set him up and inform the po-po where he'll be.
Just make sure he isn't working YOU to steal your ride.
-EB
Ikazuchi
Wed 2/7/07, 1:10PM
Originally posted by I say
....I was tailed half way home by a Sheriff's deputy.
I can't stand that shit. I pull over and stop... if the cop pulls over, I ask him what I can do for him... otherwise they keep driving and you can go on in piece.
get the VIN and go to the DMV, tell them you are thinking of buying that bike and you would like to know if there is any accident history and make sure it isnt stolen
Originally posted by Ikazuchi
I can't stand that shit. I pull over and stop... if the cop pulls over, I ask him what I can do for him... otherwise they keep driving and you can go on in piece.
I was slightly mad after a few miles of his tailgating a foot behind me all while I am waving for him to back up. Long story short, I pretended I didn't know it was a cop, flipped him off while letting go of the throttle, and waited for him to hit the blue lights so I could act surprised that it was a cop and tell him how dangerous his driving was! Much to my surprise, he didn't pull me over. He just floored it and went around me. I followed him for a bit, and saw what his hurry was...dinner at the truck stop.
As far as the bike is concerned, I have thought about crimestoppers, but I don't think anything will happen. The guy works at the mall, and there is usually a local police officer on duty there. I think next time I see the bike parked outside, I will just go tell the cop to run the tag and VIN.
I'll update with any results. Thanks for the advice, people.
SilverRider
Wed 2/7/07, 3:21PM
A lot of the time the police following you is running your plates to be sure the bike you are riding is not stolen. If there are a lot of stolen bikes in your area than I am sure they get a lot of bikes coming up stolen while running plates. If your bike gets stolen I am sure you would have no problem with cops running plates on all of the bikes in your area. It is hard to read bike plates as they are half the size of car plates and most of the time the plate light has been removed (illegal of course) and the plate is hard as hell to read.
Originally posted by SilverRider
A lot of the time the police following you is running your plates to be sure the bike you are riding is not stolen. If there are a lot of stolen bikes in your area than I am sure they get a lot of bikes coming up stolen while running plates. If your bike gets stolen I am sure you would have no problem with cops running plates on all of the bikes in your area. It is hard to read bike plates as they are half the size of car plates and most of the time the plate light has been removed (illegal of course) and the plate is hard as hell to read.
Every time I go for a ride and keep the speed under the limit, I get followed and pulled over.
last time the guy gave me a fix it ticket for change of address on my license, and the time before that the guy yelled at me telling me I was lying to him because I said I didn’t have a trunk ( rear seat) to remove...( race tail)...
back on topic,.....just take the vin to the dmv,..they will run it
Originally posted by SilverRider
A lot of the time the police following you is running your plates to be sure the bike you are riding is not stolen. If there are a lot of stolen bikes in your area than I am sure they get a lot of bikes coming up stolen while running plates. If your bike gets stolen I am sure you would have no problem with cops running plates on all of the bikes in your area. It is hard to read bike plates as they are half the size of car plates and most of the time the plate light has been removed (illegal of course) and the plate is hard as hell to read.
If my bike matches the description of a stolen bike then pull me over and check. I'm not a fan of endangering a riders life by following a foot away in order to read a plate. While the cop is too close reading he isn't looking at other traffic he also might not be right on the breaks if something happens up ahead.
Originally posted by SilverRider
A lot of the time the police following you is running your plates to be sure the bike you are riding is not stolen. If there are a lot of stolen bikes in your area than I am sure they get a lot of bikes coming up stolen while running plates. If your bike gets stolen I am sure you would have no problem with cops running plates on all of the bikes in your area. It is hard to read bike plates as they are half the size of car plates and most of the time the plate light has been removed (illegal of course) and the plate is hard as hell to read.
I'm fine with him running my plate, but shit, after several miles of him driving 2 feet away from me going 45 mph, he had enough time to run my tag, called his mom, AND jack off.
He was so close, I saw him run my tag on his radio from my mirrors. That took about 30 seconds. After that, I don't know what his problem was.
SilverRider
Wed 2/7/07, 9:39PM
Hmm, I don't see how you guys get cops behind you all of the time. I just out manuever them and go on my own way. But then again I live in a city atmosphere and that is easy to do. I guess in the sticks that might be hard to do unless you ride a dual sport.
Mike1024
Thu 2/8/07, 8:30AM
i did it before. call the dmv and tell them you want to buy a car, and you want to check its status and registration. Theyre usually cool enought to give you some info. I did it on an R1 before.
Originally posted by SilverRider
Hmm, I don't see how you guys get cops behind you all of the time. I just out manuever them and go on my own way. But then again I live in a city atmosphere and that is easy to do. I guess in the sticks that might be hard to do unless you ride a dual sport.
I usually maneuver away from them also until once I had a cop right behind me tailgating and I changed lanes and put some cars between us (still acceptable speed limit) and when I got off the highway on the exit ramp I see the cops lights come on so I pulled over and I get a accused of trying to run from the officer. I politely asked how I was running from him when he didn't have his lights on earlier. He did the whole "I've got my eye on you" etc routine and went on his way a little embarrassed.
SilverRider
Fri 2/9/07, 9:53AM
Originally posted by ADRATH
I usually maneuver away from them also until once I had a cop right behind me tailgating and I changed lanes and put some cars between us (still acceptable speed limit) and when I got off the highway on the exit ramp I see the cops lights come on so I pulled over and I get a accused of trying to run from the officer. I politely asked how I was running from him when he didn't have his lights on earlier. He did the whole "I've got my eye on you" etc routine and went on his way a little embarrassed.
How many times did he say "meow"? Sounds like one of those Super State Troopers, or in your case County Mounties.:D
Nighttrain
Fri 2/9/07, 10:05AM
Yeah, sounds like it's stolen. I agree with letting the cops know and have them do the work. However, expect that they are going to have you involved in the process the whole time as a potential witness.
ADRATH
Fri 2/9/07, 10:25AM
Originally posted by SilverRider
How many times did he say "meow"? Sounds like one of those Super State Troopers, or in your case County Mounties.:D
It was our trusty OPP (ontario provincial police). I bet it was a case of him wishing I was a runner so he could live out his high speed chase fantasy. I guess I let him down. What a tease I am. lol
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