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This page will cover the street legal requirements and registration and title process in Wisconsin and provide some tips on how to register if you bought the motorcycle without a title.
Learn more about motorcycle title transfers in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Title & Inspection Requirements for Used Motorcycles
- Does Wisconsin have an equipment/safety inspection?
- Safety inspection required.
- Does Wisconsin require VIN Inspections for motorcycles bought out of state?
- Not required.
- Does Wisconsin require a title for old motorcycles?
- Required for all motorcycles.
Wisconsin Motorcycle Title and Registration
You’ll need to provide the following to register your motorcycle:
- Signed title.
- Bill of sale and old registration if bought in a state that doesn’t issue titles.
- Wisconsin Title and Plates Form
- Title, registration fees and taxes.
Find more information about Wisconsin motorcycle registration and registration renewal.
No Title Motorcycle Registration in Wisconsin
If you bought a motorcycle with no title in Wisconsin:
Option 1: Motorcycles bought in Wisconsin
Before sale is complete, ask previous owner to get a duplicate title:
Learn how to replace a lost motorcycle title in Wisconsin.
Option 2: Bikes from out of state
If the motorcycle was bought in a state that requires motorcycle titles:
- Have the previous owner request a duplicate title in that state.
- Find motorcycle registration and title details for all states here.
Option 3: Register in a No-Title State
Register the bike in a non-title, no residency requirement, mail-in registration application state, such as Vermont.
- Follow the registration requirements in Vermont.
- Transfer your registration to your own state.
Wisconsin Street Legal Motorcycle Equipment Requirements
Wisconsin motorcycles must have:
- Rearview mirrors.
- Fender on rear wheel.
- Handlebars no more than 30” above seat.
- Passenger footrest when carrying a passenger.
- Daytime headlights.
- Speedometer and odometer.
Learn more about street legal motorcycle requirements.
This information was correct at the time of writing it, but state laws are subject to change.
My son is considering buying a Yamaha TW200 that was owned by the state of WI and used for motorcycle safety training in Portage, WI. The seller claims that when they acquired the motorcycle it had no title and they were told that the bike could not be registered in WI because of this. This makes no sense the bike is street legal and was owned by the State….why would this make it unable to be registered in WI?
While you’ll certainly need proof of ownership (in either a title or registration papers) to title and register the bike in your/your son’s name, you do have some options.
It sounds like the previous owner is relaying information coming from a DMV employee – some are helpful, while others will provide a simple no without any further help or explanation.
I’d recommend contacting the DMV yourselves to see if you can get some more useful information or instructions. You could also try contacting the motorcycle safety training provider on the off chance that they kept old records.
If that doesn’t work, and the bike is older that 15 years old, you can look into going the Vermont registration route.
Good luck!