Question 1

Are dirt bikes street legal?

Accepted Answer

Most dirt bikes are NOT street legal. Pure motocross bikes like the Honda CRF450R or Yamaha YZ450F have no lights, no horn, no mirrors, no DOT tires, and no 17-character VIN, so they cannot be registered for road use in any state. Dual-sport bikes — Honda CRF300L, KTM 500 EXC-F, Husqvarna FE 501s, Suzuki DR-Z400S — come from the factory street-legal with a full federal VIN and can be titled and plated. Always state on the bill of sale whether the bike is plated or off-road only.

Question 2

Do dirt bikes have a VIN?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the model. Dual-sport and street-legal enduro bikes have a full 17-character federal VIN stamped on the steering neck and required by NHTSA for sale in the U.S. Pure off-road competition bikes (CRF450R, YZ450F, KX450, RM-Z450, KTM SX-F) often have a shorter manufacturer frame number — usually 11–13 characters — that is not a federal VIN. Pit bikes, mini bikes, and many imported Chinese brands may have only a frame stamp. Record exactly whatever identifier exists on the steering neck or frame.

Question 3

What is OHV registration and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

An Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) registration — sometimes called a 'green sticker' (California), 'OHV decal,' or 'off-road permit' — is required in most states to ride on public OHV trails, BLM land, state forests, and ORV parks. Each state runs its own program: California DMV issues green/red stickers, Arizona has an OHV decal, Idaho uses an OHV registration sticker, Utah has OHV stickers, Colorado has OHV permits. You typically present the bill of sale at the DMV or wildlife agency to obtain the sticker.

Question 4

What's the difference between a green sticker and a red sticker in California?

Accepted Answer

California uses two color codes for OHV registration. A GREEN sticker covers bikes that meet California emissions standards and can be ridden year-round on public OHV land. A RED sticker covers bikes that do not meet California emissions (typically 2-stroke MX bikes and many newer 4-stroke MX bikes) and may only be ridden during a limited 'red sticker season.' Always disclose the sticker color and emissions status on the bill of sale — it directly affects the bike's value and where the buyer can ride it.

Question 5

Do I need a title to sell a dirt bike?

Accepted Answer

Only if your state titles dirt bikes. For street-legal dual-sport bikes, all 50 states issue a title. For pure off-road dirt bikes, titling rules vary widely: Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and several others issue OHV titles or registration certificates; California issues OHV identification cards; many states issue no title at all and treat the bill of sale as the only ownership document. When no title exists, the bill of sale is the sole proof of ownership and must be retained permanently.

Question 6

What information should I include about the engine?

Accepted Answer

Engine displacement in cc (50, 65, 85, 110, 125, 150, 250, 350, 450, 500), the stroke (2-stroke or 4-stroke), the engine serial number from the case, the cooling type (air-cooled or liquid-cooled), the transmission speeds (4, 5, or 6), and any aftermarket modifications like a Vortex ECU, FMF exhaust, or rebuilt top end. Bikes with recent top-end or bottom-end work command higher prices, so document the rebuild date and parts.

Question 7

Should I include a maintenance and engine-hour history?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Modern competition four-strokes like the CRF450R and YZ450F have very specific service intervals (top end every 15–30 hours, valves checked every 30 hours, piston every 60 hours). Most racers and serious off-road riders log every hour, oil change, and rebuild. Listing the most recent valve check, top-end rebuild, oil change, and any 'big-end' or 'bottom-end' work on the bill of sale can mean the difference between a fair-market $4,500 sale and a $3,200 lowball.

Question 8

Are there age restrictions for dirt bike buyers?

Accepted Answer

A minor cannot generally enter a binding contract, so a bill of sale signed only by a buyer under 18 is voidable at the minor's option. Have a parent or legal guardian co-sign as the responsible adult. Many states also restrict minor riders by engine size (typically under 12 = 70cc max, under 16 = 90cc max) on public OHV land. The bill of sale doesn't enforce these restrictions, but parents should know them before buying a 250F for a 13-year-old.

Question 9

How do I sell a dirt bike that has been raced or crashed?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the race history and any major crash or repair on the bill of sale. A bike with a straight frame and routine top-end rebuilds is one thing; a bike with a bent frame, replaced subframe, or repaired hub is something else entirely. Honesty up front prevents the buyer from successfully claiming fraud or rescission. Consider language like: 'Seller discloses the bike has been raced approximately 25 hours; top end rebuilt 8 hours ago; left fork was replaced after a 2024 crash; frame is straight per dealer inspection.'

Question 10

What about trail passes and park stickers?

Accepted Answer

Trail passes (state forest passes, national forest OHV stickers, and local riding-park memberships) are not transferable in most jurisdictions and stay with the original purchaser. Don't promise the buyer that a current sticker comes with the bike unless you've confirmed transferability. The bill of sale should focus on the bike, attachments, and titled/registered components — not on perishable trail passes.

Question 11

Can I sell a dirt bike with aftermarket exhaust legally?

Accepted Answer

Most aftermarket exhausts (FMF, Pro Circuit, Yoshimura, Akrapovič, Two Brothers) are EPA-exempt for closed-course competition use. However, on a street-legal dual-sport, swapping the OEM exhaust for a non-EPA-compliant aftermarket muffler can void the federal emissions warranty and may create issues at vehicle inspection in CARB states. Disclose any aftermarket exhaust on the bill of sale and note whether the OEM exhaust is included with the sale.

Question 12

Do I need to disclose that the bike was used in motocross competition?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A bike with race history is not necessarily worth less, but it has different wear patterns (often more hours, more rebuilds, more crashes) than a recreational trail bike. Buyers shopping for 'a clean trail bike' will be unhappy to discover the unit was raced every weekend at the local track. Honest disclosure protects you legally and lets the buyer assign appropriate value. Some sellers list the race series and class, which can actually add provenance value to certain models.

Field	Description
Buyer & Seller	Names, addresses, parent co-signature if minor
Year / Brand / Model	2024 Honda CRF250R, 2023 KTM 350 SX-F, etc.
Engine	Displacement (cc), 2-stroke vs 4-stroke, engine serial
VIN / Frame Stamp	17-char VIN if dual-sport, frame stamp if off-road
Hour Meter	Engine hours (Vortex, Hour Meter, etc.)
Rebuild History	Last top end, valves, bottom end with dates
Title Status	Titled (dual-sport) / OHV-only / no title
OHV Registration	State OHV decal number, green/red sticker for CA
Aftermarket Mods	Exhaust, suspension, ECU, hand guards, graphics
Sale Price	Numerals + words, payment method
As-Is Clause	Disclaim implied warranties
Signatures	Both parties dated

Factor	Motocross	Enduro	Dual-Sport
Street Legal	No	Sometimes	Yes
VIN	Frame stamp only	Frame stamp	Full 17-char VIN
Title	Usually no title	Varies by state	Yes (every state)
Lights / Horn	None	Optional kit	Factory
Transmission	Close-ratio 5-spd	Wide-ratio 6-spd	Wide-ratio 6-spd
Tank Size	1.6 – 2.0 gal	2.0 – 2.6 gal	2.0 – 3.0 gal
Typical Price	$5,500 – $11,000	$6,000 – $13,000	$5,000 – $13,000

Free Dirt Bike Bill of Sale Forms

What Is a Dirt Bike Bill of Sale?

VIN / Frame ID

Engine Hours

OHV Sticker

How to Write a Dirt Bike Bill of Sale

Identify Buyer and Seller

Describe the Bike

Record VIN or Frame Number

Document Engine Hours and Rebuild History

Note OHV Status and Title

Sign, Date, Notarize if Needed

Key Components

Dirt Bike Types & Brands

Motocross (MX)

Enduro / Off-Road

Dual-Sport / Plated

Trail / Beginner

Mini / Pit Bike

Two-Stroke

Electric Dirt Bike

Motocross vs. Enduro vs. Dual-Sport

OHV Registration & Green Sticker

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Sample Dirt Bike Bill of Sale

DIRT BIKE BILL OF SALE

Official Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Create your Dirt Bike Bill of Sale in under 10 minutes.