I bought my first used dirt bike in the US (San Fransisco) in '96 (a well used '91 CR500). I met the guy in a trucking parking lot in 'Frisco, and a after a short test ride, decided to buy the bike on the condition that he deliver it to my apartment in Concord (cash on delivery).
When the guy arrived, we made the deal, and he casually mentioned that I would have to get a "pink" for it. I thought, "OK , so what, big deal". Ya see, they don't have "pinks" in Canada (where I'm from), so I didn't see it as an issue.
I went to the DMV and registered it with no pink, MSO or inspections of any kind (just a hand written bill of sale), and it went without a hitch. My pink came in the mail a few weeks later.
But that was pure dumb luck. :yikes:
I'd never buy another bike (or any motor vehicle) without the pink in hand (or a least an MSO). The "pink" is one of the few 'Merican inventions I like. :cool: