Someone is trying to take a motorcycle gifted to me, by them, even though I pay the bills to said vehicle, is there something I can do to keep it?

[Jessg562]

California

 

[CdwJava]

Details, please. You say someone "gifted" the motorcycle to you. What does that mean? Was it a birthday gift? Christmas? An "I like you because you're neat" gift? Do THEY agree it was a gift?

Who is the registered owner? Who is on the title or loan?

How is the other person "trying to take" the motorcycle? If it is registered to you alone, then they can't just take it without permission. If they share registration or hold the title, they might be able to take it and then you might have to sue them to recover any financial loss as a result.

But, first, explain what's going on.

 

[Jessg562]

She signed for a bike to give me as a gift , cause she liked me I suppose, I payed for the bike , down payment , monthly , insurance, etc. I didn’t have the credit. Her family, knows it was a gift and witness’ @ the dealership know.
I have records of me paying for everything.
A month after purchase we stop talking, about 5 months later she comes to the door randomly and says she wants it back. I declined and now she supposedly reported it stolen, I’m insured so I’m not sure if I’d get in trouble but question is , is there any legal way to retain the motorcycle if I’ve been the one paying for it and it was a gift.

 

[Jessg562]

she Doesn’t have a license or is insured but the paperwork is in her name

 

[CdwJava]

If the police have not come to talk to you,then the chances are she did not report it as stolen. Under the circumstances, if she told the police the truth, they could NOT have accepted it as a stolen vehicle report anyway.

However, with the paperwork in her name (assuming the registration is in her name) she could take the bike back and you'd then have to sue her to receive any compensation. Hopefully you have receipts and proof of all you have paid for the bike.

In the future, make up a contract for the sale. There are templates out there can allow you to create effective contracts for such sales. Doing it as you did leaves you open to shenanigans.

 

[adjusterjack]

is there any legal way to retain the motorcycle if I’ve been the one paying for it and it was a gift.

Where is your evidence that it was a gift? Not just sayso.

If you had to go to court do you think HER family would come to court and testify for you? Do you think anybody from the dealership would take time off from work to come to court and testify for you?

You're not the first one to come to these legal sites with that kind of story.

Ownership didn't transfer so there was no gift. I think you've just rented or borrowed the bike for 5 months. The police might not do anything but if she took you to court she would get the bike back.

Might as well give it back from her and learn a healthy life lesson from the school of hard knocks. Don't try to do an end run around not having cash or credit. That kind of arrangement usually turns out just like it did for you.

 

[Just Blue]

She signed for a bike to give me as a gift , cause she liked me I suppose, I payed for the bike , down payment , monthly , insurance, etc. I didn’t have the credit. Her family, knows it was a gift and witness’ @ the dealership know.
I have records of me paying for everything.
A month after purchase we stop talking, about 5 months later she comes to the door randomly and says she wants it back. I declined and now she supposedly reported it stolen, I’m insured so I’m not sure if I’d get in trouble but question is , is there any legal way to retain the motorcycle if I’ve been the one paying for it and it was a gift.

Are you making the payments on time?