Stark bricking some used bikes reported as stolen

[Beagle]

There are stories doing the rounds, Shane does a good summary of it.

Here's the short version: if you buy a used bike you should always be careful, check paperwork, ownership and so on, to not find yourself with a stolen bike. The added flavour here is that Stark can remotely brick bikes reported as stolen. This seems like a nice extra safety feature to deter thieves (it's gonna be harder to sell a bike that doesn't work). There are some unfortunate instances where various trickeries, unknown to the buyer, have been discovered after the sale so that they get to enjoy the bike for a while then suddenly it gets bricked.
Not really Stark's fault, with any other bike you'd still be riding stolen property at that point so best thing would probably be to turn the bike over to the police and try to go after the crook that sold it to you...
I guess that's just what the future looks like.

 

[Theo]

Sounds like those people haven't executed the ownership transfer using the Varg app.
EDIT: he then explained, in the comments section, that the criminals actually did the ownership transfer after having stolen identities.

The title of the video and its thumbnail make it sounding like those bikes get locked because at Stark Future they want to upset the customers, while there is actually a good reason.

 

[Chaconne]

I am glad about this since my Stark was stolen. At least in my experience Stark only bricks bikes that have been reported stolen (and you need a police report plus your title and bill of sale(BOS), also having the name of the investigating officer is helpful in the US) --BTW you will need that for any insurance claim as well.

If you get a bike and you don't get the title, BOS, and all original parts chances are it was stolen.

Stark also will not automatically replace a phone. They are paired with the bikes so if your VIN number is on the stolen list you won't be able to get a phone for it. It is a good idea to store your bike and phone separately.

 

[40hp]

Anyone know more about the identity theft thing being talked about? Do original owners have to be concerned?

Anyone that ordered a new bike from an online dealer get the MSO with the bike? I didn't get it with mine and didn't really think about it until now.

 

[AL_V]

Anyone know more about the identity theft thing being talked about? Do original owners have to be concerned?

Anyone that ordered a new bike from an online dealer get the MSO with the bike? I didn't get it with mine and didn't really think about it until now.

Everyone should have gotten an MSO. If you didn't I would contact Stark and/or the dealer you purchased from.

 

[Chaconne]

Anyone know more about the identity theft thing being talked about? Do original owners have to be concerned?

Anyone that ordered a new bike from an online dealer get the MSO with the bike? I didn't get it with mine and didn't really think about it until now.

You should definitely get an MSO. In fact, there was a problem with the bike with my MSO and the dealer straightened it out immediately for me

 

[markhamr]

buyer beware