Buying yamaha r6 from private dealer... title issue?

[joshr]

ok so this guy on craigslist has his 2008 yamaha r6 special edition up for sale with 2,000 miles on it and in mint condition. he is including a helmet and jacket with the bike all for $6,250. the only problem is that he said he still owes money on the bike and doesnt have the title. so he said he'd have to go and pay it off as soon as he gets the cash from me and that he will mail me the title. this bugs me out a little. i thought when you did things like this w/ a private dealer you go to a local title transfer and they transfer the title over to you. at this time they would register the vehicle to you and give you a license plate. id have no problems if he had the title in hand... so should i trust this? ive heard he could scam me and say i stole the bike or something. i mean no title no deal right? or should i trust him? 6 grand isnt something i can throw around like there loose pennies. lol.