Is it really illegal to purchase a 1980s or early 90s atv without a title in Arkansas, what's the consequence?

I can tell you right now almost every 4wheeler and dirt bike does not have a title on Craigslist in arkansas. I guess I got screwed and broke the law when i bought a 2007 Honda 400ex without a title but I got rid of the thing because I figured out it might be illegal to have a 4wheeler or motorcycle without a title because you can't register it and pay taxes on it which is bs. So what's the consequence if you get caught with a atv or dirt bike without a title? Do police say your the one that stole it?

You COULD go to Court a get a 'new' one…

Stolen vehicles (including ATV) are tracked based on VIN. I would guess that a very large number of people don't even know where the title is for their car let alone ATV or whatever.

Like dude, ya don't gotta have a title for everything that moves. Gotta title for your riding lawnmower? Gotta title for your frisbee? Gotta title for your bicycle? Like wow. Hazya heerd o' RECEIPTS? Go to the AR DMV website fur them dirt thangs to see if they're there. Betcha they ain't. If'n ya really wanna do it right, look at the AR Code. Most codes are word-searchable these days. Butcha gotta put in sum wurds. Might be two difficultalizational fur you.

Depends on state laws- but MOST states did NOT have title for 'Toys', off road vehicles that did NOT have license plates, weren't defined a 'passenger vehicle' . Arkansas didn't require license plates on 49cc vehicle 5 years back- might have changed since then- and a 13 year old boy could legally ride it it around town streets. License plates optional, license required for vehicle with license plates. Indiana didn't license plate 49cc scooters until maybe 3 years back so drunks that had lost drivers license could ride them on street. ATVs are NOT under most laws 'Passenger Carrying Motor Vehicles' legal to ride on public way that is maintain with gasoline excise tax. About only way a ATV came with title before 2000 was if it was financed and state law had to issue title to get number to record lien- and few had that kind of law, most would have consumer lien like a unpaid for washing machine or riding lawnmower. Newer ATVs, some dirt bikes get titled in some states as part of DNR registration and emissions tests- Kalifornicatia seems to have linked titles, registrations and emissions tests even foe some golf carts and off road vehicles. Check Arkansas DOT/DMV for current law regarding titles ATVs- might not have title yet, might not be their responsibility to track. Locally the DRN- Dept Natural Resources is the state outfit that registers and checks for spark arrestors ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles that intend to use state park trails.

Nope not illegal to purchase without a title. But darn hard to register it, plate it and insure it to drive on the public ROADS (though for an ATV, it is not meant for riding on the roads… It is an Off-road vehicle… Meant for pastures, orchards, farmlands and forest roads… With the owner of the lands consent of course… Or you will feel the sting of salt as you get shot at by the land owner. Basically the thing is taken up to those remote fishing lakes that no 4 wheel drive can go. Or ATV racing tracks.
. It was never meant to be a road vehicle. Not like a motorcycle is.
Had you asked at DMV or the cop shop there's a way to get the paperwork for the bike that is missing the paperwork. It is a process and takes about a month and then if all is good, the bike is registered to you & you have the title. I did that for a 1975 400KZ. Not a big expense at all. They will tell you the process to getting the title & registration in your name. That is IF YOU WANT TO RIDE IT ON PUBLIC ROADS.
If you plan to always ride it OFF ROAD YOU NEED NOTHING.
. However, understand a "dirt bike" is not legal as a road bike as it needs stuff to be roadworthy, stuff like a muffler, a horn, tail light, a license plate light and a place to mount the license plate under that light, headlight, fenders that are closer to the wheel… I think that is about it. Signal lights are not required. You also need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license meaning you "know the rules of the road for a motorcycle so you do almost the same test as an automobile, meaning you GOT TO BE 16 Y.O. And you got to have motorcycle insurance. In some states you MUST WEAR A MOTORCYCLE HELMET… And follow the rules of the road… Like it was a car… In otherwords no stairways, sidewalks, over the roofs of buildings like BATMAN.
. So if you be a young SCHITT, you will not be riding on the road… So no papers needed.
. 49cc are classed as Mopeds as they are basically a motor assisted bicycle and their top speed is UNDER 30 MPH. If they can go faster than that then they are classed as a motorcycle… Which needs to be insured.
. Mopeds can be ridden by people that only have a car license… So they do not need the motorcycle endorsement. They are more of an in-town vehicle… And because of their slow speed are not allowed on Highways. So the people on Mopeds hold a driver's license, meaning 16 & older. In many places a helmet is still mandatory… And you can't ride on the sidewalks… Or bicycle lanes.
ATV's are not meant for the roads either. Title or no title, the cops will TAKE IT AWAY.

You may be of the view this title thing only matters if you want to use it on road.
have you asked. What if someone lays claim to owning it.

If you hand over say $2,000 for a bike and a year later the police tell you its stolen, you will wish the guy you got it from had provided the title.

With the last line of your question in mind.
If you can't show proof of ownership they may well do that. If they do other than taking it they may charge you with being in possession of stolen property.