Dead teen's bike unregistered, unwarranted

File photo / APN

A motorcyclist who died when he hit a tree in the Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau early today was riding an unregistered machine that did not have a warrant of fitness, say police.

The rider, an 18-year-old from Kawerau, was found on the side of Fenton Hill Rd about 6am and police said he could have been lying dead for several hours before he was found.

"From what I understand it is a motocross bike and wasn't roadworthy and shouldn't have been on a road," Sergeant Yvonne Parker said.

"It was a motocross bike and is not registered and warranted."

His name would be released tomorrow when close relatives had been told, police said.

- NZPA