Biking in Turkey

[Tomezelda]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy an BMW R60 in Turkey and ride it back to Europe. Being currently based in Iraq, I would like to bring it here first before riding back through Turkey to Europe.

Is anyone aware of the practicalities of this? Do I require residency in Turkey? Importing/exporting requirements?

If I am unable to bring it to Iraq (where it cannot be registered), I would pick it up from Turkey and begin my journey there.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

(I accidentally posted this in the Middle East forum!)

[Mehmet Zeki Avar]

Merhaba,

Not possible to buy a turkish number plated vehicle on your name as a foreigner.Having a recidency is good only for having a blue number plate which will make you able to bring a vehicle (even second hand) inside turkey without paying the taxes.In this case only you can ride/drive and you have to take it outside the country when unable to extend the permit and blue carnet..Attention prices here is the highest in europe..

Solutions found in the former years for my foreign friends..

1-Sometimes there are bikes at the motocamp bulgaria for sale after completed trips generally by UK.friends and proper papers.Its easy to buy in bulgaria and keep there when long term parking needed.Friendly guy Ivo may have current information..
There is a HUB meeting there at the end of June...

2-If you have, you can buy it on a trustful local friend's name and travel all over europe with a letter of attorney done at the notary in turkish and english..At the end you can sell it easily via sahibinden.com. web site..buying and selling is done at the notary by 2 sides signatures...

Both solutions worked well before and still works..In and outs always stamped on your passport page and kept on customs computer system with the number plate..

What to be paid additionally..:

choice 1..road insurance for the period of your stay or personal visa .. Prefer the shortest one for road insurance which is a must and covers only the other side..Max. 2 years if the number plate has been outside turkey mınımum 185 days..If 2 years is filled, then the numberplate must stay outside the country for another 185 days...

choice 2...small notary expense and buying tax.Road insurance for 1 year..If you wish you can buy additionaly the insurance named kasko which covers you and the vehicle inside turkey...

All the best..

[Tomezelda]

Hi Mehmet,

Thank you for the insight into Turkey! Most useful as I cont not find a clear answer on the internet

I presume then that these restrictions apply to classic bikes, as the prices in Turkey can be low. I presume if there was an easy way to buy them, someone would have snapped them up already.

I'll need to consider your suggestions below. Unfortunately in Iraq there isn't even a way to get a bike registered in anyone's name!

cheers