What's easier/cheaper: buying a bike in the states and shipping, or buying there
 

Hi,

I have a US passport as well as EU passport. Currently living in Spain, but on a yacht and not a 'real' address.
Looking into buying a 690R and wondering if it makes sense to buy one in the states and shipping > registring in EU, or buying one there.
The initial price is about 2000 cheaper in the states, and my shipping is sorted as well. I'm afraid of all the customs fees and the like.


Any ideas?

David

Buy one there !!

WAAAAY cheaper from ride reports I've heard and simpler than shipping. It's pretty easy registering it there too. You just need an address I think.

This topic has been covered quite a bit so try the search function for loads more info !

Ted

Yes but......you can buy and register a bike in the States, but are you sure you can import it into the EU? I think not, but I'm not sure. If that's an essential part of the equation for you, best check this part carefully.

Or did I misunderstand the question?

buying in bcn isn't that easy. you need a social security number (a right pain in the ass), if you're buying from a dealer.

it's the UK where you only need an address and no ID to buy.

Here we go again. Please refer to the very recent threads at: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...zens-buy-48960 and/or http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-the-usa-48508 .

But I'm still unclear what the OP is asking. Buy where? Ship to where? Register where?

If you have an EU passport it's a no brainer--buy in the EU. In the long run you won't save a dime by buying and shipping--and you will save yourself a ton of hassle and grief. Giving you much more time to enjoy your yacht!

But if your hardheaded like me--you might try and learn the hard way!!

Buying a Bike in the U.K.
 

I'm a U.S. citizen. I bought a used BMW F650 GS GD Dakar in England last Spring (2009). They were about the same price in the U.K. as in the U.S. so I saved about $1000 shipping each way (maybe you can find cheaper shipping...).

I used the address of a "friend of a friend" to register the bike in the U.K.. One potential problem (and benefit of buying in the U.K.) is insurance. I found a number of companies in the U.S. who would insure a bike registered in the U.S. and shipped to Europe but could find no U.S. company that would insure a bike purchased in Europe.

I sent numerous e-mails to companies in the U.K. and in other European countries inquiring about insurance. I told them the whole scenario: U.S. citizen buying a bike in the U.K.. Only a few were willing to sell me a policy and they were VERY expensive. I met an English gentleman who told me: "You're giving them too much information! Just tell them you want to buy some insurance!" Me: "What about my U.S. drivers license?". Him: "Tell them you just moved here and you haven't got a U.K. license yet." Worked perfectly. They asked how long I would be in the U.K.. I told them for at least 6 months, perhaps indefinitely. On the downside, the policy was only good for 60 days outside the U.K. and provided no coverage for most Eastern European countries. I bought "green card" insurance in Luxembourg (google: Arisa Assurances/very reasonable price) to take effect when the U.K. insurance became null.

If you have a E.U. passport, a lot of that is irrelevant. You'll have to do the math yourself to decide if it's worth it or not. Buying a bike in the U.K. was fairly straight-forward and hassle-free for me. It's now registered in Bulgaria (where insurance is really cheap and good throughout eastern Europe) but that is another story.... Good luck!