Buying a bike in the USA
 

I'm getting conflicting feedback concerning buying a bike in the USA. I'm A British licence holder and plan to fly into New York, buy a bike and then ride all over the US for up to 6 months. I then plan to sell the bike before i return to blighty. Has anybody out there done anything similar? I've heard stories about having to take a US riding test in order to get insurance. Is this true? i would be grateful for some positive and prompt feedback on these matters.

Never heard of having to take a "test" to get insurance. Maybe they are referring to a state licensing test? Surely you could pass one of those with no problem as they tend to be very rudimentary.

I have a friend that lives in the West Midlands and keeps a bike at my house. Never had any problems when he comes over to ride.

If you need any help, let me know and I'lldo what I can.

Eric

My thinking is that the only reason you'd need to take ANY test is if you were applying for a US drivers licence, in order to get insurance. MOST companies will tell you that you need to be a US resident with US DLicence to get insurance - not true with a foreign registered bike. With a US registry, not sure - and it probably depends on the state.

Contact motorcycle express for info on insurance in the US for foreign travellers - it's a big part of their business, although usually for your own bike, but hopefully they'll know the details on this. Tell Gail I sent you. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi mcnamara_mick

Thinking of doing similar, maybe not till 2004. What did you find out re. your original question? Surely it's got to be more economical than shipping 2 ways!

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ichapp.users.btopenworld.com

What kind of bikes are you guys considering buying?
I work for a dealership for several Japanese brands and my be able to help or give my two cents on what your trying to do.

Thanks,
Todd BEllew


[This message has been edited by Todd Bellew (edited 24 June 2003).]

Hi Todd

It would be the same bike I have here in England, either a s/hand Honda ST1100, or maybe if it makes sense financially I might buy a new ST1300 over there and bring it back when I'd finished. I'd anticipate putting 10-15k miles on the clock.

Are you in the trade?

Yes, I work for a large dealership in Ohio. Probably better known for its motocross team. Yamaha of Troy. We also sell Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.

We do get a few ST1000's in, but not too many. I'll have to look and see if we have a used one. We have quite a few used bikes.

We have sold a few st1300's and serviced a few.
Either way, ST110 are pretty well available used. Probably not too many to choose from. PLus, ST1100 riders tend to actually use their bikes. MOst have a few miles.

But, I could inquire about a price on a 1300 and see if we might have a used 1100.

Thanks,
Todd Bellew


[This message has been edited by Todd Bellew (edited 25 June 2003).]

Thanks Todd - and sorry for the delay.

I'm not going in the immediate future, probably not till 2004 actually - just loosely throwing some ideas about. As a matter of interest, what sort of price could I expect to pay for equivalent of my current ST1100 - new in Sep 2001, with 26,000 miles? What sort of price would I pay cash for a new ST1300?