Buying a bike in N America.

[pottsy]

Hi all. This is my first time on the Forum but i've been a HU reader for quite a while now. I'm currently backpacking in Nepal, but am really itching to go back to N America to check out the places i couldn't get to last time (by Greyhound) - the National Parks etc. So what's the situation about legally buying/registering/insuring a bike as a non-resident? I gather it's not like NZ/Oz where it's a cinch. I email the respective (California/Canada) DMV's but their auto-response systems don't recognise the query,and the time difference here means phoning's anti-social, bah!Any suggestions?

[Mojorising]

Hi Pottsy,

Have been researching the same recently. You will need an address in the US to register your bike I have been told. Buying and Insuring the bike is not a problem. There are a few veterans on this forum, sure they will advice us if thats not the case. I am planning to go over in Aug / Sept and plan to use my brothers address to base my trip.

Gud Luck,

Cheers Mojo.

[pottsy]

Hi Mojorizing, after finding quite a few posts on the same subject, later on (Doh!), it appears to be a bit of a minefield so i reckon i'll poss ship own kit out there "just in case". I'd best start saving...

[Mojorising]

Hi Pottsy,

Gud luck with it. I have spoen with a few dealers in Phoenix AZ & San Fran CA and they have been helpfull. They have registered bikes for foreigners before as long as they had a freind/relative willing to lend their address for it.

Insurance etc remains the same I guess. Good luck nayway!

Cheers Mojo.

[marieandguy]

hi pottsy, we bought two new bikes in the states, no problems at all, you just need an address, any address as long as it is not a p.o.b, the dealer handeled all the registration paperwork and he came up with the address for us, nobody is checking if iut really your address. the prices of the bikes in the states are relly great and you can find easly great preownd deals..
it is much cheaper and easier then shipping your bike into the usa.

goood luck

[_ten_]

I'm doing this in a few weeks.

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by pottsy

So what's the situation about legally buying/registering/insuring a bike as a non-resident? I gather it's not like NZ/Oz where it's a cinch. I email the respective (California/Canada) DMV's but their auto-response systems don't recognise the query,and the time difference here means phoning's anti-social, bah!Any suggestions?

I just sold 4 used Harleys to 4 guys from Sweden (walked in the door with motorcycle luggage in their hands, made my day) :=) who were going to export them back home at the end of their trip. We didn't have to register them in California (gave them a "one trip" permit ($17) so we used their actual addresses in Sweden for our DMV. We did have to charge them sales tax but no license fees. Insurance guy sold them a yearly policy and they paid for the first month. They will cancel the policy when they leave the states and he will forward any documents/refunds to them in Sweden. Didn't seem to be any problems at all.
Good Luck on your trip.

[Mojorising]

Hey mate,

Still in Nepal?

When are you planing on getting over to the US? Just incase you do not bring your own bike over? happy to log everything I will need to do this Sept in Phoenix and give you a heads up. Bikes are a lot cheaper in the US compared to shipping and you can sell them once you are finished with your adventure.

Let me know,

Cheers Mojo.

[siggsy]

sorry to say im not adding any input to the thread , but i am hoping to buy a bike in the states (im english) and ride south hopefully down to argentina..... going by what youve all quickly and positively discussed its ok to buy the bike as long as you have an address to register it to BUT is there likely to be problems crossing borders going south, due to not being from the country the bike is registered to, but having the bike registered in your name ??...... ive contacted the london USA embassy and they just brushed me to the curb....

cheers lots and top travels !

[yuma simon]

Siggsy, not to defend the US embassy, but they wouldn't have any idea what the requirements are for any country south of the US border. You would have to figure out which countries you were to visit, and contact each one as well as research here. There are loads of people who have been through them and can give you the lowdown on what the requirements are.

[Mojorising]

Valid point mate,

But have not read any adverse feedback yet. I am British too and planning to do the same. Would like to hear from Marieandguy & Ten to see if they encounterd any problems?

Am aware that as you do not need a Cardnet for SA, one of the things to do is get your bike details stamped in your passport! How that is done not too sure? Will equire at the HU mtg next week. Will post my findings here.

PS. when are you planning your trip for?

As Simon Says!!! others have done same! come on shed light on border crossings with US bikes & EU passports?

Cheers Mojo.

[siggsy]

i recently rented a bike in chile and crossed the border into peru... it took 4 hours to get through, which didnt seem that bad to me and there didnt seem to be a problem with the fact that my passport has my london address on it but the bike details were all typed with a chile address, so im hoping that it will be the same as if the bike i buy in the states has a different address to my passport..... but as simon has kindly mentioned a bit of research should answer all worries (i worry to much)......


im in early stages of planning at the moment mojorising... im hoping to squeeze my company into helping out as im doing this for a charity and gonna tell them i will call into each branch of their company along the way , as there is a hell of a lot of branches down the western spine of the americas... im hoping that will convince them....


cheers boys !

[Haakonbj]

"As Simon Says!!! others have done same! come on shed light on border crossings with US bikes & EU passports?"

There is no problem to shed lights on.

I once drove an american bike from LA to Panama City and return with only a Norwegian driving licence for car. Maybe not adviceble.. but it worked :-)


Go for adventure!

Cheers
Haakon

[Mojorising]

I once drove an american bike from LA to Panama City and return with only a Norwegian driving licence for car. Maybe not adviceble.. but it worked :-)

Thanks Mate, Not really worried about it too much. Just gonna take it easy about it. Have read a few threads about similar adventures. I guess its your attitude not where you or your bike comes from that they are really worried about.

Happy travelling.

Cheers Mojo.

[DaveSmith]

I live in California and I don't have a problem letting people use my address for registration. I'd used to offer room to park a bike in my garage/shed, but it's full of my own stuff. NSU Sport Prinz, Monkey Wards (Benelli) cafe racer, Norton Commando. One of 'em even runs!

--Dave