Canada/US - Where to buy bikes for overland trip?

**Iain** · #1 20 Oct 2005

I'm in the UK and looking to do the Alaska to Argentina run. I was going to ship my bike, but this seems to be very expensive.

Can anyone recommend where to look on the web for overland bikes in CANADA or the US, XT600E, KLR's?

Also, are these bikes popular or should I be looking for another model, if so, which one?

Cheers guys,

Iain.

**Riq** · #2 20 Oct 2005

The first question I would have to ask is where in Canada you intend to purchase the bike. Are you going to start your tour on the east or west coast of the country?

Rick

**Iain** · #3 20 Oct 2005

West Coast, although, we can, to a certain extent, go to where there bikes are available, we're flexible.

Cheers,

Iain.

[This message has been edited by iain (edited 20 October 2005).]

**Riq** · #4 21 Oct 2005

Iain
If you are planning to enter through Vancouver there are many motorcycle shops in the city. If you want to get an idea of used prices I would suggest visiting

Canadatrader.com

and searching the British Columbia listings under motorcycles. I just checked it briefly and 1 that I saw was a 2000 DR650 at $4300 Canadian with 28,000 Km.

I don't think you will have a problem purchasing a decent bike at a reasonable price. Getting it registered without an address in the province is an entirely different matter and one which has already been brought forth on this site.

Have Fun
Rick

**Iain** · #5 21 Oct 2005

Rick,

Thanks for the advice, I really appriciate it.

Do you know what section the registering a bike in Canada came under?

I'll have a check on the trader.

Cheers,

Iain.

**Riq** · #6 21 Oct 2005

I believe that it was under trip paper work.

The general concern is that you must have a permanent address in order to register a motor vehicle in Canada. The registration is issued in the province in which you reside. Depending onthe province you may or may not get basic insurance with the registeration. If not you must purchase insurance before you can register the bike.

You might be able to contact someone in the Vancouver community who will let you "Reside" at their address. I am not sure how they verify residency in British Columbia however they do have no fault insurance with their plates.

In Alberta, my home, you would be required to produce your Alberta identification to register the vehicle. You can go to a personal registry and get a non drivers license identification card. Once again you will need an address.

The greatest fear is that they are going to want to see your drivers license in B.C. and may be reluctant if you don't have a provincial license.

I am sure that if one approaches the situation systematically a solution is there to be found. You are after all only dealing with a government system and as such there is always a work around.

Perhaps contact the Embassy in Vancouver and see what they think.

Rick

**Iain** · #7 21 Oct 2005

Rick,

Thanks for the advice and taking the time to reply, I really appreciated it.

I'll drop the Embassy a line to see if they can help.

Kind regards,.

Iain.

**Ekke** · #8 25 Oct 2005

Hey Iain,

I've got a 1989 BMW R100GS set up for travel that I was (reluctantly) considering for sale. I know you're looking more at a KLR but check the postings a little further down the page to check the specs. I can provide photos of the bike too if you like.

I live near Calgary, Alberta so it is perfectly positioned to head up to Alaska. If you need a Canadian address to register the vehicle you can certainly use mine.

**AndyT** · #9 26 Oct 2005

Iain,

I met a couple from Ireland/Australia who were touring the Americas in '03, they bought 2 new KLR's n Vancouver. You could ask them what bureaucratic hassles, if any, they had. They have a blog on HU here under Dom Breen/Leah Chapman under Traveller's Stories. My guess is they are cheaper in the US. Maybe easier to register in Canada?

Andy

**Grant Johnson** · #10 26 Oct 2005

Last I heard Dom and Leah's bikes were for sale, parked in Central America somewhere. Contact them via the blog and see what's up. Could be a great deal!

Grant

**Iain** · #11 26 Oct 2005

Thanks again for the info, it's good of you all to chip in, I'll check the blogs and see what they say.

Thanks.

**Namron** · #12 26 Oct 2005

Was into the dealer today and asked about you buying a bike. Said you can, all you need is and address to register it and they will give you one. When you have it registered you can get insurance, witch you need in Canada, with a international drivers license.
Norm

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Namron '04 F650GSA, '03 Yamaha Venture, Calgary, Alberta Canada.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

**Bill Ryder** · #13 30 Oct 2005

Hello there, just have to throw out some more info. In the state of montana you get permanent plates for your motorcycle (no yearly renewal). Also insurance is not mantadory (it is elsewhere) my montana insurance works in canada as long as it has the minimum coverage amounts. Happy travels.

**Alec** · #14 8 Jan 2006

I am selling one of my bikes, either s K100RT or a KLR650 in the spring in Calgary. Both in readyn to go conditions. I will know which one in a month or two. There is no better spot for starting your trip than Calgary. Keep in touch

**rtwdoug** · #15 18 Jan 2006

California might be one of the easier places to buy a bike. They have a pretty easy DMV to deal with,

I'd rather pee on a spark plug than ever deal with california DMV again. the only one Ive ever seen that was worse was pennsylvania. It may be that I just got the local man hater clerk, tho, as I never went back. Plus, I was in L.A. Here in Alabama, you can register a bike no matter where your from, if you have a local address.

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www.guzzidoug.com