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Buying bikes in USA for RTW trip??? Buying bikes in USA for RTW trip???
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
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  #1  
Old 28 Jun 2006
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Talking Buying bikes in USA for RTW trip???
After coming back from a 2 month trip to Mongolia the g/f and i are planning an indefinate rtw trip. We are very impressed by the BM F650 (well, she fell in love with one at the recent HU meeting in Derby) and i am impressed by the Dakar, so we have chosen these bikes as transport.

After choosing a route we have chosen to begin in the states and were considering buying bikes out there rather than spending money on them here and shipping them out there.
In you opinion is this wise, is the registration a problem out there and so on etc, etc????

Thanks for any advice.

Knobbly
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  #2  
Old 28 Jun 2006
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As far as which course of action is the wiser, someone from the UK who has done shipping or purchasing in the US should be able to tell you much better information on that front. However, assuming you want to purchase stateside, as the U.S. is very large, you really need to know which city you want to begin the trip from. Since there are 48 contiguous states (I'm not even counting Alaska or Hawaii due to their geographic location) you will be dealing with the department of motor vehicles for that particular state. (No federal agency covers registration) There seem to be many people who come here from out of the country for extended vacations who buy cars or motorycycles for their travels, so I don't forsee any real problems for you with any particular state's registration. (Just be aware that some of the states might be more particular than others). Once you know where you want to begin, then it should be easy to obtain advice from a HU member from that particular state .
Last edited by yuma simon; 28 Jun 2006 at 20:49.
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  #3  
Old 29 Jun 2006
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thanx simon

we shall probably starting our trip in New York or thereabouts. Probably spending a few weeks their first. Then travelling South, West, East then back North again up into Canada.

Early days yet but this is probably the most likely route.

If anyone from New York has any ideas they are gratefully received.

Knobbly
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  #4  
Old 29 Jun 2006
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In addition to the bikes i would require a carnet. Would this be a problem or can it be easily overcome????

cheers
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  #5  
Old 29 Jun 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by knobbly
In addition to the bikes i would require a carnet. Would this be a problem or can it be easily overcome????

cheers
Insurance in lieu of posting a Carnet bond for bikes is not available in North America.

Some US States have moto registrations (tags/plates) that are good for multiple years, as long as 4 years. Louisiana is one of those States. A call to one of their DMV offices (department of motor vehicles) in a major city, such as Baton Rouge, the capitol city, might shed more info.

Check in your homeland about buying US and registering in UK, if that's where you're from.

Pros and Cons to all options...
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  #6  
Old 29 Jun 2006
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Buying a bike with a lifetime license plate
If you buy a bike or register it in Montana USA you get a permanent lecense for the bike as long as you own it.
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Old 29 Jun 2006
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Bill

I don't know how fondly the police in Yuma or throughout Arizona would appreciate me registering my bike in Montana, but what would one have to do to register a bike there from another state? (Or let's say 'Knobbly' bought a couple bikes in New York, and wanted the permanent registration and license plate of Montana)

Simon
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Old 29 Jun 2006
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license in montana
All you need is a address in montana to license a bike. That and a few dollars.
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  #9  
Old 29 Jun 2006
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My recommendation would be to buy the bikes in the UK - you have a fair bit of work sorting them, fitting panniers etc and it's likely to be MUCH easier doing it at home instead of at the curb of a shop - make that several...

Also a carnet is a MUCH better deal in the UK than North America. IN NA you have to post a bond for the value of the bike times the import duty in a country - that's 500% for India. So, 5 times what you paid for the bike in the bank.

In the UK you pay an insurance fee and that's it.

Note that you can get a carnet changed en route, and up or downgraded as needed, but it is a bit of a hassle. Sort it at home and don't actually get it till you need it - and you don't need it in the Americas at all of course.

You did sit in on our "How to" session in Derbyshire? If not, get the DVD - available in a few days.
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  #10  
Old 30 Jun 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson
...........
Also a carnet is a MUCH better deal in the UK than North America. IN NA you have to post a bond for the value of the bike times the import duty in a country - that's 500% for India. So, 5 times what you paid for the bike in the bank.
............
Grant, IIRC, the CAA in Ottawa told me that India was 110% for motos, but more for four wheeled vehicles, with a minimum deposit of $5000us.
I asked about Africa and a few of the Asian counties.

Bill, That's pretty sweet for MT!
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  #11  
Old 30 Jun 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson

You did sit in on our "How to" session in Derbyshire? If not, get the DVD - available in a few days.
Grant, this is why you need to stop serving the spirits before the presentations, and wait until after! lol



Bill, I remember reading through Greg Frazier's many adventures from around the world. In some of the stories, he mentioned that he had brought his own Montana license plate for some of the bikes. I remember that he had a borrowed or rented scooter in Taiwan that he affixed his Montana plate to.
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  #12  
Old 30 Jun 2006
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Smile
Hi,
I agree with Grant re: purchasing the bikes here. Personally, there is no way I would consider riding round the world (or any big trip) on a bike I hadn't spent six months or so prepping and getting to know first. JMHO.
When I recently got my carnet from the RAC in the UK the deposit for India, and Pakistan and Nepal too, I think, was 500% of the bikes worth.
Matt
PS: Am tres jealous! Nowhere for me for a while!
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  #13  
Old 1 Jul 2006
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NY DMV is going to require a lot of paperwork to prove residency and legal immigration status. If you are still interested I can get the website for you.
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  #14  
Old 1 Jul 2006
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Am starting to think the cost of shipping the bikes to the states is a better option than buyin and registering them out there.

Sorry Grant, missed the talk on how to, must have been cleaning the fluff out from between my toes......

seriously, im sure i could have picked some valuable tips, but was probably snoring in my tent recovering from the late night and drinks around the fire. Sorry
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  #15  
Old 1 Jul 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by knobbly
Am starting to think the cost of shipping the bikes to the states is a better option than buyin and registering them out there.

Sorry Grant, missed the talk on how to, must have been cleaning the fluff out from between my toes......

seriously, im sure i could have picked some valuable tips, but was probably snoring in my tent recovering from the late night and drinks around the fire. Sorry
Agreed - shipping is less hassle by far, and probably cheaper in the long run! See Motorcycle Express ads for an easy way to get them there.

Re the seminar - you missed a really good one - but you're in luck!

We have the How-to DVD available next week sometime!

I recommend you get it - well worth it. Keep an eye on the notices banner at the top of the page - will be announcing availability and how to get very soon.
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