Buying in Italy,
 

Hi,

I am a US citizen, staying in Greece for the next three months. I am living in Corfu, Greece for most of the time but I want to take a couple of side trips to Italy and maybe Eastern Europe. Renting is super expensive, I was quoted $500 euro for just a 50cc scooter! Buying here in Corfu is also prohibitively expensive, there are no freeway safe bikes for less than $2500 e. I found a couple of bikes in Italy, one is a CBR 600 from a private party for $850 e. It is registered though 2012.

If I buy this bike is there a way I can use it and sell it when I am done? I have cousins here in Greece that I could probably get to register it (though I don't know if it is easy to buy sell within the Euro zone). Can I just drive it on the current registration, but get it insurance with me listed as a driver? What about an export registration, I keep hearing general information on this subject but there seems to be very few details, ie. cost, duration, requirements.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what you're asking here, I assume you want to know how to buy a used bike here as a foreigner.
There's no common policy on this kind of thing within the euro zone. I know that in Germany buying and registering for import is a 20 minute operation .in Italy? Forget it....unless you have a residence permit ( can take months to get ), or a very very good Italian friend who isn't worried about being liable for any fines, penalties, or claims on his insurance (which also has to be under his name).

Sorry this doesn' help much, but as I see it, buying in Italy is simply not an option for a traveller.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes I am looking into buying in Italy and either getting an export permit or having a Greek resident register it for me. But it sounds like the only option with Italy is to have a friend register it in their name.

The bike has a current registration though, is it possible to drive it until that registration expires and I could get it insured?

Also, if Italy is not an option. What countries are the easiest for me to purchase a motorcycle. Can I purchase in England and drive through Europe? It sounds like in Germany it is easy to get an export tag, how long can I drive through europe on that?

Thanks for your help, as beautiful as this Island is I am beginning to feel a bit stuck here.

mmm unfortunately I'm pretty sure that your Greek friend would also need to officially reside in Italy so that wouldn't be much use. There is something like an "export permit", which lasts five days, since they assume that you're going to re-register the vehicle elsewhere.
Come to think of it, another possibility might be to just put the bike on the ferry, get it to greece and register it there under your friend's name.

The "registration" never expires here, it just gets updated with the name of any new owners. You won't be able to insure a vehicle under your name.

What else...? I'm sure there are Germans here who will correct me at once, but I remember that temporary registration plates can be issued in Germany for up to a year. This might be your best option. Check out mobile.de – Gebrauchtwagen und neue Autos – Deutschlands größter Fahrzeugmarkt. or Motorräder, Roller, Motorroller, Quads, Mopeds & mehr | AutoScout24

My experience is that German sellers are incredibly serious and helpful, bikes are kept in very good condition, and most people speak English. Paperwork is so simple that in theory you could really just fly up and expect to ride away.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Antonio

Ok,

Thanks for the info. Looks like I am going to just look here in greece for a bike. I see there are some 650 Pegaso's out there and some BMW 650's that would probably work. There just don't seem to be as many choices here in Greece as in Italy and since I am in Corfu, I am going to probably have to go on a 5 hour trip to Thessaloniki, or worse a 8 hour trek to Athens to buy a bike.

Also bikes seem to be more expensive here as well. Anyway, thanks for the help.