Need help registering a bike in UK
 

Can anyone register a bike for me? I bought a non-EU bike in England that needs to be registered. Paperwork is ready and MOT has been passed, but now it needs a licensed rider to get insurance and register. I'd do it myself but I'm in the USA and the bike is at a friend's house in England.

Or, if anyone's gone through this process before I have a few questions:

1) Is it possible for someone in the USA (me) to register in my name BEFORE going to the UK? My English friend has my paperwork and would act as my agent of sorts.
2) If not, how long does it take AFTER I arrive in the UK between going to the DVLA and being street-legal to ride through the EU? Do I need to wait for something in the mail, or do I get enough paperwork and plates to ride the same day? (Or both?)

Can you clarify what you mean by non-EU bike? Where is it currently registered?

Yes, you can be the registered keeper using your friend in England as a c/o Address. There is a standard form of registration to register a vehicle, available on the DVLA website, using the certificate of registration V5C that is signed over to you by the previous owner. This assumes the bike already has British number plates, though.

You are probably better off having the bike in your friend's name if you are going to travel within the EU, becuase it will be a lot cheaper to get insurance. The insurance companies won't likely give you a good rate on a foreign driver's license and no driving history in the host country. Just a suggestion.

Also this way, if the bike is in your friend's name, he can get the MOT and Tax Disc before you arrive, quite easily. Otherwise you'd have to do these things yourself at the beginning of the trip, possibly losing valuable time. Another reason to have the bike in your friend's name.