UK bike in the US
 

Hi,
My shippers and others I've asked are not sure of the answer to this - hope someone can help.

I currently have my UK registered F650 in the US on the one-year trip type paperwork (means I have ship out the bike within a year). If I simply go over the border, to Canada for example, and bring the bike back into the US does the paperwork "reset" so I get another year in the US? Or is there a minimum time away from the US before you can get it back in?

Cheers,
Nick.

Hi Nick

Don't think you're likely to get a definitive answer to this question. But as a Canadian, I can tell you that if you come to Canada there is lots to see, so you could easily spend weeks or months here, then go back into the US and get a new set of papers at the border.

------------------
Good luck and safe travels!

Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 29 December 2001).]

Thanks Susan,
That sounds like a great idea, though I think I'll wait a couple of months until it warms up a bit! It's not been above freezing for a while in New York, it must be "brass monkey" weather in Canada!

Nick.

Hi Nick

Writing from sunny Vancouver, where the temperature is well above freezing (51 F) and the trees are starting to bud, I forgot some people are still suffering through winter.

A common mistake Americans make is to assume Canada is cold everywhere. Though honesty compels me to admit there are parts of Canada which are very cold right not (just like I hear there are parts of the US which have cold winters). But that's why I don't live there!

Seriously, anywhere due north of New York will be cold, so you probably should wait a couple of months before coming north.

Cheers
Susan

Nick, also check out this post by Stephan Solon and the reference to several bikers who are planning to leave their bikes long-term in the USA.

"I don't know what you would need to do in the US but I know a couple of travellers who are keeping their bikes there for over a year at the moment. Contact Axel Shrodter on axel.schroedter@volkswagen.de who should be able to advise you."
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000136.html

Hope this helps.
Susan

Registering a motorcycle in the United States

I have just gone through the process of purchasing a motorcycle in Canada and importing it to the United States. This is what you need to do to complete this.
Obviously, you need to obtain the registration and bill of sale. In addition, you need to contact the manufacturer of the motorcycle, and obtain from them a letter of compliance. If it meets standards, then you are ok. If not, then it would have to be reworked to meet standards. There are some exceptions to this rule-I have an RD350LC registered in the U.S. even though the motorcycle does not meet U.S. EPA and marking standards.
At the port of entry, you will need to complete a customs form-which is very simple. There may be duty payable (I didn't have any), and then the bike is in the United States.
Then you have to obtain a HS-7 form (for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and mminor exceptions are permitted here-for example, the speedometer may be in KM/hr. In addition, you have to obtain an EPA 3520 form, which governs emissions standards.
Insurance is mandatory for most (if not all) states, and with all this in place, the registration can be done.
Regards,
Dennis Caswell