To buy a bike in UK there are some things you have to do:

1. Register the change of keeper (form V5 which you fill in and send to DVLA). There is no charge but you will need a UK address because that's where the documents get sent back to.

2. If the bike is older than 3 years it will need an "MoT" - this is an annual roadworthiness inspection. Bear in mind if you're going away for a long trip (and I reckon Mongolia and back 4-5 months to do properly) you may need to do the MoT before you leave so it doesn't expire while you're away.

3. Insurance, you may need to do a bit of phoning around to find someone who will insure you with a foreign licence on a UK registered bike. Try a broker like Adrian Flux or Carole Nash. In fact, start emailing now to get an idea of who will do it for you.

4. Road tax, can be done online through the gov.uk website, and will electronically check that items 1-3 above are in place. You need to do this within a day or two of buying the bike, since as Chris says below there is a fair bit of camera surveillance and they are quick to fine you if your documents aren't in order.

You're obviously a confident (if not native?) English speaker so I don't think you'd have a problem buying in UK, and as you say the secondhand market is pretty good here.

The only fly in the ointment is if this damnfool brexit thing happens with no deal, in which case you would have to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) and insurance Green Card to cover you in Europe (currently all UK docs cover Europe as we are in the EU). These extra documents aren't expensive or hard to get though.

As regards what bike, how long is a piece of string? You certainly don't need a battleship to ride Siberia and Mongolia, and especially for a "more compact gentleman" a smaller bike will do it and burn less fuel to boot. I'll be doing it on a 790 next year but if the Versys floats your boat, go for it :)

One thing to keep in mind in all of this, is that you don't want to bring the bike back to Canada! Sell it before you return, as you are unlikely to be able to register it here, without MUCH more trouble and expense than it's worth.
If a bike is not MADE FOR CANADA, it won't have a Canadian compliance tag, and thus isn't registered with Canada Customs etc as originally legally imported, you can't register it here. :(
Keep that in mind when deciding whether to buy overseas or ship your own bike.

A very good point, Grant.

It is impossible (not difficult, not expensive, but absolutely, positively impossible) to import and register a motor vehicle in Canada if it is not marked as being compliant with Canadian motor vehicle standards.

There are only two exceptions:

1) Vehicles originally sold in the USA that are compliant with USA specifications can usually be imported, but you have to check the Canadian government list first... not all USA compliant vehicles sold in the USA can be imported. In any case, it is an expensive PITA to import a compliant vehicle from the USA.

2) Some vehicles over 15 years of age can be imported into Canada, the rationale being that they are collector type vehicles. But this is not a blanket exemption, you will have to check out whether a specific vehicle you have in mind (year, model, engine type, etc.) is eligible.

Michael

Hi Stosskraft,
IF travel opportunities from the UK continue with little change your idea of UK bike purchase for onward travel to continental Europe and beyond should get off to a good start. Border crossings within the EU are (were?) a breeze, but the bureaucracy and queues will kick in as you head east.

UK purchase is simple for new or secondhand machines and prices are reasonable. The law requires the keeper of a vehicle to provide an address at which they can be reached. DVLA will accept a “care of” address providing the resident has given permission for the keeper of the vehicle to use their address. Perhaps you could find someone (like me?) who can offer a base for address, accommodation, garage in the UK when you first arrive from Canada. UK third party insurance and road tax are mandatory, they will cover you (to some degree) within all of the EU.

Do keep the Royal Enfield Himalayan on your possible list.
Take a look on YouTube at “Nathanthepostman” and “Itchy Boots” for loads of R.E. Himalayan travel feedback.
My other half has one and loves it; it replaced a Honda CB500X (also on your possibles list). They have very different characteristics:
The Himalayan is excellent value for money, offering you a pretty much travel ready specification, especially if you include the optional panniers. It does require slow running in, is heavy (for a 400cc), has loads of torque and good off road capability. Where you are going I think it will certainly look the part and these bikes have certainly improved since the original Indian launched version.
Both bikes are comfortable all day long, with the Honda having a better seat.
Our Honda has completed several extended European tours faultlessly, although the high gearing gives little power for the extensive steep accents in the high alpine passes. On the few occasions when the tarmac ran out the CB500X handled everything well; at least more assuredly than my more sporty mount.

Apparently you are the perfect age for a mid life crisis, and if life is a journey I’m sure yours will be interesting one. Good luck with your adventure.

Hello Electra,

Thank you for the great advice, I am leaning towards buying from the UK to start the trip. I have been watching 'Itchy Boots' and really enjoy her content, I am planning on going slower and seeing more the countries I travel through... best plan is no plan :)

I think the Honda is going to be the way to go, but I am planning on riding a RE Himalayan here during the summer to see what I think.

I am not planning to bring the bike back to Canada, I do not even think I will return myself.

I really am going to miss my Z900 RS :(

https://images.z900rs.co.uk/2018-09-03-12.06.14.jpg

In Belgium motorcycles don't need to be checked. We have no technical control. No MoT, no TuV, nothing whatever. But I've no idea what procedures you've got to follow to be able to buy a bike as a foreigner.

Hello all,

Its been awhile since I have touched based. Right now everything is going to plan.

I have sold my house and now have the financial means to do the trip, with some money put away. Right now my next goal is find a home for my fathers cat, so I am trying to re-home her... it will be hard as she has been a good friend through the recent hard times. Once I find a good home for her I am quitting the job and buying a ticket to the UK :)

Hard to say when, exactly I was thinking the end of the year but I am anxious to get going and only have the cat stopping me at the moment... but I am hoping to start the trip before the end of the year.

I am wondering if I should do a video blog or the youtube thing? I am a bit camera shy but it is a once in a lifetime trip so it might be worth capturing.

Cheers everyone

Don't set out with the purpose of making a youtube thing. You'll notice that most people's youtube things are boring. ;) Take lots of photos, take notes, maybe take videos of particularly interesting things, and talk into the video about what you've experienced. If you end up with enough interesting material, you can always combine it into a youtube thing later.