Making buying a motorcycle easier in the USA for foreigners.
 

He guys and gals.
First, let me introduce myself.
The name is Martin. I am an Irish national living in San Francisco California.
Over the past number of years I have noticed a lot of questions from people asking about buying a bike in the USA. In a lot of cases I have helped buy and kit out bikes in my garage while they stayed at my home in San Francisco.
Here is my advice.
Look on local classifieds, craigslist.com is the best one out there. Pick out what you like and I will pick it up for you. Because sellers here are afraid of scammers, best to let me deal with them via phone unless English if your first language. People here are very suspect of emails with not perfect USA slang as scamming is popular.
Buying luggage and the usual bits and bobs can all be shipped to my address here.
You are also welcome to stay at my home where you will eat home cooked meals and have all the advantages of home.

I can also store bikes and help you sell them when your are done.

Let me know if I can be any help.

Martin

Hey Wheatie
 

Be careful of the ADV mob....

boy they crawled right up my anus looking for blood - on my posts
about doing the same...a rabid bunch at times. Granted I miss-spoke about an issue...but they (and I) went nuts. And Ii got banned. For life.

It's still do-able here in New Mexico too, and I have the same offer
as Wheatwacker if you are in the SW...except I will be gone After Jan-Feb and have no storage, but surely can help you buy and register....

anyone else want to weigh in..there was talka while ago of forming a list of helpers (geez, would that be a "fixer" in USA ?) and states where foreigners can get motos...


Zig

I'm headed south in late November and will not be back till Febuary.

very gracious offer Martin and Zig.....I will be in contact....I am really looking forward to my time in the US......cheers Phil

Buy ,Ride and Sell
 

My plan is to buy a bike in US , ride Route 66 east to west and sell bike before returning to UK. Is that practical or should I consider hiring. Dont want "organized tour" I want to do it my way. Any thoughts ?

Rent is so expensive here
 

you could buy a used bike and throw it away even....I'm thinking.

BTW I will be in Santa Fe New Mexico for the next 2 months if anyone needs to register a bike. Then heading for Mexico.


Zig

Hiring/renting is expensive. Buying riding and selling is the way to go.

Perfectly doable!

We did something similar last year.

Have since sold one bike and have an F650GS still for sale south of San Francisco. (San Francisco Motorcycle if you're interested)

Some comments:

• The paperwork in California is pretty easy
• Although expect delays in getting 'official' govt papers and numberplates due to the state only having part time workers
• Crossing the Canadian border without a numberplate wasn't an issue as Customs have a big database including your VIN numbers etc.
• Insurance is cheap (we used Progressive and highly recommend)
• There is sales tax if you buy from a dealer
• There a lot of friendly ex-pats (like Martin) who lend you their addresses and garages (thanks guys)
• Craigslist is OK but as their filtering system is so complex many bikes never make it onto their lists (can't use normal words, must have local cell phone, need to repeatedly reconfirm via SMS etc. etc. )
• Ebay is not bad but as its expensive few bikes are there
• Strangely there is no main bike sales website in the US like there is here in OZ so some searching is required
• Personally I've been disappointed with the bike sales sites and have tried my hand at self promotion. (Did I mention I have a bike for sale at http://sanfranciscomotorcycle.com :oops2:)

Have fun!!

advrider has a lot of bikes for sale as well
 

you have to be registered to see the link, but it's easy registration - and a lot of the bikes are fully kitted.

Zig

When I lived in the US, I'd let people use my address. It only happened twice, but no problems with it on my end.

-Dave

offer of assistance, usa
 

Thats a great offer wheatwhacker, i hired in the us last year and it was the biggest cost of my 6 week trip, i could halve my costs by buying and then selling on completion. I'm thinking of a ride up into Alaska next year, i may just take you up on that offer.

Nice offer from you guys to offer assistance in buying and registering bikes in the US for non-US fellows.

I have relatives in California, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, do you know if it is possible/easy in MN, WI or OK as it seems to be in CA ?

I would preferably buy the bike (that is: ask my relatives to buy and register it for me in advance) in MN or WI if possible, before I fly there and start a 1 month trip to the west coast and return. If not, I would have to buy the bike in CA and change the trip itinerary/plan.

any idea ? Thanks for your feedback.

Edit: could ask my relatives, yes, but they are no riders, and do not have that experience. Anyway, I'll ask them to query the information from the authorities, and if it is officially doable, hope that IRL that could be done without too much hassle.

Thank you very much - it really would be just what we will need. Will be in touch :)

Okay people.
I'm going to keep this posting alive because somebody out there needs help, and I need a project.

Here is how it works.
A. Tell me what kind of bike your want.
B. Tell me your budget.
C. Tell me how you want the bike set up.

This is what I recommend for travelers touring the Americas.

A. Cheapest option, a KLR 650 fully kitted out for US$2000-4000 depending on year and condition.
B. Suzuki strom, either 650 or 1000cc. Easily got for US$3000-5000.

Bikes over 30 years of age being brought back to the UK
 

Hello, out of interest , for bikes over 30 years and without substantial changes being brought back into the UK , we can arrange a ruling to be issued where the import duty is reduced to ZERO and the VAT is brought down to just 5%, hope that helps !

Hi Martin,
I may be the person who needs your help.
I aiming to ride round the USA from June to December this year. Just starting out on world bike travel, although done lots in UK and Europe, so taking baby steps for now and looking to fly over, buy a Harley bagger and go where the road takes me. I have friends coming over in July to do all round the Grand Canyon and such which i'll be joining them for but other than that I don't have a route or destination set yet.
I had hoped my friends could fix me up with a HOG friend of theirs over there as they have HD through them like a stick of seaside rock, but their friends States side aren't bikers.
I have found a bike trader website over there and am starting to weed through to find a suitable bike but any help you could give would be most appreciated. I'm looking for something like a Streetglide or Tourer with hard panniers but no topbox, with a windshield and preferably a rear rack. Budget is about $7000 max. Not looking for the prettiest bike but want a reliable one (well as reliable as a HD can be). I'd dearly love one of the new Triumph Explorers which will be fresh on the streets by the time i come over but i just can't justify tying up that much cash in a bike for 6 months so i'll wait till next year for that.

Thanks in advance

Dave

Hello,

We have shipped bikes across for people in the UK who have been sold to them by Steve or Brad at Used Harleys Dallas motorcycles for sale bobber Ridley Chopper boss hoss cycle Harley Davidson motorcycles Dallas Fort Worth Arlington custom motorcycles Houston Austin Oklahoma Louisiana Big Dog Mororcycles Harley Davidson choppers Low Riders Dubai in the USA , we can highly recommend them !

Thanks,
Jamie
HILL SHIPPING
HILL SHIPPING WWW.HILLSHIPPING.COM

This is the best resource to find a used bike

craigslist: SF bay area classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

Buying a KLR.
 

Thanks for the offer Wheatwacker. Name's Joe, from New`Zealand and ride a Yamaha XT660Z Tenere here. I'm coming to USA in early July to ride the TransAm Trail and then go on up to Canada to visit my sister. I am looking for a KLR 650 and have been looking on craigslist. My budget is up to US$4000 for preferably the 2008 onwards facelift model, but no objections to low mileage older model. Hard luggage and suspension upgrade would be ideal but not essential - I could bring soft luggage. Augie from ACE in Concord has one for $4500, 2009 29500m. Is my budget realistic? Can you help me locate a good 'un? Much appreciated.

Hi,

Im planing a USA trip as well in 2013. Before my africa trip i got a Honda Transalp 1992 50tkm in Germany for US$1000 and in Southamerica i bought a Honda CGL 125 2010 for US$800, so there must be a way to get a bike cheaper then US$4000 in the States as well.

Greetings from Columbia, Tobi
Gringo travels through Chile and Argentina part 1

I've often thought it would be fun to fly to San Diego, buy a cheap used bike for $2500 or so, take a couple of weeks to ride down the Baja to Cabo and back, and then sell the bike.

The trouble is that when I look on the internet, I don't see too many places that are eager to do a buy/sell deal, and buying privately can be a hassle to get paperwork done.

There is a motorcycle based selling site online. It is
Motorcycles - Scooters, Dirt Bikes, Choppers, Sport Bikes, and Other Motorcycles for Sale - Cycle Trader.com
When they ask for a zipcode, just put in all zeros.

florida, poss bike buying
 

Interesting, great of you to offer help like that....I am going over to Florida next month for about 3 weeks and was thinking about buying something cheap for running around and doing some camping, then prob leave the bike there...This is fairly easy to do in the UK and I always thought it would be straighforward in the US, but perhaps not.....putting aside the finding of a bike, as a brit, what do I need to do paperworkwise.....?

Easy. Find a bike, go to the DMV, get it in your name, get insurance and go ride.
If your willing to come to California, I can have a bike waiting for you.

Email is the best way to reach me as I don't check in here often.

sfadvmoto@gmail.com

In Arizona, I recently renewed the registration for my car, at a privately owned Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD) office. Arizona allows private individuals to offer most of the services of the state-run (remember all 50 states have their own motor vehicle division bureacracy!) for a set fee above what the state charges; $10 to $15 USD depending on what it is.

I asked the guy how easy it would be for a foreigner to register their own vehicle in Arizona, and he said there is no problem. Arizona does issue titles and license plates on the spot.

Of course, Arizona is not as direct for most foreigners to come to, and used bikes are, or seem to be, slightly more $ than the usual bargain hubs such as Los Angeles, as evidenced by researching Craigslist for Los Angeles and Phoenix. So the convenience of instant titling, and being located close to easier-to-cross Mexico border crossings (for those traveling that direction) have to be balanced with getting here. I know that opinions are subjective, but I do find the people of California much more genuinely nicer than in Arizona, ie Martin in San Francisco, and more willing to help people out, out of kindness.

Plus, California has some great, out of the way riding places (yes, so do other states), but buying a bike in California, such as with Martin's help, and riding around the state (it is quite long in length) could be a great way to wait for your paperwork to be prepared and mailed to a 'local' address.

I need some advice and opinions
 

this is my first post and I like to get some opinions regarding my plan which is buying a used bike in the US or new and tour all around in 30 days then keeping the bike in a storage by paying a full year in advance ( for storage ) then next year starting from another point for another 30 days and so on , I went across europe but I want to try the stretched roads in the US , Europe is so compressed to me everything is next the other no stretched kind of roads that I like , so can I keep the bike in any local storage for a year , I asked one local storage in new York and they say that they do month to month , it is cheaper than shipping to me , two trips will cost me same as the brand new bike ( bike shipping + tickets + wife + expenses = forget about it) , so the cheaper option is to buy one and keep it there , plus I have future plans for Canada

If I was in your position, I'd buy one and if I was happy with it, I'd store it. You'd have to prep it for winter and store it. Depending on where you're leaving it, you could probably find someone on HU or ADVRider to keep it.

I'm laughing at myself for saying prep it for winter. Something that I always *mean* to do, and then it bites me in the ass later.

Our agent has a Warehouse in NY , they might be able to store for the year if required, what kind of price would you be looking to pay for the year ?

Thanks
Jamie
HILL SHIPPING
jamie@hillshipping.com

Hello,

I have spoken to our agent and they can arrange storage in their warehouse in NY for £ 850.00 for the year , let me know if that helps.

Regards
Jamie
jamie@hillshipping.com

There are plenty of guys on Advrider.com that would gladly store a bike for you for a case of beer.
I am unfortunately leaving the USA in a few months so I will not be able to help anymore on this side of the pond, however, I have big plans for Europe.

Gee, wheatwhacker, you know there's loads of people right here on HU that will store a bike - often for less than a case of beer!

Storing bikes
 

Since the state of montana is 10.000 square miles bigger than germany we have lots of room. storage is something done a bit carefully so you can be sure the bike will run in a year. Here in montana we store lots of bikes for 8 months while the snow is blowing and drifting.

I've found a bike and want to buy it, but insurance is proving to be a PAIN! :)

I've found these guys:
Overseas Visitors
Motorcycle Express - Ship Your Bike
Motorcycle Insurance - Instant Online Motorcycle Insurance Quotes

But they all want a processing fee to get a quote.
If I have to I have to, but are there easier options?
(I've got a UK licence, not a US).

Other options is to 'sell' the bike to a friend and have them insure it and have me as a named rider (legal in the UK but seems frowned upon here).
Is that do-able?
(I'm in LA and have an address FYi)

Try Progressive (google it). Actual purchase might have to be from a local agent--in person, on the ground. Remember that each state has different insurance requirements and procedures, so scout around for a Progressive agent in LA if that's where you're at.

Mark

Cheers for that...
i'm a little frustrated. I'd previously called Progressive and right away the guy said that they wouldn't insure me as I had a foreign licence. Yet on the website, I filled out the forms and there was an option for foreign licences.. Grrr..

I got a good quote that's WAY under my anticipated range.. so that's awesome.
Cheers for the heads up.

Now I've just gotta buy a bike.. :)

Progressive WILL, I repeat WILL, insure people with foreign license as long as they can provide a "US" address. FACT!!!!!

Indeed they do.. and have.
I had to pay almost $1k for a year and will try and get a refund as I only needed 3 months and couldn't do online monthly payments without a SS No.

I'll worry about that later.. :(

Ok I will be arriving in the North American contenient sometime in next 3 weeks and will be looking for a bike.

My first preference is to do this n Canada so I don't have to start using up a US visa until I have a bike, this will be subject to somethings though.

Are bikes of simllar condition roughly the same price in both in both countries? Cost is important as I am leaving KTM 950 in Russia without recouping the replacement cost.

Is easy to secure Canadian registration and insurance on a tourist visa?

Is buying in Canada and selling in the US easy/possible?

Thanks,

Craig

Bikes are cheaper and more plentiful in the States. On the other hand, you only need one bike, so to some extent all depends on whether you are either lucky, patient, or both.

Selling a Canadian bike in the States is not easy, but it's possible. Barely. You can Google as well as I can, but my 5 second search gave me this hit: Importing a Motor Vehicle into the U.S. . If that looks like the way you want to spend your holiday (and potentially a significant portion of your 90 day entry), well, you know what to do.

Sorry I don't know how Canadian insurance and registration works. I do know that in the USA, you can easily Google the specific state requirements and insure with Progressive. You might try something similar with whatever Canadian province you're aimed at. Answers which apply to one might not apply to others.

Hope that's helpful. Good luck with your trip.

Mark

Thanks Mark I think you have given me the answer. Buy it in the US!

We going via South Korea so I think I will visit the Consulte and inquire about a longer visa.

1. Bikes are substantially cheaper in the US.

2. Your (?) UK license is good for 12 months in Canada and most of the US if on a tourist visa, definitely in New York.

3. Insuring the bike in Canada is not an issue in BC on a UK license. You will need an address, though.

When I 'did' North America many moons ago I did the test and got a US license as it made all sorts of things easier but I think that is harder now - need to be resident, give SS number/show tax returns and all that sort of stuff (thanks DHS).

Getting a Canadian m/c license is a right royal PITA and takes a couple of months.

Thanks for that.

Anyone have a KTM 9x0 or GS800 they are looking to sell :)

Okay further to this, if I was to buy a new bike (a discussion point since we have had big reliablility problems with the bike i leaving in Russia) I fancy I will get slugged with state sales taxes.

So from that point of view what state is the cheapest for this?

I of course would need a wheatwcker in that state.

Oregon, New Hampshire &Texas are states in which I believe there is little or no sales tax.

You will need to be resident in that state to register the vehicle which may involve filing a tax return or at least showing utility bills with your name & address on them.

Perhaps one of our resident yanks could chime in at this point....?

I have friends in California who can help you.

I'm not sure if I missed or nobody wrote it but... as a foreign in the US with a tourist visa, can I but a bike in the US and register it in my name? I'm in Washington, near Seattle and I saw a very interesting offer and maybe I will buy it for my next US trip

Short answer: read the thread. Then google Washington State DOL (department of licensing). Read the regulations. Note the need for a local address, and for insurance if you're riding the bike, even briefly.

Perhaps one of our American friends could help with my question.

Here's a hypothetical .... I purchase a new bike from a dealer (in this case the dealer's in NC), take out insurance and the dealer will give me the MSO and Bill of Sale in my name (MSO is not a Mexican Spotted Owl, it's a Manufacturers Statement of Origin). I therefore have ownership that's in my name.

I don't register the bike (no 'tax and tag'). In most States I'm legally permitted to use it for at least 30 days before I have to register it, so I can ride the bike out of the country within those 30 days, and tour Central and South America for a year. (https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...ithout-a-title).

When I return to the States, I ride the bike directly back to the same dealer. The dealer has said they'll purchase it back even under MSO ownership.

Leaving aside that the dealer will offer a crap buy-back price, the only problem I envisage is the return leg from the US border to the dealer. However, if the bike's insured and I use it for less than 30 days, I can't forsee a problem.

Comments gratefully accepted.

Thanks for all the good advice, here's my question.
I've found a bike to buy in New Jersey, and I have friends in New Jersey who will keep it for me - is it better to simply get it registered in his name and I use it when I come over as a 'named' rider or get it registered to me (if possible?) and sort out my own insurance etc. for when I ride it?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

Read the Board
 

QUOTE=Mike Carr;396938]
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mike[/QUOTE]

As said before ... read the Board!

On the assumption you're fixed on NJ, the relevant question is where you intend to travel. If it's within the USA, I'd suggest letting your mate register the bike. From what I've read, it's not easy for a non-resident to register in NJ.

If you want to cross into Central and South America, a legal clean title in your name is best.

My two cents.

Buying in California
 

Is there anyone from LA area who can assist with the purchase of 2 bikes, registration, insurance and luggage storage?
We are planning a trip from LA to Central America in December/January and would really appreciate anyone in SoCal who can assist us.
Will happily pay for the service.
Thanks!

Chris
+61437886509

Hi, are you still offering this service. I am planning my trip for May/June 2020