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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 7 Jan 2019
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Hi Jay:

The problem is more specific than whether or not the motorcycle actually meets emissions regulations. The problem is that the manufacturer of the motorcycle likely only puts an emission compliance label on the motorcycle to certify compliance within the continent (North America or Europe) that the motorcycle is exported to.

In the absence of a label on the vehicle stating that it complies with the applicable emissions requirements, one cannot register (plate) the vehicle.

To a great extent, this is 'restraint of trade' by the manufacturers - by doing this, they can prevent intercontinental shipment and 'grey marketing' of vehicles.

There are, of course, other hurdles to overcome besides emissions. You likely could not register a French or German specification motorcycle in the UK because the headlight would not comply with UK beam pattern requirements. Some European countries (notably Germany) are very picky about noise emission, and require that the exhaust system be labelled to indicate compliance with the standards applicable in that particular country.

Michael
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Old 7 Jan 2019
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It is possible in the U.K.

Ton's of American bikes are imported into the U.K every year.

You will have to pay the taxes on it and have it registered with an Age-related number plate.

It's not the easiest thing to do, but it IS possible !!

What year is the bike ??
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Old 7 Jan 2019
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+1 for Ted.

It helps if the vehicle has EU standards compliance paperwork. If not there's a more comprehensive inspection needed.

The 225/250cc Yamaha Serow is an example of a bike that's been imported second hand from Japan in quantities probably of hundreds.
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Old 9 Jan 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
It is possible in the U.K.

Ton's of American bikes are imported into the U.K every year.

You will have to pay the taxes on it and have it registered with an Age-related number plate.

It's not the easiest thing to do, but it IS possible !!

What year is the bike ??
As Ted will know there is a whole industry importing used bikes from Japan - particularly pocket rocket 250s and 400s - these are generically called grey imports. The manufacturers have never registered the bikes as they tend to be for Japan only and so there is no emmissions test results to work with. The bikes are individually registered and even the insurance companies are relaxed about it. Spares are no issue either.

I have a BMW R80 that was originally registered in Saudi Arabia and has its clocks in kph but is road legal in the UK as it was imported and registered here as an individual registration. No issues at all.
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