How can an aussie register his new bike in Europe?
 

Hi everyone. I came over to buy a Russian Ural Ranger 2WD Limited edition "Pustinja", with sidecar, from Australia on the 17th of April 2007, from the European Dealer in Linz, Austria, and was given a 21 day temporary registration/plates to get it to the UK, where "I thought" I would have been able to register it properly, as I have "right to abode" in my passport and an address to use etc. I bought the bike to ride across Russia, Mongolia, China, and down through SE Asia to Australia. The bike is suited to ride on all the roads through Europe, Russia etc as the sidecar is on the right. That is where I have problems. I found out when I got to the UK, that they no longer register bikes with the sidecar on the right (as they drive on the left side of the road, and will only register sidecars that are on the left.) I'm told this is a relatively new law. I have tried other countries around Europe but am told I can't register the bike in these countries as I am not a resident of that country. So now I am in a catch 22 situation...I can't register in a country I'm not a citizen, and the country where I would be allowed, won't do it. The temporary registration is well and truly expired, and I have been a bit naughty and ridden to Lithuania trying different countries to register it in.
I have my visas for Russia and Mongolia (my Russian visa started on 1st July) and am holed up in a hotel trying to get something sorted before I even think about approaching the Russian border ( I was told by someone from the Australian Embassy in Moscow if I went to the border with an expired registration, even though you have to buy Russian Temporary Registration and Russian Insurance at the border, that they would confiscate my bike and I would be fined and/or jailed!) Not what I had in mind.
I have only just been told about this website yesterday, and wish I had checked it out before I bought the bike etc.. My "she'll be right mate" attitude that has served me well over the years, has gone a bit Pear shaped. I hope someone can offer advice on what I can do to get legal etc.
Is there anywhere that lets foreigners register bikes etc??
Please help, and thanks for reading this.

All I can think of is going back to Austria and try to get another export plate for it. Is the sidecar removable? Perhaps you could register it as a solo bike, then put the sidecar back on. Just throwing around ideas...

However, I can see two more problems you might be heading into:

For China you need to pre-arrange a tour with fixed itinerary, lots of paperwork, usually takes 2-4 months to arrange and costs more than your bike when you bought it.

Do you want to register this bike in Oz? I don't know Aussie rules, but I would expect big problems. I could be wrong on this one...

Thanks for the advice Beddhist. I was just about to post a note saying I gave sorted something out. I was looking at my paperwork to get in contact with the Austrian agency that I got the plates from in the first place, and noticed there was a Lithuanian address on the back, so gave them a call, with the help of a couple of guys at the local computer shop, and was informed that I could get a 60 day temporary registration plate from Lithuania. I then went down and got the vehicle identification numbers checked by the authorities and the next thing I knew, I had the plates in my hand. They are definitely only temporary as they are made from cardboard (albeit compressed and quite thick) with a plastic coating on the front. I taped the exposed back to give them more life and put them on the bike. I am now all legal and set to hit the border crossing tomorrow. Thanks for the advice re China too. I'll have to plan something else then. Maybe cross over to the US, and go down to South America. I think there will a few more hours on this site...at least.
Regarding Australia, I agree there will be some problems. If I have to, I'll sell the bike and get a left hand sidecar combination to take home. I do love the bike, and have not been in a situation to use the 2WD option as yet, so may not be that important. Being a Limited Edition, and only 35 been made in the world, I should be able to sell it. But after it has taken me around the world!!
Thanks again.

There are ways of getting a r/h sidecar registered in the UK although it has not been offically allowed since about 1981. Mick at MPC sells these and has a way round it. I think he registers them as trikes, but I believe that may give the owner a problem at MOT time. My answer would be to borrow and rig up a r/h chair to register it and then put it back the way you want it to utilize the 2wd. I'm not sure of the procedure if you register it as a solo then put the chair on afterwards, but where there's a will there's always a way if you are creative enough.
I guess you've moved on from looking for a UK solution so good luck with your trip.

Thanks for the advice. Your right, I have moved on, however, I rang Dave at F2 Motoecycles near Banbury, who has been dealing with the Urals for about 20 years, today, and asked about registering it as a solo. My model is, here in Europe (mainland), the URAL RANGER, which is the model with 2wd, while the same bike but with sidecar on the left is known as the URAL DALESFORD.
The Ranger is not able to registered in the UK.
In the time since my last message, I have had some successes and some failures. Monday, I was able to get a 60 day temporary/transit registration and was stoked.(A win) Headed for the Russian border and on Wednesday was 6hours into the crossing, and right at the end of the process, I was denied entry into Russia as Russia does not allow vehicles in with Transit plates! So, back to Latvia I was sent. (A loss) I was told to even get it fully registered in my name (no luck on any attempts to date), or get someone in Latvia to register it in their name, and get a letter from them saying I am allowed to take and ride the bike etc..This was to be in English and Russian, and to be Notorised/Authorised. Not the way I wanted to do it, but if left no choice...
On the way back from the border crossing at Zilupe I stopped at the local police station to ask for directions to Motor vehicle registration office, and was taken to the what seemed to be the only English speaking officer. Thankfully. She not only was really helpful, but an absolute stunner. That was nice after the earlier disappointment, I must say.
She got the local traffic inspector down to look into my situation and they rang the MVR Office (known as the CSDD in Latvia) in the next larger town of Rezekne, and discussed what could be done. I was then given the nod and sent on my way to the office, where I have been told they are there waiting to register my bike. You ripper! (a win) When I got there, all was good, photos of bike were taken, and then they asked for part 2 of my registration....What part 2? I was given one yellow registration card stapled to the certificate of conformity for the EU, which were the onlny things I got when buying the bike in Austria. They said they will have to ask the head office in Riga to contact the Austrian authorities and ask for part 2, which can take "Up to 30 days..tops" I was assured it is more likely to be 5 days. (a loss) But, I am told I will get registered, its just a matter of time. I now wait....
to be continued..

If you can get the manufacturer to 'prove' the frame was made before 1976 (I think that is the year but it may be later) you can get it registered in the UK. If you can then get in touch as I can offer accomodation until you get sorted.

Not sure if you've got this sorted, but I looked into these registration issues before and found these links about registering vehicles in Andorra (and one mentions Estonia as well):

Tax Free Cars and Driving Licences
EASYCARREGISTRATION.COM -> Offshore Car Registration

Never tried them, but it could be an option, although not very convenient or cheap.

Man!! You have all the fun! Good luck with your Latvian Goddess, and make sure you get that Tripod home, it'll be a gas down the Canning.
Cheers, Boot. (in the Pilbara!)

Aussie info
 

I'm waiting with baited breath for the next update as another Aussie who's just ordered a bike in Germany for collection in a few months.