Motorbike Purchase and Insurance in the UK for Non-Residents

[Ducati99]

Hey guys,

I had a question around the purchase, acquisition and insurance of a motorbike in the UK for non-residents. I am an AUS, moving to the UK in AUG this year.
I want to purchase a Ducati and explore through europe. I have been told it is relatively easy to secure the motorbike in the UK, however, gaining insurance even third-party is a must have and is very difficult for non-UK residents. I have friends in the UK but non of which are motorbike license holders, so i am unsure if i could get insurance that way. Does anyone have any options/ideas/experiences with this in the past and may offer me some guidance around the process?

On a second note, can you register the motorbike without insurance, or do you need a cover letter/quote from the insurance prior to registering it to your name?

As a last resort, could one register the motorbike in their own name (or a friends), and quickly and discreetly ride it into FRANCE? Do they do insurance checks at the border for UK insurance, or would they just be checking EU Green Card (which i would have) at the border? The issue would be getting the motorbike back, but i assume one could put it on a truck and get it back across.
In selling it, it would not have insurance, would that be a flag when the time came to sell it?

I know that is alot of questions, but currently very up in the air with the responses i am getting.

[Yster Perd]

On advrider forum there are threads relating to this. Insurance seems to be the biggest stumbling block. Martin at Motofeirme in Ireland provides storage and assistance to get foreigners on the road. https://www.facebook.com/motofeirme or motofeirme.com
Another option is to find a dealer or tour co. that will assist with paperwork and do buy-back at the end of the trip. https://www.ride-in-tours.com/motorc...-buy-back.html
Also take a look at https://www.knopftours.com/bike-storage They may have a long term rental option. You have to way up the time and hotel and transport cost while you find and get the bike registered and then again at the end of the trip when it comes time to sell. I keep a bike stored in USA and go there every year to ride. Having your own bike is by far the most economical option for a frequent traveler.
Please keep us posted on what you find and which way you decide to go as things are changing all the time.

[Tomkat]

This may help, it covers most bases.

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...352#post630603

You can register the bike in your name, all you need is a UK address for the documents to be sent to. A friend or relative's address is fine. Don't be tempted to try and get round the insurance requirements, it's all computerised with ANPR and your bike could be seized.

If you are moving to UK long term (more than a few months) it may be worthwhile getting a UK licence. If you're above 26 years old you can go straight in on an 'A' licence which entitles you to ride any bike. You'd need to pass the theory test and book a practical (for which there's a bit of a queue) but with time to study the Highway Code (not rocket science) and as an experienced rider it should be a doddle. You may find it worth going through a riding school as they would have bikes they can hire you.

As a new rider (in the eyes of insurance) it may still be expensive to get insurance but not difficult/extortionate as it is for foreign licence holders.