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Buying a motorcycle in Europe?? Buying a motorcycle in Europe??
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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 28 Oct 2005
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Buying a motorcycle in Europe??
Being a US citizen and having no residency in Belgium or Germany,can I buy a new or used motorcycle in Europe travel for 4-5 months and sell it back?
I know there had been some discussions about this but I want to learn the current situation.
Thanks to everybody for the input.
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  #2  
Old 30 Oct 2005
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I'm a Canadian and bought a bike in Italy.

I went to a Mom & Pop dealer and explained to them that I wasn't an EU resident and would that be a problem.

Much head scratching and debating ensued in Italian. I'm not fluent in Italian so, I'm not really sure how they went about it. A large volume dealer probably wouldn't have given me the time of day.

In Italy, where there's a will, there seems to be a way. That might not hold true in northern Europe.
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  #3  
Old 6 Nov 2005
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Two other possibilities come to mind. Search the HUBB for "export plates". Contact your nearest BMW dealer to see whether BMW still run the factory delivery scheme: you buy a new BMW through your dealer in the US, travel to Germany to collect it, they register it for you on export plates. At the end of your trip you either keep it and ship it home or try to sell it in Europe.

Good luck!
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  #4  
Old 6 Nov 2005
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Sadly the BMW factory delivery scheme is no longer on, and if it was it would be pointless if you were just going to sell it in Europe anyway.

Note that bringing a Euro bike back to the US is more trouble than it's worth.

You should have no trouble buying a bike in Europe and then reselling it after a few months. Lots of ways to do it.

Contact Stefan Knopf - sponsor of this forum - he can probably sort you out easily.

Grant
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  #5  
Old 6 Nov 2005
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Thanks for the help everybody.
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  #6  
Old 15 Jan 2006
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by doubleplay:
[B]Being a US citizen and having no residency in Belgium or Germany,can I buy a new or used motorcycle in Europe travel for 4-5 months and sell it back?

if you (somebody else) are still looking for a bike (especially an airhead) to buy or rent in central europe, sent me an email.

regards...
-=airhead=-
(http://le-chais.de.vu)
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  #7  
Old 9 Jul 2006
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Any Advice?
Quote:
Originally Posted by doubleplay
Being a US citizen and having no residency in Belgium or Germany,can I buy a new or used motorcycle in Europe travel for 4-5 months and sell it back?
I know there had been some discussions about this but I want to learn the current situation.
Thanks to everybody for the input.
Did this work out for you? I want to do the same thing. I will be over in Europe for atleast 7 months. I want to buy a bike and sell it when I leave.

Chris.
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  #8  
Old 9 Jul 2006
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Red face buying in UK for your tour
Most EU countries require only an address of residence to send speeding fines and owners documents. As you will need the bikes log book (not a book really, just a sheet of paper). This can take two-three weeks to process and be returned. Crossing borders or being stoped by police, many will want to see the log book and insurance etc : In UK we have MOT certificate for bikes older than 3 years old, this is a test every year for road worthyness. In Germany bikes have to be original with no none-standard parts fitted (engine,exhausts etc).
UK prices seem higher for new bikes, but can be less for used machines. Maybe use an agent here (UK) to secure bike and register it here before you arrive. Buying here easier for you as we speak a similar tongue. Travel through tunnel under the sea for £50 pounds. See London or even better the North of England.
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  #9  
Old 9 Jul 2006
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bluto has it right
No idea why, but in the uk second hand prices drop much farther faster than in the rest of europe. Personally I would buy a new bike in france (no mot or road tax ), or second hand one in UK. However, if you are interested in a second hand BMW, there is a guy near me who makes his living buying ex gov ( mostly police) bmws, then refurbishingthem for resale.. he does this when he is not doing repairs. At the moment i have been eyballing some of his latest machines, including a 2002 bmw R1150RT-P it is single seat with an armchair of aseat, and is quite a low seat also. no doubt you could either rent or buy with abuy back from him, if that is what you looking for.
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  #10  
Old 2 Apr 2007
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Let's try again
I too am a US citizen and would like to purchase and register a motorcycle in Europe for touring. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge (not speculation) of this being done in any EU country (I'm flexible). I have a couple of friends that live in Germany that I could use for a mailing address but I would not want the MC registered in their name, too much liability for them.

I am considering purchasing a BMW R1200RT, new if necessary, touring for a few months and then putting the bike into storage for use on future trips across the pond.

Any help appreciated.
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  #11  
Old 2 Apr 2007
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Your best bet IS to register the bike in one of your friends' name. Failing that, search these forums for "export plates". The subject has been discussed extensively.
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  #12  
Old 2 Apr 2007
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I'm in the same boat. However, I want to do things as legal and fast as possible so I'm looking around for a bike swap.
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  #13  
Old 3 Apr 2007
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swapping, renting, buy/sell back..
friends from overseas,
if you are planning to come over to germany/europa for a motorcycle tour and look for a motorcylce, on a private base i have a few airheads (ready-to-go) available.
tell me what you plan, i will make you an offer.
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  #14  
Old 3 Apr 2007
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Check this thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...=export+plates

It isn't a problem to get export plates plus insurance in Germany - max time is for one year. But to keep a vehicle here for future trips would mean to have it registered as a local, meaning you'd need a local address. If you haven't got a friend to register the bike for you, it might prove to be a bit tricky.

Hans
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  #15  
Old 12 May 2007
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Buying a bike
I am in the midst of planning a 3-4 month motorcycle trip through Europe, Russia, and Turkey and maybe North Africa. The biggest hurdle to overcome is the fact that, coming from California I will want to purcahse a bike in europe. It would be the easiest for me based on my route and linguistic abilities to purchase this bike in either italy or spain.

I guess my questions are, how does an american purchase a bike in europe, get all the necessary paper work and insuarnce (specifically to enter russia), and then sell the bike back when he has finished the trip.

As far as bikes go i was looking at Suzuki Bandits (400 & 600), SV650s, GS 500s, Honda CB 500s-600s-750s.

Any advice would be graetly appreciated.

Thanks
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