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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

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


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



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  #1  
Old 7 Mar 2009
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Which is the Cheapest Country in Europe to Buy a Bike
Hello,

I'm in India now with plans to head overland through the middle east, and then tour through Europe from June through September or so. In which country will I find the best deal on a bike? I'm told I can get a decent japanese bike in Germany for under 1000 Euro, but I'm wondering if one of the more Eastern countries might have some better deals.

I don't need anything fancy, my budget for a bike and gear is around $1,500. In the states I rode a 79 CB750 and would love to pick up another one of those.

Thanks

Aaron
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  #2  
Old 7 Mar 2009
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Look at MotoScout24 and mobile.de to get a clue about prices.
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  #3  
Old 7 Mar 2009
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I would go where there are lots and lots of bikes.
Good luck,
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Last edited by mollydog; 25 Mar 2009 at 08:25.
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Old 7 Mar 2009
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Well you can cross Norway right off your list !!!
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Old 8 Mar 2009
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Hi Aaron

Has to be the UK, as your 1,000 Euros will be nearly 1,000 Pounds over here. I could get you on the road within your budget on probably a 90's faired bike, like a Yamaha XJ900 Diversion, with shaft drive and luggage or a Honda Transalp 650 or a BMW 850R or 1100R.

As for bike gear, it is also excellent and cheap and in humongous quantities. I use a 4 year old Rukka jacket, made in Scandinavia, that I won for under £50.00 off Ebay and they are about £400 new, fantastic for touring and you won't need a wet suit. Goretex trousers, a little less and Daytona boots around the same £50.00. Helmets, again about the same. Bike £800 and gear £200 = £1,000.

I will supply you a bike ready to go at a trade price and then prepare and sell the bike when you return, for hopefully a bit more then I sold it to you for. You get the lion's share back after expenses, such as tyres, chains, brake pads, servicing etc, and I get the rest which is where I earn my living.

Hope this appeals and pm me for more info on bikes available and don't go down the rose tinted spectacles route with 70's bikes, as they will let you down, even though I'm a big fan, I only use them on sunny day trips.

If you are coming to the UK bring some Saffron back with you, I'll buy it, as it costs about £2.50 for about 5 one inch strands of the stuff in Tesco's. One paella and it's all gone!

Hope your having a great time and enjoy the rest of your trip there. Lucky You!

Namaste'


Chris

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  #6  
Old 8 Mar 2009
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Chris,
Good info on UK prices and current situation.
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Last edited by mollydog; 25 Mar 2009 at 08:25.
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Old 8 Mar 2009
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Agree
Hi Patrick/Aaron

There is so much used bike clothing on ebay, you can get top quality gear for next to nothing, but you are right about trying stuff on. Although, once you know the European size, eg; 56,58 or 60, then the fit should be ok and as my family all have bike gear, we usually get an idea from people trying al the different size bike gear at my house.

Like the tale about the leathers smuggling and each country in Europe has a similar tale, like La Linear (The Line) in Spain, near Gib, where all the tobacco smugglers have to run up the beach at night, from their speedboats.

Even early Honda VFR750's are around the £1,000 mark and one with a few scratches and a few miles, even cheaper.

Divvies are good bikes, but I don't think you missed out on not having them in the US.

Chris
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Old 12 Mar 2009
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Thanks everyone for the responses; looks like I'll be heading west to pick up all my gear.

Chris, private message me so we can talk more about the bikes and gear you have

-Aaron
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Old 30 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
I would go where there are lots and lots of bikes.
Good luck,
Hi Patrick - glad to read you again - I only just found out you're back; I was away for a few months and had little time to wander around HU.

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Old 30 Mar 2010
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Just make sure you are able to insure the bike (you actually insure yourself if I remember correctly) in the UK - it is illegal to ride without insurance there . I know some people have a nightmare trying to insure bikes/cars because of lack on permanent address, driver's licence from different countries etc.

I'm pretty sure there are some posts on here about that too.
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  #11  
Old 30 Mar 2010
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+1 for buying in the UK.
Last year I sold my BMW here in France and went back to the UK to buy my Enfield. It was significantly cheaper to buy in the UK by 25 to 50%.
The best trade in I was offered for my 1985 R80RT with no issues was £700. I sold it here in three days for 1700 Euros (about £1500).
You will have difficulty buying an older bike in the UK as when The £ went belly up all the older bikes were bought up by the continentals (particularly France and Italy)
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Old 17 Feb 2011
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?
I'm looking to go in late april for 6-10 weeks. possibly longer.
Renting seems tooo expensive and shipping is an expensive bitch.

IS buying in the UK still cheaper than say Spain?

Will having an Irish passport (I'm an American w/ dual citizenship) make insuring/registering any easier?

help me out!
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  #13  
Old 17 Feb 2011
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I am not sure if the passport will help or not but it is a driving license issued in Europe, Ireland? which will help.
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  #14  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattyowen View Post
I'm looking to go in late april for 6-10 weeks. possibly longer.
Renting seems tooo expensive and shipping is an expensive bitch.

IS buying in the UK still cheaper than say Spain?

Will having an Irish passport (I'm an American w/ dual citizenship) make insuring/registering any easier?

help me out!
It's not so much the passport but the permanent address that causes the problems here in the uk, the bike will need to be registered to a uk addy before you'll be able to insure it.
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  #15  
Old 22 Mar 2019
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Year 2009 was a very long time ago
Hi Aaron,

Are you still active. I have bought my ticket to London in May2019 and is finding it truly tough to find a way to register a motorcycle- Do you know the best place to register one...

Any tips ...

TQ
Tang
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