Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by Paul Stewart, of Egle Gerulaityte - Must love Donkeys!

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


Must love Donkeys!
Photo by Paul Stewart,
of Eglė Gerulaitytė with friends.



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By PanEuropean
  • 1 Post By PanEuropean

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Dec 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: France
Posts: 10
Buy a Canadian bike and register in South Dakota?

Hi
As a 'non north american' could I buy a Canadian motorbike and use the 'out of state' South Dakota 'trick' to get some plates for it?
And talking of plates, would a Canadian bike come with the plates or does the owner keep these?
I know the insurance would probably be troublesome too but errrrr, baby steps lol
Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Dec 2019
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
There are several issues involved, you will need to investigate and figure out how to deal with each issue in sequence.

The first issue is importing a Canadian vehicle into the United States. This certainly can be done (I've sold Canadian cars to American residents, and they have successfully imported them), but the importation process is a FEDERAL issue, not a state issue. So you will need to investigate what is involved in importing a motor vehicle to the USA from Canada. The process is identical for both cars and motorcycles, and there is lots of info on the internet about this process, so go Google it. Some of the items you will need to deal with include possibly paying a federal import tax, demonstrating that the Canadian-spec vehicle is eligible for registration in the USA (for example, does the speedometer show speed in MPH, or only in km/h), and demonstrating that there are no outstanding factory recalls on the vehicle.

The next issue is registering a "new to this state" vehicle in South Dakota. Different states have different rules about applicability of sales tax to a vehicle brought onto the register in their state, safety inspection requirements for a vehicle being brought onto the register in their state, etc.

My guess - and I stress that this is strictly a guess - is that you will find that the federal importation requirements will be a barrier to you successfully importing the bike from Canada into the USA, simply because you are not a US resident. But that's just a guess.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Dec 2019
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchy View Post
...talking of plates, would a Canadian bike come with the plates or does the owner keep these?
In most Canadian provinces, plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, and don't stay with the vehicle when ownership is transferred. Ontario works like this.

But, this varies by province, so check out the rules for the province where the motorcycle is currently registered.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Dec 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: France
Posts: 10
@Michael
Thanks for the input
This is the bike I want to buy
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-moto-sport-p...017/1468357700
Mainly cos it's incredibly cheap by European prices; heck it's incredibly cheap by global prices!
And you could ride around the world on one of those things...even an old fart like me
BUT if I went over to Canada now and tried to ride in -10 celsius temps I'd probably end up dead....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Dec 2019
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,934
Hey, that IS cheap. Canadian dollars, too. Hmmmm.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying Used Bike in Santiago Chile lachy SOUTH AMERICA 187 5 Dec 2023 13:53
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 18:55
How does a UK citizen buy a Canadian bike and ride it to South America george_frankpitt North America 8 13 Apr 2016 09:30
Information wanted from experienced bikers in South America joentje100 SOUTH AMERICA 35 1 Jan 2010 03:00
Transfering Title In Buenos Aires kwelfl SOUTH AMERICA 7 28 Dec 2008 15:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:11.