Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
Buying A Used Bike In BC - Where To Start? Buying A Used Bike In BC - Where To Start?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Jan 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 52
Buying A Used Bike In BC - Where To Start?
I did a search on the HUBB and nothing popped up, so I hope I am not after missing something. At the moment we are in Thailand riding 125 Honda Waves after selling our BMWs in Mongolia. The final part of our trip will be in North America this Spring/Summer. We think our cheapest option is to sell our bikes back to the dealer in Malaysia and buy used bikes in BC.We then save on shipping them over (plus shipping them back out or paying import fees if we leave them in Newfoundland, if that is even an option, from what I read here on importing non US bikes the outlook is not good). I am Canadian and can provide an address to register both bikes as opposed to if we buy them in the States. The thing is we have no idea where to even look. I did a google search and found a lot of bikes on kijji, but we are wondering if anyone out there has other recommendations? I will also put up a wanted ad on the bikes for sale/wanted thread in late Feb early March when we know for sure when we will arrive in Canada.

Thanks in advance!

Sherrie
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Jan 2012
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,957
You don't like Craigslist? There are 190 listings in the motorcycle section of the Vancouver Craigslist for Dec. 31st.

Of course, prices are better in the USA if you're able to deal with a certain amount of hassle.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BC, sometimes
Posts: 578
What Mark said.

Drive 100km south and buy there - way cheaper.

Craigslist, cycletrader and google are your friends.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Jan 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Eumundi, AUS
Posts: 81
San Francisco Motorcycle
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Jan 2012
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
As the other posters have suggested, Criagslist will be your best bet. Craigslist seems to be more popular out West than Kijiji. Another possibility would be to contact the local Vancouver community for some assistance to check bikes out for you or some may have something for sale as well.
Safe travels.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Jan 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 52
I Never Even Thought Of Craiglist
Which is why I wanted to ask on here, because it never even occurred to me. I have been living in Germany for the past five years and I never use Craiglist there. would know where to look back home but buying in Newfoundland is not an option because not only is that the end destination, but it is a bloody fortune for any bike.

I will check all those resources thanks, as for buying in the States it just seems like a nightmare to get registered and to ride it back into Canada. We would rather buy in the States because of price as well as being able to start from a warmer state and move onto North America a little earlier.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NorthVancouver Island
Posts: 137
Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsyprincess View Post
I did a search on the HUBB and nothing popped up, so I hope I am not after missing something. At the moment we are in Thailand riding 125 Honda Waves after selling our BMWs in Mongolia. The final part of our trip will be in North America this Spring/Summer. We think our cheapest option is to sell our bikes back to the dealer in Malaysia and buy used bikes in BC.We then save on shipping them over (plus shipping them back out or paying import fees if we leave them in Newfoundland, if that is even an option, from what I read here on importing non US bikes the outlook is not good). I am Canadian and can provide an address to register both bikes as opposed to if we buy them in the States. The thing is we have no idea where to even look. I did a google search and found a lot of bikes on kijji, but we are wondering if anyone out there has other recommendations? I will also put up a wanted ad on the bikes for sale/wanted thread in late Feb early March when we know for sure when we will arrive in Canada.

Thanks in advance!

Sherrie
For starters what type of bikes are you looking for? Do you want one suitable for both pavement and off pavement like a KLR? There are some good buys out there if you spend a bit of time looking... I know one B.C. dealer that is selling a clean XT-350 at a pretty fair price, but this may be a smaller bike than you would like... Best to get your rides purchased now before the riding weather comes back and the general bike interest goes up...

I have quite a few contacts so if I know what your looking for I could help scout to see what's around...
David...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Jan 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Posts: 78
Hi David,
thanks for your reply. Small bikes would do fine for us, at the moment we ride 125cc Honda Waves
We are looking for 2 smaller dual sport bikes, from 250 to 450 ccm.
It would be great if you could help us by "scouting" around.
Thank you!
Sherrie & Patrick
__________________
Riding home the crazy way: Germany to Newfoundland
www.unleashyouradventure.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NorthVancouver Island
Posts: 137
Quote:
Originally Posted by OnkelKarle View Post
Hi David,
thanks for your reply. Small bikes would do fine for us, at the moment we ride 125cc Honda Waves
We are looking for 2 smaller dual sport bikes, from 250 to 450 ccm.
It would be great if you could help us by "scouting" around.
Thank you!
Sherrie & Patrick
Sent you a PM...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
Push start an efi bike Chris Scott Bodger Fix 50 18 Mar 2016 11:54
buying a bike on Guatemala-Mexico border.possible? Will it work? gess68 Central America and Mexico 5 16 Jun 2012 01:31
Buying a bike in Spain ClaudeNfat Europe 12 29 Mar 2012 17:47
Buying a bike in Brazil as a foreigner Smokin SOUTH AMERICA 4 23 Dec 2011 21:51
Khartoum to Ethiopia Birdy Ride Tales 2 26 Oct 2011 22:32

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 11:23.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top