Easiest US state for a foreigner to buy, register & insure a motorcycle
 

I realise this question & variations have been asked before, but answers I've found here & elsewhere are old & laws change, and many of the answers are contradictory, so I'll ask it again.

I'm looking at buying a bike in the US, riding down to Terria del Fuego & back, then selling the bike. Since I'd start off in Autumn, say October, I'd need to buy in one of the southern US states where still warm enough to ride, e.g. California, New Mexico, Florida, etc.

So the question is as in the title: where would be easiest & quickest to buy, register & insure? Since I'd want to hit the road asap after purchase it would be especially important that I get all the documents needed to cross the border into Mexico as quickly as possible. So if the purchase & procedure would cost more but be faster in a particular state, that's the one I'd go for. Time is money and all that, so I'd pay for speed.

Grateful for any advice.

Just above your post there's a sticky: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nals-can-58648

Indeed there is, and it contains much useful information, as well as some that is old and contradictory. But it doesn't actually contain the answer to my question, which is why I asked.

Arizona

Thanks very much! Appreciated.

Russki Guzzi, let us know how you get on with this.


I am in the early stage of planning a trip to the US, for next year, and I have been looking at lots of DMVs websites on various states for registration of the bikes. All seem to require proof of address/residency.


I am sure there are ways round it, so I would be really interested in your 1st hand experience.
I would look for 2 bikes (XT250s) so may be more tricky to find at the same time in the same place. But shipping costs might be crippling too... tricky.


cheers,

ISTM there are 2 separate problems. The first is the address requirement, but I get the impression that's easily solved. It seems that some dealers - presumably if you're spending enough money - will even let you use their address.

The second problem is how long it takes for you to get the title document after buying the bike. I'm reading times of up to 6 weeks, which doesn't seem to matter if you are only going to ride the bike inside the USA since you don't need the docs for that. But I want to cross the border - for which you need the title docs - asap after buying. I wouldn't want to have to wait for 6 weeks to get the docs, and that's my biggest concern.

Yes I'll definitely report back. I'd like to do this in October, but there is a danger it might slip back to next year.

Don't forget Vermont. I know it is not a warm climate to start an October adventure from but they will register a ham sandwich to a snowman via the mail, they just want their fees. :)

In my experience you don't need the title to cross borders. The registration document is sufficient provided it has the same names as your passport. Several countries don't even have titles yet they have no problems going from country to country. The British document for instance has bold printing across the top stating clearly that it is not proof of ownership, just proof of who is in charge of it. Australia the same. In fact I've heard of a couple of cases where border officers presented with a title asked to see the registration certificate to prove entitlement to enter under a TVIP. With a Carnet, the title won't get you far either

This is often the case. Or ... go to local HUBB community and ask for help, or
go over to ADV rider where there are 100,000 members, many willing to help out a traveler with an address.

Yes, varies State to State. California used to be 6 weeks, but I've bought two bikes in the last 6 months ... took 2 weeks for one (filed through a dealer), 3 weeks for the other. Not bad. Our DMV claimed they were speeding up this process and they have. :thumbup1:

But as mentioned above, several states allow you to receive an official, permanent title on the spot, same day.

Arizona is one such state ... but do note that there are several other states that have similar "Same Day Title" issuance. Can't recall which ATM. Perhaps Idaho or Montana? Not sure. Ask around.

Well, it's December and NO word from OP. Hope he managed to get a bike and be gone. If not yet departed, hope this info helps some.

What Tony says may be true for some countries ... been ages since I've crossed borders in Central and S. America. But I can verify NOW ... that Mexico requires a permanent title ... not a Temp. title as issued by some DMV's.

Also ... registration alone will NOT WORK in Mexico. Ask me how I know this!

Yes, in years past just your registration was sufficient to obtain your TVIP, if name matched your Passport. No longer the case.

Travelers with non California documents may get away with this as the Aduana do not know the look of all titles and registrations from ALL 50 states. BUT ... they for sure know California, from where about 80% of visitors come from.

So yes, they know what our California registration looks like and they know what a Pink Slip (Title) looks like as well vs. registration document.

A few years back I tried just presenting my current registration ... no go! Luckily I had my Pink Slip (Title) stashed and had to go dig it out from its hiding spot.

Be aware that these requirements though out Cent. and South America are constantly being revised, usually made more complex ... so getting CURRENT info is critical when it comes to TVIP policy from country to country.

I would NEVER ever travel that far without an actual permanent title. Sure, try to use your registration if you can and your Laser Color copy of your real title, this will often be accepted. But do keep the real genuine title on hand ... just in case.

And in my experience (old info) you do not need current registration document in most cases, just a legal title.

If on the road ... how could you keep your annual registration current? And some USA states have Permanent status ... IE, you pay once that is IT. (Montana) but most are annual renewal type.

Your TVIP is your "current" valid registration for what ever country you've paid the TVIP fees to, and good for whatever time period they allow.

You and your bike are a Guest there. But you've paid for that privilege and they can't ask you for your current registration and require it be up to date when you're 10,000 miles from home.