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  #1  
Old 12 Mar 2007
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Getting a "non-compliant" bike into the US
Ok, time is getting nearer to coming over to the US for 3 months(ish) and there is always someone who has bad tale to tell and get me worried.

We are bringing an XJR1300 and an RF900 over for 3 months, are we going to have a shed load of problems due to "non compliance" or not ?

TIA
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Old 13 Mar 2007
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It might depend on which of the 50 states (okay, more likely 48) that you are starting in, but come to think about it, you are not coming to live here, just visit. There was a discussion about out of country registered bikes coming into the US, but as I live on the border with Mexico, I see plenty of Mexican plated cars and bikes that I know could not be registered that come into the US daily. Then again, I am fairly certain that they are mostly coming to shop or to visit relatives, and aren't staying for 3 months. I will say with 100% certainty that I am 99% sure that it can be done with few(ish) hassles. I don't know the details, but there must be potentially hundreds here who have done it and can detail it for you.
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Old 13 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yuma simon View Post
It might depend on which of the 50 states (okay, more likely 48) that you are starting in, but come to think about it, you are not coming to live here, just visit. There was a discussion about out of country registered bikes coming into the US, but as I live on the border with Mexico, I see plenty of Mexican plated cars and bikes that I know could not be registered that come into the US daily. Then again, I am fairly certain that they are mostly coming to shop or to visit relatives, and aren't staying for 3 months. I will say with 100% certainty that I am 99% sure that it can be done with few(ish) hassles. I don't know the details, but there must be potentially hundreds here who have done it and can detail it for you.
Thanks for the reply, hopefully others will chip in. I was happy until someone in the UK XJR owners forum started his tale of woe

YAMAHA XJR OWNERS CLUB :: View topic - Things to check before a 10k US trip

(look for shouting one :-) )

If anyone else has *any* experience I would be gratefull

We are shipping/flying into New York
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Old 14 Mar 2007
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It seemed like ytc1 stated it best to just keep your mouth shut. I have not had time to ask my US Customs Agent friend the procedure they follow at the local US/MEX crossing, but I have seen cars and bikes that are most likely commuters coming across for the day or weekend with Mexican plates but these are vehicles that are NOT available here, and would most likely not be US compliant. I have seen a British plated BMW convertible (automobile)in California this past summer. I think that once you get into the country,your bikes go through importation, and like the poster said on the XJR forum, just keep quiet while speaking with the person who is processing the importation papers for the bikes; the less they know, the better!
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Old 14 Mar 2007
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Whistle for a cop.

Best
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Old 15 Mar 2007
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No need to worrie.
I agree with Patrick,

When I entered (from mexico) and asked about customs (that is what you do in the rest of the world) they told me: "Hee, this is the USA. You don't need anything to enter your bike"

That was so nice after all the border-hassle's in CA.

So, don't worrie.

Maarten
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Old 16 Mar 2007
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
As a visitor on a tourist Visa you will have ZERO problems with the bikes.
Anyone can enter the USA with their vehicle for the duration of their visit
as long as you have proof of ownership and a plate of some kind. Lights and stuff should work, but the bikes will not be inspected by anyone. You will pass right through.

Canadians drive NON compliant Canadian spec cars into the USA thousands per day. Many vacation and stay for months. Same with Mexico and even Euro folk...although these are rare.

What you CANNOT do is register the bike in the US. At least not in California.
But you're not doing that....so no worries.

Be sure to bring something that shows you have insurance....even if its a UK company. They may provide coverage or you may want to get coverage
in the US from a US company ($$$$). US insurance companies don't like
foreigners much and charge accordingly. But just have something to show The Man if you get pulled...they will ask for : Driving license, registration (log book) and proof of insurance. Being British you'll probably not be scrutinized closely unless you get a ***** Whistle for a cop.

Best

Patrick
Not found a UK Insurance company willing to insure in the staes, so will be using the offer from Motorcycle Express listed on the HU site.. somewhere.

I have owned my '99 XJR from new, so will have all the original paperwork somewhere.

The guy on the Yamaha owners forum just seems to have had a bad experience, and when I prompted him for more detail hasn't really produced it.

I have visited the shipper we will use today (James Cargo) and am confident we will not have that many problems.

Only 89 days to go
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Old 16 Mar 2007
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Originally Posted by yuma simon View Post
It seemed like ytc1 stated it best to just keep your mouth shut. I have not had time to ask my US Customs Agent friend the procedure they follow at the local US/MEX crossing, but I have seen cars and bikes that are most likely commuters coming across for the day or weekend with Mexican plates but these are vehicles that are NOT available here, and would most likely not be US compliant. I have seen a British plated BMW convertible (automobile)in California this past summer. I think that once you get into the country,your bikes go through importation, and like the poster said on the XJR forum, just keep quiet while speaking with the person who is processing the importation papers for the bikes; the less they know, the better!
:-) YTC1 is me :-)
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