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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 7 Jun 2009
Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 68
Looking to start trip in Calgary (US citizen)
Hi all!

I have just moved out to Calgary and was wondering if its possible to buy and register a bike here. If so - what must I do? Also, where are some good places to look for old cheap bikes?

Im tempted to ride down to the border and buy one in either Washington, Idaho or Montana and drive up - but would much rather just buy one here. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Tim
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  #2  
Old 7 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 6
get yourself a nice Africa Twin, I've heard there is one available somewhere in Turkey now

Greetings from NZ

Thorsten
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  #3  
Old 8 Jun 2009
Riq Riq is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
Living in Calgary
If you are living in Calgary it should be no problem to buy a bike. All you realy need is an address. Drive down to someplace like Blackfoot Motorsports or go to Kijiji Calgary, buy a bike, go to an insurance company and buy insurance and then off to the registries office for a set of plates. Easy as that. Some of the bike shops, I don't know about Blackfoot, can sell you motorcycle insurance right there.Riq
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  #4  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Yup, pretty easy, I answered in a previous thread for you:

"Should be no problem. You just need:

1) Find and buy a bike - just get a bill of sale, can be hand written
2) Get Insurance
3) Take proof of insurance (fax or copy of temp insurance slips) to Registry (they are run privately in Canada so just google "Registry"
4) Go in with bill of sale, and insurance slips, and get a license plate and registration.
5) Pop the plate on your bike and you are good to go.

I recently did the reverse (Canadian in the US) and found there is a lot more red tape here in California then Alberta. Buyer beware though, make sure there are no leins on the bike, its not like the US where the seller will have a title, you have to check yourself. I would only check if spending more than $5,000."

Good point on where to find a bike. Look on:
Kijiji USA Free Classifieds - Post & Search Free Classified Ads or
Calgary Classifieds - used items - buy and sell free classified ads - UsedCalgary.com or
BuySell Classifieds : Buy and sell new used items in Calgary

Also, its not worth going down to Montana unless you plan on buying something new, expensive, or keeping it in Canada for a long time. Its not trivial to bring it back and the time and cost is really not worth it. I looked into it a lot and have friends that bring bikes back, but assuming you want to ride, you can get good deals in Calgary.
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  #5  
Old 8 Jun 2009
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 68
I seriously wish I could have my Africa Twin here. God I miss her, but alas she's in storage in Greece now, waiting for me to return, or someone to come and take her for a ride.

God I love the HUBB! Thank you so much for your help - hopefully Ill be on some wheels by the end of the week! sounds easy!

Thanks again - and as always let me know if your around and want to hang out!
Tim
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  #6  
Old 9 Jun 2009
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Posts: 15
Let us know what you get and I can point you in the direction for some good rides. Im out of the country for a year, but you can always find people to ride on the Alberta Dual Sport Club site.

ADSMC.ca
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  #7  
Old 10 Jun 2009
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Location: USA
Posts: 68
AWESOME thanks a lot man - checking it out now!
Tim
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