Perfectly doable!

We did something similar last year.

Have since sold one bike and have an F650GS still for sale south of San Francisco. (San Francisco Motorcycle if you're interested)

Some comments:

• The paperwork in California is pretty easy
• Although expect delays in getting 'official' govt papers and numberplates due to the state only having part time workers
• Crossing the Canadian border without a numberplate wasn't an issue as Customs have a big database including your VIN numbers etc.
• Insurance is cheap (we used Progressive and highly recommend)
• There is sales tax if you buy from a dealer
• There a lot of friendly ex-pats (like Martin) who lend you their addresses and garages (thanks guys)
• Craigslist is OK but as their filtering system is so complex many bikes never make it onto their lists (can't use normal words, must have local cell phone, need to repeatedly reconfirm via SMS etc. etc. )
• Ebay is not bad but as its expensive few bikes are there
• Strangely there is no main bike sales website in the US like there is here in OZ so some searching is required
• Personally I've been disappointed with the bike sales sites and have tried my hand at self promotion. (Did I mention I have a bike for sale at http://sanfranciscomotorcycle.com )

Have fun!!

__________________
F650GS for Sale in USA
http://sanfranciscomotorycle.com

you have to be registered to see the link, but it's easy registration - and a lot of the bikes are fully kitted.

Zig

When I lived in the US, I'd let people use my address. It only happened twice, but no problems with it on my end.

-Dave

__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw

There is a motorcycle based selling site online. It is
Motorcycles - Scooters, Dirt Bikes, Choppers, Sport Bikes, and Other Motorcycles for Sale - Cycle Trader.com
When they ask for a zipcode, just put in all zeros.

Interesting, great of you to offer help like that....I am going over to Florida next month for about 3 weeks and was thinking about buying something cheap for running around and doing some camping, then prob leave the bike there...This is fairly easy to do in the UK and I always thought it would be straighforward in the US, but perhaps not.....putting aside the finding of a bike, as a brit, what do I need to do paperworkwise.....?

Easy. Find a bike, go to the DMV, get it in your name, get insurance and go ride.
If your willing to come to California, I can have a bike waiting for you.

Email is the best way to reach me as I don't check in here often.

sfadvmoto@gmail.com

Helping people buy bikes in the USA - ADVrider

In Arizona, I recently renewed the registration for my car, at a privately owned Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (AZ MVD) office. Arizona allows private individuals to offer most of the services of the state-run (remember all 50 states have their own motor vehicle division bureacracy!) for a set fee above what the state charges; $10 to $15 USD depending on what it is.

I asked the guy how easy it would be for a foreigner to register their own vehicle in Arizona, and he said there is no problem. Arizona does issue titles and license plates on the spot.

Of course, Arizona is not as direct for most foreigners to come to, and used bikes are, or seem to be, slightly more $ than the usual bargain hubs such as Los Angeles, as evidenced by researching Craigslist for Los Angeles and Phoenix. So the convenience of instant titling, and being located close to easier-to-cross Mexico border crossings (for those traveling that direction) have to be balanced with getting here. I know that opinions are subjective, but I do find the people of California much more genuinely nicer than in Arizona, ie Martin in San Francisco, and more willing to help people out, out of kindness.

Plus, California has some great, out of the way riding places (yes, so do other states), but buying a bike in California, such as with Martin's help, and riding around the state (it is quite long in length) could be a great way to wait for your paperwork to be prepared and mailed to a 'local' address.