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Owning a US Motorcycle as a tourist? Owning a US Motorcycle as a tourist?
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  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2010
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Owning a US Motorcycle as a tourist?
I am from the UK and plan on spending approx 2 months travelling the US by motorcycle.
I figured if would be more cost effective to purchase a bike (old one)
instead on renting and sell on when I leave. When speaking to a friend
earlier today he told me to check whether it would be possible, because
as far as he understood with regards to 'cars' at least - is that is not possible for a non
US resident to own a vehicle..


In real world terms where does this leave me? will I be refused insurance?
I'm assuming I need a address of residence or something, can I just not use
a hotel address or is there any simple work a rounds without border runs and
excessive hassle?

Kinda bummed by the whole thought as I was really looking forward to it
and did not even consider it being a problem.
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  #2  
Old 26 Jan 2010
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It is very possible to buy a vehicle in the US and has been discussed about a million times on this site and ADVRider, so do some searches. The main thing is you will need someone's US address for the rego and insurance docs, but each state is a bit different so look at some of the threads for more specific info.
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  #3  
Old 26 Jan 2010
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I did it and it is possible, you just need a freinds address for the change of ownership. Insurance will not be possible unless you use Progressive, the only people I found who would insure non US residents.

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  #4  
Old 26 Jan 2010
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You will need an address and a 'friend' in the USA to use their details. All vehicles in the USA are insured for the vehicle, not like over here, so if someone gives you the keys to a vehicle and says you can use it, then you're insured (might do to get it in writing though). If you intend going to Canada you will need written permission from the insurer and the 'owner' that you are permitted to drive/ride it. The only downside to all of this is that you will have to trust the person that's effectively owning and insuring your vehicle as in any loss situation the money would go to them.

Insuring your own bike to ride in the USA ie shipping it over, try Gail Goodman at Motorcycle Express, very knowledgeable, very friendly and very efficient. If you can do it you can probably pick up a solo in the US for the cost of shipping your own over. Try Honda of Crofton (they're on the web), just outside of Baltimore (good place to fly in to), very helpful.

If we can help with any other information regarding riding the USA, just ask.
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  #5  
Old 26 Jan 2010
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Thanks for the help and replies everyone. Really appreciated.


Supposing I had a friend in Boston that allowed me to use his address.
But, I bought the (used) bike in NY - how would that work out?

Would they post the plates and papers to Boston that I would have to pick
up there then travel back to NY to fix them to the bike before riding. Or do
you pick them up from somewhere? If I did have to pick them up from some
kind of bureau, would I only be able to do that in Boston since that is where the address is?

Still confused by it a little..
for instance - I'm assuming it would not be possible to ride the used bike
away from the sellers house until you have received the plates?

And lastly, Would I physically have to have access to this address to pick
up whatever is sent there? i.e if I did not pick up what documents are sent
there would I not be able to resell the bike at the end of my trip without them?

Sorry for the barrage of questions. Hope I make sense.
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  #6  
Old 26 Jan 2010
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The bike is registered and is rideable, once you take ownership you have a certain amount of time to transfer the registration, this for me in California was 28 days I think, but I did not do it for over 4 months. The bike was insured by Progressive and I am still certain they are the only US company that handles non US citizens insurance. That is not to say things have not changed over the past year since I bought the bike.


The new plates for the bike would be sent to the address you specified, same with the Title, so yes, you would need access, thats OK, you have a bike, ride over and pick them up

Cheers
TS
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