I apologize, Knowing this is not the first time such a Q is asked, but I could not find the thread

I intend to do AK to Ushuaia starting June 2009. I think of flying my 1200adv to AK from Europe, and then back from Argentina, it is quite expensive. My bike here in Israel worth around $40k (!) we have heavy taxes on bikes.
Thinking again, I want to check purchasing a bike in the US and riding it all my trip (for 6 months)and then sellin it back in the US.
Can I - a forigner - register a bike in the US, take it out and then back?
Waht is needed to do such a move? Do I pay full taxes?

Many thanks

Yoni

__________________
Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation

Yoni

There's a lot of information on this site that will give you additional background, but yes it is possible and yes many people do. You will likely need an address in the state you are buying the bike to register and therefore you will be liable for the tax of that state. Most states not much, like you are used to paying, single digit percentages. In six months, you will have a long ride to get back to the US so consider buying a foreigners bike in SA and riding it back.

If you're planning on buying in Alaska, check with the Motorcycle Shop in Anchorage. The Motorcycle Shop - Anchorage, Alaska I'm sure that they would have some information for you.

Yes you can do this. You will probably be paying tax on the bike (Oregon has no tax) but its not that bad anyway. You will need a USA address for insurance and registration ANY address will do even the store you get the bike from. Bike insurance is required in most of the areas you will going threw but you do not need carnet. If you set this up with a dealer before you go your bike can siting there all set up drive up and ride away in hours after you land. it will run you a bit more but if time is going to problim then it may be worth it to you.

Many people have ridden the Americas this way. A few send there bikes back home. Bikes in the states are much cheaper, a KLR will set you back less than $6,000 US or so a new BMW1200GS list for $15,000 US.

USA insurance is good in the USA and Canada (as is Canada insurance) it is sold online if you want many bike shops have insurance at there shop. Not at the border so get it before you start riding.

In Pennsylvania there is a 6 % sales tax.

In New Hampshire there is no sales tax so it depends on the state.

You will need a US address, registration, and insurance.

Have you though about shipping the bike from Argentina back to the US or even Europe and store it there for a future trip ?

Now you've made me really happy. That's what is going to be done. I'me going to contact a dealer in the west coast and start the process.

BTW. any recomended dealer in Cal. (SF. LA)?

Wow. THANKS again

Yoni

__________________
Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation

Yoni

Thanks to all for providing all this information which is extremely useful. Actually, I visit US very often regarding my work and was thinking of purchasing and keeping a bike in Virginia. I am also planning a bike ride in July this year and wanted to ensure that the bike is ready and available when I get there to avoid wasting my vacation.

I understand that I can title and register a bike in my name but that receiving the registration plates take time. Does the DMV provide any temporary plates in the meanwhile that would allow you ride? If not then is it possible for me to ride the bike on the previous owners plates while I apply for my own or do they immediately get cancelled.

Does the insurance go in the person's name? Does this imply that I can apply for insurance without having the bike registered in my name?

Will appreciate your help.

Hi Azkhan - this is an old thread brought back to life!

As a UK citizen who owns and keeps a motorcycle in the USA, I hope I can offer some advice based on your questions above...

The most important thing is to have a US address where the bike can be registered and stored - be that your own property or that of a friend for example.

You are allowed to buy, register and insure a vehicle even if you are a non-resident, but you do need a permanent address for the paperwork.

With regard to receiving registration plates from the DMV, they typically take 2 weeks to arrive (for a new vehicle), although if you buy a secondhand vehicle, then the current licence/number plates stay with the bike (certainly in California at least), so you can continue to ride the machine until the annual registration is due for renewal (this is typically shown on a sticker on the licence plate itself), by which time the new Title and registration documents should have been issued to your new address, and you simply renew them by post.

However, if you buy a machine from outside the State you are going to register it in, you will need to re-register it in the state of your permanent address - ie. California won't send you a registration renewal to New York for example - you'd need to go to a DMV office in New York, and re-register the bike there - complete with a new licence plate, and forfeit the old California registration number.

(note. when you buy a secondhand bike, the seller and new owner send off the respective slips of paper to say the previous owner no longer owns the bike, and the new owner gets the Title (and subsequent registration renewal) reissued in their name and address).

Insurance is always based on the chassis/frame VIN number anyway, regardless of where it's registered - so you can insure a vehicle immediately, and usually over the phone in a few minutes.

With a new bike it's easier still - buy the bike, phone the insurance company with the VIN details, and ride away on a temporary plate (issued by the dealer), and wait a couple of weeks for your official licence plate to arrive from the DMV - the dealer takes care of all that paperwork.

Hope that helps...

Jenny x

ps. If you do have a friend in the US (who's address you are going to use for Title, registration and insurance paperwork), the alternative is always for them to actually buy/Title/register and insure a bike, and you can simply use it on their insurance when you visit.

Hi Yoni: seriously look at my thread regarding foreigners buying in the USA-this is the most up to date truth as I am still stuck in NYC trying to get six points of ID together-check out DMV.com: Why Wait In a Line, When You Can Do It Online! for full info on registering a motorbike in the US. It applies to nationals and us non nationals alike. good riding, G

I'm open about letting people use my address in Sacramento to register bikes. I'm not there so I can't forward you any paperwork (title, registration) when it shows up but you're welcome to use the address if you'd like.

-Dave

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

First post so be nice!

Reading this thread and as always top info available, interested in a coast to coast in May/June and would also like to purchase a bike in the States, could anyone recommend a couple of bike dealers around the San Fran area?
Cheers
Steve

Hey mate, what sort of bike are you after? There's many cheap bikes for sale on craigslist if you don't mind second hand.

Sound's like the kind of thing I'm after have you anymore infomation on craigslist? I would like a touring bike, capable of carring lugage and a pillion, plan on sticking to the tarmac!