Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Buy and register a motorcycle in South Africa or Namibia - Any advice? Buy and register a motorcycle in South Africa or Namibia - Any advice?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Sep 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
Buy and register a motorcycle in South Africa or Namibia - Any advice?
Hi guys,

we are two German citizens who want to go to SA, buy two bikes and ride around SA and adjacent countries for three months. We want to then sell the bikes again. We fly in and out of Cape Town.

We heard that the bike market there should allow us to find the bikes at a reasonable price. But what about the registration? How much time and money should we plan for that? Can the registration be denied and void our plans?

If SA is a bad start for this plan for any reason, would it be easier in Nambia?

Thanks for any hints!

// Hauke
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Hi Hauke

its not a problem to register an south african vehicle in your name.

You just need your foreign passport and 2 passport photos to apply for a Traffic Register Certificate. With that you can register a vehicle in your name. And you need an address in South Africa.

Services for foreign nationals

Bikes you can find on #1 Classifieds in South Africa. Find Free Classified Ads on Gumtree ZA Jürgen from LeCap has sometimes some bikes from travellers for sale as well and if you are on the east coast Moto Zulu is worth a try.

Cheers

SR
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Oct 2013
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
A similar thread from a few months ago: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...oid-need-69788
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: cape town
Posts: 15
Very easy as per Southern Roads, i can assist with paperwork and sites to find bikes if required, no charge

check out our local wilddogs.za.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by xtjoe View Post
Very easy as per Southern Roads, i can assist with paperwork and sites to find bikes if required, no charge

check out our local wilddogs.za.net
So if we buy a bike in ZA can we travel through Africa without a Carnet?
We have US/Canada passports...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
Well, not really, depends what you mean with Africa... You can travel with a ZA plate in ZA, NAM, BOTS and MOZ (with a TIP) but you will need a CdP for most other countries...
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Oct 2013
Globetrotter's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 112
Friends of mine travelled with SA number plates on a VW Golf all the way up to Kenya through Zambia, Malawi, Tansania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda without a Carnet. So it's possible but not sure if it's easier than with a Carnet. They sold their car in Kenya to another traveller and was surely easier without the carnet.

Greets


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
__________________
-Challenge your Limits-
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Oct 2013
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Umtentweni, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa
Posts: 182
Without carnet
You can travel the as Globetrotter said without carnet.

You should have the south african logbook of the vehicle with you when you cross borders the licence disc alone will not work.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 22 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 14
[QUOTE=Globetrotter;440872]Friends of mine travelled with SA number plates on a VW Golf all the way up to Kenya through Zambia, Malawi, Tansania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda without a Carnet. So it's possible but not sure if it's easier than with a Carnet. They sold their car in Kenya to another traveller and was surely easier without the carnet.

Greets

Thanks for this info, Globetrotter.
Guess we can give it a try and see how far we can get.
Cheers!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23 Oct 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: albury nsw australia
Posts: 306
i just travelled around for 5 months , no carnet , i think the only country you may need one is egypt , all others temporary import permit also got the bike in my name , a few niggly problems at the start but got affidavit to say i was a tourist ,and ended up getting it all done the next day on the spot
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 24 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
Interesting, can you tell us what countries you got the TIP for and if you had to pay a deposit?
Also can you expand a bit more about the affidavit?
In times when the CdP is getting more difficult and expensive to get this info could be precious...
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 28 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
Well, I suppose we better stick to the good ol' Carnet...
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 29 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 180
Is it the case that you can go to any SADC member country in a SADC registered car without a carnet? That would get you up to Tanzania, but not Kenya. I've used that system for Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa with a Botswana registered Hilux. We just had to pay various fees at some of the borders, including temporary insurance (and some spurious fees at the Zim border).

Here's a list of SADC countries.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 30 Oct 2013
KevOK's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: earth
Posts: 156
I'll sell you a 2009 gsa fully loaded in January if you like , carnet included. I'm in Egypt now on my way south.
__________________
Ride on
Kev
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 20 Mar 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 7
Hey Hauke - How did you go with getting the bikes registered?

I'm an Australian citizen traveling to South Africa in November 2014 to buy a new motorbike from a dealership that I will want to register there. The dealership has told me that I will need a Traffic Registration Certificate before I can get a bike registered and that I need to personally be in South Africa with a valid passport to obtain the certificate.

So I'm curious how you went and whether you have any tips for when I get there.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Tags
namibia, south africa

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
East Africa Motorcycle Purchase and Paperwork Logistics misterfeathers Trip Paperwork 3 20 Apr 2016 12:14
Buy a vehicle in Central Asia and register in under your name ktmtobcn Northern and Central Asia 3 3 Aug 2013 18:55
With 3 weeks available should I buy a motorcycle or be part of a tourist pack? MyOwnWay Trip Paperwork 21 2 Apr 2012 01:09
Information wanted from experienced bikers in South America joentje100 South America 35 1 Jan 2010 04:00

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top