First post on here after lurking for information for my first motorcycle tour. My friend and I (both Americans) bought a Honda GL125 in Lima, Peru and are driving it back home to Chicago, currently in Quepos, Costa Rica.

My question is about the process to bring a motorcycle into the USA with foreign plates (Peru) while neither my friend or I have motorcycle licenses in the US. My friend will be keeping the bike and will get his license eventually but preferably after reaching Chicago from Mexico. Is it possible (i.e. legal) to drive through the states without first getting a motorcycle license.

Also, how is the process for permenently importing a motorcycle perchased abroad into the US? I do not know if this model is sold in the US and don't know if that will cause us any isses with importation.

Thanks a lot!

"Is it possible (i.e. legal) to drive through the states without first getting a motorcycle license"

Errr. No. of course not. You have to have a license from somewhere. Consider picking up a motorcycle learner permit in the US. That's probably the easiest. Check your state of residence for details.

Many bikes sold outside the US will not comply with emissions regulations, and for a 125cc it's just not worth the effort (or even possible) to get it approved.

If it does meet emissions regulations, importing it shouldn't be a big deal. You can find all the information on the US Customs website.

By the way, I admire your sense of adventure. 2 up on a 125cc! That's ballsy. Good for you!

You may be OK without a MC specific license as long as you have some sort of license. This especially true if out of your state. Most cops will let you slide ... after all, they don't know if your state even requires a separate MC license to operate a MC. Some states do NOT. Some states DO.

Once in you state .. if you get pulled you may be ticketed without a license.
No big deal, just go apply for one. Prove to judge you got a license, explain your trip ... most times should be OK

On The Bike ...
You will never, ever be able to register a not previously US DOT listed bike. Even if that model is sold in the USA ... won't happen because it's VIN is based in whatever country you bought it in and ALL DMV's recognize this in a heartbeat and will reject you ... and it's almost impossible to get it approved, very expensive - paperwork heavy. Forget it.

Just ride it with the foreign plate as long as you can. Riding it with foreign plate is NOT illegal ... but once you are pulled over your will be ticketed (a fix it ticket) and forced to register the bike ... which is impossible to do. Catch 22. At that point you are done.

In my mis-spent youth we did things like swapping plates/registration from a similar bike onto another bike. All OK unless smart cop checks VIN number ... at which time you go to jail.

Best to sell off the bike in a border town in Mexico. Cheap.

All the best!

why not but a second hand frame on eBay in the US and move every thing across to it? You will then have to update the engine number, but your bike will have a "legal" frame and VIN for the USA. Therefore you can have a legal bike and ownership papers!