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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Leaving a Bike in the UK
I live in Australia and would like to travel in the UK/ Europe soon... My partner is a UK citizen and I wish to ship my 2008 1200 gs over and leave it there with her family and travel back and forth and ride it on several 3 monthly trips.. I thought of buying a bike over there, and its still a possibility, but would prefer to ride my own bike as Ive spent a lot of money getting it how I like it. Can I leave the Australian registration on it, or do I have to register it in the UK.? Do I have to have it inspected in the UK, I have an after market exhaust and not sure how strict they are over there....
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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Hi Simo

I'm fairly sure that a vehicle has to be UK registered after a maximum of six months here on its home registration. I had a quick look on the vehicle licensing and customs websites but couldn't see anything relevant. There's almost certainly something on this site if you search diligently enough.

If it's more than three years old it will have to be tested. I don't think loudness is one of the exhaust test criteria: it just has to be leak and corrosion free. The police, however, will want to see a Kitemark if you're stopped, as racing silencers aren't road legal.

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Old 5 Apr 2011
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here you go mate,

6 full months or several visits in a 12 month period, I suppose trip to France may suffice.

Here's the link............Temporarily importing a vehicle : Directgov - Motoring


Hope this helps.
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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Originally Posted by geoffshing View Post
here you go mate,

6 full months or several visits in a 12 month period, I suppose trip to France may suffice.

Here's the link............Temporarily importing a vehicle : Directgov - Motoring


Hope this helps.
This is great info... thanks very much, really appreciate the link..
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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Originally Posted by Mick O'Malley View Post
Hi Simo

I'm fairly sure that a vehicle has to be UK registered after a maximum of six months here on its home registration. I had a quick look on the vehicle licensing and customs websites but couldn't see anything relevant. There's almost certainly something on this site if you search diligently enough.

If it's more than three years old it will have to be tested. I don't think loudness is one of the exhaust test criteria: it just has to be leak and corrosion free. The police, however, will want to see a Kitemark if you're stopped, as racing silencers aren't road legal.

Regards, Mick
Thanks Mick, things are a bit clearer now
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Old 6 Apr 2011
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Originally Posted by Mick O'Malley View Post
If it's more than three years old it will have to be tested. I don't think loudness is one of the exhaust test criteria: it just has to be leak and corrosion free. The police, however, will want to see a Kitemark if you're stopped, as racing silencers aren't road legal.
Not so.

The above does not apply to foreign registered vehicles who are in UK as tourists for a maximum of 6 months. The Geneva Treaties, which govern international use and customs matters, say the vehicle must be legal (construction and use) in it's country of registration only - not the country being visited, even if the local rules are in conflict.

Testing is only required for UK registered vehicles using UK public roads. If the silencer etc is legal in the vehicle's home country it is permitted to use it in UK while visiting under the Geneva Treaties agreements.
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