Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Buying a Motorbike in USA Buying a Motorbike in USA
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Apr 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 3
Buying a Motorbike in USA
Hi
I am an Australian who works in Pennsylvania every year for about 4 months.
I am hoping to buy a harley this May and ridding across america in september when i have finished work. I have done a lot of touring on Push Bikes over the years through Europe America Asia but this is my first time on try it on a motorbike. I have an australian Motorbike license.
So i have been searching the internet for awhile to try to find out what i need to do to simply buy a bike in Pennsylvania or New York and everyone makes it out to be so complicated and no one can seem to give a straight answer.
My question is in 2012 How to I go about buying a bike what do i need to do.
I plan on being in America for about 4 months if this makes any difference.
I have a SS number I have american Bank Acc I don't really have prof of Address but i do have a permeant address while working. I have a J1 Visa.
Please can any one point me in the right direction on what i need to do.
Thanks
Dylan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Dylan,

There isn't that much to tell. All you do is walk in and buy the bike, transfer the title, get registration and insurance, same as you would do in Oz.

A foreigner can easily buy a bike in the US, many people do it every year. One issue to be aware of is that you have to have an address to which the title will be sent. The time that it takes for this to be forwarded varies from state to state so look it up for the states you are considering on purchasing the bike in. While you are at it, look around at neighboring states to see what the state tax on motorcycles is as this adds to the overall purchase cost.

In regards to insurance, check out progressive.com.

Only otehr thing that you may want to look up is whether or not you require getting a US drivers license based on your visa status. For foreigners travelling through, no need but since you have visa and will be staying for a while, this may be a requirement. Look up the DMV for the state in which you will be working.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Apr 2012
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,017
The part Mountain Man left out is that you need to check purchase and registration requirements in the specific state where you'll be buying. In some states, as a nonresident you will NOT be able to do what you propose. In other states it's easy (with a local address).

Google up the registration requirements for Pennsylvania and New York (and Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey just for the hell of it). You'll end up a sites like this one: Motor Vehicle Information Center. Read carefully. Act accordingly.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Apr 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 3
Foreigner buying bike in either PA or NY
thanks moutainman and mark for getting back to me
I really do hope it is as easy as you say it is moutainman but i have a a feeling in PA and NY it is a little harder then that for a foreigner to do (i hope I'm wrong) I have been searching the DMV website and as for any government website it is not easy to find what you want. So if any one has done this in either PA or NY i would love to hear how it went and what i need to do. Im leaving for america in about 3 weeks and i am going to make this work some how.
Thanks dylan
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Apr 2012
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,017
I took a quick look at the Penn. site, and it looks like you can't do it without a Penn. license or ID card. I didn't look any further, but you might: for example, with your visa, address and job can you get a Penn. license? With a local license you can probably insure and register a bike. Note, however, my use of the word "probably."

There are certainly states where this can be easily done, but the ones I know of are not near you--Florida, Montana, Washington, California. If you get stuck, give that some thought.

On the other hand, it's not necessary to actually own the bike in order to ride cross country. Someone else could own it--just make sure you're covered by whatever insurance applies, and come to whatever arrangement you like with the (actual or paper) owner. This part would work differently if you wanted to sell the bike or take it into Mexico or Central America.

Good luck.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Ah yes, the dreaded state by state rules. I can't speak for NY but have bought a bike in Illinois (Chicago) as a foreigner (Canadian) no problems. You may also want to try Ohio, I registered the bike there, again no problems. If you do get some questions about a non local license, your story is that you have just arrived and have yet to put all that into place. Worked for me!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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 18:55
Buying a preowned bike in western states USA Janet Russel Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 29 Mar 2012 18:24
Buying a bike in the USA by foreigner then travelling to South America Spacemonkey Trip Paperwork 10 18 Feb 2012 07:30
Europe - USA - Horror shipping company or bad luck? pweigand Trip Transport 5 20 Jan 2012 20:32
Help - USA insurance for Europe citizens pweigand Trip Paperwork 2 20 Oct 2011 17:41

 
 

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
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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 16:58.

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