Hi everyone. I came over to buy a Russian Ural Ranger 2WD Limited edition "Pustinja", with sidecar, from Australia on the 17th of April 2007, from the European Dealer in Linz, Austria, and was given a 21 day temporary registration/plates to get it to the UK, where "I thought" I would have been able to register it properly, as I have "right to abode" in my passport and an address to use etc. I bought the bike to ride across Russia, Mongolia, China, and down through SE Asia to Australia. The bike is suited to ride on all the roads through Europe, Russia etc as the sidecar is on the right. That is where I have problems. I found out when I got to the UK, that they no longer register bikes with the sidecar on the right (as they drive on the left side of the road, and will only register sidecars that are on the left.) I'm told this is a relatively new law. I have tried other countries around Europe but am told I can't register the bike in these countries as I am not a resident of that country. So now I am in a catch 22 situation...I can't register in a country I'm not a citizen, and the country where I would be allowed, won't do it. The temporary registration is well and truly expired, and I have been a bit naughty and ridden to Lithuania trying different countries to register it in.
I have my visas for Russia and Mongolia (my Russian visa started on 1st July) and am holed up in a hotel trying to get something sorted before I even think about approaching the Russian border ( I was told by someone from the Australian Embassy in Moscow if I went to the border with an expired registration, even though you have to buy Russian Temporary Registration and Russian Insurance at the border, that they would confiscate my bike and I would be fined and/or jailed!) Not what I had in mind.
I have only just been told about this website yesterday, and wish I had checked it out before I bought the bike etc.. My "she'll be right mate" attitude that has served me well over the years, has gone a bit Pear shaped. I hope someone can offer advice on what I can do to get legal etc.
Is there anywhere that lets foreigners register bikes etc??
Please help, and thanks for reading this.