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  #1  
Old 4 Nov 2004
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Anyone register a U.S. bike in Europe?
I've been reading articles about shipping and registering a bike from Europe to the U.S but not from the U.S. to Europe. I'm looking to move to Barcelona or Prague to teach for a year or more. With this goal comes a working visa and address. The Euro to the Dollar means a U.S. purchase and shipment would may be wiser than purchasing locally...unless you know otherwise. Any experience in this matter of registration?
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  #2  
Old 4 Nov 2004
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Before deciding to ship your bike over, research the cost of similar bikes in Europe. Could be that there is no or little difference in price, meaning that shipping yours may not be the best bet.

I've heard that buying any vehicle in Spain requires the services of a Notary (legal person), which costs money - no idea how much though?

If no one else replies to this thread, try posting the same question here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/

There's a few Spanish based riders here who may be able to help, all with good English.
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Old 4 Nov 2004
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Why would you want to register the bike in Europe? I suggest you just ride it with your Oregon registration/plate. Just make sure its current and that you buy insurance when you get here. I from right across the river from you - Vancouver, WA and am in Europe riding with my WA plate. Having a non-europe plate also has advantages in that speed traps that take photos of your license plate and send you the fine in the mail will never reach you, parking fines will never reach you, etc...


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Old 4 Nov 2004
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You can't always insure foreign registered bikes in other countries. An Australian friend experienced great difficulties in registering her F650 here in the UK.

EU registered bikes may be easier & I'm sure the problems vary from country to country, even within the EU itself.
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  #5  
Old 5 Nov 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by Steve Pickford:
Before deciding to ship your bike over, research the cost of similar bikes in Europe. Could be that there is no or little difference in price, meaning that shipping yours may not be the best bet.

I've heard that buying any vehicle in Spain requires the services of a Notary (legal person), which costs money - no idea how much though?

If no one else replies to this thread, try posting the same question here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/

There's a few Spanish based riders here who may be able to help, all with good English.
Steve,

Thanks for your reply and the link. The Euro is worth about a $1.25 on the average. I was pricing bikes in Europe and there are no discounts. For instance, a new bike at 8500Euros (which would sell in the States for $8500US) would cost me $10,625US. Whatya think?

I plan to hang there for a few years and won't have a way to deal with keeping US registration up to date and I may get harassed.
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Old 6 Nov 2004
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Hey Steve, your friend would't by chance have the initials of HK. The must stubborn ( and determined ) woman to ever to sit astride an F650. If so I've known her from 20 odd years back here in OZ. Where is she now-a-days anyway? Still in Germany.
Cheers, Graeme.
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Old 7 Nov 2004
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Quote:
<font face="" size="2">I was pricing bikes in Europe and there are no discounts.</font>
Yes, there are, but you have to stand in the shop and waive the cash under the salesperson's nose!

Don't forget shipping, port charges, import duty and VAT (almost 20% in some countries). The importers will sting you 100 - 150 € for a compliance certificate.

Your bike may well have to be modified to comply with EU rego rules. The crappy sealed beam headlights, for example, will need to be replaced.

Also consider the paper work and the language barrier.

The compulsory insurance for foreign reg vehicles is available from Knopf Tours by mail, or in person from the ADAC in Germany and possibly other AA's in Europe.

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  #8  
Old 7 Dec 2004
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Hey-

I moved to Europe last summer from Portland, OR and I am in the process of registering a US bike here. It can be done, but depending on the country, there's some paperwork. With the Dollar to Euro exchange rate and the fact that bikes new costs much more here than in the US (mostly due to the high TVA tax), it makes total sense to bring a US bike here. However, if you are don't have a bike today in the US and want to buy one right before moving here, you may have to pay tax on the US bike to import it. You mucy own goods for 6-12 months (depends on the country and customs rules) to be able to import it free of duty.

Hope this helps. Drop me a line if you want.

Cool to see someone from Portland. I actually miss it!
-Ed
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