Hey guys/gals,

Read the posts on here about shipping bikes in to Korea, and just wanted to get an updated status on the best methods to use when doing so. Couple questions:

1) Can someone reccomend a company that can ship a bike that far (NY to Seoul/Inchon/Pusan) and does anyone know how much this will cost?

2) Are motorcycles considered automobiles to Korean customs? Also, could I qualify my bike under the "temporary stay" condition? I only plan on being in Korea for 6 months, and expect to ship it back over here at the end of my trip.

3) Is korea "open" to motorcycles? I saw some conflicting posts, about Korea not being open to motorcycles (what does that mean anyway), while others said that Korea was a great place to have a motorcycle (and that it was well worth the hassle of importing the bikes). Its obvious that motorcycles do exist in Korea, so I'm a bit confused by all this.

4) I'm guessing that registration will be handled by the shipping company and that I will have to secure insurance by myself?

Thanks guys, trying to plan ahead here so I can have everything lined up come January/February! FYI: I ride a Vespa 250ie

Thanks,

Wangta

Arg - no one has any info on this?

The confusion regarding legal situation in Korea may result from the fact that we only discovered last year that it is very difficult to import german registered bikes legally into Korea.

Obviously the legal situation is different dependent on in which country the respective bike is registered.

Apart from that: Korea IS a great country to ride around!

Lars

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Thanks for the reply Lars.

I thought it was hard for PEOPLE with German licenses to drive legally in Korea, didn't know about German bikes! I thought there were BMW motorcycles in Korea?

Can I inquire as to why Korea is a great country to ride around?

Yes, you do need to do the national driving license, too. I think that applies for all foreigners, at least all the english teachers I got to know made it or planned to make it. No big deal as they told me, just an ability test.

Also, I had the impression that neither the expats nor the local police really cared about the license: A guy I know rode to the test on his own bike, failed, rode back only to pass the test the following week (on his own bike, naturally).

As to the police: They stopped me only once, were shocked when they saw my western face and waved me on. I was told it works that every time they see a westener. The statement was confirmed by the riding style of those guys I rode with ...

Further, It is not the german BIKE that is the problem, but the german registration. Korea does not recognise the german technical rules. Try the search function for Japan as well, lots of infos here, apparantly the same legal situation.

Korea is a great country because of the usual stuff: Nice landscape almost all over, good roads, good food everywhere, nice (if shy) people, nice things to visit. Could fill pages, but do not know where to start. Will be happy to answer any specific questions but be warned: I am bad in keeping names.

Plus as a foreigners you can ignore the traffic rules as it seems (see above), if you see that as an advantage. Take care of those drivers who can't stand being passed by a twowheeler and try to physically keep you from doing it.

HTH

Lars

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Well, I'm actually Korean American - so the shock factor might not come in to play as much. But maybe they'll be shocked when they hear how bad my Korean is! That'll be some sight!

I have an international license, would I still need to take this test?

Also, I'm from the US, so I'm pretty sure i woudn't run into the same problems that people with Germany registered bikes.

Thanks for the info, you're definately making me want to go through with this. I just need to find more info on how to get my bike over there (I'm located in NYC)! Maybe I could drive accross country (something I've always wanted to do anyway) to San Fran and ship from there?

No idea about the international license, but do it: One of my favorite countries on my trip so far!

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