Aussie Needs Advice
Hi Guys,
Great site!! Been riding for 37 years 29 on BMs and it just gets better.
I am a very fortunate bloke who has himself a new adventure (BMW) that needs some information and advice. I will be living the dream soon, as I intend to change my work to part time, ie 4 weeks on 4 weeks off. My plan is to ride "The Americas" North and South for about 3 - 4 months in total.
I have the ability of cheap airfares so was thinking of leaving my bike at a safehouse then returning to Australia for work to pay for my sins. Then 4 weeks later returning to continue the trip. I want to know if it is required to export my bike each time I leave the States personally. Can someone tell if this can be done. Much appreciated!
Darby

In the US, there is nothing tying you to your bike, so you could leave it and fly home without any hassle or problem, other than finding a place to keep the bike while you're gone.

But customs like the bike to leave within 12 months.

Not sure what checks they make though.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Thanks Guys it will make it alot easier than I thought, .

How do you feel that once I plan a long stop location that I find a storage situation, ie

RAC? USA style?,

Self storage shed?

Request on HU?

Thanks again,
Darby

Darby, member 'RickMcD' lives in the greater L.A. metropolitan area (about an hour north of L.A. International airport--yes it's still in the general metro area) and just assisted another Aussie member, 'Bigfoot' with an address to have his bike sent to from Australia. Rick is planning a trip around Australia starting the end of August, and I am sure would let you keep your bike at his place. I cannot speak for the guy, but I am sure there is something that you could do to help him in Australia, so I can only imagine that he wouldn't mind putting up your bike at his place. Contact him, and look for the thread under the N.America section started by 'Bigfoot' looking for an address to have a bike sent to from Australia.

BruceP who responded is probably correct in that you are supposed to technically export the bike within 12 months according to customs, but I can say with much certainty that there is nothing tying the bike between customs and you coming and going (i.e. computer database), so in getting on the plane, they will not be asking you about a bike and what you have done with it as you are flying back. Just make sure to keep your most up to date registration for local and state police--which you will obviously have since you are coming and going so often.

As far as storage places, there are storage units you can rent month to month, and the prices do vary. I know a 10 foot by 10 foot (3-ish meters x 3-ish meters) cost along the lines of $100 USD/month (i.e. L.A. area), and prices go down from there as you probably wouldn't need such a size.

There are enough people here from the US that you probably won't have any problems finding someone to help out. Hell, you can store your bike in my garage in houston, texas =]. Plus, you'll have the fun of meeting lots of random biker folk .

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http://davegtravels.com - RTW on a DRZ
All the way south - Texas to Tierra del Fuego in '08-'09

get the impression you want to tour South America as well. In most countries in SA you will get only a 3 month permit for the bike, except Chile (6) and Argentina (8).
When leaving the bike in Brazil and overstaying the (3 month)permit you can leave through Iguazu (either to Argentina or Paraguay). Customs wont check you there. Or leave the country on a sunday/holiday as customs dont work then either...
Driving in Brazil without the permit is no problem, I have never met a policeman who knows tourists need one (and in fact the Mercosul Tourists do not need one, so they are not used to it)