Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
Want to buy in India and ride back to UK Want to buy in India and ride back to UK
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Apr 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Posts: 2
Want to buy in India and ride back to UK
Hi all,

Newbie here. I was born and brought up in India just down the road from where they used to manufacture Jawa motorbikes. Always wanted one as a kid but then moved to UK. I'm going to India at the end of May and want to bring a 250 RoadKing (not the Harley) back to the UK.

Was initially considering just shipping the bike back but then started thinking about actually riding it back and the more I think about it the more I want to do it. I have several questions however which I am hoping you guys could help me with.

1. I am a British citizen can I buy in India? I read conflicting reports
2. Do I need to get a carnet? If so how do I go about it? Am I wrong in thinking I need to have bought the vehicle first?
3. I don't have an awful lot of time to do the journey in. Would 3 weeks be enough do you think? (That is for the actual journey not for purchasing the bike etc.)

There will be lots more questions but if I cannot get past these then the other questions are academic.

Thanks for all your help in advance...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Stockkholm, Sweden
Posts: 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by injunonabike View Post
Hi all,

Newbie here. I was born and brought up in India just down the road from where they used to manufacture Jawa motorbikes. Always wanted one as a kid but then moved to UK. I'm going to India at the end of May and want to bring a 250 RoadKing (not the Harley) back to the UK.

Was initially considering just shipping the bike back but then started thinking about actually riding it back and the more I think about it the more I want to do it. I have several questions however which I am hoping you guys could help me with.

1. I am a British citizen can I buy in India? I read conflicting reports
2. Do I need to get a carnet? If so how do I go about it? Am I wrong in thinking I need to have bought the vehicle first?
3. I don't have an awful lot of time to do the journey in. Would 3 weeks be enough do you think? (That is for the actual journey not for purchasing the bike etc.)

There will be lots more questions but if I cannot get past these then the other questions are academic.

Thanks for all your help in advance...

- British citizens can buy in india.
- You need to get a carnet if you dont want to end up paying taxes on every international border you cross. Carnet de Passage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- You need to have the vehicle before you get a carnet issues.
- 3 weeks is a very short period to ride the bike to UK. I know someone who rode an enfield to Austria in 2 months. Delhi to london is 6721 crowfly kilometers. On land, the distance grows and the terrain changes. The bureaucracy also delays. So the short answer "Nope"
- Not to metion finding a Jawa 250 roadking that works is a generous amount of work in itself.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
When you get back?
I'd say you also need to do some research about SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) unless you have already. When you bring the bike into the UK as an import you can only ride it to an agreed location (you home for example). Then you have to get a registration document. This requires the bike to be inspected and passed to EU/UK standards. As this bike isn't imported I'm guessing it'll fail at the first go. It could be as simple to fix as swapping the mirrors, chain guard or petrol cap, but if it's a noise or emissions failure it isn't worth starting, you'll be bringing home a garden ornament. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I wouldn't like to think you were adding to the pile of useless Enfields, Urals and Chang Jiangs on E-bay.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Apr 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Posts: 2
When I get back...
Quote:
you also need to do some research about SVA...
Thanks Threewheelbonnie,

I have an e mail from VOSA saying "Vehicles that are over 10 years old can be registered with the DVLA directly. MSVA testing is for vehicles which are less than 10 years old"

I also rang DVLA who confirmed this and sent me a registration pack. They were all very helpful. They even put me in touch with Customs & Excise who told me I would need to pay 8% duty on the purchase price inc. shipping + VAT on the whole lot.

chanderjeet,

Thanks very much for the information. After posting this message I started looking into the distance issue myself. It is even greater as I will be riding from Mysore or Bangalore. I'm looking at around nearly 5000 miles as the crow flies. Perhaps not an idea for a trip with time constraints.

I now have to look and see if I can make the time.

As for getting the Roadking to do the distance...I reckon it'll be a challenge. Nothing ventured...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Apr 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
Good luck you have a great attitude and that will carry you a long way
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Apr 2008
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
Sorry I also meant to add I met someone in Goa a few years ago they had driven from Amsterdam it took them two weeks.

Just go for it.
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
Partner wanted to ride out to Kieve and back through Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Germ mblack977 Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 11 Apr 2008 20:25
Companion wanted to Ride out to Kiev and back through Bulgaria, Greece and Italy. mblack977 Europe 0 18 Mar 2008 22:18
Is it possible and worth buying a BWM in USA ride it, and then ship back to UK benhaines Which Bike? 2 24 Jan 2007 13:39
back roads ride to philip island fer WSB any1? stormsearcher Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 6 Feb 2005 15:09
Driving back or flying back from India to NL? peerke Route Planning 4 2 Oct 2003 01:49

 
 

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 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



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 09:36.

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