Complicated-Buying

[kokkios]

Ok, i will try and keep it as simple as possile.

I live in Cyprus and i decided to buy an R1200GS.

Here in Cyprus to get a new one fully loaded you need close to 23000 euros thats approximately 21000 quid. Even used ones are really expensive so i decided to take advantage of the sterlin drop and import a used one from the UK.

I read a few threads on the Dealers section to try and locate the most reliable ones to get in touch with and do business. Am thinking London area(although i believe they are being shipped from Southampton) because of the bulk of dealers found in London. Any dealership experiences you've had (good or bad) please feel free to share. So one big question is which dealer to trust.

The second big question is which trustworthy transport company will be willing to go pick up the bike from the dealer, prepare her for shipping (box her) and send her to cyprus. Any ideas?

The third question is whether you guys think its safe to do the deal while i am in Cyprus. My concern is based apparently on which bike to choose. I mean will i be able to understand whether the bike is flawless i.e. without scratches with good service history and etc from distance?

Thanks in advance

 

[Decster]

Dealer = Bahnstromer

cant give any advice on the rest. Fly to London and drive it back

 

[Bryn]

Welcome to the site Kokkios

I know you're new here but UKGSer has a community spirit which I'm sure would be useful to you if you decide on a used bike advertised on here.... If I were you I'd be looking for a 1-2 year old bike advertised here privately, and flying over to do the deal, and the adventure would start immediately with the ride back home

Providing you sort out the import matters etc. this will save you a lot of money

You'll need to be a Subscriber to use the 'For Sale and Wanted' section, but its a no-brainer if you ask me

 

[kokkios]

Thanks for the reccomendation Decster. I will have a look at his website.

Bryn, i have been lurking here for a while but never got to posting before. I will definitely have a look at the sellers section you proposed. However why do you think its better for me to buy privately than from a dealer?

Keep the info coming people

 

[ronnie69]

However why do you think its better for me to buy privately than from a dealer?

Providing you sort out the import matters etc. this will save you a lot of money

If you did decide to buy from a dealer, pay at least £100 of the price by credit card - gets you some additional protection under Section 74 Consumer Credit Act 1974 if things go wrong and dealer isn't willing to help. Check with credit card firm first if that still applies if you were to pay over the phone from Cyprus.

But better still, buy from here as already suggested. With the prices in Cyprus, you're going to save A LOT of money - more than enough to pay for a trip back from the UK, surely.

 

[CaptainSlow]

Bahnstormer

Dealer = Bahnstromer

cant give any advice on the rest. Fly to London and drive it back

Yep, Bahnstormers, nice coffee and choccy biscuits as well. Next door to a pub as well if you've time for lunch...

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Buy from a Dealer, take it to Cyprus Warranty useless unless it's a FULL BMW one
Buy from a respected tosser, ride it back, spend 3 weeks wiping silly grin from face when you get home ..
Be quids in...
secondly
Go for an 1150, less to go wrong that can't be fixed without a Multi megabrained diagnostic unit,
Thirdly.
I delivered my Brothers car and bike to Malta via Sicily, importing was a piece of piss
Fourthly
You being a Cypriot and having the knowledge of how things work over there should be to your advantage..
buy from a Tosser for eg £5000 have two receipts
1 for £3000 to show to the Cypriot authorities.
and a real one for your records that you post to your address in Cyprus..
don't want to risk having both receipts on you when entering Cyprus
That should reduce your import duties...
Headlamp is not a prob as most can be straight dipped thus making lhd rhd irrelevant..
You SHOULD be able to ride from UK to Silifkie in 3 days maybe 4...

I should think that at least one Tosser could handle the logistics of Crating a bike for you and getting it picked up...
If you find one in the south West I'd have a go...
I have contacts at DHL and TNT..

 

[kokkios]

If you did decide to buy from a dealer, pay at least £100 of the price by credit card - gets you some additional protection under Section 74 Consumer Credit Act 1974 if things go wrong and dealer isn't willing to help. Check with credit card firm first if that still applies if you were to pay over the phone from Cyprus.

That is a very usefull piece of information thank you. I will look into it further with my Bank.

Buy from a Dealer, take it to Cyprus Warranty useless unless it's a FULL BMW one
Go for an 1150, less to go wrong that can't be fixed without a Multi megabrained diagnostic unit,

You being a Cypriot and having the knowledge of how things work over there should be to your advantage..
buy from a Tosser for eg £5000 have two receipts
1 for £3000 to show to the Cypriot authorities.
and a real one for your records that you post to your address in Cyprus..
That should reduce your import duties...
You SHOULD be able to ride from UK to Silifkie in 3 days maybe 4...

If you find one in the south West I'd have a go...
I have contacts at DHL and TNT..

1. What do you mean a FULL BMW? Stock? or one thats been serviced solely by BMW authorised garages?
2.I kind of have my mind set on the 1200
3. Import tax in cyprus is calculated over the engine's capacity and not over the current cost of the bike. That is about 2000 euros for a 1200cc bike.
4.I think there might be a bit of a problem trying to ship the bike from Silifkie
5. Thanks for offering your help. I will keep that in mind

 

[tonkatoy]

Bike Shipping

Try James Cargo http://www.jamescargo.com/ at Heathrow. They crate up and ship bikes all over the world, sea freight and air freight. The dealer might have to run the bike over to them but if it's a London dealer that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[kokkios]

Try James Cargo http://www.jamescargo.com/ at Heathrow. They crate up and ship bikes all over the world, sea freight and air freight. The dealer might have to run the bike over to them but if it's a London dealer that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks a lot. This company you suggested seems quite experienced on the subject. I filled in the details to get a quote. Although to be honest i couldnt find for the life of me where the option for only one-way shipping was. I will contact them also via email and see what they say.

Any more dealer feedback?

 

[Duchess]

Welcome to the site Kokkios

I know you're new here but UKGSer has a community spirit which I'm sure would be useful to you if you decide on a used bike advertised on here.... If I were you I'd be looking for a 1-2 year old bike advertised here privately, and flying over to do the deal, and the adventure would start immediately with the ride back home
Providing you sort out the import matters etc. this will save you a lot of money
You'll need to be a Subscriber to use the 'For Sale and Wanted' section, but its a no-brainer if you ask me

Thanks for the reccomendation Decster. I will have a look at his website.

Bryn, i have been lurking here for a while but never got to posting before. I will definitely have a look at the sellers section you proposed. However why do you think its better for me to buy privately than from a dealer?

Enjoy your stay with us Kokkios.

 

[davegs]

Shipping

Thanks a lot. This company you suggested seems quite experienced on the subject. I filled in the details to get a quote. Although to be honest i couldnt find for the life of me where the option for only one-way shipping was. I will contact them also via email and see what they say.

Any more dealer feedback?

Can reccomend James Cargo, very professional and very helpful have sent and collected my bike from /to half way around the world with NO bother at all./
Dave GS.

 

[kokkios]

I have another question for you forum friends.
In case i decide to fly over there and ride the bike back, who should i contact to insure the bike for the duration of my trip. Should i contact an insurance company in Cyprus or are there in the UK insurance offices that can do this and cover me for a few days-weeks?
Also will i have to pay some kind of road tax? I dont know if there is such a thing in the UK but am asking because in Cyprus we have it

 

[Duchess]

I have another question for you forum friends.
In case i decide to fly over there and ride the bike back, who should i contact to insure the bike for the duration of my trip. Should i contact an insurance company in Cyprus or are there in the UK insurance offices that can do this and cover me for a few days-weeks?
Also will i have to pay some kind of road tax? I dont know if there is such a thing in the UK but am asking because in Cyprus we have it

Yes, you'll need road tax, yes, you'll need to make sure the bike has a full MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate. If you buy insurance in Cyprus make sure youre covered for riding Europe (Overseas trips) in with the policy or ask for an addition to the policy. I'm sure you probably know that already.

I'm guessing it would cost you a small fortune just for a couple of days insurance to ride the bike back home, in fact I'm not even sure as its something an insurance company would offer you over here. Ask them.

 

[Pathologic]

Not a recommendation

Hi Kokkios,

Welcome to the site.

I agree with what many have said about buying second hand of the site. However, if you do go down the brand new bike route, I think BMW Park Lane handle most of the exports from the UK. They are the only dealership owned by BMW motorrad UK. It might be worth contacting them to see what the official line is.

Having said that I used them for 2 years but never again. They are expensive and don't communicate very well.

When it comes to insurance I think most UK insurers expect you to be resident in the UK.

Best of luck. Let us know if you come to London. I might be able. meet up with you.

Regards,

Path.

 

[kokkios]

Yes, you'll need road tax, yes, you'll need to make sure the bike has a full MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate. If you buy insurance in Cyprus make sure youre covered for riding Europe (Overseas trips) in with the policy or ask for an addition to the policy. I'm sure you probably know that already.

I'm guessing it would cost you a small fortune just for a couple of days insurance to ride the bike back home, in fact I'm not even sure as its something an insurance company would offer you over here. Ask them.

Road tax and insurance. This seems to need further research. It might not be that easy after all riding the bike through Europe. I am not aware how things work there or how long it will take to get the road tax sorted.

Also i dont know whether insurance companies in Cyprus will be willing to insure me for that purpose. I will try and find out from bikers clubs here. I currently don't own a bike so it will be a new policy with a new company so this makes things more difficult.

Hi Kokkios,

Welcome to the site.

I agree with what many have said about buying second hand of the site. However, if you do go down the brand new bike route, I think BMW Park Lane handle most of the exports from the UK. They are the only dealership owned by BMW motorrad UK. It might be worth contacting them to see what the official line is.

Having said that I used them for 2 years but never again. They are expensive and don't communicate very well.

Best of luck. Let us know if you come to London. I might be able. meet up with you.

Regards,

Path.

Path, i will save more money if i buy a used one rather than a new.

And thanks for offering your help. I will see how it goes and maybe i will get in touch with you. Maybe help me sort some things out and then beers on me I miss Carling and pub hamburgers. Favorite calorie intake during my 1 year stay in London

On the other side I contacted James Cargo and they quoted GBP600+VAT which includes collection, packing, freight, fuel surcharges, documentation, handling and export clearance. From the UK to Cyprus by ship. Whats the VAT in the UK? 15%?

 

[Ian M]

Whats the VAT in the UK? 15%?

At the moment, yes, but going up to 17.5% in January 2010.

 

[RIXTER]

Cyprus

Well I've nowt to do......wouldn't mind a ride to Cyprus.

 

[cbritton]

Why is the price so high in Cyprus ? Is this because of a tax when you register the bike. Scandanavia is like that.

Just a thought.

Cheers, Colin.

 

[kokkios]

Why is the price so high in Cyprus ? Is this because of a tax when you register the bike. Scandanavia is like that.

Just a thought.

Cheers, Colin.

Yes its a) because of taxing which is approximately 2000 euros for a 1200cc bike and b) because the only authorised dealer in Cyprus likes to stick his hand in everybodys pocket