Emigrating: What to do with the GS ?

[gyro_nyc]

Hi,

I devoted an age to switch to and then find a good example of a 2004 model BMW R1200GS.

Soon after that I am now in the early stages of making my preparation to emigrate to New York, US. The sensible action I s'ppose is to sell the bike. Part of me wants to take it with me, except I have heard that UK bikes cannot be brought in to the US.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Keith Chapman]

except I have heard that UK bikes cannot be brought in to the US.

Can anyone confirm this?

I would say that is tosh, plenty of people have taken UK bikes with them when they move to the US of A.

 

[Mav]

I'm currently in the process of working out the details of getting my bike to NYC. My understanding is that you can keep it there for 12 months without needing to register it. At the end of the 12 months, some people ride to canada, which then re-starts the 12 months

 

[Commuter]

Options

That is one option.

If I am honest with the strength of the Dollar v Pound. Sell it and buy a NEW bike, I did this when I moved to Boston from the UK in 2005. I sold my 03 GS Adv and bought a brand new bike because of the gain on exchange. It will also help with insurance and not cost you to ship it and the shit you will need to manage with the customs guys......hassle not worth it.

Speak with Maxbmwmotorcycles.com (Max, Katy or Neil will help) and ask them for the price list and get a deal arranged, they even have nicely farkled used bikes in excellent condition for s

Max is a great company I bought my 05 GSA from them and it is now on it's way to Turkey to live with me as the dollar to Euro and Pound sucks.

I shipped a USA bike back to the UK after living there for 2 years and never had any problems if this is a question, but I suspect you are out there for good.

I have some great contact around NY area if I can help get you out on the road quickly as the season is quite short and these guys know the areas well.

Cheers, Nick

 

[Colban]

I may be looking at a similar move in the near future;if all goes to plan.
Since i'm actually quite attached to my 1150,i would like to keep the old girl.
I have heard stories about bikes needing to meet US EPA regulations and their Construction and Use regulations equivalent,vast expense converting,bureaucracy,blah blah blah,but i have yet to see details.
There have been a few threads on ADVrider about this subject,so it may be worth a search on there.
One opinion was to register it in Alabama as they couldn't give a toss where it comes from.
May well be complete bollox,but.....
PS,if you find out the correct procedure to import a bike into the US,post it up for info please.

 

[Commuter]

Real Importation Process

Further to my previous post this is what I discovered in 2005 when I wanted to get the bike and car imported to USA.

Bike or any other vehicle will need to be managed by a specialist importer based in the USA, most removal companies (Allied/Pickfords etc) will manage this for you at a cost.

You firstly need to consider what needs to be adjusted before it goes to the USA. For instance on our car we would of needed to change shocks and lights, glass in windscreen as it didn't have a US DOT stamp on them.

This DOT stamp was the one problem that I found to be cost prohibitive. On checking in 2005 I found that the following needed changing on a 1150 to get it looked at in the US for conformity:

All cables and fluid lines need to be stamped with a DOT stamp, this is only available on USA bikes made for this market.

Your headlight will need to be a USA market headlight (if you think the UK one is bad this is even worse) - I actually have one of these by the way from my bike when I changed it back in the UK.

Your tyres if not stamped for DOT use.

I know there where a few other things but I can't remember what.

Process then goes something like this.

1 . Bike is cleaned (a must for no carrier rejection at port of entry - i.e not carrying any mad cow disease mud or something like that)
2. Bike is crated and shipped to US (prepared or not prepared for DOT inspection)
3. Bike is accepted at port by Import agent and then taken by them for preparation for inspection or sent for inspection straight away.)
4.You fill out lots of forms, get you own drivers licence (in my state MA I needed to actually take another test as my UK license wasn't recognised (same in Florida as I know from year previous))
5. Get you bike inspected and hope that it passes the test (emissions and DOT regs)
6. Get insurance for the bike (hope that you are not going to MA as insurance is expensive) I think imports attract more insurance like grey imports in UK - Not sure on this though
7. Get bike registered (more forms) and then get a tag (number plate) for bike
8. Your bike is now ready to enjoy the 65 mph speed limit of North American

Hope that this helps. My suggestion is after paining over getting rid of my 2003 bike before moving the states is - Although attached to the bike, is it really worth the ball ache of doing all of this. That's why I bought a USA bike and benefitted from a new for old deal but also I can always take it back there if I get relocated there again.

Cheers, Nick.

 

[gyro_nyc]

BMW Motorrad USA :Reply

Thank you for contacting BMW Motorrad USA. We are pleased to learn you enjoy your motorcycle so well that you want to bring it to the U.S. with you. Please be advised that this motorcycle may not comply with U.S. specifications and must be imported as described below.

According to U.S. Customs, EPA, and DOT regulations, all non-conforming vehicles must be imported through a certified independent Commercial Importer (ICI), who will be responsible for the emission compliance, and through a Registered Importer (RI), who will be responsible for the safety compliance of the vehicle. The ICI and RI should be able to answer your questions with regard to the modifications that will be necessary for importation. Additionally, if your state has a vehicle registration inspection, some modifications may be required to pass the inspection.

Please note that BMW does not recommend the importation of non-U.S. version vehicles into the U.S. due to the extent of the necessary modifications and the expenses involved. BMW cannot assure a replacement parts supply or verify the modifications. The ICI and RI should be able to provide you with the estimated costs associated with such modifications. The DOT can be contacted at the following telephone number: (202) 366-0123, the EPA at (202) 564-9660. They can assist you with identifying an importer near the port where you intend to bring the vehicle into the United States. Also, there is a website, www.NHTSA.DOT.GOV, which explains the importation process and lists importers.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations and Services Department at 1-800-831-1117. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time.

Regards,
Jay Williams
BMW Motorrad USA

I got the above information quite quickly from Motorrad USA. Very efficient, but it makes for depressing reading.

Commuter:

Thanks for your very thoughtful reply. I am forced to conclude on balance it is best to sell and get acquainted with her American cousin ! Been dabbling with the US for some time now. The amount of bureaucracy is simply astonishing. Land of the free ... and all that. Worst of all are the gimps in uniforms, power crazed by shiny buttons on the jacket but devoid of a meaningful education. Anyway, enough ranting.

Would be interested to know your riding buddies in the NY area ? The migration is planned for autumn. Not sure how much of the riding season I will see over there.

Thanks also for the other replies

 

[Sgt Bilco]

AS far as I`m aware, you can only do a temporary import for 12 months. I think it would be too complicated to do it any other way. US customs are somewhere still in the 50`s so good luck if you want to go down that route!! Even on a temprorary import, the forms are unbelievable. I did this with my old 1150adv with no issues an d got a 50 state permit (I think it was called that) and could go anywhere bar Hawaii.

You can ship into the East coast on ro/ro for around £500 which is way easier than taking it by air!! Check out www.hctravel.com and David will help you out.

My 1100 is going out in June fora foray across the Trans America Trail in July and then Alaska in Spring 09. I can`t see any problems ahead

I would advise to sell your beloved (the bike, not the wife) and buy again in the US.

 

[gyro_nyc]

Post Script

The deed is done ... sold the old girl. The bike market seems kind of down, along with the rest of the economy - and I lost a little in the deal. Kind of sad, but on the bright side maybe I can now have a newer, improved, sparkly US model.

 

[alimey4u2]

The deed is done ... sold the old girl. The bike market seems kind of down, along with the rest of the economy - and I lost a little in the deal. Kind of sad, but on the bright side maybe I can now have a newer, improved, sparkly US model.

A very wise move as they are cheaper over there in any case & with a 3 year warranty to boot. First thing to do is remove the charcoal canister, which is fitted as California requirements...

 

[Lamble]

Hi,

I devoted an age to switch to and then find a good example of a 2004 model BMW R1200GS.

Soon after that I am now in the early stages of making my preparation to emigrate to New York, US. The sensible action I s'ppose is to sell the bike. Part of me wants to take it with me, except I have heard that UK bikes cannot be brought in to the US.

Can anyone confirm this?

I sold my UK GS and for half the money I sold it for bought a newer version in the US. No paperwork, specification hassles, or registering it after a 6-9 month period as a foreign bike. Plus if you then decide to ride into S.America it's again easier..Canada issue insurance based carnets, same as the UK, although with a US bike, you may not need one.

Simpler and cheaper...sold in the UK buy in the USA. When you get over here let me know and I'll give you a few contacts that can help with finding a bike to suit..dealer info etc...I bought mine in Atlanta and then rode it cross country to Seattle on the back roads and via a few places, managed to get a 3,000 mile trip up to 10,000...it's a big place.