Exporting a 2008 GSA to France

[paul1961]

Exporting a GSA 1200 to France

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Can anyone give me a diffinitive guide as to what changes I need to make to officially export my bike to France. I have managed to get a headlight from Germany so that I can change that.
Does the speedo have to show KPH as the primary and not the secondary figures like the english bikes. If so I have seen a KPH card inlay from Ebay europe has anyone taken the instruments apart to attempt this? I have a certificate of conformity from BMW GB. I believe there are no fiscal power issues and is coded as 11cv in france.

Any help much appreciated.
Paul1961

 

[miked]

http://riviera.angloinfo.com/countries/france/motoregister.asp

 

[mrsroynie]

I have previously exported a 1200GS to France and am currently in the process of re-registering a 1150GS, so I speak with some experience.

However accurate the information you are given on this forum might be, the bottom line is that you will need to apply to the Homologation dept at BMW Motorrad, France, with your VIN number. They will send you a form to complete with various details about your bike and will then send out a definitive list of modifications.

These will probably need to be carried out by an authorised BMW dealer, as you will need an "Attestation" from an authorised dealer, confirming that the work has been carried out, before BMW France will issue you with either a Certificate of Conformity (in which case you can go straight to the local Sous-Prefecture and register the bike) ... or a Partial Certificate of Conformity, in which case the bike will need to be inspected by the local DRIRE, who will then forward the necessary forms to the Sous-Prefecture.

Beware of UK-issued Certificates of Conformity, as these often do not have the right homologation number and will be rejected by the Sous-Prefecture - as recently happened to me with the 1150GS. (On the other hand, the one I got in 2007 for my 2005 1200GS was absolutely fine, with no modifications necessary!)

Sorry, just re-read your post. Secondary KPH figures are fine. Stick-on overlays not.

 

[M3GS]

I have previously exported a 1200GS to France and am currently in the process of re-registering a 1150GS, so I speak with some experience.

However accurate the information you are given on this forum might be, the bottom line is that you will need to apply to the Homologation dept at BMW Motorrad, France, with your VIN number. They will send you a form to complete with various details about your bike and will then send out a definitive list of modifications.

These will probably need to be carried out by an authorised BMW dealer, as you will need an "Attestation" from an authorised dealer, confirming that the work has been carried out, before BMW France will issue you with either a Certificate of Conformity (in which case you can go straight to the local Sous-Prefecture and register the bike) ... or a Partial Certificate of Conformity, in which case the bike will need to be inspected by the local DRIRE, who will then forward the necessary forms to the Sous-Prefecture.

Beware of UK-issued Certificates of Conformity, as these often do not have the right homologation number and will be rejected by the Sous-Prefecture - as recently happened to me with the 1150GS. (On the other hand, the one I got in 2007 for my 2005 1200GS was absolutely fine, with no modifications necessary!)

Sorry, just re-read your post. Secondary KPH figures are fine. Stick-on overlays not.

Well I imported my 1200GS (2005) into France in 2007 also. I found it relatively straightforward once I got my ducks lined up.

I got my CoC free of charge from BMW GB and this was accepted without question at the sous-prefecture. In fact some people have allegedly succeeded with just the V5 as proof of EEC type approval, which is of course the bottom line anyway.

My understanding is that you only need to go the expensive and time consuming DRIRE route if you have an older or non-EEC bike.

However France being seemingly where bureaucracy was invented, the story above does not surprise me. Jobsworths are quite strongly represented in the French Civil Service but I have found that for every one of those there are 2-3 lovely helpful types who will bend over backwards to help you.

I found some excellent advice in the motorcycling and car sections at

http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/

which I highly recommend...

Oh and as there is (as yet) no annual test here for bikes I am still on my original LH dip headlamp too. The speedo being calibrated in both units is perfectly fine also.

Just my take on it!
Cheers

Roger

 

[paul1961]

Thanks everyone for your help. I believe Roger to be right in that bikes registered after 2003 do not need to go down the more complicated route. If the EC type approval number starts e1* it is accepted that the Type is standard across Europe. As it stands at the moment it looks like the only thing I need to change is the headlamp (officially). I will look up the forums suggested Thanks for taking the time to reply and your advice is most welcome. Regards Paul

 

[Steve Law]

Thanks everyone for your help. I believe Roger to be right in that bikes registered after 2003 do not need to go down the more complicated route. If the EC type approval number starts e1* it is accepted that the Type is standard across Europe. As it stands at the moment it looks like the only thing I need to change is the headlamp (officially). I will look up the forums suggested Thanks for taking the time to reply and your advice is most welcome. Regards Paul

Hi, I recently tried to register my 2004 1150 GS in france as my V5 had the "new" european wide e1 number. It was point blank refused, I also had with the bike a certifcate of conformity issued by BMW UK, this was also refused as it does not have the necessary information required in France.

I then sold the bike and have just bought a 09 1200adv, I rang and spoke to the same office and they insist that without a French C of C issued by BMW France its a no go.
This despite euro wide regs stating that the e1 number is sufficient.

When speaking to BMW France they said they will not issue a C of C without the modifications being carried out by an approved dealer. If I fit a headlight unit myself, despite BMW being able to verify through the part number it is a LH drive unit they will not accept this.

In french I think this whole system is called "un pompe a fric"!!

It appears as though it all depends on who you are dealing with on the day, but thats France for you.....

 

[shan]

I believe you have been given all the info that you need !!!!!!!
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262723

If you wont some one to hold your hand Just ask !

If you read the info in the links and the replies that you got

 

[mrsroynie]

Well I imported my 1200GS (2005) into France in 2007 also. I found it relatively straightforward once I got my ducks lined up.

I got my CoC free of charge from BMW GB and this was accepted without question at the sous-prefecture.

....

My understanding is that you only need to go the expensive and time consuming DRIRE route if you have an older or non-EEC bike.

Odd, isn't it. May be it depends on the particular 'Department' you live in. I had no problem at all registering the 1200GS in the Haute Garonne - like you, I still have my original headlight.

However, the age of the bike doesn't seem to have much bearing on the process. Roynie had a nightmare trying to register his 2008 Triumph Tiger 1050. He had power limited and headlamp changed by Jack Lilley (with dealer certification in several languages to prove it). But even then only got a Partial Certificate of Conformity and still had to have the bike inspected by the DRIRE before the correct paperwork could be forwarded to the Sous Prefecture.

 

[M3GS]

Yes its all very weird and varies from prefecture to prefecture it seems...

Yet the vehicle importation process should legally be the same throughout the EU.

The bottom line is that the French like to do their own thing regardless of what Brussels says, while the Brits and the rest of Europe meekly bow their heads and comply...

I suppose it depends where the OP is going to live. I had no problem in Tarn et Garonne and I have never actually met anyone else who has had your difficulties Mrs R.

All the best

Roger