Moving to UK, getting a bike

[Xoliul]

In short:
I'm a Belgian who was just offered a job in London (Bromley), I'll most probably take it. I'm 24 years old, been riding for 6. I've also had a car for a year, but want to go back to just a motorcycle when I move.

I've got some questions:

-The just a motorcycle thing seems doable to me as i could live within 7 miles of my work (central Bromley). Kinda wondering a bit about the theft rates though, they seem outta control compared to Belgium...
-Insurance, 2 questions:
-Cost? Hard to say I know, but now i pay about 400gbp per year third party, which is a pretty good rate for my GSF600 Bandit. I've heard it's going to be a lot more? Never had any claims in 6 years btw.
-Grey insurance? Might import a bike, but some insurance doesn't want to insure these? I'd hate to be stuck with an uninsurable/expensive bike...
-I might get a new bike in Belgium 2 months before I move, got a good chance to sell my Bandit and don't wanna be without in the summer. Also it seems like there really aren't that many second hand KTM's (690 SMC/Duke, 990SM) for sale around London (or I don't know the websites). Am I missing some websites?

[Paivi]

[Rogerborg]

[Paivi]

[Rikimaru]

[maccidees2002]

[Xoliul]

Hey thanks for the replies guys. Yes being a Belgian is nothing to be proud of, but I'm excited about moving.

Still thinking about the bike. Sometimes I think I should just not get a 5k gbp KTM and go for a way cheaper FMX650 or DRZ400 or something...

[Kickstart]

Hi

Exchange rate at the moment probably means it would be cheaper to sell your current bike in Belgium and buy another in the UK. Plenty of people buying UK bikes to export as with the value of the pound going down they are cheap.

Insurance will be expensive. While you can probably get some companies to accept your no claims bonus they might well not be the cheapest companies. But at least it will mean that in future years you can use the no claims with other companies.

There are a fair few online comparison sites in the UK for insurance. Might be worth trying one with your details but an assumed address to see what you will be charged.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Xoliul]

Yeah my bike is already sold, at the moment I get to roll around on my brother's SV650, but I'm just gonna leave that here when I move.

I will try some of those insurance sites. I'll probably just end up paying whatever they ask, can't live without a bike honestly...
I'm just so scared with the theft rates, bikes never ever get stolen in belgium where I live. I also read online that Bromley ranks 33 in theft rate, while the UK average was at 45 or something? Didn't sound too bad...

[devojunior]

sorry not related to your post exactly but do not move over hear its run by a shit government and has shit roads.

[Kickstart]

[Xoliul]

So a little update:

I moved, I just got back from test-driving a 690SMR even. I called Bennet's too and that went really, really well. Foreign driving license no problem at all, foreign no claims accepted and effectively more than halves my premium (38 monthly for TPFT, 74 for comprehensive).

What I don't know yet is how do license plates and MOT work here? They sell the bikes with the plate I think? It's completely different were I come from, every new owner has to request a new plate..

[ElliotReidMD]

If the bike, or car for that matter, is 3 years or older it needs a yearly MOT. You need a current MOT pass certificate and proof of insurance to get road tax.

As for the number plate/licence plate, I would say 999,999 times out of a million, a second hand bike/car will already have it. If someone had a personalised numberplate then they may not sell that along with the vehicle.

When you buy a vehicle you should be given, by the seller, the V5 document associated with that vehicle. This is filled out and sent to the DVLA and a new one, in your name, will be sent to you.

[Xoliul]

So how does the road tax work?

Right now i get the idea it works like this:
-I tell the seller I'm buying the bike and pay for it.
-I get insurance
-when the insurance starts, I can just drive off with the bike and take it home
-then I register for the road tax or something ?

Sounds way easier than Belgium lol, you have to go to 3 offices for paperwork before you can drive, and it takes more than a week before you get sent everything and can bolt the plate on. Not so bad here in the UK

[anthony_r6]