Exporting a bike? anybody done it?

[Itchy]

It is really as simple as fill in the I'm going to export my bike bit on the V5C , take it to your shipping company and send the papers off to the DVLA...

Or should I just declare the bike SORN , putting various reminders in my calendars to re-SORN the bike when the time crops up and to ride it over seas as normal.

A bike overseas seems to cost 2nd hand about half the RRP of when it first came out and they don't seem to depreciate lower than that, some smegging NC30s I've seen are still being sold for equiv of £5K, while I can ship a sports bike sized erm bike anywhere in the world via sea freight for £410.

I've got a number plate so just need to get the bike frame number and specs linked up to the number plate , and away I go...

or is there something illegal/bad about a bike that has ineffect two identities?.

As said I might go work overseas for the experience for a bit and then consider what to do..

Any thoughts?

Ta.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Whosthedaddy]

I did contemplate taking mine overseas when we emigrate but decided against it due to many reasons. When Pickfords came round to provide a quote on shipping they could have given me a quote for the bike. Once there, its another story as it'd need an inspection (MOT/SVA type thing I suppose), re registration costs and tax to pay (from what I'm led to believe) amongst others.

I believe that it'll be the paperwork that'll be the biggest headaches, get past that and maybe it'll be worth it. For me its a bike that costs £1300 maybe and has the odd little niggly faults here and there, I'll get a bike when I'm there.

[RidersRest]

It really depends on where you intend to export your bike too. If it is within the EU and was manufactured from 2003 onwards it should be quite simple as long as you have a V5C certificate - all you need to do is get your hands on the EU Certificate of Conformance from the manufacturer.

Prior to 2003 you will have to speak to the country HQ of the dealer you are importing to to get one and their you will have to jump through some hoops, Change Headlights, Speedo, and dependant on Country you may have to restrict the bike both Germany and France curently have a BHP restriction

I have successfully exported my FJR1300 to France last year with no issues but have issues with My Triumph Rocket3.

I have just bought a Moto-Guzzi Stelvio 1200 from the UK and will ride it over here to France next week, intend to register it here.

There is No MOT in France for Bikes and no Road tax. to avoid TVA (VAT) I simply have to own the bike for 6 Months or it has to have excessive mileage (not sure how much) before I do so.
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[Alex A]

I'm heading over to NZ for two years early next year and having briefly researhed, the SH prices over there seem pretty steep; far more so than the UK. So I've also been thinking of shipping a bike over rather than selling and buying another over there for more (which would also be an unknown quantity).

So I'm very interested in further contributions to this thread.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[Itchy]

Thanks folks , I'm looking into S E Asia for a bit , China ie PRC not the SARs don't like bikes over 125cc, but a few places will let your bike in with an MOT a noise and emissions test , and you need to buy a number plate for it.

I know a few folks in Thailand who have Africa twins and S10s.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Biggest issue would probably be getting it back into the UK afterwards.

All the best

Keith
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[Alex A]

Surely that would only be a problem if you're particularly attached to the bike. If what the OP says about SH values is true, you're better off selling it before (if) you return to the UK anyway.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5